WenmarOpen by Wenmar Pro

Service bulletins for the 2016 Ford Explorer

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

212 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

By type

By component

By trouble code

By topic

Bulletins, newest first
TSB-17-00442022-05-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. EXHAUST ODOR IN VEHICLE
TSB 22-21042022-03-22. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; SEATS; EQUIPMENT. This article supersedes TSB 21-2236 to update the models and year affected. Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2013-2022 Escape, 2015-2018 Focus, 2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2022 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty, 2018-2022 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2022 Ranger/Nautilus, 2021-2022 Bronco/Bronco Sport/Mustang Mach-E, 2022 Maverick vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement.
22N012022-02-24. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the rear wheel knuckles for six (6) months from the Repair Order (RO) opening date for field service actions 21S32 or 21S43 provided that the RO opening date occurs on or before July 31, 2023. This is a one time repair. In some of the affected vehicles exposed to a corrosive environment where road salt is used during winter months, the rear toe link ball joint located in the rear knuckle could seize. A seized toe link ball joint could wear out and develop a knocking noise after installation of the updated toe links in the FSAs 21S32 or 21S43
21B11-S12022-02-17. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS. Customer Satisfaction Program 21B11 - Supplement #1 - Certain 2014 - 2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt
SSM 503952022-02-04. Service bulletin. SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER; EQUIPMENT; STEERING:STEERING WHEEL /HANDLE BAR:HAND HEATER/COOLER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2016 Explorer vehicles equipped with factory remote start (on the key fob) may exhibit erratic operation of the climate control seats and/or heated steering wheel during a remote start event. Examples of this may include: cooled seats when the last setting commanded heated seats, inoperative/deactivated heated steering wheel, etc. This may be due to a software concern within the HVAC control module. To correct this condition, update the HVAC control module to the latest software level using the latest version of the IDS service scan tool. For claiming use causal part number 19980 and refer to applicable labor times found in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 503792022-02-04. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY. Some 2011-2022 Explorer and 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles may experience an inoperative roof opening panel motor. If diagnostics lead to a motor replacement, visually inspect the original motor for signs of water intrusion. If found, determine source of water leak prior to replacing the motor. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-17, Pinpoint Test A for 2011-2016 and Pinpoint Test B for 2017-2022 for identifying the source of the water leak.
21B112022-02-04. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Customer Satisfaction Program 21B11 Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt: In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate as a result of a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector.
21N01-S12022-01-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Certain 2016-2018 Model Year Explorer Vehicles High-Speed Cooling Fan Motor Relay ; Reason for supplement: Vehicle Build Date: Ending build date for Chicago Assembly built vehicles has been updated
TSB1600662021-12-20. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
CSC15B322021-12-20. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Demonsftration/Delivery Hold - Customer Satisfaction Program 15B32 Certain 2015 Model Year F-150, MKS, and 2016 Explorer, F-Super Duty, and
TSB1600012021-12-20. Service bulletin. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN; AIR BAGS; STRUCTURE. 49 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - March 2016 Air bag warning light illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B141B and/or B141C
LTR37562021-12-20. Service bulletin. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; AIR BAGS; ENGINE; STRUCTURE; POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 49 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - January 2016
TSB1501562021-12-20. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. 2.0 GTDI/2.3L - Front wheel drive - Bibration and/or grinding/banging/clicking noise
SSM 500972021-09-28. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM. Some 2016-2017 Ford and Lincoln vehicles with a new body control module (BCM) installed may exhibit a programming error when using IDS versions 122.03 through 123.01 stating 'Data Corrupt' or 'Configuration Failed, would you like to retry?'. IDS scan tool version 123.02 contains a fix for this programming error. Install IDS version 123.02 or later from PTS > Rotunda tab > Diagnostic Tool Support > Download Software. Once installed, perform the BCM programmable module installation (PMI). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-10 > Removal and Installation.
21N012021-09-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the high-speed cooling fan relay and respective electrical terminals, if affected, to ten (10) years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.
21B052021-09-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. After extended idling, the high-speed cooling fan relay may fail in some of the affected vehicles. A failure will cause the fan to either continuously run or never turn on. A continuously running fan will increase the temperature of the relay’s connections (terminals) to beyond their design maximum. This may eventually create an electrical arc which heats and damages the relay terminals. Customers may experience a drained battery and a non-functional or even a melted/burned high-speed cooling fan relay inside the battery junction box (BJB). A damaged non-functional relay causing the fan to never turn on, may lead to engine overheating at idle.
SSM 500672021-09-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK12 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 500592021-09-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:MODULE:ONBOARD (OBCM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM. Some 2016-2017 Ford and Lincoln vehicles with a new Body Control Module (BCM) installed may exhibit a programming error using IDS v122.03 and newer stating "Data Corrupt" or Configuration Failed, would you like to retry?. A temporary work around has been released to complete the BCM programming process. Uninstall IDS from the computer. Run the IDS clean up utility tool located on PTS > Rotunda Tab > Diagnostic Tool Support > IDS Support > IDS troubleshooting guide. Install IDS v122.01 (122_FULL) by copying the following link into an internet address bar https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/IDS/SoftwareUpdates/IDS-122.01_full.exe. Retry the BCM Programmable Module Installation (PMI) using IDS level 122.01. Monitor OASIS for updates.
TSB 21-22362021-08-02. Service bulletin. SEATS. Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2013-2021 Escape, 2015-2018 Focus, 2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2021 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty, 2018-2021 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2021 Ranger/Nautilus, 2021 Bronco Sport/Mustang Mach-E vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement.
20N11-S32021-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rack covers may become detached from the vehicle.
SSM 498212021-06-01. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
21B142021-04-03. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Certain 2013 through 2017 Model Year Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that are Registered or Sold in Certain States/Provinces Rear Toe Link Ball Joint Inspection This program is a proactive investigation by Ford Motor Company to obtain field data and parts for testing. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to inspect the toe link ball joint and, if necessary, replace both rear toe links and wheel knuckles on vehicles always registered and always residing in the Nashville (and Calgary) area. The replacement toe links and knuckles being installed contain no enhancements and are identical to the parts being removed. It is very important that any parts obtained from this program be returned to Ford for this study
21B14-S12021-04-03. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Certain 2013 through 2017 Model Year Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that are Registered or Sold in Certain States/Provinces; Rear Toe Link Ball Joint Inspection This program is a proactive investigation by Ford Motor Company to obtain field data and parts for testing. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to inspect the toe link ball joint and, if necessary, replace both rear toe links and wheel knuckles on vehicles always registered and always residing in the Nashville, Houston, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Winnipeg, and Calgary areas. The replacement toe links and knuckles being installed contain no enhancements and are identical to the parts being removed. It is very important that any parts obtained from this program be returned to Ford for this study.
20N11-S22021-04-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. 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, rattling, and potential detachment
20N11-S12021-03-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT. A new 3M adhesive is now available, allowing a longer working time, along with mixing nozzles and applicator. 3M Universal Adhesive Black Part Number 08223, 3M Static Mixing Nozzles Part Number 08193 This program provides a one-time repair for the roof rail covers and retaining clips to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program. Both roof rail covers should be serviced at time of repair. If a vehicle has already exceeded either the time or mileage limits, this extended warranty coverage will last through June 30, 2021. Coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.