Buyer Research

2016 Ford Explorer — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $12,000–$19,000. There are 4 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Deciding between model years? Compare the 5 Ford Explorer years we've written up →

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.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 2,446 owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Explorer, and 15 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the body and structure at 24%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

15 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2016 Ford Explorer

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

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 (estimate): $1,500-$3,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (495), the transmission and drivetrain (214).

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 (estimate): $1,500-$2,500 preventive, $6,000+ reactive — about 39% of what this car is typically worth

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (495).

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 (estimate): $0 under program

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the body and structure (583), the engine (495).

2.3L EcoBoost coolant and turbo issuesMedium

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

Repair cost (estimate): $1,200-$3,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (495).

MyFord Touch / SYNC 3 module failuresLow

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

Repair cost (estimate): $400-$900

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (125).

Power steering control module or rack failureHigh — wallet impact

Owners report the steering suddenly goes heavy, nearly impossible to turn at low speed, accompanied by a Steering Assist Fault or Service Advance Trac message, traced to failure of the power steering control module or the rack and pinion. Ford issued recalls for related steering problems on earlier Explorer model years but not this one, even though owners describe it as common. Watch for these warning messages during a test drive, especially turning at parking-lot speed.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500–$2,300

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (529).

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