2016 Ford Explorer: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the transmission. In addition, the vehicle drove roughly while the transmission was downshifting, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced, or the transmission could be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the Technical Service Bulletin: 20B27. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Transmission · MA

I experienced two failures associated with other model years. The first was the right side A-pillar trim. It pulled free on the highway. I noticed it fly off and was able to recover the majority of it. It smashed on impact and there is a large piece missing. The remaining piece is available for inspection upon request. The A-pillar exterior trim flew off on a one-lane section of divided highway, there would have been no place for anyone to go if it flew back and there was a car behind me. This problem is a known issue I found out about on this (the federal safety agency) website. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, it flew off on the highway and has not been reported yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning at all that this was going to break loose. I also have an issue with the PTU. I was driving home from the airport and at a a stoplight, I noticed a ticking noise when I stopped at the exit of the parking lot. I noticed it again closer to home, after a fifty mile drive. When I stopped on the off ramp from the highway, I noticed smoke coming from under/behind my explorer. It smelled like antifreeze, but when I arrived home, and checked under the vehicle, I found black residue on the PTU and what looked like leaks from the axle seals that were not there for the last five months I've owned the vehicle. The vehicle smoked heavily when I stopped on the exit ramp, and when I went to accelerate into the traffic round-about, the vehicle lagged before moving, with an audible clunk and a lurch when it finally moved. Any reasonably hard acceleration produces a noise and will usually lag before moving. It may make a ticking noise when at idle cold, but is more pronounced the hotter the drivetrain gets. I had an OBD II scan done with no codes produced.

Filed Dec 15, 2024 · Transmission · VA

There has been an ongoing issue with my vehicle since it was last taken to service for a recall. The transmission has premature failure. I have had the entire vehicle powertrain fluids changed and nothing has helped. My boyfriend has been driving the vehicle and will not let me drive it anymore because it is unsafe. The transmission has torque converter issues. It has got stuck in second gear and when we went to pull out into traffic it would not move and we nearly got T-Boned. That happened while I was with him and I'm afraid to use it. He has to drive it to work because I have his vehicle and he wants me and my daughter to be safe. He says its downshifting hard when slowing down. It will downshift hard and loose power when trying to speed up on the interstate or while trying to get on the interstate. It shifts hard into reverse and is delayed shifting. Its lost power due to the transmission slipping. There has never been any check engine lights come on. Ford will do absolutely nothing about it. The vehicle has around 62,000 miles on it now and its gotten worse and is going to cause an accident or kill someone. I have called ford several times and they don't seem to care. They want me to go have it fixed and pay for it. I don't have that kind of money and I should not have to pay for there problem. Its a known issue I found out by searching online, even lawsuits. They need to recall these transmissions and fix the issue with them before someone is killed. If there hasn't already been deaths. Its unsafe. It has put me and my daughter at risk. Other drivers at risk and now with him having to drive it, his life is at risk everyday! Ford does not care about people or their family. They know they put a bad transmission in these vehicles and it cause premature wear. The transmission fluid is black, smells burnt and even metal shavings in it. Its a ticking bomb and its unfair they want me to pay for their mistakes!

Filed Jan 15, 2024 · Steering · GA

Grinding/knocking noise when driving and turning front wheel either right or left. Was told need new steering gear. Only 115K miles on car. NUMEROUS complaints online from other 2016 Ford Explorer owners with SAME issue. This is a safety issue as the car is not safe to drive, yet this is my only means of transportation. No warning lights. Verified problem with Ford dealership - but part is NOT available. Now what?! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM FORD.

Filed Dec 18, 2023 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the vehicle failed to exceed 3000 RPM. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a general failure with the transmission. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 93,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Engine · 117,658 miles · OH

Water pump, leaking coolant, ticking engine

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Steering · MN

A ticking/grinding noise coming from the steering column while turning at low speeds. When turning the steering wheel to the right or left, the steering wheel will not center and must be forced back to center/straight. If not manually forced back to center/straight the car would continue in the direction of the turn being performed. The force needed to center the steering wheel is unpredictable and varied. The vehicle was taken to two local mechanics who diagnosed that the rack and pinion is faulty and needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · AL

Check engine light came on low engine oil pressure light come on made loud knocking noise regular maintenance 147k miles vehicle is at mechanic shop estimate total $1500-$2500 to fix do not have money for repairs

Filed Aug 6, 2022 · Steering · IL

I drove it Wednesday to an apt one hour away with no issues but the next morning the steering wheel would hardly turn at all and made a constant knocking noise. If this had happened to me while on an interstate or highway, I am certain that I would have crashed since I had no control. I did inquire with Vogler service dept. about it having anything to do with the last recall we took care of since it warns of possible loss of steering control but was told it did not. I understand that the whole steering assembly (for lack of parts jargon) has to be replaced and reprogrammed and that this will be difficult to get and also Vogler said they are short staffed so it will take a while. The recalls I am referring to are 20S62 and 21S32

Filed Jul 27, 2022 · Steering · 102,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a ticking noise was present within the steering column while turning in either direction. The contact stated that eventually the noise became louder. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel seized causing the driver to forcefully turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to avoid losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · Body, Visibility · 58,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact heard a knocking noise from the front driver’s side window. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the weatherstrip on the front driver’s side door was detaching from the molding that held the weatherstrip from the windshield. The contact pushed the weather strip back into the molding and continued to drive back to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and stated that the weatherstrip had loosened over time. The mechanic glued the weather strip back into the molding as a temporary fix and referred the contact to a local dealer for assistance. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the molding needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Steering · 33,400 miles · CA

When turning right at a slow speed, heavy knocking/thumping noise and steering was jerky. Vehicle has 33,400 miles. Had it repaired at the ford dealership yesterday and they replaced the rack and pinion at a cost of $1800. Since I read this seems to be a common problem I asked if this issue has been recalled and was informed it was not.