2016 Ford Explorer Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 591about this part
- Share
- 24%of 2,463 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,750miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 591 complaints about the body and structure of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 24% of the 2,463 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,750 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 4 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.
“Not long after purchasing the vehicle from a dealership I was driving down the highway with my family when the driver windshield pillar mold flys off my vehicle and into traffic behind me. A few weeks or so later the same thing happened to the passenger side. I was looking online for parts and noticed many people complaining about this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11352540, filed 2020-09, 15,000 miles“The key pad on the driver door fell off while driving on a highway. Then an hour later, also while driving, the lift gate light came on. I was unable to open the lift gate by any means. Ford charged me approximately $450 for the door panel. It was $900 to repair both. It is unknown what caused both problems.”
NHTSA complaint #11266071, filed 2019-10, 48,000 miles“Since I have purchased the vehicle in february 16 it has been back for service nurmous times, starting 2 days after delivery! Major complaint has been coolent loss and burning coolant smell following with a oil leak at the same time. This is a new vehicle 10 miles on it shouldn't have these issues so I demanded a different vehicle, was refused due to demographics! …”
NHTSA complaint #11022581, filed 2017-09, 10 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“We took our 2016 Explorer limited back to the shop for the second time after smelling exhaust in the cabin again while in operation. During the first visit the dealer began discussing the Ford repair bulletin that came out 30 days or so ago that was to fix the exhaust leak. However, after a couple of hours later we received a call that the bulletin he referenced was specifically for 2011 thru 2015 . …”
NHTSA complaint #10950398, filed 2017-02, 16,850 milesRelated recalls
- 26V448000Jul 14, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2019
- 25V347000May 23, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2017
- 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim…Covers: Ford Explorer 2011–2019
- 21V316000May 5, 2021Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the…Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2019
Related service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to…
- 10187726Feb 1, 2021A new 3M adhesive is now available, allowing a longer working time, along with mixing nozzles and applicator. 3M Universal Adhesive Black Part Number 08223, 3M Static Mixing…
- 10184654Dec 8, 2020On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap between the cover and roof rail base assembly, rattling, and potential…
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit…
- 10175895May 18, 2020Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Escape/Fusion/MKZ, 2015-2018 Focus,2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2020 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2020 F-Super Duty…
- 10175890May 7, 2020Some 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit roof rail covers that become loose or partially detached. This may be caused by a lack of retention of the clips securing the roof…
- 10163552Jul 4, 2019Some 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a factory keyless entry keypad may exhibit a loose driver side B-pillar front door upper moulding. This may be caused by a lack of…
- 10159505Apr 5, 2019SSM 47914 - 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap trim clips now available. 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap clips are now available as a separate part. It is no longer necessary to…
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 45 | 4% |
| 2019 | 150 | 50% |
| 2018 | 288 | 39% |
| 2017 | 659 | 39% |
| 2016 | 591 | 24% |
| 2015 | 411 | 23% |
| 2014 | 276 | 16% |
| 2013 | 439 | 20% |
| 2012 | 144 | 17% |
| 2011 | 110 | 9% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 151 | 30% |
| 2004 | 426 | 33% |
| 2003 | 354 | 31% |
| 2002 | 486 | 15% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 47 | 3% |
| 1998 | 48 | 2% |
| 1997 | 50 | 3% |
| 1996 | 63 | 4% |
| 1995 | 39 | 5% |
| 1994 | 158 | 13% |
| 1993 | 86 | 9% |
| 1992 | 62 | 10% |
| 1991 | 31 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer
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 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