2016 Ford Explorer: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical Explorers can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer, alongside 2,446 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about structure. Eligible recall remedies are generally free through the manufacturer's approved repair process, even after the warranty ends; some software remedies are delivered remotely. Federal no-charge coverage has an age limit for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. Check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2016 Ford Explorer at a glance
Buying a 2016 Ford Explorer? Enter its VIN.
Confirm this car’s identity free, then review the optional history report for returned title, mileage and auction records. Check open recalls separately through NHTSA’s free VIN lookup.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
No subscription. No charge to check the VIN. Report contents vary by vehicle; applicable tax is shown at checkout.
See what the paid report includes →What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Structure | 583 |
| Steering | 529 |
| Unknown Or Other | 426 |
| Engine | 381 |
| Power Train | 214 |
| Electrical System | 125 |
Recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Explorer
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. An eligible remedy is generally free through the manufacturer’s approved process, which may be an authorized service visit or remote software update. Federal no-charge coverage has a 15-year first-sale limit measured at the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. A campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 26V448000 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. |
| 25V685000 | EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER | Ford 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 … |
| 25V347000 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. |
| 24V031000 | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Ford 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. |
| 21V537000 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford 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 … |
| 21V316000 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford 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. |
| 20V675000 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford 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 Yo… |
| 20V692000 | POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | Ford 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. |
NHTSA records 15 campaigns in total for this model year; the 8 most recent are listed above. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s free lookup for the complete, vehicle-specific list.
How to check one specific Explorer
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle recall remedy age limitNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA Recalls APINational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA Complaints DatabaseNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
2016 Ford Explorer questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls covering the 2016 Ford Explorer as of 2026-09-15. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners most often report structure, steering, unknown or other issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Generally, yes for eligible vehicles, even after the warranty ends. Federal law limits the required no-charge remedy when a vehicle was first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; a manufacturer may still cover an older vehicle voluntarily. Check the VIN with the manufacturer for the approved remedy, which may be a dealer visit or a remote software update.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2016 Ford Explorer VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.