Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Ford Explorer powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Ford Explorer have filed 197 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 45,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
197
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Explorer | 42 |
| 2013 Explorer | 95 |
| 2014 Explorer | 69 |
| 2015 Explorer | 65 |
| 2016 Explorer (this page) | 197 |
| 2017 Explorer | 112 |
| 2018 Explorer | 43 |
| 2019 Explorer | 32 |
| 2020 Explorer | 440 |
6crashes
4fires
When does it fail?
Of the 197 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 197 powertrain 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.
Among the 20 model years of Ford Explorer in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission - Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage Updated Owner Letters: 20N07/20B27 S1
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram. Supplement: Program terms will be in effect through August 31, 2023 This program is now eligible for mobile repairs
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Ford Explorer's powertrain is a reliability nightmare. Transmission failures dominate these 195 complaints: owners describe metal shards in fluid, torque converter collapse, jerking so violent it damages motor mounts, and complete loss of power while merging into traffic or climbing grades. One owner's transmission failed twice in 80,000 miles despite a partial rebuild the first time; another lost power on a busy highway at 35 mph with young children aboard. Repair costs run $5,300–$6,000 per transmission, and parts are perpetually on backorder.
Electronic throttle body failures are equally dangerous. Multiple owners report the engine suddenly dropping to idle at highway speeds—one at 8,500 miles, another at 1,900 miles—while merging or in heavy traffic. Ford issued recall 16B32, but many dealers only reprogrammed the PCM instead of replacing the faulty throttle body, and the replacements are identical OEM parts, so failures recur.
Power Transfer Unit leaks spray hot fluid onto the exhaust; one owner's PTU exploded at 64,660 miles, another caught fire in the driveway. A third owner smelled noxious fumes for weeks before discovering a leaking PTU. Ford denies these are warranty issues despite service bulletins acknowledging the problem.
Other failures include stuck radiator grill shutters starving the transmission of cooling air (leading to head gasket failure), loose transmission drain plugs from the factory, driveshaft vibration, water pump seal failure with no warning lights, and transmission mounts cracking from torque converter vibration. Many owners cite Ford service bulletins and recalls (20B27, 20N07, TSB 20-2271) but report dealers either refuse coverage or claim the vehicle is ineligible despite service records showing the recall was completed.
Same Ford Explorer powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure and premature wear
Complete transmission failure or severe degradation requiring rebuild or replacement. Owners report metal fragments and shards in transmission fluid, torque converter failure, hard shifting, slipping, jerking, loss of gears, and inability to accelerate. Some transmissions fail twice within 80,000 miles despite partial rebuilds.
When: 41,000–126,000 miles; some failures within first 3,500 miles of new vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy shaking at idle; Violent transmission shuddering; Jerking and lurching during acceleration; Hard downshifting and delayed shifting; Transmission stuck in second gear; Loss of power during acceleration or on inclines; Transmission slipping; Black, burnt-smelling transmission fluid with metal shavings; Transmission in limp mode, unable to accelerate above 30 mph
Codes mentioned: P2111, P2112, Wrench icon/powertrain fault warning
Repairs/costs cited: Partial and full transmission rebuilds, torque converter replacement, complete transmission replacement. Costs cited: $5,300–$6,031.55 for replacement; $2,000 labor for teardown alone. Parts on backorder for weeks; repair times 2–4 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford customer satisfaction programs 20N07 and 20B27; some covered under warranty at 60,000 miles, others denied. TSB 20-2271 and TSB 20B27 mentioned. Ford has acknowledged transmission issues but extended warranty limited; many repairs denied as out-of-warranty. Second dealership noted first repair was only partial rebuild despite metal fragments throughout.
Electronic throttle body failure causing sudden loss of power
Electronic throttle body malfunction causes sudden, unexpected loss of engine power and acceleration capability, often with wrench or check engine light. Failures occur at very low mileage (1,900–11,600 miles) and repeatedly after dealer replacement with same OEM part. Multiple owners report recall 16B32 applied but only PCM reprogramming was done, not part replacement.
