2016 Ford Explorer recalls
Safety recalls listed by NHTSA
15
A recall on the model year does not always mean your car is affected. Your VIN decides. Confirm open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
All 15 2016 Ford Explorer recalls, newest first
Jul 14, 2026Structure, BodyFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 to 2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1 866 436 7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V448000 · Ford Motor Company
Oct 10, 2025Equipment, ElectricalFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 to 2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016 to 2023 Explorer, 2019 to 2020 Fusion, 2019 to 2024 Ranger, 2020 to 2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021 to 2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022 to 2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1 866 436 7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V685000 · Ford Motor Company
May 23, 2025Structure, BodyFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 to 2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the B pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1 866 436 7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S53.
NHTSA campaign 25V347000 · Ford Motor Company
Jan 19, 2024Structure, BodyFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011 to 2019 Explorer vehicles. The A pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1 866 436 7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
NHTSA campaign 24V031000 · Ford Motor Company
Jul 15, 2021Suspension, RearFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 to 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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 16V245, 19V435, and 20V675. 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V537000 · Ford Motor Company
May 5, 2021Structure, BodyFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 to 2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V316000 · Ford Motor Company
Mar 12, 2021Suspension, RearFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 to 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 16V245 or 19V435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V675000 · Ford Motor Company
Nov 10, 2020Power Train, Axle AssemblyFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 to 2016 Explorer, 2014 to 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V692000 · Ford Motor Company
Jun 10, 2019Suspension, RearFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011 to 2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V435000 · Ford Motor Company
Nov 29, 2017SeatsFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F150 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V767000 · Ford Motor Company
Aug 28, 2017Wheels, HubFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z1104 C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011 to 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.
Risk: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 17E048000 · Ford Motor Company
Jun 28, 2016Seats, Front AssemblyFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F150 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."
Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V475000 · Ford Motor Company
Mar 31, 2016Engine And Engine Cooling, EngineFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 to 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.
Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V183000 · Ford Motor Company
Sep 28, 2015Fuel System, Gasoline, StorageFord 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.
Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V605000 · Ford Motor Company
Jul 24, 2015Parking BrakeFord 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 to 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V464000 · Ford Motor Company
Other Ford recalls
FAQ
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer. Not every car of this model year is affected, so check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.
How do I check if my 2016 Ford Explorer has an open recall?
Enter your 17 character VIN in the NHTSA lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call any franchised dealer of the brand. The VIN check tells you which recalls are still open on your exact car.
Are recall repairs free?
Yes. Under federal law the manufacturer must fix a safety recall for free at an authorized dealer, no matter who owns the car or how old it is. Some recalls on very old vehicles may be limited, so ask the dealer.
How long does a recall repair take?
Most recall fixes take under two hours once the dealer has the parts. When parts are short the dealer may need weeks, and for do not drive recalls they often offer a loaner or towing.