2016 Ford Explorer Problems

The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316.

The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant. When it is plugged in, the leak can cause an electrical short circuit, which raises the risk of a fire.

Fix: Do not plug in the block heater until it is fixed; the dealer will replace the block heater free of charge.

The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026.

The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link. A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

The retention pins holding the roof rail covers can loosen, letting the covers come off the vehicle. A detached cover can become a road hazard and raise the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will install new push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips or roof rail covers, free of charge.

The outer section of a rear suspension toe link can break. If it does, the driver can lose steering control, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will inspect the cross-axis ball joint knuckle attached to the rear toe link and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.

0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail. 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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available.

The rear suspension toe links can break under normal stress. If one fractures, the vehicle's handling can change suddenly, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckles if needed, free of charge.

Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash. In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available.

These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end. A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems." The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

The engine block heater on these vehicles with 2.3L GTDI engines can overheat while plugged in. Overheating of the engine block increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: The dealer will replace the engine block heater and inspect and replace the electrical cord if needed, free of charge.

Fuel tank bolts may not have been tightened during production, so the straps can break and the tank can come loose. A loose tank can leak fuel, which raises the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts as needed, free of charge.

The parking brake may not hold fully when applied, so if the car is left in a gear other than Park on a slope, it can roll away and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will test the parking brake and replace the parking brake control assembly if needed, free of charge.