NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I OWN A 2016 FORD EXPLORER WITH 35,611 MILES. ON 01/01/2019, MY WIFE ARRIVED HOME IN THE EXPLORER AND I GET IN THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY I NOTICE IT REEKS OF ROTTEN EGG/SULPHUR. THE SMELL WAS MAKING ME FEEL NAUSEOUS AND LIGHT HEADED. MY WIFE EXPLAINS THAT SMELL HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF, AND SHE CHALKED IT UP TO BEING PREGNANT AND HAVING A SENSITIVE SENSE OF SMELL. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN GETTING HEADACHES FREQUENTLY AND NAUSEA AS WELL. I OBSERVE THE SMELL IS COMING THROUGH THE AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND THAT IT IS STRONGER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I THEN SHUT THE ENTIRE CLIMATE CONTROL OFF-NO AIR CIRCULATION AT ALL, AND THE SMELL IS STILL COMING IN THE VEHICLE. NOT AS INTENSELY, BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. AND THIS IS WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. AFTER THIS I COMPLETED RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC AND FIND THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2011-2017 EXPLORERS AND THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING CO2 POISONING FROM THIS DEFECT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR IN PARK, AIR ON OR OFF. THERE IS A HEAVIER SULFUR SMELL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND I AM FRUSTRATED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SAFETY RECALL. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER I BOUGHT THE EXPLORER FROM, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 17-N03 REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY 2018. CLEARLY THE 17-N03 REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR ME OR OTHER FOLKS. FORD HAS PUT ANOTHER TSB OUT THAT IS APPARENTLY MORE THOROUGH. MY FORD IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP GETTING THE NEWEST FORD TSB REPAIR FOR THE EXHAUST/C02 ISSUE. MY TRUST IS LOST IN FORD AND FEEL THAT THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR PROFIT AHEAD OF BEING ETHICAL. I AM CONFIDENT THAT NO CONSUMER WITH PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT WOULD WANT TO PURCHASE THESE FORD EXPLORERS. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER WITHOUT BEING TOLD THERE WAS AN OUTSTANDING TSB REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THANKS
WHEN SITTING IN PARK AND PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE, IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO INTO GEAR AND THERE IS A DELAY. THEN THE CAR JOLTS AGGRESSIVELY INTO REVERSE. THE LONGER I SIT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK BEFORE ENGAGING OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, THE LONGER THE DELAY INTO GEAR AND THE STRONGER THE JOLT.
SEAT HEAT UNDER DRIVER SEAT KEEPS GOING BAD. ONLY THE SEAT BOTTOM, NOT THE TOP. I NOTICED AS THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IT HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS, THAT WHEN I HAVE THE SEAT IN THE FARTHEST BACK POSITION IT WORKS, BUT WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FURTHER IT PULLS ON THE WIRES. I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE CAUSING A SHORT IN THE WIRING, WHICH POTENTIAL COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD.
The transmission is constantly slipping. While driving up or down any steeper grades, the RPMs are so high we have to adjust speed to get the transmission to shift properly as to not blow the engine. The suv surges and shifts hard while going only 15 to 20 mph on regular pavement. This has all been happening since we purchased the vehicle (in 2018 @ 27,000 miles). We took in right away and they did replace the transfer case. Since then we’ve taken it to two different Ford dealerships in the area and they state there is nothing wrong. We were told ‘sorry it’s not like we can drive it up a hill to see what the issue is and it’s just not bad enough to warrant replacing the transmission at this time’ We’ve had to swerve to the side of the highway to avoid rear end collisions due to poor shifting and reduced speeds. It’s not trustworthy to travel and at our first chance we’re dumping it for a Chevy. Ford knows there’s an issue with their transmissions, but they push you off until you’re outside of your warranty to tell you to replace the transmission. We helped our elderly mom purchase a Ford and her transmission went out with the same issues and she had to purchase another vehicle as well due to being put off outside of her warranty (by three days - WOW Ford!). ‘It’s not bad enough’ - we’ll it’s not going to get better!!
