28 problems related to seats have been reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2016 Explorer.
Driver seat moves all the way forward on its own and the side view mirror moves out of range. This has happened while in the seat and car running. It happens intermittently. It scares the heck out of you and pushes you all the way into the steering wheel which makes it impossible to steer. You have to be quick in order to stop it and because it startles you when it happens the reaction time is not immediate. Very scary indeed!.
The heated seats went out. Took to mechanic shop, the wires burned out and also melted the fuse box. All that has to be replaced. Ford dealership only sells the whole wiring harness which is over $1,000. With the wires burning out and then melting fuse box, lucky my car didn't burn.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat wiring harness plugs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
The airbag fault light on the dash of my 2016 Ford Explorer recently illuminated. I took it to christian brothers automotive, who did a complete diagnostics check. They determined that the inflatable seat belt should read 2. 2 ohms but it reading at 5. 5 ohms, which is causing the light to illuminate. They stated that the inflatable seat belt needs to be replaced. This appears to be the same issue with a Ford recall notice issued on January 21, 2022 under customer satisfaction program 21b11 related to 2014, 2015, and 2016 Ford Explorers. However, my VIN does not appear on the list of effected vehicles and Ford is refusing to repair it under the recall until it is added to the list.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after noticing that the seat heaters were inoperable, he saw that the heated seat module connector had melted. The contact also stated that the front passenger seat controls were inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Vehicle right passenger area receives no heat, either from front heat vent nor does the seat heater function. Dealer replaced seat heat mechanism(s) that required software update. Update failed to resolve the problem. Outside temp is now -13°f. Dealer states they are awaiting dealer engineers to determine how to repair the problem.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front seat inadvertently moved back and forth. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The driver seat advanced forward after hitting the preset button but did not stop. I was crushed between the steering wheel and the dash. There was only 3 inches between the seat and the dash for my knees. This is a major safety issue that caused bodily injury. It happened twice. I have video showing this issue but can’t seem to upload it to this site.
Plastic drivers seat mounting components have failed causing drivers seat to rock back & forth. Concerned that remainder of seat mounting system will fail and I will go through the windshield during a hard brake stop or cause me to swerve and hit or kill someone else.
Tl the contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that at start-up, the driver's side front seat independently adjusted, trapping the contact up against the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer walker Ford (17556 us hwy 19 n, clearwater, FL 33764, (727) 265-3992) but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The contact was still awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact indicated that the rear power-folding third-row passenger’s side and driver’s side seats would not properly fold down and remain secured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
On August 20, 2020, my vehicle had last been driven around 12 noon. It sat in the driveway with all of us home. My son went to get in the vehicle around 6:30 pm. Smoke poured out, the seat was smoldering and flames came up. We couldn't put the fire out with extinguisher. Fire department put hose on seat. Firemen stated they see this often with heated/airconditioned seats that malfunction and burn up or cause fire. Firemen stated they could tell the way it looked "like all the other heated /air conditioned seats that ignite that they see often". Insurance company says car is totaled since hose was put on it. Ford will not work with me. No one left anything burning in the seat or smoked in the car. I believe the car heated/air conditioned seat malfunctioned and Ford should help. I had purchased bumper to bumper warranty from dealership. Warranty company says if a car catches fire, warranty is voided, even if car malfunctioned causing the fire. Insurance company is trying to pay as least amount as possible. This was a well cared for, very nice car. I believe it malfunctioned. Ford motor company sent me a letter saying they had the dealership take pictures, and they feel it had something left burning on the seat. No one left anything burning on the seat. In the letter Ford motor company sent me by email, they state they inspected the car. They never came to see the car in person. They only had the service staff take pictures. The car was sitting in the driveway all afternoon. I also backed out of the driveway in my Subaru at 5:00 pm and did not smell or see smoke as I left. . The passenger seat that ignited itself had a stack of business papers and some soccer gear that could have overheated if the seat was malfunctioning too. The seat ignited by itself. As a consumer I deserve to be assisted. I would like the car repaired or replaced w/similar car.
Drivers seat rocks like it is loose.
3rd row seats stopped working, seats stuck in stowed position (so I can't get to my spare tire. ) no motor sounds, rear interior lights also stopped working. We haven't used the stow feature so much that it should cease to function. We have replaced the fuse, no change. Because there is no way to operate the 3rd row seats while the car is in motion, all of the operation and troubleshooting of the third row seats have happened while the vehicle was stopped and in park.
Seat heat under driver seat keeps going bad. Only the seat bottom, not the top. I noticed as this is the 3rd time it has been in for this, that when I have the seat in the farthest back position it works, but when the seat is moved further it pulls on the wires. I wonder if this could be causing a short in the wiring, which potential could be a fire hazard.
The location of the controls for the third row seats is a problem. When the seats are down, the buttons face the interior of the car and can be bumped by cargo. Once the seats start to move, there is no way to stop them. Third, the last time we put the third row down, they would not return to the seat position when we pushed the button. I looked through the car guide for a manual override, but the strap that is on some car seats, is not on the 3rd row seats. The vehicle has been in park, and the engine off, when this happened, and when we tried to remedy the problem. Bosch Ford in temecula had no suggestions about what the problem could be, or any price ranges for possible repairs.
Tl-the contact owns 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact recieved notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v767000 (seats). However the parts to the repair were unavailable. The contacts stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The Ford dealer located at gosch Ford temecula (951) 708-9148 26895 ynez rd, temecula, CA 92591 was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and were not able to confirm when parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. (parts distribution disconnect). Jw.
I have owned my vehicle for two weeks and already I have noticed a huge safety issue with the vehicle. The automatic third row seats that use the buttons located on the left wall are completely unsafe! once engaged there is absolutely no way to stop it from moving. I accidentally hit the wrong button, I wanted to fold the left seat but hit the right seat, and I had no way to stop it from crushing all of my belonging before it stopped and folded back to the position it was previously in. There is no way to disable these buttons. I have a young child and I am scared of what may happen if she were to hit one of these buttons and I cannot stop the seat from closing on her. This feature needs a shut off switch and buttons that are not easily accessed for little fingers to push. I am already in the process of looking for a new vehicle because of this extremely dangerous feature.
Passenger seat stuck all the way front won't move back and popping noise when turned wheel it's struck tower mounts struts and front sway bar links.
Tl- the contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v767000 (seats) however when the dealer (russ milne Ford, 24777 hall rd, macomb, mi 48042, (586) 948-7700) was contacted, the recall stated that the repair may take 1. 5 days to complete and that they refused to provide a loaner vehicle. The contact was uncertain as to when the remedy and part may be supplied to the dealer to receive the repair and contacted the manufacturer to determine if a loaner may be provided and when the part may be supplied to the dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure yet. Parts distribution disconnect. Dyd.
Tl the contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v767000 (seats); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called rivertown Ford at (706) 653-7420 (located at 1680 whittlesey rd, columbus, GA 31904) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Incident #1 7/11/2017 Ford motor cas #12918168 service to repair the navigation unit parked @ my home on front slope drive hours later I started vehicle side mirrors on both sides began opening & closing uncontrollably my driver seat began moving unstoppably forward tried the seat control panel on the driver door & tried ignition off & on completely pinned my knees against the dash upper body against the steering wheel at some point the back of the seat fall backwards enough to allow me to crawl out dealership made numerous attempts to rectify but a mystery how seat reverted to factory settings returned w/ no repairs made disabled door control so that it would be safe to drive until a resolution with Ford motor could be made on 7/13 discovered the seat was not in fact disabled on 7/14/2017 dealership came out to my home did adjustments to seat & declared it safe to drive. Incident #2 8/26/2017 Ford motor cas#13006930 I parked my vehicle on my granddaughter's back slanted/sloped driveway. Turned ignition off & my car car jumped backwards (likened to a manuel transmission jumping out of gear). After getting out of my car & before my hand touched the door handle to the driverside back door my great grandson started screaming for me I opened the door to find him smashed between the back of driver seat & child seat. Dealership came & inspected the situation. My inibulizer medical bag found tightly wedged on the floor board prevented the seat from moving an additional 2-4" gm took my vehicle to the dealership leaving me with a vehicle to use until this issue is resolved. On 8/30/2017 Ford motor regional service manager contacted me & deemed my vehicle as "operating as designed" said no errors were discovered upon inspection. Stated no further action to be done by Ford motor.
A sharp metal piece protrudes from the third row seat on the left hand side making it unsafe to sit in third row. Dealer calls it a spring retainer. Dealer states it pops out due to having items in trunk while folding or raising the third row seat. This has happened three times. Vehicle was stationary.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While traveling 25 mph, the tailgate inadvertently opened without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the issue could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure had not recurred while driving, but while the vehicle was parked. The contact closed the tailgate, but it would re-open. While the tailgate was open, it closed unexpectedly and injured the contact's head. Medical attention was not required. The contact stated that he was aware of the sensor for the tailgate. Also, when the vehicle was started, the driver's seat moved forward and injured the contact's right knee. Medical attention was required. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure, but the vehicle module was reprogrammed. The contact also stated that the vehicle had several electrical issues because the instrument panel display would not operate or operated incorrectly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
Had my Ford Explorer 6-mo's and was driving with family approx 45-mph in traffic on a main street when the gas padel just stop working had to try to get to side of road, very dangerous !! . Car was at Ford dealer getting fixed from 3/14- 3/25 , it needed a new throttle body air intake, (at4z*9e926*b ) and motor asy.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact's mother accidentally pushed the seat button and it caused the seat to collapse, snap down, and flip to the other side. The contact's mother became caught in the seat and sustained bruises. The contact's young child also became caught in the seat and had to be pulled out. The dealer was and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 18.
My wife wt. Is approx 155lbs the drive seat has been fraying since the first month we picked up the car on oct 22. 2015 and has been getting worst nothing has torn it. Just the fabric has been fraying , we would like a knew seat ?.
While I was sitting in the driver's seat of my rental (the vehicle running and in park), I pressed #2 of the numbered buttons, next to the lock controls, and the seat started moving by itself. The seat moved up and forward, while the steering wheel moved down. My legs started to get compressed by the steering wheel, while at the same time my knees were being forced into the plastic pieces under the steering column. My body was being forced against the steering wheel. I tried to stop the seat from moving by using my body to create a force but the seat would not stop. When the seat finally stopped, my legs were in pain and I could barely breathe from the steering wheel being against my chest. I panicked and didn't know what to do. My husband had to open the drivers side door and use the controls to get me free. I was afraid for my life, I could've been severely injured. If my husband were the one to press the button while he was sitting in the drivers seat, he would have broken bones. My rental provider never showed us the features of the vehicle, nor were there any written warning labels in clear sight on the inside of the vehicle. My husband informed me after the incident that the numbered buttons on the door are a memory function for the seat. It is now a strong fear of mine that if I were driving this vehicle, and I accidentally pressed this button (thinking I pressed the lock control),that I would be in a car accident. The design of this memory function is flawed and needs to be corrected immediately before someone gets severely injured or killed. I am also fearful that the rental company will rent this vehicle to someone else, because a larger person than myself, will undoubtedly be injured or killed. Whether this is a factory preset or a function that had been programmed by a previous renter or the rental company, I am unaware, but it needs to be addressed.