2016 Ford Explorer: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
2,443 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Explorer is the clearest example on this site of a nameplate whose reputation depends entirely on the year. The fifth generation (2011–2019) opens well, then the 2013 and 2016 model years carry more than 2,000 complaints each, concentrated in the powertrain (the 2.0 and 2.3-litre EcoBoost engines and the six-speed automatic), power-steering assist loss, and the exhaust-odour issue that prompted a federal investigation into Police Interceptor and civilian Explorers. Read the full note on the model page. 2016 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 2,443 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Ford Explorer: the three model years that ruin the average, including 2016 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 2,443 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 244.3
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle and the contact were informed that the B-pillar trim needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and that only half of the B-pillar trim could be repl…
Transmission is company. Was driving and it bucked forward SO bad I had a panic attack with my kids in the back and had to have it towed home. Sounds like a computer issue because no me manic can figure out what’s wrong with it. Dealership had put in a ‘brand new’ transmission when I bought it in 2021.
After multiple communications with the local Ford Dealership, the recall on the vehicle has not been completed nor inspected. The Ford Dealership has repeatedly stated that they do not have the parts and cannot give an estimated time frame of arrival. The conversation always ends, "we will call when the parts come in". This has been over a year now. Today I called a different dealership in the area and received the s…
Recalls: 12 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 19V435000 | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia,… |
| 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 Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the… |
| 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. |
| 15V464000 | 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… |
| 16V475000 | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. 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." |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 19 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,250
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Structure582 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Steering528 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Unknown Or Other426 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine380 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train214 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System125 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
Other Ford Explorer years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Structure (582 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2016 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 32/100, computed from 2,443 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2016 Ford Explorer's most common problem?
582 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2016 Ford Explorer sit in the Structure group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is body, subframe or corrosion repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,070–$2,920 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2016 Ford Explorer cost to run per year?
About $9,961 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $49,805 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2016 Ford Explorer, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 05/05/2021. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2016 Ford Explorer really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 2,443 complaints, 12 recalls on record
- 2443 NHTSA complaints on record (244.3/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (90.5/yr)
- 12 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems