The 2016 Ford Explorer's elevated safety profile includes 10 recall campaigns and 2,360 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

2,360

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

19V4350002019-10-06

SUSPENSION:REAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

17E0480002017-28-08

WHEELS:HUB

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. 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.

View at NHTSA

15V6050002015-28-09

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.

If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

View at NHTSA

View all 10 recalls

15V4640002015-24-07

PARKING BRAKE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

21V3160002021-05-05

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.

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

20V6920002020-10-11

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

21V5370002021-15-07

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 Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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.

View at NHTSA

20V6750002021-12-03

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 York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

24V0310002024-19-01

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.

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

25V3470002025-23-05

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.

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2016 Ford Explorer has accumulated 2,360 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with structure leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Structure480

02Steering429

03Unknown Or Other275

04Engine206

05Power Train126

2,360 total across 1 model years (2016–2016)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Explorer Fuel Economy

18–22mpg combined

16-19city

22-27hwy

$2,000-$2,450/yr

With 7 configurations tested, the 2016 Ford Explorer ranges from 18 to 22 MPG combined. That's a 4 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Explorer FWD - Automatic (S6)

22mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

19 city27 hwy~$2,000/yr5/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic (S6)

21mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

18 city26 hwy~$2,100/yr5/10 Average

Explorer 2WD FFV - Automatic (S6)

20mpg

3.5L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city24 hwy~$2,200/yr4/10 Average

Explorer FWD - Automatic (S6)

20mpg

3.5L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city24 hwy~$2,200/yr4/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic (S6)

19mpg

3.5L 6-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

16 city23 hwy~$2,300/yr4/10 Average

Explorer AWD FFV - Automatic (S6)

19mpg

3.5L 6-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

16 city23 hwy~$2,300/yr4/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic (S6)

18mpg

3.5L 6-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

16 city22 hwy~$2,450/yr4/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2016 Ford Explorer

37States

29%in top 3

If you're near Michigan, you're in luck: 12% of listings are there. But with 37 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

MIMichigan

4,68912%

TXTexas

4,16411%

FLFlorida

2,6097%

PAPennsylvania

2,1445%

CACalifornia

1,8735%

ILIllinois

1,4664%

DEDelaware

1,4424%

GAGeorgia

1,3964%

MOMissouri

1,3573%

NYNew York

1,3413%

NJNew Jersey

1,1703%

OHOhio

1,1383%

NCNorth Carolina

1,0723%

DCWashington DC

9382%

AZArizona

8462%

TNTennessee

8442%

MDMaryland

8122%

COColorado

7382%

MN730

OKOklahoma

6512%

NH546

IN507

WA471

AL443

KY413

WI399

IA376

UT370

OR346

MA311

RI307

VA291

ID287

NV282

NE279

AR256

CT251

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2016.

2016 Ford Explorer: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer a good car to buy?

The 2016 Ford Explorer has its strengths and its watch-outs. 10 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report structure as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2016 Ford Explorer?

Yes, 10 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 2016 Ford Explorer?

Depending on configuration, the 2016 Ford Explorer delivers 18–22 MPG combined. Choose wisely. The full comparison shows how engine choice affects your wallet.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford Explorer?

Out of 2,360 owner complaints, structure issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.

How does the 2016 compare to other Ford Explorer years?

Each Ford Explorer model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Ford Explorer overview page.