2016 Ford Explorer fuel system problems
113 of the 2,476 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 113 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 7 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 40 · 2017: 29 · 2018: 12 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 1
Half of the 85 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 6,000 and 41,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
2,476 complaints in all about the 2016 Ford Explorer, 1 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Brand new 2016 Ford Explorer with only 6779 miles. Unable to accelerate from a stop through a busy intersection. No indication that anything was wrong prior to this. Several dash lights came on. Car went into limp mode not allowing me to accelerate above 15 MPH. Check engine light, power train light and airbag light all illuminated.
The inside of the SUV smells exhaust gas when you are merging into freeway on ramps and/or passing someone. Especially with the sunroof open
My wife was driving our 2016 Ford Explorer that has 4900 miles on it. After making a right hand turn the car lost power, went into (limp mode) wrenches and check engine light came on. She made it to a parking lot and restarted the car which ran ok for another mile before it lost power again, restarted again with the same result.
My vehicle emits exhaust in the cabin while driving. Upon acceleration and deceleration, the exhaust smell is so potent, me and my passengers have to roll down the windows. I returned the vehicle the day after purchasing to the Ford dealership for repairs and have returned it for repairs many times since.
Throttle body - has failed. Orange wrench light came on , right after making a right turn and car went into what is called "limp mode". This happened while I was at least 200 miles away from home, in mid size city
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 15V605000 HighSep 28, 2015 · 203 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 597 complaints
- engine problems 500 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 218 complaints
- electrical problems 131 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 113 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (5% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 15V605000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 11,000 miles; half of them between 6,000 and 41,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.