2016 Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems
218 of the 2,476 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 43 manufacturer bulletins, 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database6 of the 218 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 49 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 20 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 30 · 2023: 19 · 2024: 35 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 6
Half of the 153 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 9,000 and 88,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
2,476 complaints in all about the 2016 Ford Explorer, 6 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer Police interceptor. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle downshifted independently with the rpms increasing rapidly. The contact stated he was unaware if there was any warning light illuminated.
Started smelling sulfur/rotten eggs exhaust through the vents around 3k miles under hard acceleration. It's a police version with the 3.7l. Smelled it in re-circulation mode and the fresh air mode.
I was driving 45mph on a busy street when suddenly the car just stalled. I had kids in the back seat and frantically pressed the gas pedal which pressed down but nothing happened. The wrench and check engine light illuminated. Luckily, I was able to put my hazards on and pull over.
Was approaching an intersection to enter an entranceway to an interstate when the car lost speed and would only move at approx. 10 MPH. Wrench and seatbelt was displayed and message to check owners manual
2016 Ford Explorer xlt throttle body failed at just over 8,000 miles without warning. My wife was driving on the highway with our 6 year old daughter and pet dog in 95 degree weather when the vehicle shut down to an idle almost causing an accident and very little shoulder room to pull over on.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 20V692000 HighNov 10, 2020 · 15,587 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
43 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 54366 Service bulletinNov 12, 2025
- 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.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0011 P0015 P0016 P0017 P0018 P0019 P0021 P0025
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Ford Explorer names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 597 complaints
- engine problems 500 complaints
- electrical problems 131 complaints
- fuel system problems 113 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 218 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 43 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 20V692000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 49,000 miles; half of them between 9,000 and 88,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.