2016 FORD EXPLORER Structurebody Problems
186 NHTSA complaints on file
Structurebody Issues in the 2016 FORD EXPLORER
186 structurebody complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 FORD EXPLORER. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 3 resulted in injury.
186
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Structurebody Complaints
The pillars flew off and I can not get them repaired and they have no remedy for it the dealership glued them back
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...
2016 FORD Explorer EXTERIOR A-PILLAR & B-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM CLIP THIS MAY RESULT IN THE B-PILLAR TRIM APPLIQUES DETACHING WHILE DRIVING. A B-PILLAR TRIM APPLIQUE THAT DETACHES WHILE DRIVING CAN CREATE A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. The problem been confirmed by a Ford dealer The vehicle has been inspected by the Ford Dealership with no resolutions available!!!!?? No warnings at all before purchase of the family vehicle.
I called ford about this recall in December of last year. The dealer in Chico CA. I submitted a request to get it done and they keep saying ford isn’t making them yet. I lost my piller and my car looks ugly an I just want it fixed
I want to escalate the recall that Ford has on my 2016 Ford Explorer A-pillars. This recall was issued on January 2024, almost 2 years ago. Is Ford going to fix these problems or not. They also have a recall for the B-Pillars from May 2025. Please advise when they are going to find a fix.
Left side roof rack chrome cover came off on the freeway with no warning. It could have flown into other cars. Haven't taken to dealer yet. No inspection, the part is gone, run over by other vehicles. No symptoms prior to failure.
Both an and b pillars are junk and dealer inspected a pillars and said they were fine? And there’s no remedy for the b ones which is annoying. My car shakes bc of a transmission shutter at 100k miles it’s not bad but why is jt going on? And wind noise because of the pillars I’m hoping? Needing help from someone.
Both my A pillars have ripped off on the highway. Called Ford Service center and they continue to say there are no parts available. Most recent incident was on [XXX], when my passenger side ripped off INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There are 2 active recalls for this VIN, both related to pillar body parts. The A-pillar recall was issued in January of 2024. The B-Pillar recall was issued in May of this year. Neither recall has been able to be addressed. Gray-Daniels Ford in Brandon, MS continually states that Ford has not issued a solution yet. This is unacceptable. Multiple pillar parts have fallen off of my vehicle while driving. I have ordered aftermarket solutions to try to remedy, but the inability for a major manufacturer to produce a solution and implement the same, over a period of 19 months and almost 4 months respectively, should not be tolerated. The NHTSA needs to investigate this and force Ford to implement a safe solution for these issues, and quickly.
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...
2016 Ford Explorer. A-Pillar trim piece flew off vehicle while driving on highway. Part recalled Jan 2024, currently no solution available from Ford. Paid out of pocket to replace in 2022. B-Pillar trim piece flew off vehicle while driving on highway, remained attached by soldered wires. Part recalled May 2025, currently no solution available from Ford. Paid out of pocket to replace heavy duty, waterproof double sided tape in Jan 2025, tape failed again by July ‘25. Cannot tie piece on because the window won’t function. Tape fails, so currently having to reattach while driving with my arm out the window or pull over every few minutes and drive slowly. Left with no options to repair from Ford!
Exterior b-pillar applique molding FLEW OFF of explorer. Might have hit people or cars. Has been inspected and confirmed by Ford dealership in December 2024. No warning of problem. Been waiting for part for 8 months, but service department said none are coming in.
A pillar components have come detached on both sides of my vehicle. One on the right side in spring of 2024 and one on the left side summer 2025. The entire rubber and plastic moulding is missing on the right and the entire rubber became unattached underneath the plastic pillar accent on the left. I am afraid of that piece detaching and hitting a car. Why is it taking so very long for a remedy for this?!!!!???
Around April 9, 2025 I took my vehicle to the dealership (Crossroads Ford Prince George, VA) for a NHTSA Recall 25V031. As of today (7/10/25) the repair is not completed. Dealership claim that the parts still on order due to shortage. This seams to be a long time for Ford Company to provide the parts to replace the A-Pillar trim.
