Whenever it rains or I go through a car wash, water leaks in around the back lift gate hatch. And it goes in into the spare tire wheel well and there ands up being several inches of water in there. It’s also covering whatever electrical component or plug that is the bottom of the wheel well. PLEASE HELP!
2016 Ford Explorer: water leaks into the cabin
21 of the 2,467 complaints about the 2016 Ford Explorer describe water leaks into the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 10 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Water leaks into the cabin by model year
What owners say
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 stated that while the vehicle was parked in the rain, water leaked inside the vehicle. There was water accumulating on the floor on the driver’s and the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact was unsure of where the water was entering the vehicle. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim and the passenger's side A-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was unsure if the water was entering from the A-pillar trim. 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. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side A-pillar detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, water entered the interior of the vehicle and accumulated on the floorboards underneath the floor mat. 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. The VIN was not available.
The rear camera is compromised because water gets inside and is blocking the view of the camera. You are unable to use the rear backup camera because the view is completely blocked or blurred by the water or moisture that is able to get in.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving in the rain, water leaked inside the vehicle from the dome light. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the moonroof failed to function as intended and was no longer able to be opened. The contact stated that there was mold on the front driver's side and front passenger's side seats, as well as inside the cupholders. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. However, the contact was informed that the moonroof assembly needed to be repaired. The contact had a friend inspect the vehicle and found a burnt wire underneath the steering wheel unit. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached, and water leaked into the cabin of the vehicle during inclement weather. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side door was opened, and the contact noticed water on the carpet after it had rained overnight. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 25 MPH, during a rainstorm, the contact noticed water leaking from the front windshield. Additionally, there was water leaking from the dome light into the vehicle. The contact became aware of failures with the electrical system. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that there was water leaking inside the vehicle through the upper center location of the windshield. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that water had entered the vehicle, and the inside of the windshield was freezing. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the defrosted was inoperable. Additionally, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who blew out the tubes and replaced the water pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after a rainstorm, water entered the vehicle from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof track needed to be replaced. 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 manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My SUV is leaking water every time it rains ( I live in Toledo so alot ) under the floor mats and down from the drivers side pillar area? I was told by Ford it was a recal for the A - pillars? I have the recal # 24s02 . This was inspected at Yark Ford in Toledo where I bought the car , technically Yark Jeep same owner. I have a case #[XXX] with Ford Customer service because they said they dont know when the parts will be made? Meanwhile I get to drive around in water i guess. Ford has done a customer courtesy for others issue unresolvable such as pay fair market value plus a 15% premium for the replacement of the vehicle . I am a Ford guy I want to buy another Ford that does not leak , sick of sitting in water. the federal safety agency # 24V031 Please help me out with thi situation it is for sure not safe safe to drive around when its raining , plus it just seems to be unresaonable I have to be rained on inside my car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contact stated that there was water leaking into the cabin of the vehicle whenever in rained from the sunroof, causing an electrical short circuit. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 151,455. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side pillar leaked water during rainy weather. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service bulletins that may apply
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to
- A new 3M adhesive is now available, allowing a longer working time, along with mixing nozzles and applicator
- On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap...
- This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected
- Roof rail covers that become loose or partially detached
- Loose driver side B-pillar front door upper moulding
- Ssm 47914 - 2016-2019
- Corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust
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
Questions about the 2016 Ford Explorer water leak
Is water leaks into the cabin a common problem on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
21 of 2,467 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford Explorer (1%) mention water leaks into the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
There are 4 recalls and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Ford Explorer
Fuel smell 163Power steering loss 132Check engine light 115Loss of power 112Airbag light 90Grinding brakes 78Steering lock-up 78Engine failure 70Overheating 63Stalling 60Jerking 59Steering noise 55Fire or smoke 37Harsh shifting 36Transmission failure 30Won't shift 24Hesitation 23Knocking 22Shudder 21Seat belt 16Backup camera 15Ball joint 15Misfire 15Slipping 13ABS 10Door locks 8Lane assist 8Tire blowout 8Warning lights 8Adaptive cruise 7No deployment 6Pulling 6Won't start 6Battery drain 5Fuel leak 5Screen failure 5Key fob 5
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