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7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
43,750 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace hood (7 reports)
  3. repaint (6 reports)
2016 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2016 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #20

May 012022

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,800 miles

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

Why would a vehicle of this price point have this poor of a paint application?

- Richard Renee R., Ellijay, US

problem #19

Aug 112023

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

I have owned my 2016 from purchasing brand new. It has always been garaged and detailed. I noticed last week that my hood right on the very front is starting to bubble and will not doubt rust and peel. I went to an auto body shop who I have dealt with for years. Was advised that this is and was an ongoing issue with Ford since 2000 when they switched over to aluminum panels. Cost to replace hood and paint is $2,695.00. I saw that there actually was a class action suit on this issue with Explorers but it was dismissed in May 2021.

I contacted Ford Motor Corporate this a.m. and am waiting to hear back if they will do something to assist me in paying to have this repaired. I have owned Fords for over 50 years and this is totally unacceptable if they do not do something to make good on this issue that has been brought to their attention on thousands of vehicles and yet never did a recall to correct it over all the years from as far back as 2003.

My vehicle is in impeccable condition with only 31,000 miles and now this through no fault of me but rather the fault of Ford Motor. Hopefully they will make good and stand behind their product.

- Suzanne C., Raynham, MA, US

problem #18

Aug 012019

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Paint bubbling up on edges of hood - if not fixed, it will get worse.

- Giles F., Hollywood, US

problem #17

Mar 052019

Explorer XLT 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,251 miles

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

My hood is peeling - the paint is bubbling up very badly. It’s showing rust and the aluminum hood underneath bad. I just want my car paint back instead of driving around with parts of my hood exposed.

- gandy83, Sarasota, US

problem #16

Sep 232020

Explorer Flex Fuel V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

The grille and hood are bubbling and paint is peeling. How can Ford get away with this shoddy work and not be required to repaint and or repair the problem? The rest of the car paint is fine.

- Rudolph M., St Petersburg, US

problem #15

May 012020

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,120 miles

The front of the hood paint is bubbling. This is a garage kept vehicle we ordered and bought new, we are retired, I'm just extremely angry at this point. I have read that Ford knew about this problem for years, and has done nothing to resolve it. In some cases the hoods were sanded and repainted. This didn't solve the problem, but covered it up. Ford needs to step up and solve this.

- Michael M., Hephzibah, Georgia, United States

problem #14

May 102019

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

paint issues

Very upset over the paint job on my 2016 Explorer. The picture is on the rear door of the drivers side. It has been raining so the picture I took is not that good. However, you can certainly see what is happening. Anyone else having this problem? It is not just on the door, there are other areas also.

- Diana H., Ann Arbor, MI, US

problem #13

Jan 012019

Explorer Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Paint is bubbling around the edge of the hood - multiple places. Factory paint - no repaints or damage.

- Robert C., Ellicott City, US

problem #12

Feb 122019

Explorer Platinum 3.5L V6 Tt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,555 miles

2016 Explorer Platinum. 72k miles. Engine surging on every warm start. Dealer not able to repair. Not sure what it is. Front windshield trim almost blew off, had to stop and pull it off then glue it back on when I got back home. Side lower trim on drivers door was falling off, plastic connectors broke. Infotainment system was extremely laggy and the GPS didn’t work at times. Even after dealer update it still didn’t work properly. Rear roof seal around back door hinges was cracking causing water to leak inside. Hood is aluminum and the paint will bubble on pretty much all Explorers and come off. Transfer case is a sealed unit not allowing for any servicing or fluid changes. Transmission did not shift smoothly and would probably need to be rebuilt, dealer checked software and said it was up to date.

I bought this car used and only kept it for a few months before trading it back in for a VW Atlas. Much better built vehicle and super roomy.

I’m very disappointed in the lack of quality from the Explorer and am ashamed that Ford would make a car with this many known issues and not covet under a recall. I’m so happy to be done with this car.

- imn2vws, Fuquay Varina, US

problem #11

Jun 042018

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Again, like other posts I am seeing the hood on my Explorer is bubbling in about 4 different places. After reading some of the comments, I think I will insist on having my hood replaced rather than them fixing the spots. The not so funny thing is that I paid extra to have my car "rustproofed" and Diamond Koated…..did the dealership do it and how can I check that....Any advice???

- Arlene K., Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #10

Mar 172018

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

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

Bought new about 1 1/2 years ago and just noticed 2-3 bubble spots on the front edge of the hood. I've not yet approached a dealer about repair/replacement as I'm anticipating this will only aggravate me even more.

Update from Jun 1, 2018: As expected- dealer states this is out of warranty due to mileage being 54,000. Not sure what the mileage has to do with a known paint issue other than being a technicality.

I do find it odd that they would choose not to accept responsibility to a known issue, especially with a customer that drives so much they purchase a new vehicle every four years...and makes decisions about the company fleet choices.

- Derek H., Elk River, US

problem #9

Mar 062018

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,600 miles

I noticed the paint bubbling on the hood and took it to the dealer where I bought the car from. They said that they would call me when they had an opening in their body shop. So far, it's been two weeks and no phone call.

Update from Apr 8, 2018: Friendly Ford, of Roselle, Il., said that they went to Ford and got approval to REPLACE my hood rather then repair it. The hood was replaced under warranty but I'm concerned that the new hood will eventually do the same thing. My complaint was satisfactorialy taken care of.

- Victor T., Schaumburg, US

problem #8

Feb 142018

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Ford should fix this problem. This is bull. I was very happy to buy a Ford Explorer, but now I wish i would have just gone with the Dodge Durango. Very disappointing.

- Joshua G., Three Rivers, US

problem #7

Dec 112017

Explorer Platinum 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

Ford knows this problem and has been dealing with it for years but refuses to cover it

- Terry P., Bridgeport, US

problem #6

Nov 092017

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint issues paint issues paint issues

Contacted ford customer service. Basically was told it was my problem. Was also informed that there was some assistance available if my dealer would have asked for it @Banner ford would have asked for it. Probably the last ford motor company product i will purchase. Ford motor company knows about this problem. Will try to start a class action lawsuit soon Hopefully can get help for customer satisfaction is job one my —-

- Kevin K., Metairie, US

problem #5

Dec 282016

Explorer 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

While I was washing the car I discovered rust on the hood of the car, I was surprised on a car from 1,5 year old. I contacted the dealer and they told me to come by to repair this under warranty. I was even more surprised when I dropped of the car and the service writer that they only patch up the hood. Probably it is going to come back and Ford doesn't accept it as warranty a second time. It seems to be a very common problem and Ford knows about it but doesn't do anything. I contacted Ford to file a complain but they don't do anything with it.

- Hans de B., Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

problem #4

Dec 012016

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,900 miles

This problem is well known by my dealer. They also said Ford told them to fix only once although it will definitely corrode again as the problem is due to galvanic reaction. There are a number of models affected by this.

- Melvin S., Cocoa, FL, US

problem #3

Dec 012015

Explorer UT 3.5L Ti-Vct V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3 miles

click to see larger images

paint issues paint issues paint issues paint issues paint issues paint issues

So we just ordered this 2016 Ford Explorer In November 2015. Custom to what we wanted and when it came we already notice some problem. They fixed what we saw, than we had it detailed and our person who did it just washed it and found a lot of divots and dent marks. Called Ford and had them look at it and to take care of it. It took forever and lots of miles on this suv before it was fixed. They kept calling it a production vehicle which I guess every one that comes out of the factory should be a production vehicle right. We went rounds and rounds and had Corporate involved. They finally fixed it and we got it back in December 29,2015. They don't care about people they make lots of money a year and we all are just numbers to them.

- Jacci H., Norwood, MN, US

problem #2

Oct 172015

Explorer Sport 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

click to see larger images

paint issues paint issues paint issues paint issues paint issues

Picked up my 2016 Explorer Sport after dark and did not get a chance to look it over very well in the sun light. Next day, I notice several spots in my hood after I get it home. One appears to be a pimple or something under the paint, one looks like a crater as I can see down to the primer, and I have two small clear bubbles. See the pictures for yourself. Took the vehicle back to the dealer and Ford says they will repaint it. Well, take a look at the 2011-Present complaints on the explorers and you can quickly see that having them repaint your hood is not a good idea. So I ask to have a new hood put on. I get told that is not an option. So I have a BRAND NEW vehicle with FACTORY defects and Ford will not make it right. This will be my last Ford product. I sure hope everyone who is considering an explorer sees this prior to purchasing one. I wish I had. If you don't care about the appearance and quality of the vehicle then this is the SUV for you. Also, while I was at the dealer I looked over the only other Shadow Black Explorer they had and it also had the same issues just in different locations!

- tinman4154, Nashville, TN, US

problem #1

Jul 182015

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198 miles

Brand new Explorer and it has two spots in the door that I can see just approaching it are paint flaws from the factory. One spot looks like dirt under the paint and the other spot you can see the primer where the paint did not cover it. White primer really stands out with Ruby Red paint.

- Frank W., Colfax, WI, US

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