2016 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Ford Explorer: 14 recalls, 2461 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
14 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #15V464000 · 2015 · 7,165 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a parking brake that May not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Why it matters: If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'park' while on a slope, the vehicle May roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #15V605000 · 2015 · 203 vehicles
What's wrong: During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts May not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps May fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
Why it matters: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak May occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #16V183000 · 2016 · 1,543 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3l gtdi engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that May overheat while plugged in.
Why it matters: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016.
Seats Vehicle recall #16V475000 · 2016 · 5,280 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat back frame May have insufficient welds which May not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) numbers 202, "head restraints" and 207, "seating systems."
Why it matters: The seat back May not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016.
Seats Vehicle recall #17V767000 · 2017 · 177,264 vehicles
What's wrong: Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts May cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the…
Suspension Vehicle recall #19V435000 · 2019 · 1,194,173 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear suspension toe links May fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Why it matters: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V692000 · 2020 · 15,587 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l or 2.3l engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft May fail.
Why it matters: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began…
Suspension Vehicle recall #20V675000 · 2021 · 454,941 vehicles
What's wrong: The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link May fracture.
Why it matters: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (cabj) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #21V316000 · 2021 · 616,967 vehicles
What's wrong: The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021.
Suspension Vehicle recall #21V537000 · 2021 · 631,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Why it matters: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (cabj) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16v-245, 19v-435, and 20v-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return…
Body & structure Vehicle recall #24V031000 · 2024 · 1,889,110 vehicles
What's wrong: The a-pillar trim retention clips May not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Why it matters: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the a-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #25V347000 · 2025 · 492,145 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver and front passenger b-pillar door trim May detach while driving.
Why it matters: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the b-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026.
Equipment Vehicle recall #25V685000 · 2025 · 59,006 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine block heater May crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord.…
Body & structure Vehicle recall #26V448000 · 2026 · 288,314 vehicles
What's wrong: The roof rail covers May come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Wheels, Suspension Equipment recall #17E048000 · 2017 · 630 vehicles
What's wrong: These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Why it matters: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 59 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (591): the most common themes are door / lock issues (57), noise or vibration (44).
- Steering (532): the most common themes are steering problems (506), noise or vibration (159), warning light on (108).
- Other / unknown (430): the most common themes are leaks (53), noise or vibration (27), fire / smoke (25).
- Engine (382): the most common themes are warning light on (96), leaks (73), stalls / loses power (63).
The 2016 Ford Explorer has 2461 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (2.7× the average Explorer year). Complaints peaked in 2025 (345 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 48,850 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (1801 complaints, 8 recalls), 2017 (1697 complaints, 13 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Ford Explorer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 2461 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (591), steering (532), other / unknown (430).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.3 L, Automatic (S6)), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Ford Explorer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.