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC HATCHBACK DOOR SLAMMED ONTO THE BACK OF THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER (ADAMS FORD COMPANY, 2002 MAIN ST, LOGANSPORT, LA 71049, (318) 697-5561) DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT CAUSED THE DOOR TO SLAM ON THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,734.
WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES, MY STEERING BEGAN TO BIND WHEN TURNED FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS WAS ONLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT DUE TO MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARDS OF STEERING FAILURES I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR AN EVALUATION. THEY REPORTED THAT THE STEERING MODULE HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST >$2300 TO REPAIR. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED DUE TO TIME (42 MONTHS) SO UNLESS FORD OFFERS A WARRANTY EXTENSION I WILL HAVE TO PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT FOR WHAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL - CERTAINLY NOT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I NOT BROUGHT THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING SYSTEM SUGGESTS IT WAS VERY SERIOUS.
CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN
COMPLETE VEHICLE POWER FAILURE (LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES, ETC)WHILE IN MOTION MAKING LEFT HAND TURN ONTO MAJOR SURFACE STREET THAT CONNECTS TO FREEWAY ENTRANCE.
I HAVE HAD THE EXHAUST RECALL REPAIR BUT STILL I SMELL THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL INSIDE MY CAR. I HAVE MADE SURE TO TEST QUICK ACCELERATION WITH AND WITHOUT AIR RECIRCULATING. IT'S THE SAME RESULT. MY 'REPAIR' IS NOT SAFE OR SATISFACTORY.
2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 40K MILES, IDENTIFIED MY STEERING WAS LOCKED UP 3 WEEKS AGO, I ATTRIBUTED IT TO SEVERE COLD TEMPERATURES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THEY CANNOT TROUBLESHOOT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. FRIDAY NIGHT 12/7/18 WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A ONE WAY SLUSH COVERED ROAD, I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO MANUALLY STEER MY VEHICLE TO SAFETY, IT WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND SCARY.I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT ONTO A SIDE STREET AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM THANKFUL I WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER THAN 30MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE FOUND 71 REPORTED INCIDENTS WITH FORD EXPLORERS OF THIS YEAR LOSING STEERING AMONG OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. I AM WAITING A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND CONTACTING FORD IN THE INTERUM.
THE VACUUM TUBE ASSEMBLY/ HOSES CORRODED TO THE POINT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS COMPROMISED. THE DEALERSHIP'S ASSESSMENT STATES THAT BATTERY ACID SPILLED ONTO THE HOSE AND THE ACID ATE THOUGH IT. WHEN I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE HOSE, THE ONLY PART OF THE HOSE THAT WAS CORRODED WHERE BOTH ENDS WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE MANIFOLD AND OTHER END. I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT BATTER ACID WILL ONLY SPILL ON 2 OPPOSITE ENDS OF A HOSE, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE WHERE THE CONNECTIONS ARE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AFTER THE ORIGINAL BATTERY'S CORE EXPLODED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, IT JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD (2500 JORDAN LN NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35810, (877) 315-0514) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING CARBON MONOXIDE. PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT BECAME VERY SLEEPY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
When the SUV is warm there is a odor of something burning. Has been a couple of years now.
