Body problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer - part 1

Roof rail on passenger side flew off. Clips were broken but some clips still in place. This part is in a recall for other 2016 Explorers but was excluded on models with the chrome roof rail. The rail is the same plastic as the recalled vehicles and should have been included. See Ford 21s22 / 20n11. The chrome is not structural. The drivers side will eventually detach too as it is loose. It will fly off at some point. I already had silicone on the rail and it does not hold. These should be recalled as the plastic is the same as the rails that were included in the recall.

2016 Ford Explorer exterior a-pillar & b-pillar applique trim clip this may result in the b-pillar trim appliques detaching while driving. A b-pillar trim applique that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem been confirmed by a Ford dealer the vehicle has been inspected by the Ford dealership with no resolutions available!!!!?? no warnings at all before purchase of the family vehicle.

The current b-pillar trim issue that Ford hasn't remedied. In October 2025 my b-pillar broke off my car while driving, shatteringagainst the car behindme. When it did that the wiring immediately caused my liftgate to think it was open and I have not been able to access that back of my SUV since then. In order to do so a piece in the door had to be removed and I have to crawl thru the vehicle to manually find a switch to release it. This has gone on for 5 months with me being unable to use the entire back half of the vehicle. If I open it manually it risks not getting shut fully and popping open. It's ridiculous it has taken this long for a fix.

Left side roof rack chrome cover came off on the freeway with no warning. It could have flown into other cars. Haven't taken to dealer yet. No inspection, the part is gone, run over by other vehicles. No symptoms prior to failure.

I called Ford about this recall in December of last year. The dealer in chico CA. I submitted a request to get it done and they keep saying Ford isn’t making them yet. I lost my piller and my car looks ugly an I just want it fixed.

Both my a pillars have ripped off on the highway. Called Ford service center and they continue to say there are no parts available. Most recent incident was on [xxx], when my passenger side ripped off information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Both an and b pillars are junk and dealer inspected a pillars and said they were fine? and there’s no remedy for the b ones which is annoying. My car shakes bc of a transmission shutter at 100k miles it’s not bad but why is jt going on? and wind noise because of the pillars I’m hoping? needing help from someone.

I am writing to you today with an urgent and serious safety concern regarding my 2016 Ford Explorer XLT. My vehicle is affected by the a-pillar molding inspection recall, campaign 24s02/24v031. Last week, while I was driving on the interstate, the passenger side a-pillar molding detached from my vehicle and flew off. This created an extreme safety hazard for myself and other drivers on the road. I contacted my local Ford dealership, cloninger Ford of salisbury, to have the recall addressed. They informed me that they cannot perform the repair because the necessary part is out of stock. This is a critical safety issue. The driver's side a-pillar molding is also loose and could detach at any time, posing the same risk. I have found the replacement part is available for purchase from various online retailers, which contradicts the dealership's claim of part unavailability. The recall documentation states that a detached trim piece can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Given that this has already occurred with my vehicle, I need an immediate and concrete solution. I am requesting a specific timeframe for when a permanent remedy will be available for recall 24s02/24v031 and when I can bring my vehicle in for the repair. The safety of myself and others on the road is at risk. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] VIN: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

A pillar components have come detached on both sides of my vehicle. One on the right side in spring of 2024 and one on the left side summer 2025. The entire rubber and plastic moulding is missing on the right and the entire rubber became unattached underneath the plastic pillar accent on the left. I am afraid of that piece detaching and hitting a car. Why is it taking so very long for a remedy for this?!!!!???.

2016 Ford Explorer. A-pillar trim piece flew off vehicle while driving on highway. Part recalled Jan 2024, currently no solution available from Ford. Paid out of pocket to replace in 2022. B-pillar trim piece flew off vehicle while driving on highway, remained attached by soldered wires. Part recalled may 2025, currently no solution available from Ford. Paid out of pocket to replace heavy duty, waterproof double sided tape in Jan 2025, tape failed again by July ‘25. Cannot tie piece on because the window won’t function. Tape fails, so currently having to reattach while driving with my arm out the window or pull over every few minutes and drive slowly. Left with no options to repair from Ford!.

Windshield seal flies out from under the pilar molding and smacks windshield and passenger window.