When: 1,900–11,600 miles; some failures within first 2 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; engine continues running but vehicle decelerates; Vehicle will not accelerate despite depressing pedal; Wrench icon on dashboard with 'powertrain fault' or 'see manual' message; Check engine light; Airbag light; Engine sputtering; Vehicle sounding like in neutral despite engine running; Engine running rough, not responding to accelerator input; Backup camera unexpectedly appearing on display
Codes mentioned: Recall 16B32, Engine service light code (not specified in most narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic throttle body replacement; parts frequently on national backorder with no estimated arrival time. Some dealers only performed PCM reprogramming (recall 16B32) instead of replacing the faulty throttle body. Replacement cost cited as $380; dealer labor at no cost when performed under recall, but recurring failures in same vehicles reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16B32 issued for PCM reprogramming, but this did not resolve the throttle body failure in many cases. Replacement throttle bodies are the same OEM part; dealers uncertain whether replacement part will exhibit same defect. Ford has not issued a broader recall despite hundreds of similar complaints at low mileage.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid leak and overheat failure
Power Transfer Unit leaks gear oil onto exhaust due to proximity/overheating, resulting in burnt smell, smoke, residue on PTU, and in at least two cases, fire. One PTU exploded while vehicle was in use, fracturing the case and requiring engine and transmission repairs.
When: 50,250–88,000 miles; some detected after 5,000 miles of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Propane or natural gas-like smell in cabin and around vehicle, stronger with heater on; Nauseous odor that causes coughing and headaches; Black fluid draining under front of vehicle (garage floor); Smoke coming from under/behind vehicle; Ticking noise at idle and during acceleration; Vehicle lagging with audible clunk when accelerating; Black residue on PTU; Visible leaks from axle seals; Loud pop sound and smoke/fire from exhaust area; Heavy smoking when braking
Repairs/costs cited: PTU replacement/repair costs: $2,000–$14,000 (when PTU explosion also damages transmission and cracks engine block). Engine and transmission replacement in one case where PTU exploded. Dealers initially refused warranty coverage, claiming not part of recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: SSM 47993 documents PTU issues in 2016 Explorer and other models. Ford customer affairs refused assistance, stating VIN not listed on service bulletins despite vehicle meeting model/year criteria. Ford settled a previous class action lawsuit on this issue in 2016 but denies coverage for current cases.
Engine overheating caused by stuck radiator grill shutters
Radiator grill shutters stick in closed position, blocking airflow and causing transmission overheating (leading to transmission failure), head gasket failure, and potential fire hazard. Issue persists across multiple seasons and recurs shortly after parts are replaced.
When: 58,120 miles at first overheating incident; head gasket failure approximately 2,000 miles after transmission repair
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheating when driving at inclines or on hills; No overheating when level; Consistent overheating while idle or in motion on streets and highways; Potential fire hazard from overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Grill shutter replacement; partial transmission rebuild (covered under warranty at 58,120 miles); head gasket repair (not covered, cost not specified). Grill shutter malfunction not covered under warranty despite being root cause of transmission and engine damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial transmission rebuild covered under warranty; head gasket repair denied as out-of-warranty. Ford acknowledged grill shutters as root cause of damage but refused warranty coverage for the shutter itself or downstream engine damage.
Transmission drain plug looseness causing severe fluid loss
Transmission drain plugs found loose from factory, allowing transmission fluid to leak onto exhaust components. Owner able to turn plugs multiple turns by hand, indicating they were inadequately torqued during assembly.
When: 5,064 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Odor (initially thought to be coolant leak); Visible transmission fluid on drain plugs; Plume of transmission fluid trailing from transmission to rear of vehicle; Fluid contacting exhaust components
Repairs/costs cited: Tightening of transmission drain plugs. Fluid level was critically low—did not reach dipstick on cold start check.
Driveshaft and transfer case vibration and failure
Driveshaft failure causing severe vibration, shuddering, and abnormal rumbling sounds. Transfer case also requires replacement in some cases. One incident involved driveshaft replacement that did not resolve issue; transfer case replacement also needed.
