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2016 Ford Explorer Edit

Recalls

Near Columbus, OH
43085

12 Safety Recalls Found for Cars Like Yours

Recalls may not affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. Use your VIN or plate to find out if your specific car has open recalls.

Where do I find my VIN?

2016 Ford Explorer Recalls

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
20V675000

Report Date:
OCT 29, 2020

Vehicles Affected:
454941

Consequence:

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
21V316000

Report Date:
MAY 04, 2021

Vehicles Affected:
616967

Consequence:

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
15V605000

Report Date:
SEP 27, 2015

Vehicles Affected:
203

Consequence:

If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
24V031000

Report Date:
JAN 18, 2024

Vehicles Affected:
1889110

Consequence:

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
17V767000

Report Date:
NOV 28, 2017

Vehicles Affected:
177264

Consequence:

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
15V464000

Report Date:
JUL 23, 2015

Vehicles Affected:
7165

Consequence:

If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
16V475000

Report Date:
JUN 27, 2016

Vehicles Affected:
5280

Consequence:

The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
16V183000

Report Date:
MAR 30, 2016

Vehicles Affected:
1543

Consequence:

Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S14. Note: Owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
20V692000

Report Date:
NOV 09, 2020

Vehicles Affected:
15587

Consequence:

The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
17E048000

Report Date:
AUG 27, 2017

Vehicles Affected:
630

Consequence:

A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
21V537000

Report Date:
JUL 14, 2021

Vehicles Affected:
631176

Consequence:

A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V435000

Report Date:
JUN 09, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
1194173

Consequence:

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

Summary:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

Recall information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Recall Service Centers

Near Columbus, OH
43085

View:

2016 Explorer Recall Q&A

Car Recall Questions


What do I do if I've gotten a recall notice?

First: Read the notice carefully and don’t ignore it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 75% of vehicles involved in a recall are actually repaired. So be sure to pay attention when you see an envelope in the mail labelled “Safety Recall Notice”.

The notice will tell you what the defect is, possible warning signs and what to do next. And while a recall notice might dredge up feelings of fear and anxiety, focus on two bits of good news:

  • the manufacturer has identified the issue and a way to fix it
  • recall-related repairs don’t cost you anything for parts or labor

Second: Bring your vehicle to the dealer.

Next, make a service appointment with an authorized dealer who sells that brand. It doesn’t have to be the same place where you bought it, and it doesn’t matter if you bought the car new or used. But you DO need to take it to an authorized dealer. If your family mechanic does the recall repairs, you’ll probably be responsible for the cost.

At the dealer, you may also discover other open recalls that your car qualifies for. The dealer is obligated to complete these repairs too – also at no cost to you.

Third: The dealer makes the repairs.

For many people, the hardest part is finding a convenient time for the recall-related repairs. Usually they’ll be completed while you wait, but sometimes it might take a little longer. Ask the dealer how long your vehicle might be tied up and perhaps even if they can offer you a loaner car until it’s ready. Or if you have a little more time to plan, find out what services and amenities your local dealer offers.

Learn more about what to do in a recall.

How do I check for a recall on my car?

In most cases, the automaker will send you a notice in the mail to announce a recall. But if you’re the proactive type – or if you bought the car used – you might want to check for a recall yourself.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 100 million new and used vehicles were involved in some sort of safety-related recall in 2014-15. Recalls vary in severity, but they all relate to the safety of the vehicle, so they’re all worth paying attention to.

Start by looking up the year, make and model of your vehicle on a site like KBB.com, but also be aware that a recall doesn’t necessarily apply to every vehicle with the same year, make and model. Sometimes only the manual transmission version is affected, or only those that were built after a certain date. The best way to know for sure is to call the phone number that we provide on your vehicle’s recall page or go to the government NHTSA site and look up your specific car by its 17-character VIN number.

And if you REALLY want to stay on top of recalls, you could check back here periodically, or NHTSA offers downloadable Android Auto and Apple CarPlay apps with recall information, plus NHTSA maintains a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to announce recalls.

Learn more about how to stay current on recalls.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

Once the manufacturer (or NHTSA) has discovered that a safety recall is necessary on your vehicle, you won’t have to pay anything for recall-related repairs. All the parts and labor necessary to complete the repair are paid for by the manufacturer (who reimburses the dealer). This is true even if you bought the car used or bought it from a private party.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • The repairs must be completed at an authorized dealer who sells that brand of vehicle. If you choose to use your own mechanic, you might end up paying the bill.
  • If you received a recall letter in the mail, bring it to the dealer. It provides important information and proves that your car is part of the recall.
  • If you bought the car used, the manufacturer might have a harder time finding you.

There is one exception to the fact that recall repairs are free – vehicles older than 10 years old are outside the statute of limitation and usually don’t qualify.

Why is a vehicle recalled?

A recall occurs when a manufacturer or NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) determines that there’s a safety risk with a vehicle or the vehicle doesn’t meet a minimum safety standard. Usually, a recall covers only certain parts or equipment on a vehicle; it’s rare for the whole vehicle to be recalled.

Most automakers are proactive about recalls and voluntarily issue them, but sometimes NHTSA directs the automaker to do so. Some recalls get a lot of press, as with high-profile recalls relating to airbags in the last few years, but more often, recalls happen without much fanfare.
Recalls are only issued in cases where the vehicle’s safety is in question, but that doesn’t mean you’re in immediate danger. Even so, you should have the repairs done as soon as you can. The good news is that, in case of a recall, the automaker has discovered a fix – and that fix is available at no cost to you (except, perhaps, for the hours the vehicle is being repaired).

Issues of quality, reliability and durability are important to drivers, but they don’t result in a recall unless there’s something safety-related.

Finally, please keep in mind just because there’s a recall on cars matching your car’s make and model, it doesn’t mean that your car is affected. To know for sure, we provide a number you can call to check if your car is part of the recall. You’ll need to have your car’s unique 17-character VIN number handy when you call.

Pricing for Common 2016 Ford Explorer Repairs & Services

  • Battery Replacement
  • Brake Repair
  • Oil Change
  • Spark Plug Replacement
  • Wheel Alignment
  • Check Engine Light
  • Coolant Flush
  • Fuel Filter Replacement
  • Fuel Pump Replacement
  • Timing Belt Replacement
  • Transmission Fluid Change
  • Transmission Repair and Replacement
  • Water Pump Replacement
  • Wheel Bearing Replacement

Pricing for all 2016 Ford Explorer Repairs & Services