Buyer Research

2016 Ford Explorer — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $12,000–$19,000. There are 3 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

A facelift that fixed the styling and none of the mechanical concerns. The PTU still cooks, the internal water pump still fails silently, and the carbon monoxide question still follows this generation. Buy front-wheel drive, or buy proof the PTU has been serviced.

Known Issues for the 2016 Ford Explorer

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Power Transfer Unit failure (AWD)High — wallet impact

Undersized, unvented, and heat-soaked next to the exhaust. Whining is stage one; seizure is stage two.

Repair cost range: $1,500-$3,500

Internal water pump failure (3.5L Cyclone V6)High — wallet impact

Chain-driven water pump inside the timing cover. Its seal fails inward, contaminating the oil. Catastrophic and invisible until it is too late.

Repair cost range: $1,500-$2,500 preventive, $6,000+ reactive

Carbon monoxide intrusion investigationHigh — wallet impact

NHTSA investigated exhaust entering the cabin on this generation. Ford offered a free repair program. Confirm it was performed.

Repair cost range: $0 under program

2.3L EcoBoost coolant and turbo issuesMedium

The four-cylinder EcoBoost adds turbo heat management concerns on top of everything else.

Repair cost range: $1,200-$3,000

MyFord Touch / SYNC 3 module failuresLow

SYNC 3 was a large improvement, but APIM module failures still occur.

Repair cost range: $400-$900

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Front-end whine that rises with road speed
✗Exhaust odor in the cabin
✗Coolant level dropping with no visible leak
✗Police interceptor variant

Good Signs

✓Documented PTU fluid services
✓Water pump replaced preventively
✓Ford CO-intrusion repair completed at a dealer

Found a specific Ford Explorer?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Ford Explorer in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Ford Explorer years

2014 Ford Explorer

$10,000–$16,000

2013 Ford Explorer

$8,000–$13,000

2020 Ford Explorer

$26,000–$44,000