Model year record
2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept recalls & problems
The 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 21 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (12 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 12 | 9,000 mi |
| StructureBody | 5 | 38,944 mi |
| Engine | 4 | — |
| Power train | 2 | — |
| Electrical system | 2 | — |
| Steering | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Steering
The contact stated that the Police Department owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while a Police Officer was attempting to drive the vehicle; however, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the Government mechanic who previously diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the steering rack had failed. The contact stated that two other Police Department vehicles had recently experienced the same failure with the steering rack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
- Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPTOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE RPMS INCREASING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED ON AUGUST 25, 2020, WHILE SHIFTING GEAR TO REVERSE HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATE HE SHIFTED GEARS TO DRIVE AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED HE…
- Structure › Body
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER "A" AND "B" PILLARS ARE COMING OFF.
- Structure › Body
THE PLASTIC PIECES ON THE "A" PILLAR ARE COMING OFF
- Structure › Body
THE PLASTIC PIECES ON THE "A" AND "B" PILLAR, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE COMING OFF.
- Electrical system
I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT I STARTED GETTING SEVERAL LIGHTS ON MY DASH FROM HILL START ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE & HAD TO BACK IN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BACK INTO A SPOT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING LIKE AN OLDER VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING, IT TOOK A LOT OF MUSCLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISCONNECTED TO TRY AND RESET…
- Seats
THE SEAT MANUAL TILT LEVER FOR THE DRIVER SIT IS BUSTED. IT LOCKS AND DOES NOT ALLOW ADJUSTMENT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE UNIT WAS EXTREME. WE HAVE HAD THREE 2016 EXPLORERS POLICE PACKAGE FALL VICTIM TO THE SAME ISSUE. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR INTO IT'S USE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE?
- Electrical system
FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER CHARGED 600.00 PLUS TO FIX, NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Windshield trim molding Item detachmentClosedLed to recall 24V031
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 NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODIâs…
- Exhaust Odor in Passenger CabClosed
During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with Ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of Ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxide (CO) entering the occupant compartment was examined and independent tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the final Field Service Actions (FSA) for both consumer and police vehicles were…