2016 Ford Explorer recalls

• Structure#2026341July 14, 2026

  14,442 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the repairs completed by a Ford dealer during customer satisfaction program 20N11 may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could become loose and detach while driving. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2021-267. Vehicles repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other road users and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the roof rail covers.

• Electrical#2026005January 9, 2026

  138,783 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-554. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater. Alternatively, owners can choose to have the dealership permanently disable the engine block heater.

• Electrical#2025554October 10, 2025

  128,886 units affected

  This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2026-005. Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater.

• Structure#2025282May 23, 2025

  23,060 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the exterior B-pillar trims on the driver and front passenger doors may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: Trim that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the B-pillar trims.

• Structure#2024026January 22, 2024

  93,349 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the exterior A-pillar trim on either side of the windshield may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: Trim that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the A-pillar trim.

• Suspension#2021438July 16, 2021

  56,917 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a rear ball joint manufactured by ZF. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect the ball joints. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle.

• Structure#2021267May 6, 2021

  36,419 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could detach. If this happens while driving, the roof rail cover could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall only affects vehicles with painted roof rail covers. Safety Risk: A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other drivers and nearby people, and could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to secure the roof rail covers.

• Powertrain#2020536November 11, 2020

  367 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the front link shaft (intermediate shaft) bracket can break. If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the wheels. Also, if this happens and the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could roll away. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels or a vehicle rollaway could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the front link shaft bracket.

• Suspension#2020524November 3, 2020

  32,095 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ball joints for the rear suspension toe links. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle.

• Suspension#2019280June 11, 2019

  28,019 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear suspension toe link(s) could break. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This problem is more likely to occur on vehicles that are driven on rough roads. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to install improved rear suspension toe links.

• Seats And Restraints#2017593November 30, 2017

  22,620 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the front power seat adjuster assembly joint may become loose over time. A loose seat adjuster assembly may increase seat cushion deflection and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect for proper torque of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt. If the bolt passes inspection, dealers will remove and clean the bolt, apply new threadlock and reinstall the bolt to the specified torque. If the bolt fails the torque inspection, threadlock will be added to the bolt and will be reinstalled as an interim repair until the final repair is available. The final repair will include replacement of the lift link, including new bushings and fasteners.

• Suspension#2017224April 25, 2017

  21,577 units affected

  On certain vehicles operated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, soil properties unique to these areas could cause an accumulation of soil to occur at the attachment point of the rear suspension toe link. This could impede the toe link's travel, causing bending stresses and potential fracture. A fractured toe link would affect vehicle handling and could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the toe links with revised parts.

• Seats And Restraints#2016329June 28, 2016

  1,198 units affected

  Certain vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat recliner may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 202 - Head Restraints and CMVSS 207 - Anchorage of Seats. There may be an inadequate weld between the driver's seat back and the manually operated seat back recliner mechanism, which may fail to meet the requirements of the standards. As a result, the driver's seat back may appear to be loose, twisted or lean to one side, and/or squeak/rattle. If this condition were present, in the event of a vehicle crash, the seat may not adequately restrain an occupant and would increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame.

• Engine#2016138March 31, 2016

  3,993 units affected

  On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.3 litre GTDI engine and an engine block heater, due to the engine’s orientation, the block heater could be susceptible to overheating. An overheated engine block heater may result in engine coolant leakage, or heat damage to the electrical connector of the block heater. Overheating of the engine block heater may increase the risk of an underhood fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine block heater element with one of a different design, and will inspect the block heater's electrical cord, and replace if required. In the interim, owners are advised to stop using their block heater until the campaign is completed. Note: This risk only exists when the block heater is plugged in and the vehicle is parked.

• Fuel System#2015436September 29, 2015

  39 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been tightened adequately at time of assembly. This could result in insufficient clamp load that could lead to fatigue and fracture of the fuel tank straps. Fracture of the fuel tank straps could result in the fuel tank separating from the vehicle, which may result in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will torque the fuel tank attachment bolts to the required specification.

• Brakes#2015321July 21, 2015

  799 units affected

  Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135 - Brake Systems. During the manufacturing process, the parking brake controller assembly bracket may have been improperly formed. This could result in the pawl to not engage the sector gear during actuation and the parking brake not fully engaging. If the transmission is in Park, there will be no unintended vehicle movement. If the transmission is left in a gear other than Park, and the vehicle is parked on a sufficient slope, a non-functioning parking brake could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

• STRUCTURE:BODY#26V448000July 14, 2026

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER#25V685000October 10, 2025

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• STRUCTURE:BODY#25V347000May 23, 2025

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS#24V031000January 19, 2024

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• SUSPENSION:REAR#21V537000July 15, 2021

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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.

  Remedy: 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 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. 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.

• STRUCTURE:BODY#21V316000May 5, 2021

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• SUSPENSION:REAR#20V675000March 12, 2021

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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 16V-245 or 19V-435. 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT#20V692000November 10, 2020

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• SUSPENSION:REAR#19V435000June 10, 2019

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• SEATS#17V767000November 29, 2017

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• WHEELS:HUB#17E048000August 28, 2017

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER#16V475000June 28, 2016

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE#16V183000March 31, 2016

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING#15V605000September 28, 2015

  Ford 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• PARKING BRAKE#15V464000July 24, 2015

  Ford 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 2015-2016 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.

  Remedy: 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.