Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving along in town and heard a real loud pop sound and the car jerked. The front started smoking heavily. I get off to the nearest parking lot and fluids had spewed underneath and there was a small fire from this that went out. I had two children both in child restraints that had to be removed from the vehicle, thankfully my husband was with me. It was towed to two repair shops whom both stated the PTU had exploded and broke the transmission as well. I tried to get assistance through Ford and have hit a dead end. It is at the local dealership where they claim the ptu exploded, broke transmission and cracked the engine block resulting in close to $14,000 dollars needed in repairs. This vehicle was running completely fine, no lights had been displaying on the dash. Consumer stated dealer is blaming the defects on a tread pattern on 1 tire(not size).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle and then there was an explosion. There was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PTU, transfer case and differential had exploded. The mechanic informed the contact that the PTU, transfer case and differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty had expired and to research the lemon law. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started jerking and sputtering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was towed to the transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred a year later. The vehicle was taken back to the transmission specialist where the torque converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated the vehicle was shifting hard while driving and was jerking upon acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine mounts were replaced twice. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered increasingly while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal to drive, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal harder, and the vehicle responded. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while reversing. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter, the Body Control Module (BCM), the solenoid body and transmission fluid and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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 contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly and was emitting abnormal rumbling sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Big Valley Ford, Inc. (M-28, Ewen, MI 49925), where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. However, the parts were on national backorder. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The driveshaft was replaced. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The Power transfer unit is leaking fluid onto the exhaust and it caught on fire as I pulled into my driveway. I was able to extinguish the fire before any damage was done. There is also a nauseous odor in the cabin of the vehicle that makes me sick, burns my eyes every time I drive my vehicle. I was told by a mechanic that this was the fluid from the PTU burning Did some research and discovered this is a common problem with these PTU's leaking fluid. Very concerned now that it will catch on fire again and cause damage or even a wreak if it locks up. I fear that this could harm me or someone else if this problem is not fixed ASAP. I have no other vehicle and not sure how to even get it fixed. The dealership said it would cost around $2000 to have it fixed. I would like someone to look at this issue, Ford advised that is not there problem and its not covered by any recalls. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot(H). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the water pump was replaced. The contact stated that several months later while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a diagnostic test and remained with the dealer for months. The contact was informed that the vehicle had failed to accelerate while in drive(D) or reverse(R). The dealer later diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the transmission started slipping. In addition, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the contact was informed that the failure was due to transmission failure and the contact was informed that the repair had been completed; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic results. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred and became persistent. The contact stated that the failure had been ongoing since the purchase of the vehicle in 2017. The contact was informed after each failure that the vehicle had been repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while shifting into gear. The contact stated that upon shifting to drive(D) on several occasions, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, overheated, and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020.
Transmission complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 215 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 9% of the model year's 2,462 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Explorer transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-692 (axle shaft, Nov 10, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Explorer transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.