The 2016 Ford Explorer is a 3-row suv from United States. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2016 Explorer VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
1.6
Reliability score (NHTSA data)
2462 complaints · 15 recalls · worst: body
When things go wrong — failure mileage by component
6 components with significant owner complaints but no corresponding NHTSA recall campaign:
Airbags
— 80 complaints
Cruise Control
— 46 complaints
Electrical
— 95 complaints
· 6 alleged fires
Powertrain
— 199 complaints
· 4 alleged fires
12 alleged fires reported for this model year across all components.
67 service bulletins (TSBs) on file. Top category: body (6 bulletins).
Source: ProblemsByVin (CC BY 4.0) — aggregated from public NHTSA complaints and recalls. Owner reports are unverified; scores reflect volume, not per-vehicle defect rates.
Overview
The Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV with strong powertrains and a spacious, family-friendly cabin.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2016
Make
Ford
Model
Explorer
Body
3-Row SUV
Country of origin
United States
Available engines (model line)
Engine
2.3L EcoBoost
Engine
3.0L EcoBoost V6
Engine
3.3L Hybrid
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
Fuel Economy (2016 Ford Explorer)
16
City MPG
23
Highway MPG
19
Combined MPG
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA).
NHTSA safety ratings
★★★★★
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal
★★★★★
Side
★★★★☆
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 2016 Ford Explorer
NHTSA safety recalls — 2016 Ford Explorer
15
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Ford dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
SUSPENSION:REAR
Campaign: 19V435000 · Filed: 10/06/2019
Defect description: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
WHEELS:HUB
Campaign: 17E048000 · Filed: 28/08/2017
Defect description: Ford 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.
Consequence: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Campaign: 16V475000 · Filed: 28/06/2016
Defect description: Ford 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."
Consequence: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.
SEATS
Campaign: 17V767000 · Filed: 29/11/2017
Defect description: Ford 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
Corrective action: 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 remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.
Defect description: Ford 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.
Consequence: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 26, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
Early rear-drive model quality issues
Transmission hesitation
Interior rattles
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2016 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2016 Explorer
2454
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
STRUCTURE — 524 reports
STEERING — 433 reports
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 291 reports
STRUCTURE — 12/31/2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the keyless entry pad driver’s side B-pillar detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the driver’s side B-pillar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred after two years. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the driver’s side B-pillar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken
STRUCTURE — 12/31/2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact stated that due to the failure, there was a gap at the base of the windshield, allowing water to enter the engine compartment. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield trim was fractured. The dealer was made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that the parts to perform the
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT — 12/31/2020
USING A PEDAL COMMANDER PC18 BLUETOOTH "THROTTLE ENHANCER" IN AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A VHF MOBILE TWO-WAY RADIO. THE RADIO TRANSMITS AT 50W AND IS INSTALLED BY A PROFESSIONAL EMERGENCY VEHICLE UPFITTER PER MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. WHEN TRANSMITTING IN THE 156MHZ RANGE THE PEDAL COMMAND CONSISTENTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN ACCELERATING WHEN IN DRIVE, AND INCREASING THE RPM OF THE ENGINE IN PARK. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUES AS LONG AS THE USER IS TRANSMITTING ON
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this vehicle, grouped by component, with the mileage where failures typically appear. Source: ProblemsByVin aggregation of public NHTSA complaints (unverified owner reports).
Failure areas for the 2016 Ford Explorer, ranked by complaint volume
Related OBD-II diagnostic codes:P0300 · P0171 · P0128 each with what the code means and how urgent it is.
Check-engine light on your 2016 Explorer?
Every 1996-and-newer vehicle uses the OBD-II standard. Look up any stored code, then search 2,000+ codes to see what each code means and how urgent it is.
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 2016 Ford Explorer owners & buyers
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them, and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2016 Explorer?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Ford or any government agency.