There was no incident however I received a recall for a windshield piece that was back in 2024 and supposedly would be available for repair in the latter half of 2024. However nothing has been sent to me regarding this and when the piece came off it cracked my windshield so I have a crack across that as well.
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
Vehicle is not safe for roadways yet no solution has been provided
Windshield seal flies out from under the pilar molding and smacks windshield and passenger window.
On [XXX] the passenger side exterior A-pillar applique trim piece broke free from the vehicle on HWY. Vehicle was doing about 70mph at the time of the incident. No damage nor accidents to people or property resulted. Upon investigation of replacing the part, learned of an existing safety recall for this problem. Reference NHTSA 24V-031. Scheduled repairs with the dealership for 5/9/25. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Roof Rack Trim departed vehicle while driving presenting hazard to other vehicles on the road. This item was part of recall 21S22 and completed on Mar/2021. The recall repair of placing adhesive was ineffective at preventing the hazard. Current recall repair procedure is to drill holes in the trim piece and utilize retaining plugs to prevent the trim piece from departing the vehicle. Ford refuses to perform the current recall repair procedure to the vehicle. Recommend all vehicles with adhesive repair be recalled to be repaired with the current procedure. Ford case claim #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
exterior a-pillar trim it came lose and almost hit a car behind me .I spoke to the dealer since it is assumed that there would be parts for that problem no later than mid -2024.
I had my Ford Explorer inspected by my Ford dealership in early August of 2024. They stated a repair would be made by the end of 2024. One of the A pillars had already come off while driving on the interstate and I have been told by the dealership the other one needs to be replaced. I'm assuming there was not a wreck caused because of the piece flying off my car. We pulled over because we had no idea what happened. It is now 8 months since the inspection and I am told there are still not parts to replace the defective pillar. I was told some dealerships have the parts but others do not. I have contacted my dealership multiple times as well as Ford directly. I would like my vehicle repaired.
My SUV is leaking water every time it rains ( I live in Toledo so alot ) under the floor mats and down from the drivers side pillar area? I was told by Ford it was a recal for the A - pillars? I have the recal # 24s02 . This was inspected at Yark Ford in Toledo where I bought the car , technically Yark Jeep same owner. I have a case #[XXX] with Ford Customer service because they said they dont know when the parts will be made? Meanwhile I get to drive around in water i guess. Ford has done a customer courtesy for others issue unresolvable such as pay fair market value plus a 15% premium for the replacement of the vehicle . I am a Ford guy I want to buy another Ford that does not leak , sick of sitting in water. NHTSA #...
right side a pillar came off vehicle at highway speed 18 months ago. i bought replacement part i heard of recall so i returned part for refund. ford claims to be working with suppliers to obtain repair parts. this has gone on way too long, they are not taking this seriously! i am a retired millwright and have worked in ALL types of factories my whole career including many car plants. i know what it takes to manufacture these parts. ford is simply not trying! the recall for this is 24so2(ford), and 24v031(nhtsa). please do your best to motivate them to remedy this issue! thank you
Component Failed - The A-Pillar Trim part detached from driver side and the passenger side if coming off. Safety Risk - Hazard on road Component inspection - No Warnings - No I have been waiting since February 2024 for a repair solution and missing pillar is unsightly
I own a 2016 Ford Explorer with approx. 61,000 miles on it. In August 2023 the B Pilar cover broke off while I was driving down a local freeway at approx. 70 MPH. I replaced this cover out-of-pocket. In October 2023 the A Pilar cover also broke off at freeway speeds and I also replaced it out-of-pocket. Neither pilar cover showed signs of being loose prior to coming off. In December 2023 the B Pilar cover came off again. On 1/19/2024 the NHTSA issued a recall for the Ford Explorer A/B Pilers coming off. (24V031). I contacted my local Ford Service Center, where I have had all my Ford vehicles serviced for over 35 years, and inquired about getting the A/B Pilers replaced. I was told that they had no parts coming in to do the repairs and that I would need to call then every month the check if...
The roof rail on my vehicle became unattached on the interstate becoming hazardous to other vehicles. Worst part is Ford has a recall for roof racks for the year make and model of my vehicle BUT the recall does not include my vehicle as it is not listed under my VIN number. Only because it has not been reported enough to reach the threshold to trigger an investigation and remedy. Ford is not complying with the guidelines that the NHTSA puts forth as even when you are included in the recall the parts /repairs are unavailable. Unacceptable!
a-pillar trim detached
My vehicle has had an active recall for over a year with no parts available. The side pillar on both sides of my vehicle have flown off while driving. I paid to have the driver side replaced prior to this recall. The passenger side is broken and needs replaced. I don’t understand how a recall can last this long without any parts available or resolution. I also would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the initial repair to the driver side.
"A" Pillar left and right coming loose, right side blowing away on the freeway. Dealer mentioned they have a fix for it but will not repair until recall approval.
A-pillar trim flew off while driving. Obviously could've caused harm to other drivers. Ford has not notified me of when my vehicle will be repaired. Dealership offered to repair at cost to me.
The recall has been in place for replacing an exterior A-pillar trim part - we have tried to get it replaced, but there are no parts nationally. Why haven't the parts been created? It has been over a year
One of the Pilar (passenger side )flew off
Vehicle was purchased from carmax, there is a crack on the trim ar the d-pillar around the window on the driver side and passenger side. My wife bought a 2014 Ford Explorer about a week prior to mine from the same place and there is a crack in the same exact spot on the driver and passenger side. Causes water to leak into the interior of the vehicle. In the summer months it's causes a musty smell with the potential for mold to develop.
Just noticed B Pillars on both R&L front doors have become detached at the tops and I am concerned that one or both will come completely loose and fly off while driving and cause injuries or accident. No incidents or injuries to report as of yet.
trim piece flying off while the vehicle was in motion with traffic around me.
Trim on driver side windshield flew off while driving. ordered Replacement, 2 weeks after i replaced the driver side the passenger side has fallen off while driving. I have not yet ordered the passenger side yet but today while driving home down the interstate the driver side that was just replaced less than 30 days ago flew off again. Being on the interstate it hit my windshield and flew over and hit a truck traveling behind me who swerved I do not know if it did any damage to his vehicle neither of us stopped ( We were on the interstate but I did notice he swerved luckily did not hit any other vehicle. However now I am hearing a whistling I just got home to do some research and see this is in an ongoing issue but what do I do? order and replace again this will be 3...
A-pillar trim pieces have both become detached. One detached from the vehicle while traveling on the highway and flew into on-coming traffic. The other detached on the highway and hung on the drivers mirror. Ford advises that even though both parts have detached it is the customer's responsibility to pay for repairs since the recall is still in advanced notice status.
While driving on the highway at approximately 80 mph, the driver side A-pillar molding on my 2016 Ford Explorer flew off and struck a vehicle behind me. I am not able to determine if there was any damage to the impacted vehicle. On my vehicle, there are what appear to be scratches or smudges on my door and window due to the rubber molding flapping rapidly. I have attached a picture for reference. I have contacted Ford Motor Co., and all they communicated was they are working on a remedy but could not offer any other resolution to a potentially deadly and catastrophically unsafe situation. The speed at which this is being remedied is unacceptable. my family and the other lives in the impacted vehicle were put in danger. This is not an unserious matter.
After buying this vehicle on 4-10-24 checked with Car fax for any recalls. Found a recall on my vehicle 24S02 for the pillar trim. Inspected my vehicle and noticed passenger side pillar trim of the windshield at the very top is starting to come loose and is a bit separated. Didn't notice it till after hearing about this recall.
Iba conduciendo por la avenida y de pronto salió volando el trim del lado del conductor que va cooocado al lado del parabrisas, por suerte no venía carros tan pegados a mi y no ocasionó ningún daño,
Lost the driver side A pillar in January- now just lost passenger side A pillar driving on I-16
While traveling home from out of town this past Easter weekend, a large piece of something flew up, whipped in front of the passenger side windshield and then smacked the passenger side window before completely detaching in the road behind me. I pulled over to see what happened and saw the trim was missing from the entire side of the windshield. Only a piece of rubber was left dangling. I pulled it off so it would also not go flying. It was scary as my kids were in the car. I am thankful no one was hurt or injured.
