2016 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

379Engine complaints

15.6%Of all 2,429 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

STEERING501 · 20.6%

Unspecified / other423 · 17.4%

ENGINE379 · 15.6%

STRUCTURE365 · 15%

POWER TRAIN199 · 8.2%

Share of the 2,429 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO ACCELERATE TO GET UP A HILL ON A CITY STREET AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE TRANSMISSION OR OTHER…”NHTSA complaint 10885312 — filed 07/17/2016

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55-60MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND THE "WRENCH" ICON FOR SERVICE ENGINE CAME ON. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL…”NHTSA complaint 10885165 — filed 07/15/2016

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER ON A BUSY STREET WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STALLED…”NHTSA complaint 10884138 — filed 07/11/2016

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Ford Explorer: 379 of 2,429 complaints on file (15.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2016 Ford Explorer have in total?

2,429 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 38 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, 59 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.