2016 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 0%of 2,465 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 0% of the 2,465 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Issues with headlight housing unit getting moisture in it causing lights to malfunction. Driver headlight won't work and passenger headlight will turn off while driving then back on and off again. It does this continously at random making it dangerous for myself and other drivers at night. I've spoke with Ford explaining there is a recall for some 2016 models but not one under my VIN so they won't fix it since it's not. I'm hoping the recall can be extended to cover my VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #11656945, filed 2025-04“The current b-pillar trim issue that Ford hasn't remedied. In October 2025 my b-pillar broke off my car while driving, shatteringagainst the car behindme. When it did that the wiring immediately caused my liftgate to think it was open and I have not been able to access that back of my suv since then. In order to do so a piece in the door had to be removed and I have to crawl thru the vehicle to manually find a switch to release it. This has gone on for 5 months with me being unable to use the entire back half of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11724230, filed 2026-03“Vehicle equipped with red and blue emergency lights, excessive auxiliary lights prohibited by law, facilitates color of law violations, poses a risk to general public regarding harassment, impersonation of police officer, seller has actual knowledge, strictly liable upon a purchase agreement with buyer, and can be liable for crimes committed by others as a coconspirator.”
NHTSA complaint #11728832, filed 2026-04“Vehicle equipped with operational red and blue emergency lights prohibited by law, facilitates criminal activity such as impersonation of a police officer, civil regulatory laws regarding excess auxiliary lights, etc. Seller has actual knowledge and can be liable under color of law upon a purchase agreement with a buyer. Vehicle has open recalls and unresolved mechanical/electrical maintenance.”
NHTSA complaint #11728822, filed 2026-04“Ford designed the headlights in the 2016 Ford Explorer so that the LED low beam is built into the housing. So you either have to replace the very expensive housing (1,000) when your low beam goes out or drive with less visibility. Most people do not have $1,000 just laying around.”
NHTSA complaint #11395706, filed 2021-02Related service bulletins
- 10137089Mar 13, 20182016-2018 Explorer signature lighting is standard equipment on XLT and higher level vehicles. Base model vehicles are not equipped with signature lighting and it is not an…
- 10136586Feb 5, 2018Some 2016-2018 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit flickering front amber marker lamps (inboard amber lights under the headlamps) when the engine is running. Before…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer
592 complaintsSteering
532 complaintsOther or unknown
435 complaintsEngine
382 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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