FOR THE LAST 5 DAYS THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG EXSAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN BAD ENOUGH YOU HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN AND GET A HEADACHE ! YOU SMELL IT DRIVING AND A STRING SMELL WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AND TURN THE CAR OFF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, PRESSED THE "OK" OPTION ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND HAULING A TRAILER, THE "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE "OK" BUTTON AND THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW, AND SERVICE TRACK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT PRESSED THE "OK" BUTTON AGAIN AND THE WARNING INDICATORS DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUNNYVALE FORD (650 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, 408-215-9949) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $400. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION WAS LINKED TO A FAULTY BATTERY. THE DEALER WANTED TO TEST THE VEHICLE'S TRAILER HITCH CABLE TO DETERMINE IF THAT CABLE WAS LINKED TO THE FAILURES. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE SYSTEM FAILURE AND THE DEALER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. HE HAD WARMED UP HIS CAR BEFORE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MINUTES. ALL OF A SUDDEN HIS BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. WEATHER WAS COLDER. FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FORD'S WINDOWS HAVING ISSUES WITH WINDOWS GETTING TOO HOT AND THEN POPPING WHEN THE COLD AIR SURROUNDED IT.. *TR
PLASTIC CASING IN SEAT BELT HOUSING FOR 2ND ROW CAPTAIN CHAIR BROKE AND SEAT BELT WILL NOT SNAP INTO HOUSING. NO ACCIDENTS OR MISUSE; 11 YR-OLD SON WENT TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT AND WAS UNABLE TO BUCKLE. PLASTIC CASING HAD FALLEN INTO SPACE WHERE BUCKLE UNIT HOUSED; WE REMOVED THE BROKEN PIECE WITH NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS. OTHER 2ND ROW CAPTAIN CHAIR'S HOUSING IS NOT BROKEN. WE WERE IN KS FOR THE HOLIDAY AND RETURNING TO CO THAT DAY. SOONEST APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER WAS 12/6/18. CALLED DEALER TO VERIFY THAT THE HOUSING REPLACEMENT HAD BEEN ORDERED, BUT IT HAD NOT BEEN DONE. HAD TO TALK TO SEVERAL 'SUPERVISORS' TO FINALLY GET PART ORDERED BEFORE APPOINTMENT, SO THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED WITHOUT HAVING TO COME BACK A SECOND TIME.
VEHICLE WAS "REPAIRED' TO PREVENT SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES, WHICH ARE CAUSING HEADACHES AND FEELING LIGHT HEADED, BUT THE ISSUE IS STILL PERSISTENT. IT OCCURS ABOUT 10 SECONDS AFTER ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD AS WHOMEVER IS DRIVING THE CAR CAN POTENTIALLY PASS OUT FROM THE FUMES AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATHS AND INJURIES. FORD HAS TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY OWNERS.
MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A SNAPPING NOISE AND I'M AFRAID OF CATOSTROFIC FAILURE. I NO LONGER TRUST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES.
INTERIOR OF CAR BEGAN TO SMELL OF BURNING OIL, WARNING MESSAGE "4WD TEMPORARILY DISABLED". LEAK FROM VENT HOSE INTO PTU SYSTEM. FORD (SANTA ROSA, CA) SAYS PTU MUST BE REPLACED. 37K MILES ON CAR.
POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. PRIMARILY WHEN IT IS COLD. NEEDS A STEERING RACK WITH ONLY 50K MI AND 2 YRS OLD. DEALER WOULD NOT LET US DRIVE IT UNTIL PART CAME IN. THEY PUT US IN A RENTAL AT THEIR EXPENSE AND WE HAVE HAD A FULL SIZE QUAD CAB TRUCK. STEERING RACK IS ON BACK ORDER WITH FORD AND WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 16 DAYS AND NOTHING IS IN SIGHT. DEALER IN BEDFORD VA. HAS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF US.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. WOODY ANDERSON FORD (2500 JORDAN LN NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816, (877) 315-0514) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BARRIER STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY FORD (5100 W ROSECRANS AVE, HAWTHORNE, CA 90250, (888) 890-2965) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BARRIER STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
BEGAN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. ONLY HAVE 38K MILES (2K OUT OF WARRANTY) AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2,000 TO FIX THIS STEERING PROBLEM.. THIS IS TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING ON A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH ABOUT 19,000 MILES ON IT IN FEBRUARY, 2018. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT I NOTICED THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN AT TIMES, SOMETIMES WHILE AT IDLE, OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON MAY 11, 2018 FOR SERVICE OF SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING THIS ONE. THEY PERFORMED THE WORK OF A RECALL (#17N03). I'VE CONTINUED TO NOTICE EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CABIN FROM TIME TO TIME BOTH WHEN IDLING AND WHEN DRIVING, AND SO PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR FOR CARS. AT TIMES IT ALARMS INDICATING THERE IS CO IN THE CABIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND VERIFIED THAT THE OTHER DEALER INDEED PERFORMED THE RECALL AND IT WAS DONE PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAN CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRES, SIZE: 255/50R20. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND SHEDDING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MORE PREVALENT ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE LOCAL DEALER (MOSSY FORD, 4570 MISSION BAY DR, SAN DIEGO, CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL, THERE WAS A COMPLETE DIFFERENT FEELING WITH A SMALL LIKE BUMP AND THEN THE WHEEL WOULD TURN VERY FREELY WITH THE CAR WHEELS NOT TURNING. DROVE STRAIGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I CANNOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED FROM FAILURE. THEY DETERMINED THIS WITH A VERY SHORT TEST DRIVE IN THEIR OWN PARKING LOT.
