589 of the 3,033 complaints about the 2016 Ford Explorer are about the body and structure — 19% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 83,000 miles.
589
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
B-Pillar door trim came off of 2016 Ford Explorer. There has been a recall on this problem since May 2025. This problem is still listed as no repair or parts available. It is now Sept. 2026. 1 1/2 years is too long for a company to delay in solving this safety problem and/or providing parts for said problem.
NHTSA complaint #11763832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact reached out to the local dealer and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim was taped to the door; however, after the tape lost the stickiness, the trim became loose and was hanging down by the electrical wiring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11762206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle and the contact were informed that the B-pillar trim needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and that only half of the B-pillar trim could be replaced. The dealer stated that the remaining part needed to be provided by the manufacturer. The dealer informed the contact that parts might to available April of 2027. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11761615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
After multiple communications with the local Ford Dealership, the recall on the vehicle has not been completed nor inspected. The Ford Dealership has repeatedly stated that they do not have the parts and cannot give an estimated time frame of arrival. The conversation always ends, "we will call when the parts come in". This has been over a year now. Today I called a different dealership in the area and received the same response. The Recalled Part on my vehicle is deteriorating, and it is only a matter of time before it detaches and causes damage or injury. Any help resolving this issue would be appreciated.
NHTSA complaint #11759118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the driver’s side B-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and was dangling by two wires. The contact later used black duct tape to seal the trim in place. The dealer was notified of the failure and later informed the contact that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) were not available for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver’s side A-pillar trim was rattling while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11757701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on two occasions, the driver's side A-pillar trim flew off the vehicle into traffic. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer twice, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the A-pillar trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11756325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the front A-pillar trim sealants were deteriorating. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11752338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The owner received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the lower trim on the A-pillars on the front driver’s and passenger’s sides became loosened and pieces of the A-pillar trims fractured and detached from the vehicle while driving. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts for the recall repairs were still unavailable. The dealer recommended that the parts be taped down until the parts became available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure through the chat feature on the Ford website. The chat operator referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11751808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Been waiting on parts to repair existing A pillar trim recall for almost 2 years. This is unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11751009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior a pillar trim on the driver’s and passenger’s side of the windshield detached. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11751125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-Pillar trims detached from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the front windshield rattled and shook. No warning lights illuminated. The contact received recall notification letters for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). A local dealer was contacted and placed the contact on a waiting list. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact phoned an additional unknown local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 50-60 MPH on a parkway, an unknown B-pillar trim detached. Additionally, the contact had received a notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure). The local dealer was contacted and sent two mobile mechanics, who inspected the vehicle at the contact's residence and confirmed the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #11748994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I was driving along the highway and and the passenger side a-pillar trim blew off my vehicle. I had to pull over to the side of the road and pick up the piece that blew off. The driver side appears to be also loose as if it would come off. This part is recalled on other explorers of the same year, but for some reason, my VIN isn’t included.
NHTSA complaint #11748367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Keyless entry pad/trim falling off
NHTSA complaint #11747233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and stated that information for parts availability would be released in December 2026, and again in November of 2027. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11745924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Multiple Ford dealerships in my service area have been contacted for recall dated Jan 19,2024, Manufacturer Recall Number24S02, NHTSA Recall Number24V031 but indicate Ford manufacturing does not have parts available. It has been over 2 years. What recourse do consumers have? Summary IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT SOME OF THE EXTERIOR A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM CLIP ATTACHMENTS ARE NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR REPAIR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM, WHICH BORDERS THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, MAY BE LOOSE, MISSING OR BECOME DETACHED. Safety Risk AN EXTERIOR A-PILLAR TRIM PART THAT DETACHES WHILE DRIVING CAN CREATE A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER ROAD USERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS AUTHORIZED YOUR DEALER TO INSPECT AND REPAIR ANY LOOSE OR MISSING EXTERIOR A-PILLAR TRIM MOLDINGS FREE OF CHARGE PARTS AND LABOR. A TEMPORARY REPAIR MAY ALSO BE COMPLETED AS NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #11744978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim became loose and was vibrating against the passenger’s side window. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 246,000.
NHTSA complaint #11745042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact recieved notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at unknowns speeds, she observed something hitting the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and when she observed the vehicle the lower passenger windshield had a missing trim piece. The contact added on another occasion while parked and examining the windshield she noticed that additional pieces were missing. The mechanic from the dealer made a house call to her residence where it was diagnosed that the pillar trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11742111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the drivers side B- piller had detached. The contact indicated that the B-piller trim stayed connected to the vehicle by a wire. After the failure the contact discovered that the rear hatch door would not longer open. The B-piller trim was reattached to the vehicle using duct tape. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11741591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 and NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000. The contact stated that the water had entered the B-pillar trim and had detached. The local dealer was contacted who confirmed who confirmed the parts were backordered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11740855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Roof rail covers, exterior A and B pillar trim have not been fixed. I was told at the time of purchase the recall (1) was fixed. The rubber trim in the pillar trim flaps in the wind and I was told to buy the parts on Amazon and that it isn’t hard to install. Along with the A/C not working a week after I bought the SUV. dealership is uncooperative.
NHTSA complaint #11737677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The mold that holds the windshield came off of the side of the windshield in both sides of the window and since then there is a loud noise coming from the windshield as we drive and gets louder the faster you go.
NHTSA complaint #11737063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V347000 (Structure) and 24V031000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim and B-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11731954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side exterior A-pillar trim was flapping in the wind. While the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side trim was partially missing. The contact stated that on another occasion, while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side B-pillar trim was partially detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar and B-pillar trim pieces became loosened and nearly detached from the vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE), and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11731159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was not contacted about the unrepaired recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11729779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. Upon arriving at the destination, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The A-pillar trim was pushed back into place. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The contact's wife pushed the trim piece back into place and removed a piece of the trim. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while in Mexico, the driver's side A-pillar detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired by a mobile mechanic in Mexico. However, the contact stated that the failure worsened. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11729104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.