On 3/19/24, my left side exterior A-pillar trim part flew off my car on the highway. I have had a constant wind noise in my windshield for a very long time. I didn't think this was going to happen. Thank God there was no cars directly behind me because it came off and was hanging and then blew off before I actually knew what was going on and could pull over. I called the Dealer regarding repair and was informed that there is no fix but they could replace with the part that they have existing in stock which would cost me $366 for the part. Since this is a recall I was asking if I will be reimbursed and the Dealer told me I would need to call Ford. I did and they told me I would need to wait for a parts letter to be sent to me....
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that rainwater had leaked into the driver's side B-pillar trim panel causing electrical failures to occur which included the battery failure and the keyless entry failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 125,000.
The roof rack on the left side of the vehicle became unattached in transit, and flew off into traffic.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed MPH, the roof rack rails detached from the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed the entire roof rack rails had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was previously repaired under the Customer Satisfaction Program recall 21S22. The contact stated the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The contact stated the dealer informed him he must pay for the repairs because the vehicle had been previously repaired under the recall program. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
On 1/28/24 We were traveling 50-60 mph when all of a sudden we heard a popping noise and noticed the trim on drivers side was loosening. We were able to slow down and pull over which was when the trim then blew off. My husband retrieved the trim (which we now know is referenced as the a-pillar) off the side of the road. obviously this could have been worse if it had struck another vehicle /caused someone to swerve. I then contacted the ford dealership as we learned this was part of a recall. They came out and ended up fixing the roof rack of which that was not my complaint. Clearly there was a miscommunication on what my problem was when called in. I then took it into dealership for them to observe. He printed out a quote to fix pillar at 400-500$ but could not guarantee reimbursement by...
Trim piece on passenger side broke in half while driving and hit another car. No damage reported but it almost caused accident. Confirmed this is the recalled piece.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud popping sound coming from the driver's side window trim panel detaching from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Other 2016 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Steering
498 complaints
Unknown Or Other
409 complaints
Engine
375 complaints
Structure
340 complaints
Power Train
195 complaints
Electrical System
114 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
103 complaints
Air Bags
97 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
73 complaints
Suspension
68 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
59 complaints
Wheels
49 complaints
Seat Belts
39 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
35 complaints
Seats
31 complaints
Visibilitywiper
29 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
18 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinion
18 complaints
Service Brakes
17 complaints
Visibilitywindshieldcritical Fasteners
15 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systempump
10 complaints
Tires
10 complaints
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
8 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
8 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
7 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
6 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
6 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
5 complaints
Lane Departure Assist
5 complaints
Structurebodydoor
5 complaints
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
5 complaints
Back Over Prevention
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
3 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
3 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
3 complaints
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
3 complaints
Visibility
3 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
2 complaints
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
2 complaints
Exterior Lighting
2 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
2 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinionrack
2 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut
2 complaints
Tirestreadbelt
2 complaints
Traction Control System
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlthrottle
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
1 complaint
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Batterycables
1 complaint
Electrical Systemadasparking Assistsensors
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiring
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
1 complaint
Equipment Adaptivemobility
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalengine Block Heater
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlights
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Dynamic Brake Supportbrake Assist
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemthrottlebodymanifold
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
1 complaint
Lane Departure Warning
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagesfuelingcharging Doorhatchportlatchlock Release System
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
1 complaint
Parking Brake
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assembly
1 complaint
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
1 complaint
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
1 complaint
Seatscritical Fasteners
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
1 complaint
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
1 complaint
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
1 complaint
Steeringsteering Wheel Handle Baryawangle Sensor
1 complaint
Structurebodydoorhandleexterior
1 complaint
Structureinterior Panelsdoor
1 complaint
Suspensionfronthub
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontshock Absorber
1 complaint
Suspensionrear
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
1 complaint