2016 Ford Explorer: Problems & Reliability
BEST RECENT YEARThe 2016 Ford Explorer has 0 NHTSA owner complaints, 197 manufacturer service bulletins, and 15 recall campaigns on federal record, led by equipment and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Ford Explorer model years with federal records, it ranks 11th by combined complaint and bulletin volume — one of the cleanest recent records for this model.
Sources: NHTSA complaints (ODI), manufacturer service bulletins, recall campaigns, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Updated 2026-11-05 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
0
NHTSA complaints
197
Service bulletins
15
Recall campaigns
—
Avg. buyer-paid
Most-reported problem areas on the 2016 Ford Explorer
Equipment — 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Electrical System — 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Engine And Engine Cooling — 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
How the 2016 compares to adjacent years
| Model year | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,816 | 124 | 9 | — |
| 2016 (this page) | 0 | 197 | 15 | — |
| 2017 | 1,713 | 199 | 14 | — |
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ford Explorer years to avoid.
The 2016 is one of the cleanest recent Ford Explorer model years on federal record — a reasonable default target year for used shoppers, verified per-VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2016 Ford Explorer — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2016 Ford Explorer has 0 NHTSA owner complaints, 197 manufacturer service bulletins, and 15 recall campaigns on federal record, led by equipment and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Ford Explorer model years with federal records, it ranks 11th by combined complaint and bulletin volume — one of the cleanest recent records for this model. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported problem areas for the 2016 Ford Explorer in NHTSA owner complaints are equipment, electrical system, engine and engine cooling. Service bulletins (197 on file) show what the manufacturer issued repair guidance for.
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — 15 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016 Ford Explorer. Recall completion is VIN-specific: run the exact VIN to see whether the work was actually done on the car you're considering.
Is the 2016 Ford Explorer a good year to buy?
By the federal record, yes — the 2016 is among the cleanest recent Ford Explorer model years. Verify the individual car with a VIN check and an independent inspection.
How do I check a specific 2016 Ford Explorer before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.