The 2016 Ford Explorer’s 1,200+ registered complaints are concerning, but not as much as what appears to be a lack of manufacturer support over reports of some serious problems. Ford fans may be better off buying a newer model year still under warranty.
Key Points
- The 2016 Ford Explorer‘s most common issue has to do with a sudden loss of power steering, with 323 steering-related reports on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- 2016 Explorers are among the model years currently under investigation for exhaust odor potentially owing to a cracked manifold. These odors have caused drivers to lose consciousness while at the wheel.
- A leaking water pump is one of the leading engine complaints, with no investigation or recall underway as of yet. The fix costs roughly $1,500
- Ultimately, the 2016 Explorer is a tough SUV to recommend as it’s not only had a fair number of problems, but Ford hasn’t yet issued recalls on some of the more widespread concerns.
2016 Ford Explorer Owners Report Sudden Failure of Power Steering, a Costly Repair to Look for Before Buying
Making up 323 complaints out of 1,214 total, steering issues are the leading cause of concern for 2016 Ford Explorer drivers. Reading through the complaints you’ll find the same story over and over again: the owner is driving on the highway when suddenly the wheel becomes very stiff. They’re forced to push the wheel with all their might to get the car off the road, and then they wind up with a repair bill for two, three thousand bucks to replace the entire steering assembly.
There is no investigation underway, and there have been no recalls issued for the problem. With the car now out of warranty under Ford’s CPO program, this means that the repairs are coming out of the driver’s pocket.
On the upside, it’s easy to tell if the steering is about to go when you do a test drive. Just keep an ear out for any clunking sounds coming from the steering column. If you hear anything funny, pull over, hand the keys back to the seller, and wish them luck.
2016 Explorer Currently Under Investigation for Exhaust Odors that Can Potentially Cause Drivers to Lose Consciousness
The most concerning issue facing the 2016 Ford Explorer right now has to do with an exhaust odor being reported in a number of vehicles. This problem is currently in the investigation stage, with the NHTSA having begun looking into reports on the matter in July of 2017.
An exhaust smell typically points to a carbon monoxide leak. Exposure to CO can have the driver falling unconscious in traffic, something which has been seen in these reports. In total, the NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation has counted three crashes and 41 injuries, with 11 reports specifically relating to police cruisers. This is out of 791 reports total that make up the preliminary investigation.
Overall, the ODI has identified somewhere around 2,400 reports total, including legal claims, owner complaints, and warranty claims, across multiple Explorer model years. The investigation has turned up evidence that a cracked exhaust manifold may be the culprit, at least in the police interceptor units. Investigators are still working to determine the frequency, root cause, and severity, so the case isn’t nearly closed just yet. Ford has issued a number of technical service bulletins on the matter, but no recall.
The exhaust odor problem alone may be reason enough for some drivers to skip the 2016 Ford Explorer. On the bright side, if you take a used Ford Explorer for a test drive and you don’t smell anything funny, you’re probably in the clear. 2,400 complaints is a lot, but those 2,400 complaints cover every model year from 2011 to 2017, so we’re talking about 2,400 out of a few million units. In other words, this problem may sound quite severe, and there may not be a recall available as yet, but your chances of being affected are relatively slim.
Several 2016 Ford Explorer Owners Report Leaking Water Pumps, a Roughly $1,500 Repair
Nearly 250 of the 2016 Explorer’s NHTSA complaints are categorized under engine. The most common recurring issue here is a sulfuric or rotten egg smell, which of course refers to the above-listed exhaust odor problem. But following this, we see a pattern of leaky water pumps.
In Ohio, a driver reports that just one week after buying the car, they were told by the dealer that the water pump was leaking. An Explorer owner in Connecticut reports that the water pump leaked fluid without warning. In Missouri, a driver simply reports “my water pump has gone out,” and so on.
Ford has issued a recall for potential overheating in the engine block heater, covering 1,543 units, including a number of Lincoln MKCs along with a handful of 2016 Explorers. But this issue is not directly related to the leaking water pump.
As with the steering issue: no investigation, no recall, and with the SUV out of warranty, you’ll be footing the bill yourself should something happen. Based on reports from various drivers, the damage should be to the tune of around $1,500.
Explorer Fans may Benefit from Choosing Something Newer Than the 2016 Model
The Ford Explorer has a built-in fanbase, just like the Civic, the Wrangler, and the Challenger. If you really, really like the Explorer, then it’s probably not a list of “maybes” alongside similar SUVs, it’s the car you’re saving up for.
We would recommend something like a CR-V as a more dependable alternative, but if you’ve got your heart set on an Explorer, it’s hardly a lemon, and you could do a lot worse.
That said, the lack of manufacturer support is concerning, so if you’re a diehard Ford SUV fan, you might be better off buying either a slightly newer model, like a 2018, so that you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a Ford-backed CPO warranty. Or, if you’re handy with a wrench set, go a little older, find a dirt-cheap 2011, and keep it as your project car. The 2016 is in that awkward age where it’s not getting any real manufacturer support, but it’s still priced as if it were.
Photos: Ford
