2016 Ford Explorer

US · SUV · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

The 2016 Ford Explorer is listed in the US market as a suv. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.

Engine: Varies by configuration: 3.5L 6-cylinder (FFV), 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged (SIDI), 3.5L 6-cylinder, 3.5L 6-cylinder turbocharged (SIDI)
Power: Not available
Torque: Not available
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: FWD, AWD
Fuel: Varies by configuration: Flex fuel, Gasoline
Seating: Not available

Generic outline. Published dimensions for this vehicle are not available.

Specifications at a Glance

Key Performance & Dimensions

Units:

Engine / Powertrain

FLEX_FUEL

Power Output

Not available

Peak Torque

Not available

Combined Economy

Not available

Drivetrain

Not available

Transmission

AUTOMATIC

Capacity

Not available

Exterior Dimensions

Not available

Market: US·Switch units anytime to convert horsepower, torque, fuel economy, and dimensions.

Compare 2016 Ford Explorer ↗

Engine

Engine
Specification	Value	Source
Engine	Varies by configuration: 3.5L 6-cylinder (FFV), 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged (SIDI), 3.5L 6-cylinder, 3.5L 6-cylinder turbocharged (SIDI)
Displacement	2.3 L to 3.5 L
Cylinders	4 to 6
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Fuel type	Varies by configuration: Flex fuel, Gasoline	EPA fueleconomy.gov

Not available from our sources: Power, Torque.

Transmission and drivetrain

Transmission and drivetrain
Specification	Value	Source
Transmission	Automatic	EPA fueleconomy.gov
Gears	6
Drivetrain	Varies by configuration: FWD, AWD

Fuel economy and range

Fuel economy and range
Specification	Value	Source
Combined	22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km)	EPA fueleconomy.gov
City	19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) to 16 mpg (14.7 L/100 km)
Highway	27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km)

Not available from our sources: Electric range, Battery capacity.

Trims and configurations

7 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked October 13, 2026.

26V448000: STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional…
Reported July 14, 2026. View on NHTSA
25V685000: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded…
Reported October 10, 2025. View on NHTSA
25V347000: STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may…
Reported May 23, 2025. View on NHTSA
24V031000: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between…
Reported January 19, 2024. View on NHTSA
21V537000: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and…
Reported July 15, 2021. View on NHTSA
21V316000: STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were…
Reported May 5, 2021. View on NHTSA
20V675000: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford…
Reported March 12, 2021. View on NHTSA
20V692000: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed…
Reported November 10, 2020. View on NHTSA
19V435000: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may…
Reported June 10, 2019. View on NHTSA
17V767000: SEATS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out…
Reported November 29, 2017. View on NHTSA
17E048000: WHEELS:HUB
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Reported August 28, 2017. View on NHTSA
16V475000: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.
Reported June 28, 2016. View on NHTSA
16V183000: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Reported March 31, 2016. View on NHTSA
15V605000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Reported September 28, 2015. View on NHTSA
15V464000: PARKING BRAKE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford…
Reported July 24, 2015. View on NHTSA

Data sources

EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 13, 2026 · US Government public data
NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 13, 2026 · US Government public data

Source checked: October 13, 2026

Data verified: October 13, 2026

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

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Frequently asked questions

What engine does the 2016 Ford Explorer have?

Varies by configuration: 3.5L 6-cylinder (FFV), 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged (SIDI), 3.5L 6-cylinder, 3.5L 6-cylinder turbocharged (SIDI). Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Ford Explorer?

Combined fuel economy is 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?

Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: FWD, AWD.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked October 13, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.