TIRES ARE THE HANCOCK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2. 24,412 MILES. TREAD IS WORN BADLY AND RUBBER IS PEELING OFF IN LAYERS AND CHUNKS. DEALER THROUGH HANCOCK GAVE $125 OFF NEW TIRE AS LONG AS REPLACED WITH NEW HANCOCK TIRE.
WE ARE NOTICING VERY BAD EXHAUST LEAKAGE INTO THE CABIN. MY WIFE STARTED COMPLAINING OF HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING. I DROVE IT 60 MILES AND WAS DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS AND HAD A HEAD ACHE. DROVE WITH SOME FAMILY FRIENDS ONE IS A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THERE IS DEFINETLY A PROBLEM AS WELL AND THEY WERE FEELING SICK AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS AFTER DOING SOME QUICK RESEARCH AND I'M VERY DISTURBED THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL. RIGHT NOW IT'S USELESS SITTING IN THE GARAGE AS WE ARE GETTING HEADACHES JUST ON SHORT TRIPS THRU TOWN.
THE SIDE WALL OF MY HANKOOK 255/50 R /20 VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRE BLEW OUT. I HAVE A 2" HOLE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, AND JUST STARTED MOVING WHEN THE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LARGE BALLOON EXPLOSION AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT INSTANTLY. SOME HANKOOK TIRES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TOLD ME NOT THIS ONE. THESE HANKOOK TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED.
TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 18,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NUMEROUS CUTS AND GOUGES THROUGHOUT. TIRES ARE SKIDDING ON WET ROADS CAUSING FOR UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. FORD AND HANKOOK ARE SAYING THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND THAT MY TIRES COULD BE PRO-RATED. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER FORD OWNERS. TIRES DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.
9/29/18: REMOTE START STOPPED WORKING AND CAR SPUTTERED WHEN STARTING. 10/14/18: AFTER MANUALLY STARTING WITH PUSH-BUTTON, WHITE SMOKE FILLED MY GARAGE AND CAR WITH 3 CHILDREN. EXPLORER TOWED TO BRANDON FORD DEALERSHIP THAT DAY WHICH HAPPENED TO BE A SUNDAY. AS OF TODAY, I STILL DON'T HAVE MY EXPLORER BACK. I WAS INFORMED THAT FLUID GOT INTO THE CYLINDER AND THE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS A BACKLOG ON THIS PARTICULAR PART. AS I APPROACH THE 5TH WEEK WITH THIS LOANER VEHICLE, I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS MORE TO THE PROBLEM OR IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT ANYONE CAN DO TO HELP ME GET RESOLUTION.
AT STARTUP A WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH READING "STEERING LOSS- STOP SAFELY" ALONG WITH OTHERS CONCERNING ADVANCE TRAC, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT, AND HILL ASSIST. UPON TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT WAS LOCKED COMPLETELY. NOT JUST HARD TO STEER LIKE THE POWER STEERING QUIT - IT WAS LOCKED TIGHT. IT WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND THE TECH THOUGHT HE WOULD DRIVE IT INTO THE SHOP, BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE HE AGREED THE STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. THE TECH TELLS ME HE WAS ABLE TO RESTORE STEERING BY CLEARING OUT SOME ABS CODES THAT WERE STORED. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT SEEMS THERE IS A COMPUTER FAULT CONDITION WHICH LOCKS UP THE STEERING COMPLETELY. THE TECH NOW SAYS THE RACK AND PINION MODULE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THEY PLAN TO REPLACE IT. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AT STARTUP AND NOT WHILE IN MOTION AS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE DIRECTION.
STANDARD DRIVING DRUG WITH NO CRASHES. AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN EARLY TO MID OCTOBER OF 2018 (AROUND 45,000 MILES). AFTER A FULL WEEK OF THE LIGHT STAYING ON VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. THE HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS LOOSE. FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS AFTER REPAIR THE LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN. A SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE GARDENS CONNECTOR WAS LOOSE. TWO TO THE WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND PERSISTED. I WAS TOLD IN LATE MAY THAT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS BEFORE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER SOME ISSUES WITH THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT ORIGINALLY FIXED IT IN OCTOBER 2018. THIS TIME BOTH THE PASSENGER WIRING HARNESS AND AIRBAG WERE REPLACED. OVER $800 AND 3.5 HOUR APPOINTMENT FOR THE ACTUAL FIX. PICTURES FROM INITIAL SERVICE ARE ATTACHED.
PAINT ON THE HOOD IS BUBBLING UP AND CHIPPING OFF, CAUSING CORROSION WHERE THE PAINT HAS CHIPPED OFF.
INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE IN THE STEERING RACK. EXPLORER IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 44,173 MILES. STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING!!
DURING ACCELERATION, A BRIEF PAUSE IN ACCELERATION OR DOWN SHIFTING OF GEARS. FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. USUALLY NOTICED DURING 30 MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
THE LOCATION OF THE CONTROLS FOR THE THIRD ROW SEATS IS A PROBLEM. WHEN THE SEATS ARE DOWN, THE BUTTONS FACE THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND CAN BE BUMPED BY CARGO. ONCE THE SEATS START TO MOVE, THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THEM. THIRD, THE LAST TIME WE PUT THE THIRD ROW DOWN, THEY WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE SEAT POSITION WHEN WE PUSHED THE BUTTON. I LOOKED THROUGH THE CAR GUIDE FOR A MANUAL OVERRIDE, BUT THE STRAP THAT IS ON SOME CAR SEATS, IS NOT ON THE 3RD ROW SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN PARK, AND THE ENGINE OFF, WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND WHEN WE TRIED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. BOSCH FORD IN TEMECULA HAD NO SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE, OR ANY PRICE RANGES FOR POSSIBLE REPAIRS.
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WETHER STOPPED OR MOVING, THERE WAS A POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE. SOMETIMES THE CLUNK NOISE WAS LOUDER, SOMETIMES IT WASN'T AS LOUD. NOISE COULD BE FELT AND HEARD FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FLOORBOARD. STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO GRAB AT TIMES WHERE YOU PHYSICALLY HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN. THIS SEEMED TO HAPPEN MORE AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHILE DOING A SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE, I INSPECTED ALL STEERING COMPONENTS. WHILE ANOTHER PERSON WAS TURNING THE WHEEL, I COULD HEAR POPPING IN THE RIGHT SIDE STEERING BOOT THAT COVERS THE INNER TIE ROD END. I GRABBED THE BOOT AND SHOOK IT AND COULD HEAR METAL RATTLING INSIDE OF IT. LEFT SIDE DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE. I REMOVED THE BOOT OFF OF THE RACK AND PINION AND FOUND 2 PIECES OF METAL THAT WERE HANGING ON THE GEAR OF THE RACK AND DAMAGED. THE PRICES OF METAL APPEARED TO BE A GREASE SEAL AS THERE IS RUBBER ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE PIECE(SEE PICTURE ATTACHED). FROM LOOKING AT THIS, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE HANGING METAL PIECE COULD GET HUNG UP ON THE CORKSCREW GEAR CAUSING CLINCH NOISE AND ALSO CAUSE THE STEERING TO GRAB. I DID CUT BOTH PIECES OFF FOR SAFETY AND IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT INTO THE FORD DEALER OF THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY WILL COVER IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH NO FIX NOTED BY FORD.
