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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,814 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #315

Jul 262023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 7/26/2023 the vehicle started a little rough in the morning. At start up the engine light came on. The vehicle was driving fine except for rough morning start. I took the vehicle to a Ford Dealer but was told I'd have to schedule appointment. At the time I was told that if the engine message wasn't flashing it wasn't too serious. After I left Ford I made a quick stop at Jiffy Lube just to get confirmation. They put the computer on the vehicle and spark plug #3 was misfiring and just needed a tune up. On 8/04/2023, a tune up was performed by a local mechanic. Vehicle seemed fine for the next day or two. On Monday 8/7/2023 the engine light came back on. The vehicle was taken back to mechanic on 8/8. The mechanic could not determine cause but believed it may be a fuel pump issue since the cold start seems to prompt engine light warning. I picked up the vehicle on 8/9/23, the mechanic told me to take it to a Ford dealer. On 8/10, I called Ford Dealership, they scheduled appointment for Monday 8/14/2023. Dealershiper called me and informed me I needed a new long block, fuel pump and pressure test. I did not approve the $15,000 repair. The dealership informed me coolant was leaking into engine.

- Drexel Hill, PA, USA

problem #314

Aug 012023

Explorer

  • miles
Water pump failure

- Sioux Falls , SD, USA

problem #313

Aug 022023

Explorer

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was an unknown fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the internal water pump was leaking and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #312

May 062023

Explorer

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was a loud grinding sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Inver Grove Heights, MN, USA

problem #311

Jul 112023

Explorer

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while cold starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle seemed to be operating normally; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that after a week with the check engine light remaining illuminated, the vehicle was driven to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12 - Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- North Potomac, MD, USA

problem #310

Jun 012023

Explorer

  • miles
Coolant, water pump, and timing chamber. Last year I had it replaced for $1,800 not knowing this is a common issue for the make and model. Never received any info concerning a recall about this issue or other recalled issues. In 1yr the water pump has malfunctioned again causing the engine to overheat and oil leakage.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #309

Jun 112023

Explorer

  • 152,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the gear shifter into park(P), the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that the transmission would only shift into reverse(R). An independent mechanic flipped an unknown switch, and the contact was able to drive her vehicle to her residence; however, when the contact attempted to shift the transmission into park(P), the transmission would only shift into reverse(R). The contact's son flipped the switch, and the contact was able to shift the transmission into park(P). Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- Oconee, IL, USA

problem #308

May 162023

Explorer

  • miles
The waterpump of the vehicle causes excessive leaking which causes the vehicle to overheat.

- Sebring, FL, USA

problem #307

May 042023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving my vehicle only a month after getting oil change and service. I was confident my vehicle was in good condition as it had passed the inspection. I suddenly noticed the temperature needle was rising. I immediately pulled over and asked for help and was told i needed water. My water pump was not working.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #306

May 072023

Explorer

  • miles
Coolant leaking, could be water pump issues? Also foul order inside vehicle. I just bought this so I don't know when these problems started. I have not taken it to a shop yet

- Priest River , ID, USA

problem #305

Feb 152023

Explorer

  • 1,176,658 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Everytime my ac/heat is on it affects my engine as I-??m driving. My speedometer fast jumps. As soon as I turn it off it seems to run better. I made a complaint a week ago about something going on with my fuel and fan running high speed. I have a foul smell in my car. I thought for awhile it was something outside but now I believe it-??s coming from my car. It smells like fuel/rubber/sewer if that makes sense.

- Youngstown , OH, USA

problem #304

Apr 132023

Explorer

  • miles
Took 2016 Ford Explorer in for an oil change. Was informed that there is an Engine Water Pump leak and needs replacement. There were no warning lights or notifications. Concerns are a malfunction of only vehicle available to me and my family.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #303

Oct 032022

Explorer

  • 117,658 miles
My fuel evap pump check engine light keeps coming on. I-??ve owned this vehicle since July 2022 and I have paid for the evap pump 3x-??s. My fan constantly runs in the engine. My engine has a stutter when I press the gas. Ford absolutely dropped the ball with this vehicle. I have already paid thousands of dollars (water pump, evap pumps and more) please help on getting this car serviced. I still owe like 20k on this car. I cannot afford to keep getting it fixed. I have 121k miles on it.

- Youngstown , OH, USA

problem #302

Mar 272023

Explorer

  • miles
Defective water pump. Water pump is leaking coolant, this could lead to engine damage. Repair is extremely costly.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #301

Mar 192023

Explorer

  • miles
This model has a defective water pump. When it goes the engine stops even if in the middle of a busy intersection.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #300

Mar 212023

Explorer

  • miles
Informed that the water pump on my 2016 Explorer is going out. This seems to be an ongoing problem that Ford is not addressing.

- River Ridge, LA, USA

problem #299

Mar 102023

Explorer

  • miles
My Ford Explorer was idling roughly and unsafely hesitating in traffic. The check engine light came on. I had to drive it to the Ford Dealership to be evaluated. On the way to Bill Collins Ford in Louisville KY, my vehicle hesitated in traffic several times, and I feared that I would be hit by other vehicles. I was informed that it had a catastrophic engine failure. The head gasket was blown. The service manager informed me that replacing the head gasket would not resolve the issue due to the DESIGN FLAW with the engine. This design flaw that is inherent to this engine family has caused vehicles to unsafely hesitate in traffic and catch fire. There are currently no engines available due to the number of engines that are failing. My vehicle cannot be repaired at this time.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

problem #298

Mar 082023

Explorer

  • miles
This is a known issue with the 2018 Explorer. A warning came on the dash with a wrench that says, see manual along with the airbag light. The vehicle lost all power, went into a safe mode and would only idle rough. The shop diagnosed this as a known issue with the throttle body malfunctioning. I called Ford and although there was a min extension done to the warranties for this car, it expired. This needs to be recalled. Had this of happened at interstate speed, myself and my entire family could have been severely injured or killed.

- Johnston, IA, USA

problem #297

Feb 172023

Explorer

  • miles
The water pump is located inside the motor to repair is over $3,000 just to simply change a water pump a leaking water pump will lead to a motor lock up from what could of been a $100 do it your self job turns into a $3000 job for a dealership or locked up motor and motor replacement or a crash

- Barrackville , WV, USA

problem #296

Jun 102022

Explorer

  • miles
My touch screen isn-€™t working properly and I have brand new converters in there is smoke coming out of my tail pipes, also I have to jump my vehicle every time I want to go somewhere.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

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