"How reliable is the 2016 Ford Explorer?"

"Based on 2940 NHTSA complaints, the 2016 Ford Explorer has a median complaint mileage of 45647 miles. The most common issue is Steering."

"What are common problems with the 2016 Ford Explorer?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Ford Explorer is Steering, accounting for a significant portion of the 2940 total complaints filed."

2016 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 2940 complaints

2940

Total Complaints

45,647mi

Median Mileage

Steering

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

14,254 25th Percentile

45,647 Median Mileage

80,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Steering

498

Unknown Or Other

410

Engine

375

Structure

348

Power Train

195

Body

189

Electrical System

115

Fuel/Propulsion System

103

Air Bags

Vehicle Speed Control

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"SEPT 31ST - WITH 358 MILES AND LESS THAN OWNED FOR 24 HOURS ALL ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT FAILED, FLASHING ABS FAILURE LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL. OCT 1ST CAR TAKEN TO JCLEWIS FORD IN SAVANAH,GA, WAS CALLED BY THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS LATER AND WAS TOLD TO PICK THE CAR AND THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS TO REAL..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Steering 498 complaints

25th: 41,067 mi Median: 56,850 mi 75th: 80,000 mi

Unknown Or Other 410 complaints

25th: 8,000 mi Median: 20,000 mi 75th: 39,421 mi

Engine 375 complaints

25th: 7,200 mi Median: 16,650 mi 75th: 52,000 mi

Structure 348 complaints

25th: 63,721 mi Median: 90,000 mi 75th: 114,250 mi

Power Train 195 complaints

25th: 8,375 mi Median: 40,000 mi 75th: 77,426 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 300 TX: 253 FL: 194 MI: 126 OH: 124 NY: 121 PA: 116 VA: 113 IL: 112 GA: 108

Who Files Complaints?

0.5%

Original Owners

99.5%

Second+ Owners

Ford Explorer — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1991	764	113,804	Tread/Belt	70
1992	848	125,000	Tread/Belt	54
1993	1151	107,248	Tread/Belt	98
1994	1531	97,541	Tread/Belt	124
1995	1048	125,000	Tread/Belt	107
1996	1818	127,000	Tread/Belt	248
1997	2149	100,000	Tread/Belt	180
1998	2374	100,000	Tread/Belt	219
1999	1737	80,000	Tires	143
2000	1203	77,938	Tires	115
2001	500	90,500	Tires	82
2002	4095	79,000	Automatic Transmission	178
2003	1368	74,000	Automatic Transmission	70
2004	1647	65,000	Automatic Transmission	69
2005	604	70,000	Body	30
2006	788	60,000	Power Train	18
2007	271	69,000	Power Train	14
2008	215	78,000	Electrical System	8
2009	49	67,000	Vehicle Speed Control	8
2010	155	48,000	Power Train	13
2011	1481	65,000	Steering	48
2012	1013	62,000	Steering	14
2013	2757	74,000	Steering	61
2014	2011	64,000	Steering	48
2015	2138	54,600	Unknown Or Other	52
2017	1927	45,000	Structure	53
2018	819	42,000	Structure	23
2019	306	50,000	Structure	2
2020	1544	12,600	Power Train	50
2021	492	38,400	Power Train	21
2022	308	28,000	Power Train	25
2023	126	8,500	Unknown Or Other	11
2024	21	5,080	Unknown Or Other	0
2025	111	2,289	Electrical System	11

Active Recalls (14)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Rear

Campaign 19V435000 | 10/06/2019

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

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

Hub

Campaign 17E048000 | 28/08/2017

A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Recliner

Campaign 16V475000 | 28/06/2016

The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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 | 29/11/2017

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

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

Mounting

Campaign 15V605000 | 28/09/2015

If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

Engine

Campaign 16V183000 | 31/03/2016

Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S14

Parking Brake

Campaign 15V464000 | 24/07/2015

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.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall i

Body

Campaign 21V316000 | 05/05/2021

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer s

Axle Shaft

Campaign 20V692000 | 10/11/2020

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.

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

Rear

Campaign 21V537000 | 15/07/2021

A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 f

Rear

Campaign 20V675000 | 12/03/2021

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this r

Roof And Pillars

Campaign 24V031000 | 19/01/2024

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Body

Campaign 25V347000 | 23/05/2025

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy is currently under development. 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this r

Engine Block Heater

Campaign 25V685000 | 10/10/2025

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat

Protect Your Steering System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28