2016 Ford Explorer fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 15V605000Sep 28, 2015203 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.

  Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 7, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Gas filler neck is loose, making it difficult to fill the gas tank without spillage. I don't recall how long this has been an issue, but it has been a problem for multiple years. There have been no incidents that preceded this problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11703582 · source
2. Filed Aug 29, 2025136,000 miGAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly started to decelerate. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the brakes unintendedly engaged. The “Scheduled Maintenance” light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and depressed the accelerator pedal seven times, and the vehicle started to operate as intended. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11683940 · source
3. Filed Jun 24, 2024FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On June 14, we drove our 2016 Ford Explorer from Tallahassee, FL to Boone, NC without issue. However, on [XXX], upon starting the vehicle, we noticed a gasoline smell. Concerned for our safety, we checked the car before leaving the neighborhood and discovered fuel pouring from the front. We parked the vehicle in a safe location and coordinated a tow to the local Ford dealership and were informed our fuel line had ruptured. The vehicle had 41,000 miles at the time of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11596120 · source
4. Filed Jun 6, 2024MOEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The power transfer unit is broken. Symptoms are vehicle shuddering, vehicle sounds like it is going to stall. This could cause a major accident at any moment.

   NHTSA complaint #11592838 · source
5. Filed Mar 22, 2024CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   In August 2023, my vehicle began to make a popping noise and began to lose power when attempting to accelerate. It was diagnosed by the repair shop as a turbo going bad. I repaired the turbo. In December 2023, the check engine light came on. The repair shop indicated that the lifters and cam shafts were bad and caused scoring to the engine block, requiring the engine to be replaced. The repair shop asked if I had been changing the oil regularly. I indicated that I did change…

   NHTSA complaint #11578895 · source
6. Filed May 31, 2023122,490 miOHFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   My check engine light keeps reading a evap code. I have replaced the evap throttle 3x’s. My car smells of a gas leak coming from somewhere. I have taken it to Ford, and to two other mechanics. They claim that the check engine code is wrong and they cannot find where the fuel smell is coming from without the proper code. My check engine light turns on and off with the same error everytime. The evap code is not the problem. I have made a complaint months ago, and still…

   NHTSA complaint #11524738 · source
7. Filed May 8, 2023112,000 miUT2 injuredEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 mph, there was an abnormal exhaust odor entering the vehicle. When the accelerator pedal was released, the odor dissipated. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver and passenger sustained a headache due to the odor but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the seal was broken. Additionally, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11520907 · source
8. Filed Apr 21, 2023OHElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Everytime my ac/heat is on it affects my engine as I’m driving. My speedometer fast jumps. As soon as I turn it off it seems to run better. I made a complaint a week ago about something going on with my fuel and fan running high speed. I have a foul smell in my car. I thought for awhile it was something outside but now I believe it’s coming from my car. It smells like fuel/rubber/sewer if that makes sense.

   NHTSA complaint #11518316 · source
9. Filed Apr 13, 2023117,658 miOHElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My fuel evap pump check engine light keeps coming on. I’ve owned this vehicle since July 2022 and I have paid for the evap pump 3x’s. My fan constantly runs in the engine. My engine has a stutter when I press the gas. Ford absolutely dropped the ball with this vehicle. I have already paid thousands of dollars (water pump, evap pumps and more) please help on getting this car serviced. I still owe like 20k on this car. I cannot afford to keep getting it fixed. I have 121k…

   NHTSA complaint #11516956 · source
10. Filed Feb 2, 2023LABody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Every since I bought this vehicle back in December 2016. I've had major problems that consist of the battery lasting a year an half. In 2018, Ford had it for two weeks due to a major problem that they repaired but never told me what the issue was. Still, to this day, I don't know what they repaired. In 2021, My water pump went out, something is wrong with he fuel injection that may be causing the engine light to be on. Every year since 2016 there's been something going wrong…

    NHTSA complaint #11505134 · source
11. Filed Sep 28, 2022TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Water pump failure which causes the car to stall immediately when it overheats. This appears to be a common issue with 2016 Ford Explorers

    NHTSA complaint #11486926 · source
12. Filed Sep 27, 2022VAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    My purge valve was stuck open and had strong fuel vapors leaking inside of the car cabin. I became lightheaded and went to the ER. This was before the check engine light came on. It was very concerning.

    NHTSA complaint #11486796 · 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