FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept with NHTSA between 2017 and 2024. The largest single group is the other & unspecified.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford Explorer Police Intercept All 2016 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

29

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

30,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

71%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2016 compares with every other Ford Explorer Police Intercept

Click any bar to open that year's report.

7 29 9 3 1 1 1
15 16 17 18 20 21 22
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Other & Unspecified 12 41.4%

Median failure at 9,000 miles

Body & Structure 5 17.2%

Median failure at 38,944 miles

Engine & Cooling 4 13.8%

Median failure at 30,487 miles

Steering 2 6.9%

Median failure at 37,703 miles

Electrical System 2 6.9%

Median failure at 32,351 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 6.9%

Median failure at 99,603 miles

Seats 1 3.4%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 3.4%

Median failure at 38,297 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 9.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 14.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 15 71.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 4.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 2017 peak 7 Mar 2024

NHTSA investigations into the 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE23001 Opened 27 Jan 2023 Closed 8 Feb 2024 STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring th...

EA17002 Opened 27 Jul 2017 Closed 17 Jan 2023 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with Ford and other entities. During the investigation, the...

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 49,000 miles Hopkinsville, KY

STEERING

The contact stated that the Police Department owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while a Police Officer was attempting to drive the vehicle; however, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the Government mechanic who previously diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the steering rack had failed. The contact stated that two other Police Department vehicles had recently experienced the same failure with the steering rack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

NHTSA complaint #11579478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,603 miles Jacksonville, AR

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPTOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE RPMS INCREASING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED ON AUGUST 25, 2020, WHILE SHIFTING GEAR TO REVERSE HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATE HE SHIFTED GEARS TO DRIVE AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MARK MCLARTY FORD LOCATED AT 4400 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117, (501) 945-1200, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS NEEDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSFER CASE ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,603.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11354281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,944 miles Monrovia, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PLASTIC PIECES ON THE "A" AND "B" PILLAR, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE COMING OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11195900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,257 miles Monrovia, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PLASTIC PIECES ON THE "A" PILLAR ARE COMING OFF

NHTSA complaint #11195897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,944 miles Monrovia, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER "A" AND "B" PILLARS ARE COMING OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11195911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,406 miles Springfield, OH

STEERING

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT I STARTED GETTING SEVERAL LIGHTS ON MY DASH FROM HILL START ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE & HAD TO BACK IN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BACK INTO A SPOT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING LIKE AN OLDER VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING, IT TOOK A LOT OF MUSCLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISCONNECTED TO TRY AND RESET SYSTEM AND STEERING IS STILL LOCKED IN PLACE FORD DEALERSHIPS ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EXPLORERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THE COST IS AROUND $3,000 AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY VEHICLE HAS 26000 MILES AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA complaint #11166639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,406 miles Springfield, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT I STARTED GETTING SEVERAL LIGHTS ON MY DASH FROM HILL START ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE & HAD TO BACK IN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BACK INTO A SPOT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING LIKE AN OLDER VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING, IT TOOK A LOT OF MUSCLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISCONNECTED TO TRY AND RESET SYSTEM AND STEERING IS STILL LOCKED IN PLACE FORD DEALERSHIPS ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EXPLORERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THE COST IS AROUND $3,000 AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY VEHICLE HAS 26000 MILES AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA complaint #11166639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Somersworth, NH

SEATS

THE SEAT MANUAL TILT LEVER FOR THE DRIVER SIT IS BUSTED. IT LOCKS AND DOES NOT ALLOW ADJUSTMENT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE UNIT WAS EXTREME. WE HAVE HAD THREE 2016 EXPLORERS POLICE PACKAGE FALL VICTIM TO THE SAME ISSUE. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR INTO IT'S USE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA complaint #11140555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,297 miles Wayland, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER CHARGED 600.00 PLUS TO FIX, NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #11121271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,297 miles Wayland, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER CHARGED 600.00 PLUS TO FIX, NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #11121271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,975 miles Hercules, CA

ENGINE

TWO POLICE OFFICERS WERE PATROLLING IN A CITY ENVIRONMENT TOGETHER IN A 2016 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY AND HAD SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THIS VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY HAD ALL CARBON MONOXIDE RELATED FORD RECALL WORK COMPLETED. THE OFFICERS' SYMPTOMS INCLUDED HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, AND CHEST SPASMS. LATER IN THE DAY AN ODOR BEGAN TO EMANATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. THE OFFICERS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND WERE TREATED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD AND THE PTU WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN THE UNIT'S OIL. THE PTU WAS REPLACED. AN INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DONE AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS LOCATED OR REPAIRED. FORD WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT. THE ABOVE NOTED PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED ALMOST A THIRD OF THE CITY'S FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY FLEET.

NHTSA complaint #11102985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Orange, NJ

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING THE EXPLORER ON THE DASHBOARD, A WARNING THAT INCLUDED THE WORD 'TERRAIN' FLASHED ONCE OR TWICE. THE REVERSE GEAR WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK.. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REIMBURSE A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER RELUCTANTLY, ACCEPTED. UPDATED 10/17/2017

NHTSA complaint #11034848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Orange, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING THE EXPLORER ON THE DASHBOARD, A WARNING THAT INCLUDED THE WORD 'TERRAIN' FLASHED ONCE OR TWICE. THE REVERSE GEAR WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK.. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REIMBURSE A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER RELUCTANTLY, ACCEPTED. UPDATED 10/17/2017

NHTSA complaint #11034848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #11022967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

ENGINE

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #11022967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 534

NHTSA complaint #11012497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 704

NHTSA complaint #11012516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 052

NHTSA complaint #11012529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Oklahoma, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #11012618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 541

NHTSA complaint #11012624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 090

NHTSA complaint #11012627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Oklahoma City, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. NA6-067

NHTSA complaint #11012639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warrenton, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VEHICLE HAS 12-15 PPM OF CO IN THE INTERIOR WHILE IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED OUT OF SERVICE AFTER TESTING.

NHTSA complaint #11011617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warrenton, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VEHICLE HAD CO IN THE INTERIOR AS HIGH AS 30 PPM. UNIT WAS PLACED OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO THE ABOVE CONDITIONS AND OFFICER HEADACHES.

NHTSA complaint #11011618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warrenton, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE VEHICLE HAS 12-15 PPM OF CO IN THE INTERIOR WHILE IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED OUT OF SERVICE AFTER TESTING.

NHTSA complaint #11011617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.