2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Trim or a body panel comes off while driving
- 373owner reports
- 85,000median miles
- $650median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
1039 of the 2,453 complaints on this car are about the structure. 373 of those describe trim coming off, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Explorer.
Tick what matches of 373 reports
Trim coming off 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: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group describe a piece of trim or body cladding that came off the car in motion: a pillar cover, a windshield molding, a grille, a roof rail or a bumper cover. Most say it flew off on the highway.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pillar trim (241 reports) and the roof rail or rack (17 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 recalls on the structure cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
All 15 recalls on the 2016 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Explorer
Underbody shields detachment. Closed apr 9, 2026.
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Rear liftgate glass hatch failure. Closed oct 24, 2008.
Rear liftgate glass assembly. Closed sep 28, 2004, led to recall 04V-442.
Spare tire winch cable. Closed oct 20, 2000.
Spare tire winch cable. Closed apr 14, 2000.
Liftgate support bracket failure. Open, led to recall 99V-310.
Windshield wiper malfunction. Closed apr 24, 2000, led to recall 00V-072.
Blower assembly fires. Closed apr 18, 2000.
Heater blower assembly fire. Closed sep 11, 1998.
Blower assembly fires. Closed jan 15, 1999.
Heavy lateral vibration. Closed feb 4, 1998.
Sunroof shattering and separation. Closed jan 20, 1998, led to recall 97V-235.
Sunroof (air roof) shatter. Closed may 23, 1997.
What owners paid
12 of the 373 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $366 to $1,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 108,000 miles, from the 194 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 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.
Certain 2016 - 2019 Model Year Explorer Vehicles equipped with a Roof Rail Roof Rail Cover Detachment On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap between the cover and roof rail base assembly, ...
On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap between the cover and roof rail base assembly, rattling, and potential detachment.
Some 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit roof rail covers that become loose or partially detached. This may be caused by a lack of retention of the clips securing the roof rail covers.
SSM 47914 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap trim clips now available. 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap clips are now available as a separate part. It is no longer necessary to order a complete roof rack rail to obtain the cap retainer clips.
2 more on the 2016 Ford Explorer page.
What owners wrote
“While driving at highway speed, about 70 mph, passenger side window pillar trim separated and flew off of a 2016 Ford Explorer Limited. Do not know if part hit other vehicles. Vehicle has approx 78,000 miles.”
Filed Jun 15, 2023 · 78,000 miles
“10/23/22 While driving at highway speeds - Interstate 39 - a large piece of the driver's side windshield trim flew off. We had no impact with anything that would have made it fall off - it simply came apart and landed on the road behind us. We have had the piece fixed since. Body shop could have photos still - if needed. No warning signs were present in the car.”
Filed Jan 31, 2023
“My window pillars flew off both last week. driver and passenger side windshield trim panels flew off in like to caused a wreck.”
Filed Jan 31, 2023
“The driver windshield trim flew off my 2016 Ford Explorer as I was going down the highway. I saw where this has made the news and wanted my report included in it. Nobody was hurt and I was unable to retrieve the trim.”
Filed Jan 31, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 373 reports involved a crash and 3 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- 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 141 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 140 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 110 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