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Seat beltsPart report

2016 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems

Complaints
40about this part
Share
2%of 2,465 total for the year
Median mileage
47,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the seat belts of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 2,465 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Randomly one of the captain chairs seat belts no longer buckles. It's a airbag seatbelt with a different type of latch. We have numerous problems with these type of buckles since we bough the vehicle. They had to replace the whole housing unit on the other side within the first 6 months because it just fell apart.”

NHTSA complaint #11373608, filed 2020-11, 93,000 miles

“Since purchasing this vehicle in december 2016 I have had seatbelt retractable mechanism in the third row replaced; I have had the navigation system replaced; I had to have the keypad on the door panel replaced; I have had to have the power steering epas replaced (most recent). Most happened while the vehicle was stationary thank goodness. The navigation system did go out while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11013793, filed 2017-08, 22,809 miles

“I have a 2016 Explorer which has 2nd row airbag seatbelts. When purchasing my car it was explained to me that rear airbag seatbelts were the best safety feature for children. I did not have children at the time. I now have a 2 year old whom will be exceeding the latch weight limit shortly. Upon attempting to install his car seat rear facing, it became apparent I am unable to run an airbag seat belt through my childs car seat. It is a extreme safety hazard. …”

NHTSA complaint #11251975, filed 2019-08, 45,000 miles

“Upon starting my car for the third time that day my air bag light came on and does not go off. I also have a problem with it occasionally not registering my drivers seatbelt as buckled or unbuckled.”

NHTSA complaint #11377383, filed 2020-12, 73,750 miles

“The 2nd row seatbelts in my 2016 Ford Explorer contain mini-airbags. There is a design flaw that causes the connection to the seatbelts to fail, disabling all airbags in the vehicle. Ford issued a CSP in January of 2021 and was supposed to notify all owners of all affected vehicles. I was never notified. In April 2022 my vehicle was left with a Ford dealership for 1 month due to constant electrical problems- the dashboard would go dark, the car would lose power, the maps would shut down, etc. That dealership repositioned the faulty wires. In December of 2022 the airbag light came on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11521854, filed 2023-05, 118,521 miles

Related service bulletins

Seat belts: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202612%
202511%
202415%
202354%
202252%
202131%
2020181%
201910%
201881%
2017231%
2016402%
2015382%
2014282%
2013201%
2012142%
2011141%
201011%
200926%
200843%
200710%
200661%
200520%
200471%
2003172%
2002341%
2001113%
2000162%
1999212%
1998382%
1997543%
1996785%
1995597%
1994131%
1993131%
1992244%
1991264%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
592 complaints
Steering
532 complaints
Other or unknown
435 complaints
Engine
382 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
215 complaints
Electrical system
129 complaints
Engine cooling
114 complaints
Fuel system
112 complaints
Air bags
99 complaints
Vehicle speed control
76 complaints
Suspension
73 complaints
Visibility (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 30, 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