ON A CITY STREET EXPERIENCE LOSS OF ACCELERATING POWER WHILE COMING TO STOP AND CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE WILL STAR AT A SNAIL PACE BRINGING UP THE SPEED TO 40 MPH ON LIMP MODE SINCE THE VEHICLE SERVICE WRENCH TOOL AND AIR BAG LIGHT UP ON THE DASH BOARD VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE RACK AND PINION WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. D'ORAZIO FORD (1135 SOUTH WATER STREET, WILMINGTON, ILLINIOIS 60481, (815) 476-5205) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
BOUGHT THE 2016 EXPLORER LIMITED WITH ROUGHLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. RAN GREAT FOR ABOUT 2,000 MILES AND THEN STARTED NOTICING A POP/CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT GOING 5MPH OR LESS. MAINLY HAPPENED WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES. WOULD ALSO RANDOMLY DO THIS WHILE PARKED. TOOK INTO 2 FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SURPRISE, THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND IF IT GETS WORSE TO BRING IT BACK IN. DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER FEW THOUSAND MILES WITH IT HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY AFTER HEARING THE NOISE MORE CONSISTENTLY AND EVEN FEELING THE STEERING SLIGHTLY JERK TO THE SIDE ON ONE OCCASION , I TOOK IT BACK INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND THIS TIME AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK. THIS INCLUDES THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION. SO FAR SO GOOD. MY ISSUE IS I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT ALL THESE EXPLORERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES (MOST OF THEM WORSE THAN MY CASE) AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THEY'RE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? SOME EXPLORERS STEERING LITERALLY LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ. I FEEL I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES CATCHING THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT GOT WORSE. NOW I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED THAT THE PROBLEM DOESN'T COME UP AGAIN LIKE I'VE HEARD ALSO HAPPENS. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS FAULTY WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR THIS NEW?
THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND THE CAR WILL BUCK/SHAKE AND ALMOST DIE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT OR FOR SEVERAL HOURS TAKES 1-2 MINUTES TO JERK/SHAKE AND THEN WILL RUN FINE. TWICE THE WRENCH ICON HAS COME ON IN THE DASH. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW TO BE FIXED. THEY WERE ABLE TO VALIDATE WHAT HAPPENED, AS IT HAPPENED TO THEM BUT SAID THAT THE CAR'S COMPUTER DID NOT GENERATE ANY CODES SO THEY ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE/REPAIR.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING. LEVEL WAS 7.2 WHEN I WENT TO ER.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE NYS THRUWAY AROUND 70-75MPH AND THE CAR DECELERATED TO 55MPH THEN WAS LIKE IN A COAST MODE. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID SEE MANUAL. I PUSHED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND PUSHED OK TO THE SEE MANUAL. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT. WE COULD OF BEEN KILLED IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AND SAID THEY REALLY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR SEE ANY INFO ON THE COMPUTER WHEN CAR WAS HOOKED UP. VERY SCARY AS I HAVE READ ONLINE MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER ON A STATE HWY AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY BELLS AND WARNING ON DASH INDICATING STEERING FAILURE ISSUE. WITHIN 1 BLOCK, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER AT ALL. HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR WAS BAD. TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $2200. VEHICLE HAS 76,000 MILES. VERY UNSAFE CONDITION HAD IT HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH.
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.
THE CAR WAS WEAK TO START FOR 2DAYS.. DAY 3@ 5AM I PUSHED THE KEY 2XS TO START MY 2016 FOR EXPLORER FROM INSIDE MY HOUSE. IT DIDN'T START SO I GOT INSIDE THE CAR & PUSHED THE START BUTTON, IT MADE CLICKING SOUND THEN SAID SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN! LATER THAT. AFTERNOON I LOOKED UNDER HOOD & BATTERY ACID WAS EVERYWHERE. THE MOTOR CRAFT BATTERY EXPLODED!
YES EXHAUST IS STILL COMING OUT AFTER REPAIR IN CAR AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM WENT OFF IN CAR YEATERDAY
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING BECAME LOOSE AND STARTING VIBRATING. AFTER PULLING OVER AND ATTEMPTING TO SECURE, IT THEN BECAME PARTIALLY DETACHED AND WAS BENT BACKWARDS. IT OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. IT THEN FLEW OFF INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, IT LANDED ON THE SHOULDER AND DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR/CAUSE A WRECK ON THE INTERSTATE. THE DRIVER SIDE IS ALSO PARTIALLY COMING OFF ACCORDING TO REPAIR QUOTE FROM DEALERSHIP.