2016 Ford Explorer seats & seat belts problems

Related recalls

• Recall 17V767000Nov 29, 2017177,264 vehicles
  SEATS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

  Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.

• Recall 16V475000Jun 28, 20165,280 vehicles
  SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

  Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 23, 2026TXAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   I have an airbag light on as well as the 2nd row inflatable seatbelt has stopped working. I took it into the dealership and they said it was generating codes B141B and B141C. Ford issued a Customer satisfaction program 21B11 specifically to fix this problem in 2022 but it expired less than a year later. Now my air bag and my seatbelt don't work. Ford knows about the safety defect and their dealers are charging people to fix it ($2400 in this case) rather than stand behind…

   NHTSA complaint #11733430 · source
2. Filed Jun 24, 202550,000 miGABody & StructureSeats & Seat Belts

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the exterior A-pillar trim had detached from the front windshield and the metal studs were showing. The contact stated that the seat belt light warning light was illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11668798 · source
3. Filed Mar 28, 2025OHSeats & Seat BeltsVisibility & Wipers

   Driver seat moves all the way forward on its own and the side view mirror moves out of range. This has happened while in the seat and car running. It happens intermittently. It scares the heck out of you and pushes you all the way into the steering wheel which makes it impossible to steer. You have to be quick in order to stop it and because it startles you when it happens the reaction time is not immediate. Very scary indeed!

   NHTSA complaint #11651232 · source
4. Filed Sep 13, 2024CASeats & Seat Belts

   Second row passenger seatbelt reciever is broken and part has not been available for over 2 years. Part # db5zz786004eb. This is a major safety issue and ford has no idea when they will resume making this part. Also, parts for pilllar recall are not available. Pillar falls apart, causing damage to moulding and now water has entered and damaged the vehicle. Ford has no accountability? People are fixing this issue themselves ( like we did with other side), and now after market…

   NHTSA complaint #11614441 · source
5. Filed May 17, 2024136,000 miGASeats & Seat BeltsVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to close. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11589314 · source
6. Filed May 16, 2024106,000 miAZSeats & Seat Belts

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt retractor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11589096 · source
7. Filed Apr 28, 2024MIOther / UnknownSeats & Seat BeltsSteering

   This is the problem I'm experiencing, my steering wheel would tighten up when I'm backing up from being part. Then when it comes to me, pulling out and about to drive and I have to make a turn the stand well will tighten up again and make it difficult for me to drive or or to turn go other way. When I took my vehicle in to suburban Ford service Ferndale. I'm looking at the questions for additional details. I wasn't in no accident because of my. There's no fire, no injuries,…

   NHTSA complaint #11585707 · source
8. Filed Apr 10, 2024109,000 miNCElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat wiring harness plugs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11582070 · source
9. Filed Jan 25, 2024MOSeats & Seat Belts

   The heated seats went out. Took to mechanic shop, the wires burned out and also melted the fuse box. All that has to be replaced. Ford Dealership only sells the whole wiring harness which is over $1,000. With the wires burning out and then melting fuse box, lucky my car didn't burn.

   NHTSA complaint #11567847 · source
10. Filed Oct 27, 2023GASeats & Seat Belts

    Middle row, passenger side seat belt buckle is broken & will not latch. This is where my 9yr old sits & there is no reason or cause for this to break. My vehicle has the inflatable airbag seatbelts on this row.

    NHTSA complaint #11552161 · source
11. Filed Oct 5, 2023MSAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    Car has inflatable seatbelt in the second row bucket seats. I am unable to find any car seats that are safe to use in this vehicle once you move from tether position Have visited local dealership and called Ford for assistance. None of which are able to assist with this which puts children in great harm as no car seat can be safely used

    NHTSA complaint #11548541 · source
12. Filed Aug 21, 2023NCSeats & Seat BeltsSteeringSuspension

    #1-My rear passenger seatbelt is being cut by some thing down inside of the back seat where the belt is retrieved. This belt is getting more cuts as it is being used since that is where my Grandson now sits. It was not used prior to me having to pickup my Grandson. This is very concerning !!! #2 My drivers side front windshield weather stripping keep popping out and is now blown off, very scary. #3 Just last week I started to hear some popping noise in the front suspension,…

    NHTSA complaint #11539866 · 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