Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,657 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 7 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #239

Jan 102021

Explorer

  • 63,000 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 driving there was a strong odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle causing the contact and her husband to become lightheaded. When the contact returned to her residence she checked under the hood and smelled an abnormally strong odor coming from underneath the engine. The contact stated the odor smelled like sulfur and rotten eggs. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer balise Ford (1979 boston rd, wilbraham, MA 01095) to have the vehicle diagnosed however, the dealer was unable to find the cause of the odor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

- Grandy, MA, USA

problem #238

Dec 012020

Explorer

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the water pump leaked fluid without warning. The contact took the vehicle to stevens Ford of milford (717 bridgeport ave, milford, ct 06460) where she was informed that the vehicle needed a new water pump. The contact declined the repair. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she had the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #237

Jan 042021

Explorer

  • 47,000 miles
Vehicle started to misfire as I was driving. It would get worse every time I was idle at stop lights. Had to pull over to assess the situation and I shortly scheduled a service appointment with a Ford dealership. Ford techs said it was the spark plugs and coils. Had all 6 spark plugs & coils replaced but the issue continued. Still no resolution as of today. Vehicle only has 47K miles.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #236

Jan 102021

Explorer

  • 128,000 miles

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

I'm experiencing limp mode. While driving at any speed the truck loses power and cuts back almost like I put it in park while driving. The wrench and engine lights are on.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #235

Dec 182020

Explorer

  • 69,500 miles
I purchased a 2016 Explorer limited from a Ford dealer and noticed it was low on coolant, was told it would be filled and of course it wasn't, I filled it myself. A week later it was low again, took it to a Chevy dealer and was told the water pump is leaking. I contacted the selling dealer and left a voicemail and no one returned my call. I called back a couple weeks later and was told it isn't covered under their 30 day/1000 mile warranty. I contacted Ford and was told no assistance because I'm not the original owner, should that matter with 69500 miles"?" I was told to call a local dealer maybe they can help me. The water pump on this vehicle is mounted internally and driven by the timing chain and cost about $1500 to replace. So far after a used purchase I'll have $25,000 into a vehicle they may turn into a brick. I have bought and leased several new Ford vehicles and this is how they treat customers, including having retired family members.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #234

Apr 162020

Explorer

  • 68,000 miles
The vehicle without warning, just shuts off. Even while going 65 mph on a highway. If your lucky, you can coast off the highway before you are hit. Ford refused to fix even though under warranty. So I had to sell it so I wouldn't be killed. Hundreds if not thousands have complained about the same thing.

- Barboursville, VA, USA

problem #233

Nov 222020

Explorer

  • 69,360 miles

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

When accelerating an odor like burnt hair or electrical enters the cabin. Ford did perform recall work but the odor still enters the cabin.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #232

Nov 152020

Explorer

  • 76,600 miles
My water pump has gone out and apparently this has not been the only one.

- Waynesville, MO, USA

problem #231

Oct 252020

Explorer

  • 66,000 miles
Within 10 days of buying it brand new I've had electrical problems. Replaced back up screen within those 10 days even though they didn't find anything wrong. Still continues. Multiple issues with the power train. Now I've been out of a car for 2 weeks because I might need a new transmission at 65,000 no longer under warranty. How can I pay $38,000 and it goes bad instantly? no help from Ford or dealer. My gears are stalling and not shifting correctly or picking up speed. I drive like an old lady and take care of this car like it's brand new. I will never buy a Ford again and will tell anyone who will listen not to do the same.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #230

Oct 162020

Explorer

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked inside his garage when he started to smell a heavy exhaust odor inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dorsch Ford Lincoln Kia (2641 eaton rd, green bay, wi 54311, (920) 469-3000) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired cost me $3,000 to fix by consumer's mechanic. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #229

Sep 082020

Explorer

  • 94,000 miles

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

I have a 2016 Ford Explorer with 94,000 miles. We noticed that the ac was blowing hot air so we took the car in for a repair on 9/8/2020. The dealership called us back to inform us that the water pump had failed which caused antifreeze to leak into and on the ac compressor causing it to fail. We were quoted a price of $2600 for the repair the water pump. I was also told that many police cruisers with the same motor are having the same issue. Ford recommends that the water pump be replaced at 150000 miles' the miles on the SUV are highway miles.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #228

Jul 152020

Explorer

  • 78,146 miles
I own a 2016 Ford Explorer which has 78,146 miles and while driving the engine light came on and the vehicle stalled without warning. I had to put my car in neutral and coast to the side of the road with my children in the car. I just purchased this vehicle from everett Ford in benton, Arkansas less than a year ago and have had normal routine maintenance completed according the the owners manual. After having a mechanic take a look it is a result of a faulty water pump in which I was quoted $2500-$3500 for a replacement in addition the engine would be several thousand. The problem is that the water pump is inside the engine and so when the water pump fails it destroys the engine without warning by mixing the coolant with the engine oil. After looking into this further the dealership and the manufacturer were aware of this mechanical defect and the thousands of customers that were affected but continue to advertise 'built Ford tough'to drive sales and did not warn customers or make them aware. This is a safety concern for all owners of the Ford duratec V6 engine and there should be a forced recall by the national highway safety administration. Do not wait for there to be deaths from this mechanical defect before taking action. Ford should take responsibility. I am a loyal customer of Ford but will be getting rid of my vehicle and making sure all Ford owners are aware and you cannot trust Ford when they are aware of a safety related mechanical failure and they are not taking responsibility or even notifying its loyal customers!

- Helena, AL, USA

problem #227

Aug 012020

Explorer

  • miles
This truck has had issues since I bought it like 5 months ago from carmax within that time I really only had it a month rest of time it has been in the shop I bought with 26K miles from carmax already had rebuilt engine breaks roaders still have engine issues now today belt broke and needs to be towed I should not have to have do many issues with a new truck not mention if you do not shut the trunk hard it will drain the battery since it keeps the lights on in the truck already had to replace the battery. This truck has been a lemon since day one and should have never been sold I feel this truck is not reliable and unsafe at times. Not worth the 26000 I paid for it. Plus the sensors go off for no reason and nothing is around.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #226

May 012018

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that recently while driving at 75 mph, when she heard an abnormal noise and "transmission not in park" warning message was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to madison Ford located at 2895 S. seminole trail, madison, va 22727, (540) 948-6806, where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Barboursville, VA, USA

problem #225

Feb 292020

Explorer

  • 57,000 miles
Hello today after driving my 2016 Ford Explorer only down the street to the store it was fine I pulled back up at my house and it was fine I unloaded my toddler and took him inside and then went back and turned my SUV back on to back it into my driveway and it made a really loud humming sound like a vacuum or a high speed fan it didn't slow it didn't stop it only stayed loud I then left it parked on the street and it continued to make the sound its been 2 hours and its still going strong no key in the ignition or nothing and its still no my husband is pulling fuses out trying to get it to stop.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #224

Sep 092019

Explorer

  • 27,500 miles
Vehicle emits a strong exhaust / sulfur smell when accelerating or placing a load on the engine such as using A/C or driving uphill.

- Ashland, VA, USA

problem #223

Jan 272020

Explorer

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon startup, the engine rumbled and vibrated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The tail pipe also emitted an excessive amount of smoke while the vehicle was being driven. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an head gasket leak, a nd also that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #222

Jan 022020

Explorer

  • 107,000 miles
At slow speeds 20 mph and less there is significant noise when driving over bumps or transitions. At very slow speeds less than 5 mph and turning steering wheel the steering will get stuck or hesitate and make a clunking or popping sound. Seems to be stabilizer bar related. Its progressively getting worse. I also have an engine surging issue at slower speeds of 30 mph or less.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #221

Nov 012019

Explorer

  • 58,120 miles
The vehicle began to overheat when driving at an incline. As soon as the vehicle was level there were no overheating issues. I took the vehicle to the dealership and was advised that the vehicle was overheating due to the grill shutters being stuck closed and as a result the transmission was failing and needed a partial rebuild. The vehicle was still eligible for certain repairs under the warranty, mileage 58,120, so Ford covered the partial transmission rebuild as they determined was fit. The grill shutters malfunctioning and being stuck closed were not covered under warranty but the malfunction was a major contributing factor to the transmission failure and overheating of the vehicle. Repairs were completed in May 2019. In November 2019 and approx. 2K miles out of warranty and just slightly 2K more miles since the transmission rebuild and grill shutter replacement, the vehicle began to overheat again. The overheating would occur consistently when sitting idle or in motion on streets and on highways. The vehicle was taken to the Ford dealership again for diagnosis. It was determined that the head gasket was blown which was causing the vehicle to overheat. Ford advised that due to the grill shutters being stuck closed that ultimately was the cause of the damage to the engine and the head gasket being blown. The malfunctioning grill shutters are a major issue that should be fixed on Ford behalf so that additional engine damage doesn't occur. Ford is now not covering the head gasket being blown/overall engine damage even though this was ultimately caused by the malfunctioning grill shutters. The vehicle is not drivable without overheating and the overheating could cause a fire which could be extremely dangerous and in some cases, fatal.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

problem #220

Dec 252019

Explorer

  • 115,000 miles
While I was driving on the highway going no more 70mph, when the engine started to make a whining noise and the truck started bucking. Then the truck stopped abruptly as if someone hit the brake then a loud pop noise. Once we pulled to the shoulder, smoke came through the vent and from under the hood. Within 15 second fire sparks was shooting from the bottom of the truck then by the next 10 second fire started shooting from under the hood. The entire front of the truck was engulfed. No warning, no check engine light, nothing. I have always had my regular maintenance done. Last one done 10/2019. Now I'm out of a vehicle with no warning from Ford. I've only had this truck 9 months which I purchased with an extended warranty in March 2019.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?