2016 Ford Explorer body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V448000Jul 14, 2026288,314 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.

• Recall 25V347000May 23, 2025492,145 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.

• Recall 24V031000Jan 19, 20241,889,110 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.

• Recall 21V316000May 5, 2021616,967 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026MIBody & Structure

   manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner. They have only repaired 1 side of the trim. Dealer states driver side is on back order

   NHTSA complaint #11769388 · source
2. Filed Oct 2, 2026135,000 miWIBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the A-Pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number : 24V031000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that at the time…

   NHTSA complaint #11768555 · source
3. Filed Sep 30, 2026GABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver's and front passenger's side B-pillar trims were fractured. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal sound coming from the windshield. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the failure was associated with an unrepaired recall. The contact was informed…

   NHTSA complaint #11768048 · source
4. Filed Sep 30, 2026TXBody & Structure

   The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim had become loosened and pieces of the A-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle while driving. The contact had used a glue-like substance to secure the A-pillar trims on both sides; however,…

   NHTSA complaint #11767970 · source
5. Filed Sep 29, 2026NDBody & Structure

   Driver door B Pillar detached and fell off while driving last week. This repair has taken a significant amount of time to find a resolution. We would highly encourage pressure on the manufacturer to solve this issue in a more timely manor.

   NHTSA complaint #11767694 · source
6. Filed Sep 29, 2026NCBody & StructureElectrical SystemSteering

   1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The exterior B-pillar trim on the side of the vehicle became detached while the vehicle was being driven. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured by a Ford dealership, the vehicle's security system malfunctioned, the tailgate would not open, and the vehicle would not shut off normally. The trim piece is currently taped in place. 2. How was your safety or the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767630 · source
7. Filed Sep 21, 202658,000 miVABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the driver's side A-pillar trim unexpectedly detached. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim on the front passenger’s door unexpectedly detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11765957 · source
8. Filed Sep 12, 2026OHBody & Structure

   B-Pillar door trim came off of 2016 Ford Explorer. There has been a recall on this problem since May 2025. This problem is still listed as no repair or parts available. It is now Sept. 2026. 1 1/2 years is too long for a company to delay in solving this safety problem and/or providing parts for said problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11763832 · source
9. Filed Sep 4, 2026MOBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact reached out to the local dealer and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim was taped to the door; however, after the tape lost the…

   NHTSA complaint #11762206 · source
10. Filed Sep 2, 2026FLBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle and the contact were informed that the B-pillar trim needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and that only half of the B-pillar trim could be replaced. The dealer stated that the remaining part needed to…

    NHTSA complaint #11761615 · source
11. Filed Aug 24, 2026VABody & Structure

    After multiple communications with the local Ford Dealership, the recall on the vehicle has not been completed nor inspected. The Ford Dealership has repeatedly stated that they do not have the parts and cannot give an estimated time frame of arrival. The conversation always ends, "we will call when the parts come in". This has been over a year now. Today I called a different dealership in the area and received the same response. The Recalled Part on my vehicle is…

    NHTSA complaint #11759118 · source
12. Filed Aug 18, 2026106,000 miNJBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the driver’s side B-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and was dangling by two wires. The contact later used black duct tape to seal the trim in place. The dealer was notified of the failure and later informed the contact that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) were not available for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver’s side…

    NHTSA complaint #11757701 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology