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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2016 Ford Explorer

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

16

15 current

Combined

12.6L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,906

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2026341 · manufacturer campaign 26S54

14 July 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016–2019 · Police 2016–2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the repairs completed by a Ford dealer during customer satisfaction program 20N11 may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could become loose and detach while driving. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2021-267. Vehicles repaired under that recall don't require this repair.

Why it matters

A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other road users and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the roof rail covers.

14,442 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2026005 · manufacturer campaign 25SA4

9 January 2026

Transport Canada lists: Bronco 2021–2024 · Escape 2020–2022 · Explorer 2016–2024 · Focus 2016–2018 · and 4 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-554. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall don't require this repair.

Why it matters

A short circuit can create the risk of a fire.

What the dealer will do

To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater. Alternatively, owners can choose to have the dealership permanently disable the engine block heater.

138,783 vehicles affected in CanadaLight Truck & VanSafety TC

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2025282 · manufacturer campaign 25S53

23 May 2025

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016–2017 · Police 2016–2017

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the exterior B-pillar trims on the driver and front passenger doors may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle.

Why it matters

Trim that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the B-pillar trims.

23,060 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2024026 · manufacturer campaign 24S02

22 January 2024

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2011–2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the exterior A-pillar trim on either side of the windshield may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle.

Why it matters

Trim that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the A-pillar trim.

93,349 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2021438 · manufacturer campaign 21S32

16 July 2021

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2013–2017 · Police 2013–2017

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a rear ball joint manufactured by ZF.

Why it matters

A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect the ball joints. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle.

56,917 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2021267 · manufacturer campaign 21S22

6 May 2021

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016–2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could detach. If this happens while driving, the roof rail cover could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall only affects vehicles with painted roof rail covers.

Why it matters

A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other drivers and nearby people, and could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to secure the roof rail covers.

36,419 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2020536 · manufacturer campaign 20S63

11 November 2020

Transport Canada lists: Edge 2014 · Explorer 2014–2016 · Taurus 2014–2015 · MKX 2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the front link shaft (intermediate shaft) bracket can break. If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the wheels. Also, if this happens and the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could roll away.

Why it matters

A loss of power to the wheels or a vehicle rollaway could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the front link shaft bracket.

367 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2020524 · manufacturer campaign 20S62

3 November 2020

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2013–2017 · Police 2013–2017

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability.

Why it matters

A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ball joints for the rear suspension toe links. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle.

32,095 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2019280 · manufacturer campaign 19S17

11 June 2019

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2011–2017 · Police 2014–2017

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the rear suspension toe link(s) could break. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This problem is more likely to occur on vehicles that are driven on rough roads.

Why it matters

A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to install improved rear suspension toe links.

28,019 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2017593 · manufacturer campaign 17S40

30 November 2017

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016 · F 150 2016

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the front power seat adjuster assembly joint may become loose over time. A loose seat adjuster assembly may increase seat cushion deflection and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect for proper torque of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt. If the bolt passes inspection, dealers will remove and clean the bolt, apply new threadlock and reinstall the bolt to the specified torque. If the bolt fails the torque inspection, threadlock will be added to the bolt and will be reinstalled as an interim repair until the final repair is available. The final repair will include replacement of the lift link, including new bushings and fasteners.

22,620 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2017224 · manufacturer campaign 17S11

25 April 2017

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2013–2017 · Police 2013–2017

What is wrong

On certain vehicles operated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, soil properties unique to these areas could cause an accumulation of soil to occur at the attachment point of the rear suspension toe link. This could impede the toe link's travel, causing bending stresses and potential fracture. A fractured toe link would affect vehicle handling and could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the toe links with revised parts.

21,577 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2016329 · manufacturer campaign 16C11

28 June 2016

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016 · F 150 2016

What is wrong

Certain vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat recliner may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 202 - Head Restraints and CMVSS 207 - Anchorage of Seats. There may be an inadequate weld between the driver's seat back and the manually operated seat back recliner mechanism, which may fail to meet the requirements of the standards. As a result, the driver's seat back may appear to be loose, twisted or lean to one side, and/or squeak/rattle. If this condition were present, in the event of a vehicle crash, the seat may not adequately restrain an occupant and would increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame.

1,198 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVCompliance Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2016138 · manufacturer campaign 16S14

31 March 2016

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016 · MKC 2015–2016

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.3 litre GTDI engine and an engine block heater, due to the engine’s orientation, the block heater could be susceptible to overheating. An overheated engine block heater may result in engine coolant leakage, or heat damage to the electrical connector of the block heater. Overheating of the engine block heater may increase the risk of an underhood fire causing injury and/or property damage.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the engine block heater element with one of a different design, and will inspect the block heater's electrical cord, and replace if required. In the interim, owners are advised to stop using their block heater until the campaign is completed. Note: This risk only exists when the block heater is plugged in and the vehicle is parked.

3,993 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2015436 · manufacturer campaign 15S26

29 September 2015

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been tightened adequately at time of assembly. This could result in insufficient clamp load that could lead to fatigue and fracture of the fuel tank straps. Fracture of the fuel tank straps could result in the fuel tank separating from the vehicle, which may result in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will torque the fuel tank attachment bolts to the required specification.

39 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2015321 · manufacturer campaign 15C07

21 July 2015

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2016 · Flex 2015 · Taurus 2015 · MKS 2015 · and 1 more

What is wrong

Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135 - Brake Systems. During the manufacturing process, the parking brake controller assembly bracket may have been improperly formed. This could result in the pawl to not engage the sector gear during actuation and the parking brake not fully engaging. If the transmission is in Park, there will be no unintended vehicle movement. If the transmission is left in a gear other than Park, and the vehicle is parked on a sufficient slope, a non-functioning parking brake could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly.

799 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVCompliance Mfr
1 replaced by later campaigns

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2025554 · manufacturer campaign 25SA4

10 October 2025

Replaced: This recall has been replaced by a later campaign. Check the newer one — the repair may have changed.

Transport Canada lists: Bronco 2021–2024 · Escape 2020–2022 · Explorer 2016–2018, 2020–2023 · Fusion 2019–2020 · and 4 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in.

Why it matters

A short circuit can create the risk of a fire.

What the dealer will do

To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater.

128,886 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSuperseded

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle: Standard
In its class
More efficient than 65% of 114 2016 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
295 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2016 Ford Explorer and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 16 recalls on record for the 2016 Ford Explorer, of which 15 are current and 1 has been replaced by later campaigns. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2016 Ford Explorer get?
NRCan rates the 2016 Ford Explorer at 12.6 L/100 km combined, emitting 295 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 7 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2016 Ford Explorer for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,906 in fuel, producing roughly 5,821 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.