2016 Ford Explorer Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
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
“AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON JUNE 28, AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A MAJOR STREET, APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN MY…”NHTSA complaint 10884578 — filed 07/13/2016
“STARTED SMELLING SULFUR/ROTTEN EGGS EXHAUST THROUGH THE VENTS AROUND 3K MILES UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. IT'S A POLICE VERSION WITH THE 3.7L. SMELLED IT IN RE-CIRCULATION…”NHTSA complaint 10884486 — filed 07/13/2016
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Ford Explorer: 199 of 2,429 complaints on file (8.2%). 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 power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
