The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the front windshield trim detached and flapped across the front windshield. In addition, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
2016 Ford Explorer body problems
592 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 83,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 592
- of this car's complaints
- 24%
- typical mileage
- 83,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Body202
- Body: roof and pillars5
- Body: door5
- Body: hatchback/liftgate3
- Body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut2
- Interior panels: door1
- Body: door: handle: exterior1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Explorer body problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Ford Explorer body
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on July 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V448000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
- Risk
- Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S53.
Recall number 25V347000 · Recall details
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
- Risk
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Recall number 24V031000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
Recall number 21V316000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the federal safety agency. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V‑031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE23001
What 2016 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner. They have only repaired 1 side of the trim. Dealer states driver side is on back order
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the A-Pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number : 24V031000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that at the time of inspection the recall repair was not necessary. The contact stated that the vehicle should be repair since the failure had occurred after the inspection. The failure mileage was 135,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver's and front passenger's side B-pillar trims were fractured. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal sound coming from the windshield. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the failure was associated with an unrepaired recall. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair.
The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim had become loosened and pieces of the A-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle while driving. The contact had used a glue-like substance to secure the A-pillar trims on both sides; however, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the pillars while driving at various speeds. In addition, the passenger’s side B-pillar detached from the vehicle while at a car wash. The contact ordered the part online and had a family member attach the part to the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that parts for the recall repairs were 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 failure.
Driver door B Pillar detached and fell off while driving last week. This repair has taken a significant amount of time to find a resolution. We would highly encourage pressure on the manufacturer to solve this issue in a more timely manor.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The exterior B-pillar trim on the side of the vehicle became detached while the vehicle was being driven. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured by a Ford dealership, the vehicle's security system malfunctioned, the tailgate would not open, and the vehicle would not shut off normally. The trim piece is currently taped in place. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The trim detached while I was driving and was flapping against the vehicle. There was a risk that the part could have completely separated from the vehicle and struck another vehicle, pedestrian, or object in the roadway. I was also distracted while attempting to manage the situation and find a safe place to stop. Operating a vehicle with components coming apart created an unsafe condition for me and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. A Ford dealership observed the detached trim and temporarily secured it with tape. The trim was later repaired; however, the same component has detached again, demonstrating that the problem has recurred. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The component was inspected by a Ford dealership, which temporarily secured the trim and later repaired it. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, to my knowledge. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps or messages before the B-pillar trim detached. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured, the vehicle began exhibiting additional symptoms, including a malfunctioning security system, inability to open the tailgate, and failure to shut off completely.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the driver's side A-pillar trim unexpectedly detached. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim on the front passenger’s door unexpectedly detached. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and that the parts were anticipated to be available in March 2027. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
B-Pillar door trim came off of 2016 Ford Explorer. There has been a recall on this problem since May 2025. This problem is still listed as no repair or parts available. It is now Sept. 2026. 1 1/2 years is too long for a company to delay in solving this safety problem and/or providing parts for said problem.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact reached out to the local dealer and 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 stated that the B-pillar trim was taped to the door; however, after the tape lost the stickiness, the trim became loose and was hanging down by the electrical wiring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the failure.
Questions about the 2016 Ford Explorer body
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have body problems?
Owners have filed 592 complaints about the body of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 24% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Explorer body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 83,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford Explorer body?
Yes, 4 recalls: 26V448000, 25V347000, 24V031000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most body problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (661 complaints), 2016 (592 complaints) and 2002 (486 complaints).
Other 2016 Ford Explorer problems
Steering 532Engine 483Transmission 215Electrical 129Fuel system 112Airbags 99Acceleration 76Suspension 73Visibility 68Wheels 50Seat belts 40Driver assistance 38Seats 32Brakes 19Tires 15Lights 6Locks 5
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