2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails
- 110owner reports
- 24,000median miles
- $1,500median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 13, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
110 of the 2,455 complaints on this car describe A/C failure.
Tick what matches of 110 reports
A/C failure on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Most A/C complaints start the same way: the fan still blows, but the air coming out of the vents is warm or only a little cool. Some owners get cold air that fades after a while, and others hear a noise from the compressor before it quits. It's rarely a safety problem on its own, which is also why it seldom gets a recall.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the compressor (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on this problem covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
14 of the 110 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $637 to $2,400.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,600 and 50,000 miles, from the 79 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2013-2020 vehicles equipped with an EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function.
Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2016-2018 Explorer vehicles built on or before 07-Aug-2018 may automatically switch from A/C to heat and defrost after 1 minute during a remote start event when the customer expects the A/C to remain on.
What owners wrote
“Roof rail covers, exterior A and B pillar trim have not been fixed. I was told at the time of purchase the recall (1) was fixed. The rubber trim in the pillar trim flaps in the wind and I was told to buy the parts on Amazon and that it isnât hard to install. Along with the A/C not working a week after I bought the SUV. dealership is uncooperative.”
Filed May 13, 2026
“Everytime my ac/heat is on it affects my engine as Iâm driving. My speedometer fast jumps. As soon as I turn it off it seems to run better. I made a complaint a week ago about something going on with my fuel and fan running high speed. I have a foul smell in my car. I thought for awhile it was something outside but now I believe itâs coming from my car. It smells like fuel/rubber/sewer if that makes sense.”
Filed Apr 21, 2023 · 1,176,658 miles
“Rear a/c lines and evaporator damaged due to corrosion from elements. Was told it would cost $2000+ and not covered under warrenty or extended warranty. This is odd because Ford knows its a problem and has issued other recalls for the same reason in the same location (rear) just to different parts.”
Filed Jun 15, 2022
“Hello, this is a issue with the heating and air conditioning. when i turn on the heat i have it set to anything about 75 degrees, the suv is blowing out cold air. and sometimes the AC turns on blowing air but the light for the AC is not turned on.”
Filed Dec 17, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 110 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 375 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 249 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 248 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 160 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 142 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 140 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 99 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 81 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 73 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 72 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 65 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 54 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 53 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 50 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 48 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 36 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 27 reports