On [xxx] the passenger side exterior a-pillar applique trim piece broke free from the vehicle on hwy. Vehicle was doing about 70mph at the time of the incident. No damage nor accidents to people or property resulted. Upon investigation of replacing the part, learned of an existing safety recall for this problem. Reference NHTSA 24v-031. Scheduled repairs with the dealership for 5/9/25. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Around April 9, 2025 I took my vehicle to the dealership (crossroads Ford prince george, va) for a NHTSA recall 25v031. As of today (7/10/25) the repair is not completed. Dealership claim that the parts still on order due to shortage. This seams to be a long time for Ford company to provide the parts to replace the a-pillar trim.

Right side a pillar came off vehicle at highway speed 18 months ago. I bought replacement part I heard of recall so I returned part for refund. Ford claims to be working with suppliers to obtain repair parts. This has gone on way too long, they are not taking this seriously! I am a retired millwright and have worked in all types of factories my whole career including many car plants. I know what it takes to manufacture these parts. Ford is simply not trying! the recall for this is 24so2(Ford), and 24v031(NHTSA). Please do your best to motivate them to remedy this issue! thank you.

A-pillar trim detached.

"a" pillar left and right coming loose, right side blowing away on the freeway. Dealer mentioned they have a fix for it but will not repair until recall approval.

I have contacted Ford dealership here in chico, CA about the recall manufacturer recall number 24s02 NHTSA recall number 24v031 I was told that the parts have been on back order for the last 6 months and that was in January of 2025. As of today I still haven’t been contacted for this recall. I’m not sure what to do but they checked my car and said we added you to the list in January of this year.

The recall has been in place for replacing an exterior a-pillar trim part - we have tried to get it replaced, but there are no parts nationally. Why haven't the parts been created? it has been over a year.

Exterior b-pillar applique molding flew off of Explorer. Might have hit people or cars. Has been inspected and confirmed by Ford dealership in December 2024. No warning of problem. Been waiting for part for 8 months, but service department said none are coming in.

I own a 2016 Ford Explorer with approx. 61,000 miles on it. In August 2023 the b pilar cover broke off while I was driving down a local freeway at approx. 70 mph. I replaced this cover out-of-pocket. In October 2023 the a pilar cover also broke off at freeway speeds and I also replaced it out-of-pocket. Neither pilar cover showed signs of being loose prior to coming off. In December 2023 the b pilar cover came off again. On 1/19/2024 the NHTSA issued a recall for the Ford Explorer a/b pilers coming off. (24v031). I contacted my local Ford service center, where I have had all my Ford vehicles serviced for over 35 years, and inquired about getting the a/b pilers replaced. I was told that they had no parts coming in to do the repairs and that I would need to call then every month the check if they had parts. I did this for a year when I talked with someone who seemed to know more. I was told that the vehicle would need to be brought in, inspected and then it could be placed on their list and I would be notified when the parts were in. I was also told that they have been told by Ford that parts may not be available for months or the end of the year and there was nothing they could do about that. In the meantime the vehicle looks terrible and the gasket that surrounds the windshield is cracking and large pieces are coming off due to the exposure to the sunlight and weather. I received a telephone call today from the local dealership, inquiring if I was interested in trading in or selling my vehicle. I asked if they would fix the a/b piller issue if they were to buy and then sell it. The person seemed to know where I was going with this and said they had nothing to do with the service department or the recalls, but, yes, the vehicle would have any recalls handled prior to them selling it.

Exterior a-pillar trim it came lose and almost hit a car behind me . I spoke to the dealer since it is assumed that there would be parts for that problem no later than mid -2024.

One of the pilar (passenger side )flew off.

There are 2 active recalls for this VIN, both related to pillar body parts. The a-pillar recall was issued in January of 2024. The b-pillar recall was issued in may of this year. Neither recall has been able to be addressed. Gray-daniels Ford in brandon, ms continually states that Ford has not issued a solution yet. This is unacceptable. Multiple pillar parts have fallen off of my vehicle while driving. I have ordered aftermarket solutions to try to remedy, but the inability for a major manufacturer to produce a solution and implement the same, over a period of 19 months and almost 4 months respectively, should not be tolerated. The NHTSA needs to investigate this and force Ford to implement a safe solution for these issues, and quickly.

