Using a pedal commander pc18 bluetooth "throttle enhancer" in an emergency vehicle equipped with a vhf mobile two-way radio. The radio transmits at 50w and is installed by a professional emergency vehicle upfitter per manufacturers instructions. When transmitting in the 156mhz range the pedal command consistently and unexpectedly causes the vehicle to begin accelerating when in drive, and…
2016 Ford Explorer cruise control problems
moderate 46 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of Ford Explorer we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 46.
Owners have filed 46 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Ford Explorer has a documented pattern of electronic throttle body failures that can kill engine power with no warning, leaving you stranded or unable to accelerate on highways—a critical safety hazard. Owners report failures happening as early as 4,800 miles, replacements taking weeks due to parts shortages, and the replacement parts being identical to the failed units, offering no assurance the problem won't recur.
The 2016 Ford Explorer has a widespread throttle body problem. Owners describe sudden, complete loss of engine power while driving—the accelerator pedal stops working and the vehicle enters a severe limp mode, crawling at 2–5 MPH regardless of throttle input. Wrench, check-engine, and airbag lights illuminate. Some drivers have recovered temporary function by restarting, only to have the failure strike again minutes later.
Failures happen across the ownership spectrum: as early as 358 miles and 4,800 miles, most commonly around 6,000–7,000 miles, but also at 11,000, 18,000, 31,000, 52,000, and 136,000+ miles. Drivers report near-collisions on highways, being stranded in rush-hour traffic, and forced onto shoulders during high-speed driving with family aboard.
Dealerships confirm the electronic throttle body has failed and order replacement parts. However, parts are consistently on national back order—owners cite 2-to-3-week delays and some indefinite hold times. When replacement units arrive, dealers acknowledge they are the same part number as the original, offering no design fix and no reassurance the failure won't repeat.
Ford has not issued a recall. The manufacturer did issue a Stop Sale order and a Customer Satisfaction Bulletin, though not all VINs qualified. Dealerships acknowledge this is a "known widespread problem" and "systemic issue," yet owners whose warranty has expired or whose VINs fall outside the bulletin receive no compensation. One retired OE engineer noted Ford has issued similar recalls for the same throttle body on other model years, making the absence of a 2016 recall particularly troubling.
Same Ford Explorer cruise control reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) Failure / Stuck Closed
The electronic throttle body fails to respond to accelerator input, leaving the engine unable to produce power. The vehicle enters a limp-home mode, operating at severely restricted RPM (typically 500–1000) and unable to exceed 5 MPH even with the pedal to the floor. Restart may temporarily restore function, but the failure is intermittent and recurs unpredictably.
When: Occurs across mileage range: reported as early as 358 miles, 4,800 miles, 6,000–7,000 miles typical; also at 11,000, 18,000, 31,000, 52,000, 136,000+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of throttle response; accelerator pedal unresponsive or stuck at throttle position; Vehicle stuck in limp mode, crawling at 2–5 MPH or idle RPM only; Wrench/check-engine/airbag warning lights illuminate; Engine continues running but provides no power output; Temporary recovery after shutdown and restart, but failure recurs; Occasional grinding or rough running noise during failure
Codes mentioned: P2112 (electronic throttle body stuck closed), Wrench indicator (powertrain fault), Check engine light, Airbag warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships replace the electronic throttle body assembly. Owners report replacement parts are identical to failed units, with no design improvement. Parts frequently on back order (2–3 weeks to indefinite), delaying repairs. One owner reports the same failure recurred twice after dealer replacement attempts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall issued as of complaint dates. Ford issued a Stop Sale order (per complaint #5) and a Customer Satisfaction Bulletin (complaint #10, but not all VINs included). Ford personnel have acknowledged this is a 'widespread problem' (complaint #4) and a 'known safety issue' (complaint #19). Service manager declined to arrange Ford representative meeting in one case (complaint #2). Ford acknowledged pattern failure across model lines using the 3.5L engine. One owner referred to lemon law language in owner's manual (complaint #2).
Intermittent Throttle Hesitation / Stalling on Demand
Vehicle hesitates, stutters, or briefly stalls when accelerator is depressed, particularly at low speeds, during turns, or on inclines. The vehicle may recover after a second or two, or the driver must restart to regain control. Incidents may recur multiple times within a short drive.
When: Reported at low mileage (31,000 to 137,000 miles); intermittent, occurring during city driving, turns, and hill climbs.
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or stutter when stepping on gas pedal; Brief stalling during acceleration or turns; Recovery after restart or waiting in park; Multiple recurrences in single trip; Wrench light illumination; Engine shaking or vibration during incident
Codes mentioned: Wrench warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement attempted; dealers sometimes unable to duplicate failure. One vehicle required throttle body replacement twice for the same issue. No repair completed in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official manufacturer response documented in these narratives for intermittent hesitation separately from ETB failure.
Unintended Acceleration / Loss of Brake-Throttle Control
Vehicle suddenly accelerates at high speed without driver input, or accelerator pedal travels to floorboard uncontrollably. In one case, an aftermarket Pedal Commander device (throttle enhancer) was triggered by VHF radio transmission at 156 MHz, causing unwanted acceleration.
When: One incident at 31,000 miles during parking maneuver. Radio-triggered case occurred during two-way radio transmission in emergency vehicle. One incident at low speed (20 MPH) during parking.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably; pedal may travel to floor without driver pressing it; Sudden sharp acceleration during parking or low-speed driving; Acceleration continues as long as radio transmits (in Pedal Commander case); stops when transmission ends; Driver unable to control speed or prevent collision
Repairs/costs cited: Pedal Commander device removed, resolving radio-triggered acceleration. Other unintended acceleration incidents: dealer found 'nothing wrong' in one case; no repair completed.
Brake Engagement & Multi-System Electrical Failures (ABS, Speed Control)
Vehicle experiences simultaneous failures across multiple electrical systems: ABS failure, loss of speed control, brakes unintendedly engage while accelerator is pressed. One case involved rear ABS wheel sensor replacement that did not resolve the issue; another suggested wire harness short. Grinding noise from transmission was also reported.
When: Very early in vehicle ownership: 358 miles (less than 24 hours after purchase); recurred within 39 miles after first dealer attempt.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS failure warning light; Loss of speed control; Brakes engaging while pressing accelerator; Severe grinding noise from transmission; Vehicle loses ability to move forward (stuck in park/neutral); Flashing warning lights and check engine indication
Codes mentioned: ABS failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Left ABS wheel sensor replaced but did not solve the problem. Dealer suspected wire harness short. As of complaint date (Sept 18), vehicle still at dealership awaiting parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford representative suggested owner review lemon law in owner's manual (complaint #2). Dealer service manager refused to arrange meeting with Ford representative.
Independent Liftgate Closing & Sideview Mirror Auto-Adjustment
Liftgate begins closing independently without driver activation, nearly striking occupant. Sideview mirrors adjust themselves while driving at various speeds, degrading visibility.
When: At 57,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate independently actuates and closes; Side-view mirrors move on their own while driving; Chime sounds when liftgate closes
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. Driver manually adjusted mirrors as workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN confirmed not under recall.
Synthesized from 46 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2016 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 46 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 5,400 and 17,000 miles, with the median around 7,419. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,400; a quarter make it past 17,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.