2016 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Truck turns off

Filed Dec 7, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

Gas filler neck is loose, making it difficult to fill the gas tank without spillage. I don't recall how long this has been an issue, but it has been a problem for multiple years. There have been no incidents that preceded this problem.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 136,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly started to decelerate. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the brakes unintendedly engaged. The “Scheduled Maintenance” light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and depressed the accelerator pedal seven times, and the vehicle started to operate as intended. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was test-driven, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The contact related the failure to the results of a Google search on the throttle body. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Fuel system · FL

On June 14, we drove our 2016 Ford Explorer from Tallahassee, FL to Boone, NC without issue. However, on [XXX], upon starting the vehicle, we noticed a gasoline smell. Concerned for our safety, we checked the car before leaving the neighborhood and discovered fuel pouring from the front. We parked the vehicle in a safe location and coordinated a tow to the local Ford dealership and were informed our fuel line had ruptured. The vehicle had 41,000 miles at the time of the incident. We were not given a clear explanation for the fuel line rupture, leaving us apprehensive about the safety and reliability of Ford vehicles. The ordeal cost $4,000 in repairs, and the service experience made us feel taken advantage of after we were routinely asked if we were local. Our Ford mechanic in Tallahassee later mentioned that labor charged by the Boone dealership seemed excessive. Additionally, they refused to replace the gasoline-covered cabin air filter and engine cover, raising further concerns about the service provided. The rupture of the fuel line posed a severe safety risk as it could have led to a fire or explosion, endangering the lives of the occupants and others nearby. The problem has not been reproduced but was confirmed by the local Ford dealership. No inspections have been conducted by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives to our knowledge. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Our gas tank was nearly full the morning of June 17, and it was empty when we picked it up from the Ford dealership after repairs were completed. Given the serious nature of the fuel line failure, the potential risks involved, and the financial burden of the repairs, we believe this issue warrants a recall investigation to prevent future incidents and to ensure the safety of Ford customers, especially given the multiple recalls already issued and the shared “significant safety concern” shared by the federal safety agency on this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

The power transfer unit is broken. Symptoms are vehicle shuddering, vehicle sounds like it is going to stall. This could cause a major accident at any moment.

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

In August 2023, my vehicle began to make a popping noise and began to lose power when attempting to accelerate. It was diagnosed by the repair shop as a turbo going bad. I repaired the turbo. In December 2023, the check engine light came on. The repair shop indicated that the lifters and cam shafts were bad and caused scoring to the engine block, requiring the engine to be replaced. The repair shop asked if I had been changing the oil regularly. I indicated that I did change the oil per when the vehicle would notify me it was time. The repair shop noted that I changed the oil every 10k miles. Per the repair shop, not changing the oil regularly (because the Ford vehicle system designed to tell me when to change the oil) ultimately caused me to need to replace the turbo and the engine. All because the oil was not changed more frequently 3-5k miles per the repair shop. I've spent $15k in repair costs since August 2023 because I was relying on the Ford vehicle's notifications as to when it needed oil. The vehicle is not even worth this much blue book. For a 8.5 year old vehicle that has been well cared for, I do not think these parts should have failed and I think Ford should have set the timing for oil change notifications more frequently if this is what is needed by the engine to keep it in good repair. It literally indicates the % of time before the oil needs to be changed.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Fuel system · 122,490 miles · OH

My check engine light keeps reading a evap code. I have replaced the evap throttle 3x’s. My car smells of a gas leak coming from somewhere. I have taken it to Ford, and to two other mechanics. They claim that the check engine code is wrong and they cannot find where the fuel smell is coming from without the proper code. My check engine light turns on and off with the same error everytime. The evap code is not the problem. I have made a complaint months ago, and still nothing. Not sure what else I can do.

Filed May 8, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · 112,000 miles · UT · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 mph, there was an abnormal exhaust odor entering the vehicle. When the accelerator pedal was released, the odor dissipated. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver and passenger sustained a headache due to the odor but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the seal was broken. Additionally, the mechanic informed her to use premium or Chevron fuel. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case, and referred her to the federal safety agency hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Everytime my ac/heat is on it affects my engine as I’m driving. My speedometer fast jumps. As soon as I turn it off it seems to run better. I made a complaint a week ago about something going on with my fuel and fan running high speed. I have a foul smell in my car. I thought for awhile it was something outside but now I believe it’s coming from my car. It smells like fuel/rubber/sewer if that makes sense.

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 117,658 miles · OH

My fuel evap pump check engine light keeps coming on. I’ve owned this vehicle since July 2022 and I have paid for the evap pump 3x’s. My fan constantly runs in the engine. My engine has a stutter when I press the gas. Ford absolutely dropped the ball with this vehicle. I have already paid thousands of dollars (water pump, evap pumps and more) please help on getting this car serviced. I still owe like 20k on this car. I cannot afford to keep getting it fixed. I have 121k miles on it.