I had my Ford Explorer inspected by my Ford dealership in early August of 2024. They stated a repair would be made by the end of 2024. One of the a pillars had already come off while driving on the interstate and I have been told by the dealership the other one needs to be replaced. I'm assuming there was not a wreck caused because of the piece flying off my car. We pulled over because we had no idea what happened. It is now 8 months since the inspection and I am told there are still not parts to replace the defective pillar. I was told some dealerships have the parts but others do not. I have contacted my dealership multiple times as well as Ford directly. I would like my vehicle repaired.

Just noticed b pillars on both r&l front doors have become detached at the tops and I am concerned that one or both will come completely loose and fly off while driving and cause injuries or accident. No incidents or injuries to report as of yet.

A-pillar trim flew off while driving. Obviously could've caused harm to other drivers. Ford has not notified me of when my vehicle will be repaired. Dealership offered to repair at cost to me.

Since March of 2024, this vehicle has been waiting on parts to correct Ford recall 24s02. The dealerships are even frustrated with dealing with customers. They started telling us there is nothing they can do and send us on our way only saying our name is on a list. In the summer of 2024, the a pillar trim dislodged and nearly hit another car at highway speed but luckily did not cause an accident. This has been tagged as a safety recall so how is it that we are allowed to drive around without a part replacement or the potential for them to dislodge and hit another driver for now 2 yrs? (b pillar recall in 2025 and still attached) I would like an explanation on how this has been allowed to go on this long. What are the limitations for a safety recall and why does Ford and NHTSA allow drivers to operate their vehicles with known safety hazards attached to their vehicle? I see these vehicles all over the road with parts still attached or one side missing. This particular vehicle has been inspected by Ford, but we were allowed to drive off with recalled part, b side still attached for now, and still 2 years later, no option for replacement.

Trim on driver side windshield flew off while driving. Ordered replacement, 2 weeks after I replaced the driver side the passenger side has fallen off while driving. I have not yet ordered the passenger side yet but today while driving home down the interstate the driver side that was just replaced less than 30 days ago flew off again. Being on the interstate it hit my windshield and flew over and hit a truck traveling behind me who swerved I do not know if it did any damage to his vehicle neither of us stopped ( we were on the interstate but I did notice he swerved luckily did not hit any other vehicle. However now I am hearing a whistling I just got home to do some research and see this is in an ongoing issue but what do I do? order and replace again this will be 3 sets in less than 60 days. This site says there is not a known fix yet?.

Trim piece flying off while the vehicle was in motion with traffic around me.

A-pillar trim pieces have both become detached. One detached from the vehicle while traveling on the highway and flew into on-coming traffic. The other detached on the highway and hung on the drivers mirror. Ford advises that even though both parts have detached it is the customer's responsibility to pay for repairs since the recall is still in advanced notice status.

While driving on the highway at approximately 80 mph, the driver side a-pillar molding on my 2016 Ford Explorer flew off and struck a vehicle behind me. I am not able to determine if there was any damage to the impacted vehicle. On my vehicle, there are what appear to be scratches or smudges on my door and window due to the rubber molding flapping rapidly. I have attached a picture for reference. I have contacted Ford motor CO. , and all they communicated was they are working on a remedy but could not offer any other resolution to a potentially deadly and catastrophically unsafe situation. The speed at which this is being remedied is unacceptable. My family and the other lives in the impacted vehicle were put in danger. This is not an unserious matter.

After buying this vehicle on 4-10-24 checked with car fax for any recalls. Found a recall on my vehicle 24s02 for the pillar trim. Inspected my vehicle and noticed passenger side pillar trim of the windshield at the very top is starting to come loose and is a bit separated. Didn't notice it till after hearing about this recall.

Vehicle was purchased from carmax, there is a crack on the trim ar the d-pillar around the window on the driver side and passenger side. My wife bought a 2014 Ford Explorer about a week prior to mine from the same place and there is a crack in the same exact spot on the driver and passenger side. Causes water to leak into the interior of the vehicle. In the summer months it's causes a musty smell with the potential for mold to develop.

Lost the driver side a pillar in January- now just lost passenger side a pillar driving on I-16.

While traveling home from out of town this past easter weekend, a large piece of something flew up, whipped in front of the passenger side windshield and then smacked the passenger side window before completely detaching in the road behind me. I pulled over to see what happened and saw the trim was missing from the entire side of the windshield. Only a piece of rubber was left dangling. I pulled it off so it would also not go flying. It was scary as my kids were in the car. I am thankful no one was hurt or injured.