RoadVitals

2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Mar 26, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure529.4%
  • Engine423.5%
  • Powertrain (other)211.8%
  • Steering211.8%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Interior & seats15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER "A" AND "B" PILLARS ARE COMING OFF.

NHTSA ID 11195911 · filed Apr 12, 2019

THE PLASTIC PIECES ON THE "A" AND "B" PILLAR, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE COMING OFF.

NHTSA ID 11195900 · filed Apr 12, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TWO POLICE OFFICERS WERE PATROLLING IN A CITY ENVIRONMENT TOGETHER IN A 2016 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY AND HAD SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THIS VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY HAD ALL CARBON MONOXIDE RELATED FORD RECALL WORK COMPLETED. THE OFFICERS' SYMPTOMS INCLUDED HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, AND CHEST SPASMS. LATER IN THE DAY AN ODOR BEGAN TO EMANATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. THE OFFICERS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND WERE TREATED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD AND THE PTU WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN THE UNIT'S OIL. THE PTU WAS REPLACED. AN INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DONE AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS LOCATED OR REPAIRED. FORD WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT. THE ABOVE NOTED PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED ALMOST A THIRD OF THE CITY'S FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY FLEET.

NHTSA ID 11102985 · filed Jun 21, 2018

LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED.

NHTSA ID 11022967 · filed Sep 13, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPTOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE RPMS INCREASING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED ON AUGUST 25, 2020, WHILE SHIFTING GEAR TO REVERSE HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATE HE SHIFTED GEARS TO DRIVE AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MARK MCLARTY FORD LOCATED AT 4400 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117, (501) 945-1200, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS NEEDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSFER CASE ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,603.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID 11354281 · filed Sep 10, 2020

WHILE DRIVING THE EXPLORER ON THE DASHBOARD, A WARNING THAT INCLUDED THE WORD 'TERRAIN' FLASHED ONCE OR TWICE. THE REVERSE GEAR WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK.. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REIMBURSE A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER RELUCTANTLY, ACCEPTED. UPDATED 10/17/2017*JS

NHTSA ID 11034848 · filed Oct 16, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact stated that the Police Department owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while a Police Officer was attempting to drive the vehicle; however, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the Government mechanic who previously diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the steering rack had failed. The contact stated that two other Police Department vehicles had recently experienced the same failure with the steering rack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

NHTSA ID 11579478 · filed Mar 26, 2024

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT I STARTED GETTING SEVERAL LIGHTS ON MY DASH FROM HILL START ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE & HAD TO BACK IN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BACK INTO A SPOT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING LIKE AN OLDER VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING, IT TOOK A LOT OF MUSCLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISCONNECTED TO TRY AND RESET SYSTEM AND STEERING IS STILL LOCKED IN PLACE FORD DEALERSHIPS ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EXPLORERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THE COST IS AROUND $3,000 AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY VEHICLE HAS 26000 MILES AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ID 11166639 · filed Jan 12, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT I STARTED GETTING SEVERAL LIGHTS ON MY DASH FROM HILL START ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE & HAD TO BACK IN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BACK INTO A SPOT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING LIKE AN OLDER VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING, IT TOOK A LOT OF MUSCLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISCONNECTED TO TRY AND RESET SYSTEM AND STEERING IS STILL LOCKED IN PLACE FORD DEALERSHIPS ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EXPLORERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THE COST IS AROUND $3,000 AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY VEHICLE HAS 26000 MILES AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ID 11166639 · filed Jan 12, 2019

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER CHARGED 600.00 PLUS TO FIX, NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID 11121271 · filed Aug 21, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER CHARGED 600.00 PLUS TO FIX, NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID 11121271 · filed Aug 21, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SEAT MANUAL TILT LEVER FOR THE DRIVER SIT IS BUSTED. IT LOCKS AND DOES NOT ALLOW ADJUSTMENT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE UNIT WAS EXTREME. WE HAVE HAD THREE 2016 EXPLORERS POLICE PACKAGE FALL VICTIM TO THE SAME ISSUE. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR INTO IT'S USE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA ID 11140555 · filed Oct 16, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .