Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that water had entered the vehicle, and the inside of the windshield was freezing. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the defrosted was inoperable. Additionally, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who blew out the tubes and replaced the water pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after a rainstorm, water entered the vehicle from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof track needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact heard a knocking noise from the front driver's side window. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the weatherstrip on the front driver's side door was detaching from the molding that held the weatherstrip from the windshield. The contact pushed the weather strip back into the molding and continued to drive back to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and stated that the weatherstrip had loosened over time. The mechanic glued the weather strip back into the molding as a temporary fix and referred the contact to a local dealer for assistance. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the molding needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was windy sound coming from the front passenger's side door while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that there was water accumulated between the front driver's side door and the body of the vehicle, which caused water to pour inside the vehicle while opening the door. The contact also noticed that water was leaking from the driver's side of the windshield during inclement weather. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound while making a left turn. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving in the rain, water leaked inside the vehicle from the dome light. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the moonroof failed to function as intended and was no longer able to be opened. The contact stated that there was mold on the front driver's side and front passenger's side seats, as well as inside the cupholders. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. However, the contact was informed that the moonroof assembly needed to be repaired. The contact had a friend inspect the vehicle and found a burnt wire underneath the steering wheel unit. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the A and B molding used to secure the windshield, detached from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and retrieved the pieces. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the moldings. The contact stated that the front windshield molding had since started to detach again. The contact stated that the rear and front passenger's side door moldings were also detaching. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall regarding the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 83,913.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rubber from the windshield was flapping and making noises, almost causing a collision. The contact inspected the windshield and saw that the front passenger's and driver's side rubber on the windshield had deteriorated. The contact glued the rubber to the windshield to repair the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure and the contact had to pay for the same part already installed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). The contact stated that water was leaking onto the passenger's side floorboard and passenger's side door, causing an electrical short with the windows. The contact stated that the window was stuck. The contact left the windows opened to air out the vehicle. The contact used duct tape to secure the structure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was added to a waiting list. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,800.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the trim around the windshield separated and was striking the door. The contact returned to the residence and attempted to secure the trim back to the windshield however, the trim could not be secured. The vehicle was taken to Expert Glass located at 509 South HWY 51 South Batesville, MI 38606, and the contact was provided an estimate. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer who also was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the trim located around the front driver side windshield loosened and detached from the vehicle while driving at highway speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the trim on the front driver side windshield and tightened the trim on the front passenger side windshield. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the trim loosened again on both sides of the windshield. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the sunroof had started to detach and had sunken into the interior of the vehicle, creating an opening that allowed water to leak into the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the sunroof motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 2,462 complaints. The component named most often is windshield › critical fasteners (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2016 Ford Explorer, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.