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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 2016 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2016 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

2,463Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
14Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
79Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure597 complaints

597 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 21V316000, 24V031000, 25V347000, 26V448000.

Steering538 complaints

538 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine497 complaints

497 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V183000.

Unknown Or Other433 complaints

433 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train217 complaints

217 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 20V692000.

Electrical System131 complaints

131 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System112 complaints

112 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V605000.

Air Bags99 complaints

99 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control76 complaints

76 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension74 complaints

74 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 19V435000, 20V675000, 21V537000.

Visibility68 complaints

68 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels48 complaints

48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats33 complaints

33 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 16V475000, 17V767000.

Brakes19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V464000.

Tires15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 25V685000.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

15V464000Reported July 24, 2015 - 7,165 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on July 24, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 7,165 vehicles across all affected models.

15V605000Reported September 28, 2015 - 203 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on September 28, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 203 vehicles across all affected models.

16V183000Reported March 31, 2016 - 1,543 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on March 31, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 1,543 vehicles across all affected models.

16V475000Reported June 28, 2016 - 5,280 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on June 28, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 5,280 vehicles across all affected models.

17V767000Reported November 29, 2017 - 177,264 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on November 29, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 177,264 vehicles across all affected models.

19V435000Reported June 10, 2019 - 1,194,173 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 10, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 1,194,173 vehicles across all affected models.

20V675000Reported March 12, 2021 - 454,941 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on March 12, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 454,941 vehicles across all affected models.

20V692000Reported November 10, 2020 - 15,587 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on November 10, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 15,587 vehicles across all affected models.

21V316000Reported May 5, 2021 - 616,967 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on May 5, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 616,967 vehicles across all affected models.

21V537000Reported July 15, 2021 - 631,176 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on July 15, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 631,176 vehicles across all affected models.

24V031000Reported January 19, 2024 - 1,889,110 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on January 19, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 1,889,110 vehicles across all affected models.

25V347000Reported May 23, 2025 - 492,145 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on May 23, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 492,145 vehicles across all affected models.

25V685000Reported October 10, 2025 - 59,006 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on October 10, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 59,006 vehicles across all affected models.

26V448000Reported July 14, 2026 - 288,314 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on July 14, 2026. The campaign covers an estimated 288,314 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA17002Opened July 27, 2017 - Closed January 17, 2023

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA17002Opened July 27, 2017 - Closed January 17, 2023

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE23001Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed February 8, 2024

Windshield trim molding Item detachment. Resulted in recall campaign 24V031.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20154
2016213
2017260
2018180
2019229
2020167
2021158
2022197
2023313
2024270
2025345
2026127
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.