Name: 2016 Ford Explorer
Brand: Ford

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"The AC stopped working completely. Repair shop thought it was refrigerant related, but upon closer inspection the compressor and condenser needed replaced, totaling $3000. It broke and was fixed the following day."

Anonymous, FL (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6 turbo)

Blower (fan) motor

"The fan in the dash and at the feet and the defrost doesn't operate properly. I'm told"there's nothing wrong with it" but my defrost fan doesn't run properly at times and the feet don't get warm at times. And of course, it's rather variable and inconsistent so diagnosis attempts have been useless."

Anonymous, (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Condenser

"The AC stopped working. The repair shop thought it may be refrigerant related but upon close inspection the condenser and the compressor both needed replaced, totaling $3000. It broke and was fixed the next day."

Anonymous, FL (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6 turbo)

Heater system

"Heat thermostat stopped working 5 months ago, heating operates randomly. Expect dealer to overcharge, so havent taken it in to be fixed."

Anonymous, MA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

"Heater stopped working on drivers side. Took for repair. Tech said found nothing wrong. Would not pick up until they found the problem. Finally located issue and repaired after waiting days for part. Had to do with directional part failure under center console. Costly repair with no warranty."

Anonymous, GA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Noises And Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"This car has a Sunroof. The sunroof is nothing but a hole on the roof of the car. Water will eventually leak in. It has a drain system but it is smaller than a straw and with any sort of debris it will clog. And it does so anytime you have a big rain fall you run the risk of water in the car. It even damaged the sunroof motor. Thnak G-d I have an extended warranty (which I know you do not like, but in used cars I think it is a necessity). The cost for the motor and the Roto-Rooter service was covered by the warranty."

Anonymous A., FL (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Other noises & leaks problem

"When the internal water pump went out, I took it in for repair, when it got it back, the vehicle would die while driving. The mechanics smashed an essential grounding wire that randomly lost connection shutting down the vehicle."

Anonymous A., TX (2016 Ford Explorer Platinum 3.5-L V6 turbo)

Seals and/or weather-stripping

"The "moon roof window" seals failed and a lot of water entered the passenger compartment."

Anonymous, MA (2016 Ford Explorer Limited)

"There was a huge leak into the front passenger floor board after rain. The seal and piping around the sun roof had clogged. To repair the clog, the sunroof engine had to be replaced."

Anonymous, VA (2016 Ford Explorer Sport 2.3-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

What Owners Say

Fuel door or charge port door

"I dont remember when it started. But Ill get an engine light that comes on and it has to dark with the port. Theres no cap. And somehow the seal is not secure. And its causing the engine light to come on. It works sometimes, and sometimes it doesnt."

Anonymous, GA (2016 Ford Explorer 3.5-L V6)

Seat controls - power

"The driver seat doesn't hold it's programs permanently. It sets to what it wants at times and not what has been "saved to memory". I had a pigtail replaced that was supposed to fix it. But it's right back to being unpredictable. I find myself readjusting and resaving my setting every few weeks."

Anonymous, (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

"wiring problem"

Anonymous A., CO (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6 turbo)

Tailgate, hatch or trunk

"Tailgate will only automatically go up half way."

Anonymous A., GA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Calipers

"The rear brake pistons in the calipers seized due to corrosion and had to be replaced."

Anonymous, WI (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Rotors

"Front brake calipers slide pin wear caused uneven rotor and pad wear, requiring replacement of rotors"

Anonymous, WI (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Squeaking

"Spent over $1,000 to fix brakes many months ago, have had squeaking problem ever since. Dealer charges $100 to diagnose and I dont want to pay for something they should have fixed."

Anonymous, MA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

What Owners Say

Heated or cooled seats

"Passenger seat heater stopped working. Didn't have it repaired due to cost."

Anonymous, MD (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

"Call the front seats in the middle seats had heated seats and now only the front seats are heated. It didnt take long before stopped working. And we cant get them to work the bills and whistles just to get you to buy it."

Anonymous, GA (2016 Ford Explorer 3.5-L V6)

"Drivers side heated seat does not work."

Anonymous, WI (2016 Ford Explorer)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

Display screen goes blank

"Sporadically goes blank on all displays and trim lights. Then turns back on. No particular reason."

Anonymous, AR (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"Phone app doesnt always sync. Takes several tries and sometimes doesnt happen."

Anonymous, AR (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Voice control commands

"phone wont always make calls. sometimes phone won't sync. Won't always change radio station. Inconsistent response to commands"

Anonymous, CA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"Ford replaced transmission 3 years ago after having my car for 10 months and doing various transmission rebuilds that failed. My car most likely needs another transmission as I have the same issues I had a few years ago."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 2.3-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Transmission was leaking."

Anonymous, TX (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)

"The first transmission only lasted 5000 miles, then it had to be replaced. The second one still works but with hard shifting."

Anonymous A., GA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Paint And Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Exterior molding around windshield failing and breaking off in chunks. Ford recalled. After months of calling, still do not have fix."

Anonymous, GA (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

"The trim between the front and back doors was loose. Problem was resolved by me so far by using double stick tape"

Anonymous, MD (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

What Owners Say

Rough shifting

"It shifts hard between 1st and 2nd gear."

Anonymous, TX (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)

Transmission leaks

"Sorry, I don't remember. It was leaking but it didn't get low enough to cause damage. Wasn't a big deal."

Anonymous, MS (2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

What Owners Say

Water pump

"Water pump failed resulting in vehicle failure. Vehicle was at the shop for a week for repairs. Pump is located within the engine which resulted in significant labor and cost ($3,500) to repair."

Anonymous, GA (2016 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"Trim on windshield came off on passenger side. The airbag light flashing, defective airbag."

Anonymous A., FL (2016 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5-L V6 turbo)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

Steering And Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

Ford Explorer

Reliability

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

Climate System

What Owners Say

Noises And Leaks

What Owners Say

Body Hardware

What Owners Say

Brakes

What Owners Say

Engine Electrical

What Owners Say

In-car Electronics

What Owners Say

Transmission Major

What Owners Say

Paint And Trim

What Owners Say

Transmission Minor

What Owners Say

Engine Cooling

What Owners Say

Exhaust

What Owners Say

Drive System

Engine Minor

Steering And Suspension

Engine Major

Fuel System/Emissions

Electrical Accessories

2016 SUVs Reliability

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability