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SeatsPart report

2016 Ford Explorer Seats Problems

Complaints
32about this part
Share
1%of 2,463 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the seats of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 2,463 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“Seat heat under driver seat keeps going bad. Only the seat bottom, not the top. I noticed as this is the 3rd time it has been in for this, that when I have the seat in the farthest back position it works, but when the seat is moved further it pulls on the wires. I wonder if this could be causing a short in the wiring, which potential could be a fire hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #11309763, filed 2020-02, 35,000 miles

“My driver side airbag light is on my dash I have plugged in and unplugged all of the seatbelts reset the airbag light and it stays off for a while. This is definitely a safety issue I understand it is either a sensor or they are having problems with the wiring harness this should be addressed in a recall. The front passenger side seat warmer/cooler does not work, not sure if that issue is part of the airbag light problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11390470, filed 2021-01, 80,000 miles

“3rd row seats stopped working, seats stuck in stowed position (so I can't get to my spare tire.) no motor sounds, rear interior lights also stopped working. We haven't used the stow feature so much that it should cease to function. We have replaced the fuse, no change. Because there is no way to operate the 3rd row seats while the car is in motion, all of the operation and troubleshooting of the third row seats have happened while the vehicle was stopped and in park.”

NHTSA complaint #11268806, filed 2019-10, 60,000 miles

“My wife wt. Is approx 155lbs the drive seat has been fraying since the first month we picked up the car on oct 22. 2015 and has been getting worst nothing has torn it. Just the fabric has been fraying , we would like a knew seat ?”

NHTSA complaint #10852839, filed 2016-03, 2,000 miles

“On august 20, 2020, my vehicle had last been driven around 12 noon. It sat in the driveway with all of us home. My son went to get in the vehicle around 6:30 pm. Smoke poured out, the seat was smoldering and flames came up. We couldn't put the fire out with extinguisher. Fire department put hose on seat. Firemen stated they see this often with heated/airconditioned seats that malfunction and burn up or cause fire. Firemen stated they could tell the way it looked like all the other heated /air conditioned seats that ignite that they see often . …”

NHTSA complaint #11374212, filed 2020-11, 58,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026717%
202533%
2024210%
202311%
202252%
2021174%
2020413%
201931%
201871%
2017161%
2016321%
2015161%
201470%
2013100%
201220%
201171%
20102017%
200939%
20082718%
20072412%
2006112%
200531%
200460%
2003121%
2002301%
2001246%
2000394%
1999685%
1998704%
1997382%
1996292%
1995192%
1994202%
1993303%
1992203%
1991163%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
591 complaintsSteering
532 complaintsOther or unknown
434 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 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