2016 Ford Explorer Suspension, Wheels & Tires Problems
NHTSA lists 130 Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints for the 2016 Ford Explorer, 5% of its 2,451 total complaints, including 9 crashes and 6 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 32,789 miles. Three related recalls (19V435000, 20V675000, 21V537000) cover rear suspension toe link and cross-axis ball joint fractures.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints
- 130
- 5% of 2,451
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 32,789 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical suspension symptoms owners report
- Rear suspension toe links fracture or detach while driving at highway speed, causing loss of control and, in several cases, a crash.
- Some owners report the toe link broke again after dealers already replaced it under the recall.
- Cross-axis ball joint and knuckle issues in the rear suspension are tied to the same failure pattern addressed by two of the recalls.
- Original equipment Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 tires show sidewall lacerations, tread chunks ripping off, or premature wear well before their rated tread life.
- A tie rod failure at the rear wheel was reported leading to a high-speed accident after a prior repair.
When 2016 Ford Explorer suspension complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 23, 2016, latest Jun 22, 2026.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 21V537000Jul 15, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires631,176 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
- NHTSA 20V675000Mar 12, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires454,941 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
- NHTSA 19V435000Jun 10, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,194,173 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have a suspension recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three related recalls: 19V435000 and 20V675000 for rear suspension toe link and cross-axis ball joint fractures, and 21V537000 for the cross-axis ball joint knuckle and rear suspension.
- How many suspension complaints does the 2016 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 130 Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints for the 2016 Explorer, which is 5% of its 2,451 total complaints for the year.
- At what mileage do suspension problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure for this problem area is 32,789 miles.
- Were there any crashes linked to suspension problems?
- NHTSA data shows 9 crashes and 6 injuries reported in connection with Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints on the 2016 Explorer, including cases where the toe link failed even after the recall repair.