When: 47,075 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Significant shuddering while driving; Abnormal rumbling sounds from drivetrain; Vehicle vibrating
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replacement (parts on national backorder); transfer case replacement needed in one case. Independent mechanic performed repairs when dealer could not replicate or did not have parts in stock.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided no assistance; vehicle was out of warranty.
Water pump failure with no warning lights
Water pump integrated with timing chain fails, leaking coolant into engine oil. Negligent design places water pump too close to timing chain, risking engine seizure if coolant mixes sufficiently with oil. No warning lights precede failure.
When: Not specified; discovered after low heater output and low coolant
Symptoms owners cite: Heater not working when vehicle is stopped; Low coolant level recurring every 3 weeks after refill; Coolant leak with drops from various areas on passenger side; Saturated area under vehicle with coolant
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement (cost not specified). Confirmed by both private mechanic and Ford dealer.
Transmission mount cracking from torque converter vibration
Transmission mount cracks due to jerking and shuddering vibration caused by torque converter failure. Mount cracking is secondary to transmission design flaw but not covered under related transmission recall.
When: Discovered during transmission repair at approximately 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking and shuddering during acceleration (primary cause from torque converter); Cracked transmission mount (secondary failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission mount replacement cost not covered by recall 20B27; owner required to pay out-of-pocket.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission repair covered under recall 20B27, but transmission mount replacement not included despite being direct consequence of the transmission defect.
Shift lever locking in reverse position
Transmission unable to shift out of reverse; shift lever mechanically locks in reverse mode. Unknown switch mechanism allows temporary workaround but problem recurs.
When: 152,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will only shift into reverse; Unable to shift into park or drive; Intermittent check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown switch can be flipped to allow shifting, but this is a temporary workaround, not a repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA Hotline; no assistance offered.
Engine sludge and inadequate oil change intervals
Turbo failure leading to engine block scoring and complete engine replacement due to inadequate oil change intervals. Owner followed vehicle's oil-change reminder system (10,000-mile intervals), but repair shop indicated turbo and engine damage resulted from not changing oil more frequently (every 3,000–5,000 miles).
When: August 2023 turbo failure; December 2023 engine failure; vehicle is 8.5 years old at time of failure
Symptoms owners cite: Popping noise and loss of power when accelerating (turbo failure); Check engine light (lifter and camshaft damage); Engine requiring replacement due to scoring
Codes mentioned: Check engine light for lifter/camshaft failure
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replacement (cost not specified); complete engine replacement. Total repair cost: $15,000 since August 2023. Repair shop indicated insufficient oil change frequency (relying on vehicle notification system for 10,000-mile intervals instead of recommended 3,000–5,000 miles) as cause.
A-pillar exterior trim detachment at highway speed
Right side A-pillar trim pulled free and flew off vehicle while driving on divided highway. Part is glued/attached and came loose without warning, with no prior symptoms.
When: One incident only; timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Trim piece suddenly came free from vehicle; No warning signs prior to detachment
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; part was retrieved but damaged from impact.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes this is a known issue on NHTSA website.
Soft transmission shifts and hesitation to respond
Transmission reluctant to shift and hesitates to respond when accelerating from stop or at low speeds. Differs from hard shifting; characterized by slow, mushy engagement that creates safety concern on highway merges.
When: 45,000 miles at purchase (CPO vehicle); ongoing since 2017 purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission hesitates to respond when accelerator depressed; Soft, delayed shifting into intended gear; Vehicle jerking abnormally during shifts
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission repairs completed at dealership multiple times but failure recurred; no diagnostic results provided to owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no specific action mentioned.
Synthesized from 197 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Water pump failed at 80,000 miles and cause the car to stall mid intersection putting out life at risk. This is a known issue that should be recalled . Not to mention the repair is $4,000-$6,000 mostly labor to fix. Whole motor has to be taken out to replace the water pump.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, he was informed that the Power Train Unit (PTU) was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the Power Train Unit (PTU) installed on the vehicle was not the original part and…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 197 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 137 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 9,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.