2016 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 382about this part
- Share
- 16%of 2,463 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,650miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 382 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 16% of the 2,463 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,650 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle started to misfire as I was driving. It would get worse every time I was idle at stop lights. Had to pull over to assess the situation and I shortly scheduled a service appointment with a Ford dealership. Ford techs said it was the spark plugs and coils. Had all 6 spark plugs & coils replaced but the issue continued. Still no resolution as of today. Vehicle only has 47k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11397896, filed 2021-02, 47,000 miles“The vehicle without warning , just shuts off. Even while going 65 MPH on a highway. If your lucky, you can coast off the highway before you are hit . Ford refused to fix even though under warranty. So I had to sell it so I wouldn't be killed. Hundreds if not thousands have complained about the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #11377948, filed 2020-12, 68,000 miles“There is a rotten egg smell everytime we accelerate at a high speed when the ecoboost is used. I've taken it to Ford to have seals checked and the smell is still there. My toddler complains of headaches everytime we're in the vehicle and I've had nausea several times. I am now pregnant and worry the fumes will affect the unborn baby.”
NHTSA complaint #11093528, filed 2018-05, 28,000 miles“I bought my Ford Explorer 2 years ago brand new and everys since I bought it I have had headaches. Dizziness while driving and electrical problems with it. My husband has also been treated for headaches and we believe it is from our Ford, we don't have these issues until we are in the car for long periods of time. The dashboard goes blank a lot and it loses power.”
NHTSA complaint #11092049, filed 2018-05, 5,000 miles“While driving 65 MPH on a highway my 2016 Ford Explorer xlt lost all power and would not accelerate. The engine subsequently quit and I lost all power steering and braking. The vehicle has approximately 26,000 miles. No warning/malfunction lights appeared. After about 30 minutes the vehicle restarted and I was able to drive to Ford dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11011639, filed 2017-07, 26,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10160943May 23, 2019Some 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a squeal noise from the accessory drive belt, illuminated charging system indicator, and/or…
- 10159494Apr 26, 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019…
- 10144919Aug 23, 2018Some 2013-2018 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L/1.6L/2.0L EcoBoost, 2013-2018 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.0L/2.7L EcoBoost, 2013-2018 MKZ vehicles equipped with 2.0L…
- 10143090Jun 12, 2018Some 2013-2018 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.7L twin independent variable camshaft timing (TiVCT) engine may exhibit an engine vibration and/or the engine…
- 10140315Jan 8, 2018Some 2013-2018 Escape/Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with 2.5L or 1.5L/2.0L/3.0L Ecoboost engine, 2015-2018 MKC/Edge/Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.0L/2.3L/2.7L EcoBoost engine…
- 10115945Jul 12, 2017Some 2015-2017 Explorer and 2015-2016 F-150 vehicles, equipped with 3.5L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) engines may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
- 10099086Mar 21, 2017Some 2016-2017 explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3l engine and built on or before 28-feb-2017 may exhibit the idle speed dropping below specification after repeated light pedal…
- 10095154Jan 10, 2017To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. Workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been…
- 10094643Dec 22, 2016Some 2015-2017 edge/mkx, escape/mkc, fusion/mkz and explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.0l or 2.3l may exhibit damage to the engine appearance cover, valve cover and/or intake…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 7% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 30 | 11% |
| 2021 | 50 | 11% |
| 2020 | 117 | 9% |
| 2019 | 19 | 6% |
| 2018 | 96 | 13% |
| 2017 | 241 | 14% |
| 2016 | 382 | 16% |
| 2015 | 227 | 13% |
| 2014 | 198 | 12% |
| 2013 | 225 | 10% |
| 2012 | 79 | 10% |
| 2011 | 83 | 7% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 4 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 14% |
| 2007 | 28 | 13% |
| 2006 | 58 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 3% |
| 2004 | 44 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 2% |
| 2002 | 49 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 0% |
| 1998 | 6 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0% |
| 1996 | 2 | 0% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer
591 complaintsSteering
532 complaintsOther or unknown
434 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
215 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsEngine cooling
114 complaintsFuel system
112 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsSuspension
73 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
68 complaintsWheels
50 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology