2016 Ford Explorer Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2016 Ford Explorer, 5% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 75,650 miles. The words owners use most often: “water pump” (43% of reports).
- 114engine and engine cooling complaints
- 75,650median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 57%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Water pump: mentioned in 49 of 114 complaints (43%)
- Temperature gauge: mentioned in 14 of 114 complaints (12%)
- Exhaust odor: mentioned in 12 of 114 complaints (11%)
- Carbon monoxide: mentioned in 10 of 114 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 98 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 114 complaints, 4 an injury.
Ford Explorer engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 35,682 |
| 2022 Explorer | 2 | 1% | 88,689 |
| 2021 Explorer | 10 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2020 Explorer | 21 | 2% | 51,250 |
| 2019 Explorer | 6 | 2% | 63,000 |
| 2018 Explorer | 29 | 4% | 71,699 |
| 2017 Explorer | 77 | 5% | 89,600 |
| 2016 Explorer | 114 | 5% | 75,650 |
| 2015 Explorer | 66 | 4% | 59,220 |
| 2014 Explorer | 67 | 4% | 27,950 |
| 2013 Explorer | 67 | 3% | 61,151 |
| 2012 Explorer | 14 | 2% | 56,734 |
| 2011 Explorer | 21 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2010 Explorer | 3 | 3% | 14,000 |
| 2009 Explorer | 1 | 3% | 88,350 |
| 2008 Explorer | 4 | 3% | 67,000 |
| 2007 Explorer | 10 | 5% | 53,000 |
| 2006 Explorer | 164 | 26% | 45,776 |
| 2005 Explorer | 29 | 6% | 44,113 |
| 2004 Explorer | 71 | 5% | 55,000 |
| 2003 Explorer | 69 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2002 Explorer | 163 | 5% | 74,000 |
| 2001 Explorer | 39 | 10% | 86,000 |
| 2000 Explorer | 90 | 9% | 56,700 |
| 1999 Explorer | 100 | 7% | 64,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 189 | 10% | 100,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 198 | 11% | 98,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 81 | 6% | 78,000 |
| 1995 Explorer | 45 | 5% | 139,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving in traffic, a trim piece detached from the vehicle. The TPMS and check engine warning light were illuminated. The dealer sent a tech to the contactâs place of employment, but the tech was unable to complete the recall…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine overheated, and the temperature gauge had increased to high with the check engine warning light remaining illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the water pump…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Ford Explorers have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 114 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2016 Ford Explorer (5% of the 2,461 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford Explorer engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 75,650 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “water pump”, in 49 of 114 complaints, followed by “temperature gauge” (14).
Other 2016 Ford Explorer problems
- Structure problems (591)
- Steering problems (532)
- Engine problems (382)
- Power Train problems (215)
- Electrical System problems (128)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (104)
- Air Bags problems (99)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (76)
See all 2016 Ford Explorer problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Explorer years.