The Recall Desk

Vehicle

Ford Explorer · 2016

15 recalls affect this vehicle. Sorted by severity, then date.

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1–15 of 15

  • Severity pendingNHTSA·25V685000·2025-10-10

    Ford and Lincoln vehicles recalled over engine block heater fire risk

    Ford is recalling 59,006 vehicles across many Ford and Lincoln lines because the engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, short circuiting when plugged in.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN EXPLORER, FUSION, CORSAIR, MKC
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·21V537000·2021-07-15

    Ford Recalls 2013-2017 Explorers for Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture Risk

    Ford is recalling 2013-2017 Explorers in 23 states and D.C. because road salt exposure can cause rear suspension parts to corrode and fracture, potentially leading to loss of steering control.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·20V692000·2020-11-10

    Ford Recalls Explorer, Taurus, and Edge for Drive Axle Bracket Failure

    Ford is recalling 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus, and 2014 Edge vehicles because a front drive axle bracket may fail, risking loss of park function or motive power.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER, TAURUS, EDGE
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·19V435000·2019-06-10

    Ford Recalls 2011-2017 Explorers for Rear Suspension Fracture Risk

    Ford is recalling 2011-2017 Explorers because rear suspension toe links may fracture, causing sudden handling changes and increasing crash risk.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·17E048000·2017-08-28

    Ford Recalls Wheel Hub Bearings for 2011-2017 Explorer 4X2 Vehicles

    Ford is recalling certain wheel hub bearing assemblies for 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles because they lack a self-retention feature, which could cause the wheel to separate.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·16V183000·2016-03-31

    Ford Recalls 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC and Explorer for Fire Risk

    Ford is recalling 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles because engine block heaters may overheat and cause a fire.

    Product
    LINCOLN — LINCOLN, FORD MKC, EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·15V605000·2015-09-28

    Ford Recalls 2015 Taurus, MKS, and 2016 Explorer for Fuel Tank Defect

    Ford is recalling specific 2015 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Explorer vehicles because fuel tank bolts may not be tightened, risking tank separation and fire.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN TAURUS, MKS, EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·25V347000·2025-05-23

    Ford Recalls 2016-2017 Explorers for Detaching B-Pillar Door Trim

    Ford is recalling 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles because the driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving, creating a road hazard.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·17V767000·2017-11-29

    Ford Recalls 2016 Explorer and F-150 for Seat Bolt Defect

    Ford is recalling 2016 Explorer and F-150 vehicles because loose seat bolts may cause cushions to detach in a crash, increasing injury risk.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER, F-150
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·16V475000·2016-06-28

    Ford Recalls 2016 Explorer and F-150 for Seat Back Weld Defect

    Ford is recalling 2016 Explorer and F-150 vehicles with manual recline driver's seats because insufficient welds may compromise occupant restraint during a crash.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER, F-150
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·15V464000·2015-07-24

    Ford Recalls 2015-2016 Vehicles Due to Parking Brake Defect

    Ford is recalling specific 2015-2016 models because the parking brake may not fully engage, increasing the risk of the vehicle rolling away on a slope.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN EXPLORER, MKT, MKS, FLEX
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide

NHTSA crash-test safety rating

Federal 5-Star Safety Rating from crash testing. This is a separate government program from the recall(s) above — a high star rating says nothing about whether a specific recall has been fixed, and a recall says nothing about crash-test performance.

  • 20165/5

    2 trims tested for 2016; overall ratings can differ by trim.

    View on NHTSA.gov

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), a federal crash-test program — not a recall record.

Wider context for this vehicle

Beyond the official recalls above. These are third-party figures derived from NHTSA complaint data — useful signal, but not part of our verified recall record.

Federal investigations — 2 open

  • EA26004 Engineering Analysis · open · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
  • PE25020 Preliminary Evaluation · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
  • DP25001 Defect Petition · structure:frame and members:underbody shields
  • RQ24014 Recall Query · electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
  • PE24019 Preliminary Evaluation · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
  • PE24014 Preliminary Evaluation · open · fuel system, diesel

Complaint clusters with no matching recall

  • 2016 · steering 527 complaints, median 58,000 mi
  • 2014 · steering 496 complaints, median 90,000 mi
    Includes 1 alleging a death and 2 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.
  • 2020 · powertrain 456 complaints, median 44,000 mi
  • 2015 · steering 345 complaints, median 60,980 mi
  • 2006 · powertrain 279 complaints, median 64,303 mi
    Includes 2 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.

Technical service bulletins

1,005 manufacturer service bulletins across 22 model years. A TSB is repair guidance to dealers, not a safety recall.

Third-party reliability score

  • 2026: 3.7/5
  • 2025: 1.9/5 · 95 complaints · most complained-of: electrical
  • 2024: 3.3/5 · 19 complaints · most complained-of: visibility
  • 2023: 2.4/5 · 106 complaints · most complained-of: steering
  • 2022: 1.3/5 · 258 complaints · most complained-of: powertrain

This is ProblemsByVin’s own published heuristic (1 worst – 5 best), not an official rating and unrelated to our severity scale.

Data on this panel comes from ProblemsByVin, derived from US NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, and licensed CC BY 4.0. It is not published by a federal agency and is not part of our verified recall record.

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