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2016 Ford Explorer: common problems and reliability
· 5th generationOne of the worst Explorer years.
One of the Ford Explorer years to avoid. All Explorer years
2,481 owner complaints, most about structure. 15 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Explorer?The 2016 Ford Explorer has 2481 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and steering. Owners most often flag water pump failure on 3.5l engine: multiple owners identify the internal water pump as a known failure point that can destroy the engine, with one noting it is timing-chain driven and expensive to repair.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Explorer years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Explorer?
Across the 31 Explorer model years we track, complaint volume runs from 33 (2009) to 7,244 (2002). With 2,481 complaints, the 2016 Explorer sits above the model's median of 829.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Explorer
suspension:rear
Campaign 19V435000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
wheels:hub
Campaign 17E048000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
seats:front assembly:recliner
Campaign 16V475000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. 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."
seats
Campaign 17V767000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. 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.
Show 11 more recalls
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Campaign 15V605000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 16V183000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. 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.
parking brake
Campaign 15V464000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. 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."
structure:body
Campaign 21V316000Ford 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 vehicle.
power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Campaign 20V692000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
suspension:rear
Campaign 21V537000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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.
suspension:rear
Campaign 20V675000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
structure:body:roof and pillars
Campaign 24V031000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
structure:body
Campaign 25V347000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 25V685000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
structure:body
Campaign 26V448000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
What owners report on the 5th generation Explorer
Owner discussions about the 2011-2019 Explorer are mixed, with many owners describing the vehicles as generally reliable when properly maintained, while others report specific recurring problems.
- RecurrentWater pump failure on 3.5L engine
Multiple owners identify the internal water pump as a known failure point that can destroy the engine, with one noting it is timing-chain driven and expensive to repair.
- RecurrentTorque converter shudder on 6F55 transmission
Owners report jerking or stuttering between 25-40 mph, with one diagnosing torque converter pressure issues via scanner. One owner suggests draining and refilling transmission fluid with Lucas stop slip as a temporary measure.
- RecurrentHeated seat element failure
Multiple owners report driver-side heated seats failing, with one noting the element is built into the seat cushion requiring full seat replacement at approximately $650 CAD. One owner reports the failure recurring after replacement.
- RecurrentUSB port / Apple CarPlay connectivity issues
Owners report USB ports charging but not connecting to Apple CarPlay, with one noting the front port is flaky while the armrest port works. Suggested fixes include new cables, cleaning dust, and hard resets.
- RecurrentPTU (Power Transfer Unit) issues on AWD models
Owners mention PTUs going out and recommend fluid changes every 40,000-50,000 miles despite Ford's lifetime fluid claim.
Owner insights for the 5th generation Explorer. Read the full 5th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Explorer listings typically run $15,520–$26,999.
Other Explorer model years
Compare every Explorer year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Explorer against its rivals
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