2016 Ford Explorer: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Transmission · 168,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that after several attempts to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V692000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2024 · Engine · CO

A engine getting hot light came on in our Explorer and we checked the coolant levels and most of the coolant had leaked out. We filled the coolant but the check engine light was still on.A mechanic did a thorough assessment and found 3 codes were being thrown. He discovered that the coolant was leaking into the combustion chamber. After much research online, we found that there was a class action lawsuit on other ecoboost Ford engines that had the same issue. Out particular Model was not included, but it was the same safety issue. The engine could become overheated and start on fire or the engine could fail and seize up while driving. We personally experienced a few times where the engine would hesitate and almost not go forward but we thought it was a spark plug issue. It was a little scary while driving in traffic and could have caused a rear end situation. We called Ford and they offered no solution. Case #CXH-02862684-P9D9B2

Filed Oct 17, 2024 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into reverse properly, the vehicle would reverse a few feet and suddenly stall or stop from reversing when reversing out of a parking lot while a crunching sound could be heard from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2024 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing significantly rough idling while in drive(D) or while in reverse(R). Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle jolted and hesitated to respond. The contact also stated that the vehicle shuddered while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 20-2271. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the TSB was superseded and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed May 4, 2024 · Transmission · PA

I own a 2016 Ford Explorer. My Wife and I bought the car In Jan. 2016. On April 20th 2024, I was on my way to work when a warning came on the dash that said "check manual" and displayed an open end wrench. The car hesitated and then continued on. I was not far from the Ford Dealership where I bought the car so I went there. The service writer was working that day so I left the car at the dealership and called for a ride. On 4/23/24, the service writer called me and said the transmission was shot and would need to be replaced. My bill would be approx $5954.81.

Filed Oct 25, 2023 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the torque converter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 121,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the brake pedal was released; however, the vehicle started shuddering and jerking significantly. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The check engine and the power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the insurance company later informed her of Ford Campaign Number: 20B27, which she related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Campaign. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Engine · 108,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and the engine was misfiring. The wrench warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2023 · Steering · AK

Steering freezes or goes stiff through turns as if power steering is failing. Grinding noise while turning wheel at lower speeds. Online research points to rack and pinion failure. Steering issue has gotten progressively worse over months. Started as a slight hesitation while going through turns at a reduced speed but has progressed to more frequent steering issues at all speeds.

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Engine · KY

My Ford Explorer was idling roughly and unsafely hesitating in traffic. The check engine light came on. I had to drive it to the Ford Dealership to be evaluated. On the way to Bill Collins Ford in Louisville KY, my vehicle hesitated in traffic several times, and I feared that I would be hit by other vehicles. I was informed that it had a catastrophic engine failure. The head gasket was blown. The service manager informed me that replacing the head gasket would not resolve the issue due to the DESIGN FLAW with the engine. This design flaw that is inherent to this engine family has caused vehicles to unsafely hesitate in traffic and catch fire. There are currently no engines available due to the number of engines that are failing. My vehicle cannot be repaired at this time.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · 58,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and while idling, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The dashboard was shaking, and the glove box was rattling. While shifting from park to drive or reverse, the vehicle vibrated. Additionally, the vehicle was hesitating and misfiring during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Transmission · 71,600 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The vehicle had previously been serviced by an independent mechanic who replaced the engine and two engine cylinders. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter was unable to shift to the intended gear. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,600. The consumer stated this is the 2nd engine and still having problems with the engine stalling.