RoadVitals

2016 Ford Explorer Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
578
Latest Aug 11, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
24%
of 2,439 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 578 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 578, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Aug 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11756325
Incident
Feb 15, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Jul 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the front A-pillar trim sealants were deteriorating. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11752338
Incident
Jun 15, 2026
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 21, 2026

The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The owner received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the lower trim on the A-pillars on the front driver’s and passenger’s sides became loosened and pieces of the A-pillar trims fractured and detached from the vehicle while driving. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts for the recall repairs were still unavailable. The dealer recommended that the parts be taped down until the parts became available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure through the chat feature on the Ford website. The chat operator referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11751808
Incident
Sep 1, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior a pillar trim on the driver’s and passenger’s side of the windshield detached. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID
11751125
Incident
Jul 17, 2025
Mileage
107,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2026

Been waiting on parts to repair existing A pillar trim recall for almost 2 years. This is unacceptable.

NHTSA ID
11751009
Incident
Jul 17, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-Pillar trims detached from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID
11750113
Incident
Nov 15, 2025
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the front windshield rattled and shook. No warning lights illuminated. The contact received recall notification letters for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). A local dealer was contacted and placed the contact on a waiting list. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact phoned an additional unknown local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11749287
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 50-60 MPH on a parkway, an unknown B-pillar trim detached. Additionally, the contact had received a notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure). The local dealer was contacted and sent two mobile mechanics, who inspected the vehicle at the contact's residence and confirmed the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ID
11748994
Incident
Jun 1, 2024
Mileage
45,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 5, 2026

I was driving along the highway and and the passenger side a-pillar trim blew off my vehicle. I had to pull over to the side of the road and pick up the piece that blew off. The driver side appears to be also loose as if it would come off. This part is recalled on other explorers of the same year, but for some reason, my VIN isn’t included.

NHTSA ID
11748367
Incident
Jun 19, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jun 29, 2026

Keyless entry pad/trim falling off

NHTSA ID
11747233
Incident
Dec 31, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Jun 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and stated that information for parts availability would be released in December 2026, and again in November of 2027. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11745924
Incident
May 23, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Jun 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim became loose and was vibrating against the passenger’s side window. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 246,000.

NHTSA ID
11745042
Incident
Jul 15, 2025
Mileage
246,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 18, 2026

Multiple Ford dealerships in my service area have been contacted for recall dated Jan 19,2024, Manufacturer Recall Number24S02, NHTSA Recall Number24V031 but indicate Ford manufacturing does not have parts available. It has been over 2 years. What recourse do consumers have? Summary IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT SOME OF THE EXTERIOR A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM CLIP ATTACHMENTS ARE NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR REPAIR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM, WHICH BORDERS THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, MAY BE LOOSE, MISSING OR BECOME DETACHED. Safety Risk AN EXTERIOR A-PILLAR TRIM PART THAT DETACHES WHILE DRIVING CAN CREATE A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER ROAD USERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS AUTHORIZED YOUR DEALER TO INSPECT AND REPAIR ANY LOOSE OR MISSING EXTERIOR A-PILLAR TRIM MOLDINGS FREE OF CHARGE PARTS AND LABOR. A TEMPORARY REPAIR MAY ALSO BE COMPLETED AS NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
11744978
Incident
Jun 18, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jun 4, 2026

The contact owns 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact recieved notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at unknowns speeds, she observed something hitting the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and when she observed the vehicle the lower passenger windshield had a missing trim piece. The contact added on another occasion while parked and examining the windshield she noticed that additional pieces were missing. The mechanic from the dealer made a house call to her residence where it was diagnosed that the pillar trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11742111
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jun 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the drivers side B- piller had detached. The contact indicated that the B-piller trim stayed connected to the vehicle by a wire. After the failure the contact discovered that the rear hatch door would not longer open. The B-piller trim was reattached to the vehicle using duct tape. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA ID
11741591
Incident
May 28, 2026
Mileage
119,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 29, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 and NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000. The contact stated that the water had entered the B-pillar trim and had detached. The local dealer was contacted who confirmed who confirmed the parts were backordered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11740855
Incident
May 29, 2026
Body & structure
Filed May 13, 2026

Roof rail covers, exterior A and B pillar trim have not been fixed. I was told at the time of purchase the recall (1) was fixed. The rubber trim in the pillar trim flaps in the wind and I was told to buy the parts on Amazon and that it isn’t hard to install. Along with the A/C not working a week after I bought the SUV. dealership is uncooperative.

NHTSA ID
11737677
Incident
May 5, 2026
Body & structure
Filed May 11, 2026

The mold that holds the windshield came off of the side of the windshield in both sides of the window and since then there is a loud noise coming from the windshield as we drive and gets louder the faster you go.

NHTSA ID
11737063
Incident
May 9, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Apr 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V347000 (Structure) and 24V031000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim and B-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11731954
Incident
Oct 22, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Apr 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar and B-pillar trim pieces became loosened and nearly detached from the vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE), and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA ID
11731332
Incident
Jan 19, 2024
Mileage
83,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side exterior A-pillar trim was flapping in the wind. While the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side trim was partially missing. The contact stated that on another occasion, while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side B-pillar trim was partially detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ID
11731293
Incident
May 15, 2025
Mileage
57,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11731159
Incident
May 28, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was not contacted about the unrepaired recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11729779
Incident
Apr 7, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Apr 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. Upon arriving at the destination, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The A-pillar trim was pushed back into place. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The contact's wife pushed the trim piece back into place and removed a piece of the trim. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while in Mexico, the driver's side A-pillar detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired by a mobile mechanic in Mexico. However, the contact stated that the failure worsened. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11729104
Incident
Sep 18, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Apr 2, 2026

While driving in the freeway a loud noise came from the outside of the car, I was concerned but no way to pull over safely, the noise was getting louder and thats when I was the pillar of driver side swinging all over the windshield, I was able to lower the window and grab it. I hate to think how much damage it would have caused if it hit a car, this is the second time this has happen now I'm missing both pillars from the front windshield and dealership has no solution.

NHTSA ID
11728907
Incident
Apr 2, 2026

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .