Hearth Record

2016 Ford Explorer

Model year 2016: every recall NHTSA’s file names for it, the complaints owners made to NHTSA, and its crash ratings.

NHTSA’s recall lookup, on nhtsa.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s recall lookup is on nhtsa.gov.

The short answer

From NHTSA’s files, copied Oct 29, 2026.

A recall covers the vehicles it names, by build date where NHTSA gives one. Your VIN says which are open on yours.

Is your vehicle in one of these recalls?

No public file says which recalls are still open on one vehicle. NHTSA’s lookup does, from its VIN.

17 letters and numbers, at the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side. VINs never use I, O or Q.

Source:

The VIN goes to NHTSA, never to Hearth Record.

What recalls name it?

14 recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer in NHTSA’s file, newest first. Each covers the vehicles it names; your VIN says if yours is one.

None carries NHTSA’s advice not to drive it or to park outside.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

Jul 14, 2026. Structure: body

NHTSA counts 288,314 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Sep 19, 2014.

  • NHTSA campaign 26V-448

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Oct 10, 2025. Equipment: electrical: engine block heater

NHTSA counts 59,006 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Oct 20, 2014.

  • NHTSA campaign 25V-685

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

May 23, 2025. Structure: body

NHTSA counts 492,145 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Jun 11, 2015.

  • NHTSA campaign 25V-347

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Jan 19, 2024. Structure: body: roof and pillars

NHTSA counts 1,889,110 potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

  • NHTSA campaign 24V-031

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Jul 15, 2021. Suspension: rear

NHTSA counts 631,176 potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

  • NHTSA campaign 21V-537

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

May 5, 2021. Structure: body

NHTSA counts 616,967 potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

  • NHTSA campaign 21V-316

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Mar 12, 2021. Suspension: rear

NHTSA counts 454,941 potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

  • NHTSA campaign 20V-675

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Nov 10, 2020. Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft

NHTSA counts 15,587 potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

  • NHTSA campaign 20V-692

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Jun 10, 2019. Suspension: rear

NHTSA counts 1,194,173 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from May 17, 2010 to Jan 25, 2017.

  • NHTSA campaign 19V-435

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Nov 29, 2017. Seats

NHTSA counts 177,264 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Jan 22, 2016 to Apr 19, 2016.

  • NHTSA campaign 17V-767

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Jun 28, 2016. Seats: front assembly: recliner

NHTSA counts 5,280 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Feb 17, 2016 to Mar 7, 2016.

  • NHTSA campaign 16V-475

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Mar 31, 2016. Engine and engine cooling: engine

NHTSA counts 1,543 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Oct 20, 2014 to Jan 28, 2016.

  • NHTSA campaign 16V-183

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Sep 28, 2015. Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

NHTSA counts 203 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from Jul 24, 2015 to Jul 24, 2015.

  • NHTSA campaign 15V-605

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

Jul 24, 2015. Parking brake

NHTSA counts 7,165 potentially involved, across everything this recall names. The ones named here were built from May 4, 2015 to May 23, 2015.

  • NHTSA campaign 15V-464

The whole recall, in NHTSA’s words

What have owners told NHTSA?

2,465 complaints to NHTSA, received from Sep 18, 2015 to Oct 26, 2026.

  • 39 complaints told of a crash, and 14 complaints of a fire.
  • Together they report 59 people injured and no deaths.
  • Complaints are owners’ own reports, not findings: NHTSA reads them to decide what to look into. Only their counts are kept here; no complaint’s words or owner are read.
Source:

NHTSA, Owner complaints flat files. Released Oct 29, 2026. Updated daily.

How did it do in crash tests?

NHTSA rated 2 versions of the 2016 Ford Explorer: 5 stars overall, every version.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings, in whole stars. NHTSA’s safety concerns are shown beneath the stars they qualify, as NHTSA asks.

Source:

NHTSA, 5-Star Safety Ratings. Released Aug 7, 2026. Updated monthly.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Ford Explorer, by the version NHTSA rated
VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRollover
Explorer, SUV, AWD 5 stars 5 starsDriver 4, passenger 5 5 starsSide pole 5 4 starsA 17.4% chance of rolling over; no tip
Explorer, SUV, FWD 5 stars 5 starsDriver 4, passenger 5 5 starsSide pole 5 4 starsA 16.4% chance of rolling over; no tip

NHTSA lists no safety concern for any version rated here.

Safety technology, as NHTSA lists it

  • Forward collision warning: optional.
  • Lane departure warning: optional.
  • Crash imminent braking: no.
  • Dynamic brake support: no.
  • Rearview video system: standard.

What the record doesn’t say

  • Which recalls are still open on one vehicle: only NHTSA’s lookup, with its VIN, says that.
  • Ratings are for the versions NHTSA tested. Other cabs, engines and drives can rate differently.
  • How serious each complaint was, or whether it was confirmed: complaints aren’t findings.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Owner complaints flat files.

    Released Oct 29, 2026 and checked Oct 29, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5-Star Safety Ratings.

    Released Aug 7, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 29, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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