2016 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

Both my A pillars have ripped off on the highway. Called Ford Service center and they continue to say there are no parts available. Most recent incident was on [XXX], when my passenger side ripped off INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX] .) Build Date: (08/15.), Mileage (115,262.). My vehicle has experienced a steering rack failure, which poses a serious risk of loss of steering control. I am aware of multiple recalls (such as 20v-675 / Ford 20S62 and 21V-537 / Ford 21S32) Addressing rear suspension toe link fractures in 2016 ford explorers. These recalls cover vehicles built in the same timeframe as mine, but my VIN is not included. This exclusion is concerning, as both the steering rack and suspension defect involve loss of steering control and directly impact driver and passenger safety. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate: 1. Why certain VIN's, including mine, were excluded despite being manufactured in the recall window. 2. Whether steering rack failures in the 2016 ford explorer should also be subject to an official safety recall. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety matter. I look forward to hearing from somebody. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim was blown off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer to determine when parts would be available, but was informed that parts were anticipated in 2026. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar and the driver’s and passenger’s side B-pillar trims were loose. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

air bag light illumination on occasion, ford confirmed and suggested $1000 repair. seems like a safety issue that is a manufacturer defect. vehicle has been maintained and rear seat rarely used.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims had detached, and the driver's side door exterior B-pillar trim was loose. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,295.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the front driver's side A-pillar trim became loosened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Most recently, the contact noticed that the B-pillar trim on the passenger’s and driver's side had become loosened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the transmission. In addition, the vehicle drove roughly while the transmission was downshifting, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced, or the transmission could be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the Technical Service Bulletin: 20B27. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

There are 2 active recalls for this VIN, both related to pillar body parts. The A-pillar recall was issued in January of 2024. The B-Pillar recall was issued in May of this year. Neither recall has been able to be addressed. Gray-Daniels Ford in Brandon, MS continually states that Ford has not issued a solution yet. This is unacceptable. Multiple pillar parts have fallen off of my vehicle while driving. I have ordered aftermarket solutions to try to remedy, but the inability for a major manufacturer to produce a solution and implement the same, over a period of 19 months and almost 4 months respectively, should not be tolerated. The NHTSA needs to investigate this and force Ford to implement a safe solution for these issues, and quickly.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side of the windshield started to detach. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the A-pillar trim had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the driver’s side windshield. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.