481 complaints reported

2016 Ford Explorer Structure

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
481
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
3

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2026

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 driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trims became loosened. The contact attempted to use epoxy and duct tape to temporarily repair the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2026

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 dealer was contacted several times. 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 had not experienced a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2026
Aug 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side exterior B-pillar trim detached and flew off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure). The contact was informed that the dealer would call whenever parts became available. The dealer was recently contacted, and the contact was informed that some parts were received in September; however, there were currently no parts in stock. The contact had also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 240V031000 (Structure); however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Jul 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield A-pillar trim had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). The contact's mother was concerned about driving the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were on back order. The contact called another local dealer, Stivers Ford South (4355 Jonesboro Rd, Suite B, Union City, GA 30291), and the dealer confirmed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the recall status. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Jun 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure). The contact stated that the driver's side B-pillar trim was missing. The contact was unaware of when the part had detached from the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer several times and was informed that the remedy 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 informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2025
May 2026

See attached document for complaint. Recall Notices 25S53, 21B11, 21N01, 24S02 Nothing I can do about the attached recall notice Prior ownership/staff cancelled both appointments when I showed up 15 minutes prior to appointment. A mailer brochure & email for at home visit “new service” 2023 was not actually honored. I want the recall honored — two notices have no manufactured parts yet and for all four the work description, none are more than 30 minutes work for any of the four per the scheduler. So none are worth drop off the car for a day. In addition, there are four open recall(s) on the car, only two can be handled now, according to Service Department which means I might face another all-day appointment or perhaps a 3rd. Really no guidance here. Why don’t you just stop the urgent alerts (attached) and let me know when you can do all four recalls ready which could take up to an hour or 2 hours, we can then schedule something. Along with these emails, if you cannot accept a reply, do not create an email to me. Just simple business etiquette, mail/mail reply, call/call‑reply, email/email reply, text/text reply. I drive ~10 miles per week with a 2x year road trip of 1,500 miles each so I really do not see anything urgent here. I keep up on the maintenance and have less than 71,000 miles the past 10 years.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Apr 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 21V316000 (Structure); however, parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for several other recall repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 21V316000 (Structure); because parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2026
Apr 2026

Since March of 2024, this vehicle has been waiting on parts to correct Ford recall 24S02. The dealerships are even frustrated with dealing with customers. They started telling us there is nothing they can do and send us on our way only saying our name is on a list. In the summer of 2024, the A pillar trim dislodged and nearly hit another car at highway speed but luckily did not cause an accident. This has been tagged as a SAFETY recall so how is it that we are allowed to drive around without a part replacement or the potential for them to dislodge and hit another driver for now 2 yrs? (B Pillar Recall in 2025 and still attached) I would like an explanation on how this has been allowed to go on this long. What are the limitations for a safety recall and why does Ford and NHTSA allow drivers to operate their vehicles with known safety hazards attached to their vehicle? I see these vehicles all over the road with parts still attached or one side missing. This particular vehicle has been inspected by Ford, but we were allowed to drive off with recalled part, B side still attached for now, and still 2 years later, no option for replacement.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2024
Apr 2026

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 during rainy or snowy weather, snow or rain was leaking into the driver’s side B-Pillar trim. The contact stated that water was accumulating on the floor of the vehicle. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
Feb 2026 Crash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver's side roof rack cover panel ejected from the vehicle and made contact with a second vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle swerved to avoid the airborne projectile and crashed into a third vehicle. During the incident, no damage to the vehicles or injuries to the occupants in either vehicle were reported. No police report was taken. The local dealer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000(STRUCTURER). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. Also, the front driver's door exterior A-Pillar Trim had detached and was snapped back into position, and both the driver side and passenger side exterior B-Pillar Trim had come loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2026
Feb 2026

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 stated that while the vehicle was parked in the rain, water leaked inside the vehicle. There was water accumulating on the floor on the driver’s and the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact was unsure of where the water was entering the vehicle. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim and the passenger's side A-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was unsure if the water was entering from the A-pillar trim. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2026
Feb 2026

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 all the door trims were loose. In addition, there was an abnormal sound coming from the doors while they were closed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with loosened bolts on the doors. The independent mechanic tightened the bolts. However, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim was loose. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2025
Feb 2026

The pillars flew off and I can not get them repaired and they have no remedy for it the dealership glued them back

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the trim on the B-pillar on the driver's side had started to loosen, and that the trim on the A-pillar on the passenger’s side was loose. The contact used duct tape to secure the trim pieces to the pillars. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts were not yet available. The contact called a local dealer and the manufacturer to ask when parts would be available but was informed that once the parts were available a second letter would be sent to vehicle owners. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2024
Feb 2026

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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger-side exterior B-Pillar Trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet 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 failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2025
Jan 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, air was entering through the front driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trims. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the sealant on the driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trims was deteriorating. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side B-pillar trims partially detached and struck the rear driver’s side window and then flew off onto the road. The local dealer was contacted; however, the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that the recall repair was needed; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer was permanently closed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood (11595 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215); for the recall repair; however, the contact was made aware that the first dealer had marked the recall as complete, and there would be a charge for the repair. The driver's side A-pillar trim was replaced at the owner’s expense. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but the contact was informed that the first dealer was paid after marking the recall as complete, and no further assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,537.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side B-Pillar trim detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure) and 24V031000 (Structure); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Dec 2025

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 approximately 65-70 MPH, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available to complete the recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the driver's side A-pillar trim became loosened. The local dealer was not contacted after the most recent failure. 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 57,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2024
Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that upon inspection of the A-pillar trims on the driver’s and passenger’s sides, the trim pieces were a bit loose. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2024
Dec 2025

I am writing to you today with an urgent and serious safety concern regarding my 2016 Ford Explorer XLT. My vehicle is affected by the A-pillar molding inspection recall, Campaign 24S02/24V031. Last week, while I was driving on the interstate, the passenger side A-pillar molding detached from my vehicle and flew off. This created an extreme safety hazard for myself and other drivers on the road. I contacted my local Ford dealership, Cloninger Ford of Salisbury, to have the recall addressed. They informed me that they cannot perform the repair because the necessary part is out of stock. This is a critical safety issue. The driver's side A-pillar molding is also loose and could detach at any time, posing the same risk. I have found the replacement part is available for purchase from various online retailers, which contradicts the dealership's claim of part unavailability. The recall documentation states that a detached trim piece can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Given that this has already occurred with my vehicle, I need an immediate and concrete solution. I am requesting a specific timeframe for when a permanent remedy will be available for recall 24S02/24V031 and when I can bring my vehicle in for the repair. The safety of myself and others on the road is at risk. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
Dec 2025

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 the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had detached. The local dealer was contacted. 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 failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Dec 2025

I have contacted ford dealership here in Chico, CA about the recall Manufacturer Recall Number 24S02 NHTSA Recall Number 24V031 I was told that the parts have been on back order for the last 6 months and that was in January of 2025. As of today I still haven’t been contacted for this recall. I’m not sure what to do but they checked my car and said we added you to the list in January of this year

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. No further information was 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Dec 2025

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 his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion the passenger’s side A-pillar trim became loosened. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2024

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Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford Explorer has 481 Structure complaints on file. 3 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.