2016 Ford Explorer Structure & Body Problems
The 2016 Ford Explorer has 618 Structure & Body complaints, 25% of its 2,451 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,000. Six related recalls cover A-pillar and roof rail trim detachment, seat frame welds, seat adjuster bolts, and B-pillar trim.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 618
- 25% of 2,451
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 9
- Median mileage
- 81,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 6
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Roof rail covers and window trim detach or fly off at highway speed, in some cases striking other vehicles.
- A-pillar and B-pillar trim panels come loose or fully detach while driving, sometimes covered by pending recall parts that are on backorder.
- Power seat mechanisms fail, with reports of a driver seat collapsing and snapping to the side, trapping occupants.
- Automatic liftgates close on their own without operator input, in one case striking a person on the head.
- Third-row seat hardware, described as a spring retainer, pops out and protrudes as a sharp metal piece.
- Seat upholstery fabric frays and wears prematurely on the driver's seat.
When 2016 Ford Explorer body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 21, 2015, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V448000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body288,314 vehicles
Structure:body
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.
- NHTSA 25V347000May 23, 2025Structure & Body492,145 vehicles
Structure:body
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.
- NHTSA 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
- NHTSA 21V316000May 5, 2021Structure & Body616,967 vehicles
Structure:body
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.
- NHTSA 17V767000Nov 29, 2017Structure & Body177,264 vehicles
Seats
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.
- NHTSA 16V475000Jun 28, 2016Structure & Body5,280 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:recliner
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.
Structure & Body complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2016 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 618 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Explorer, which is 25% of all 2,451 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2016 Ford Explorer's structure or body?
- Yes. Six recalls affecting Structure & Body components apply, covering roof rail cover detachment, A-pillar and B-pillar trim detachment, seat back frame welds, and power seat adjuster bolts.
- At what mileage do Structure & Body problems typically show up on the 2016 Explorer?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component area is 81,000 miles.
- Have the 2016 Explorer's structure issues caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to Structure & Body complaints for this year shows 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries.
- What specific structure and body parts fail most on the 2016 Explorer?
- Owner complaints and recalls point to roof rail covers, A-pillar and B-pillar trim, seat frames and adjusters, automatic liftgates, and third-row seat hardware.