Buying a used SUV is basically a gamble where the stakes are your sanity and your bank account. You want space. You want that "king of the road" feeling. But you definitely don't want to be the person on the side of the I-95 with a steaming hood while your kids cry in the backseat. The 2016 Ford Explorer sits in a weirdly specific spot in the used market right now. It was the year Ford gave the fifth-generation model a massive facelift, trying to make it look less like a mall-crawler and more like a Range Rover.
It worked. Sorta.
People love these things because they look expensive without actually being expensive. But look under the skin, and you’ll find a mix of genuine innovation and some frustrating engineering choices that have kept mechanics busy for years. If you’re scouring Facebook Marketplace or local lots for a three-row hauler, the 2016 model is likely the one popping up most often in that "affordable but modern" price bracket.
What Actually Changed in 2016?
Ford didn't just slap a new grille on and call it a day. This was the mid-cycle refresh for the fifth generation (which ran from 2011 to 2019). The 2016 Ford Explorer got a higher hood line, new headlights, and a redesigned rear. It looked tougher. More "Explorer-y."
The big news, though, was under the hood. Ford ditched the old 2.0-liter EcoBoost—which was honestly a bit of a dog in a vehicle this heavy—and replaced it with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder borrowed from the Mustang. It pumped out 280 horsepower. That’s a significant jump. Suddenly, the "small" engine wasn't just for fuel economy; it actually had enough grunt to merge onto a highway without a prayer and a heavy foot.
Inside, they finally listened to the people screaming about the touch-sensitive buttons. You remember those? The flat, glossy panels that never registered your touch when you were wearing gloves? Gone. Well, mostly. Ford moved back to real, physical buttons for the climate and audio controls. It was a victory for tactile humans everywhere.
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The Engine Options: Choose Wisely
Most of the 2016 Ford Explorers you’ll find have the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6. It’s the "safe" choice. It’s naturally aspirated, meaning no turbos to blow up, and it produces a solid 290 horsepower. It’s a workhorse. It’s fine.
But then there’s the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the Sport and Platinum trims.
That engine is a beast. 365 horsepower. It turns this heavy SUV into something that can actually embarrass some sports cars at a red light. If you find a Sport trim, you’re also getting a stiffer suspension and a faster steering rack. It feels planted. It doesn’t lean as much in the corners. However, you pay for it at the pump. Don't expect more than 16 or 17 mpg in the city if you’re driving it the way Ford intended.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost is the middle child. It’s surprisingly punchy. It offers better torque than the base V6, which helps with towing (it’s rated for up to 3,000 pounds, whereas the V6s can do 5,000). But here is a nuance many buyers miss: the 2.3-liter was often paired with Front-Wheel Drive to maximize fuel economy. If you live in the snow belt, double-check that "4WD" badge on the back.
The Water Pump Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about it. If you spend five minutes on a Ford forum, you’ll see the horror stories. The 3.5-liter Cyclone V6 (both the base and the EcoBoost) has an internal water pump.
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Most cars have water pumps on the outside. If they leak, you see a puddle, you swap it out for a few hundred bucks, and you move on. On the 2016 Ford Explorer V6, the pump is driven by the timing chain inside the engine. If that pump seal fails, it doesn't just leak on the ground. It leaks coolant directly into your engine oil.
It’s a "chocolate milk" disaster.
If you don't catch it immediately, it kills the engine. Even if you do catch it, replacing a $150 pump requires about 10 to 12 hours of labor because you have to tear down half the engine. You’re looking at a $2,000 to $3,000 bill for a preventive maintenance item. When inspecting one of these, pull the oil dipstick. If the oil looks like a light brown milkshake, run away. Fast.
Real World Living: Space and Tech
The Explorer is big on the outside, but it feels surprisingly tight on the inside compared to a Honda Pilot or a Chevy Traverse. The door sills are wide. The footwells are narrow. It’s like wearing a heavy coat that’s one size too small.
The third row is strictly for kids or people you don't particularly like. It’s low to the floor, so adults will have their knees in their chests. But, Ford’s PowerFold third row is a neat trick. Push a button in the trunk, and the seats flip and stow themselves into the floor. It’s one of those features that makes grocery hauls feel a lot less like a chore.
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Technology-wise, 2016 was a transition year. Most models came with MyFord Touch. It’s… okay. It’s better than the earlier versions, but it’s still laggy. Some very late-build 2016s or those upgraded by previous owners might have SYNC 3, which is significantly better and supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. If the screen has a four-quadrant layout with different colors, it’s the old system. If it looks like a modern smartphone interface with a white or blue theme, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Safety and Recalls: The Paperwork
Ford issued several recalls for this era of Explorer. One of the big ones involved the rear suspension toe links. They had a tendency to fracture, which basically means your rear wheel could decide to steer itself. Not ideal at 70 mph.
Another issue to watch for is the "exhaust smell in the cabin" complaint. Owners reported smelling fumes, especially under heavy acceleration. Ford issued various Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) to seal the rear of the vehicle, but for some, the smell persisted. If you take one for a test drive, roll up the windows, turn on the AC, and give it some heavy throttle. If you smell rotten eggs or gas, the sealing job wasn’t done right.
Is the Platinum Trim Worth It?
In 2016, Ford introduced the Platinum trim to compete with luxury brands. It’s fancy. You get Nirvana leather (which sounds like it should come with a flannel shirt but is actually very soft), a 500-watt Sony sound system, and a leather-wrapped dashboard.
Honestly? It feels like a different car. The brushed aluminum accents and the real wood trim make it feel like a budget Range Rover. If you can find a Platinum for a similar price to a Limited, go for the Platinum. The seats have a massage function. In a 2016 Ford! It’s an incredible long-distance cruiser, provided the previous owner took care of the air suspension components and the complex electronics.
Actionable Advice for Buyers
If you’re serious about putting a 2016 Ford Explorer in your driveway, don't just kick the tires. You need a strategy because these cars vary wildly in quality based on how they were treated.
- Check the PTU: On All-Wheel Drive models, the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) is notorious for overheating because the fluid is "lifetime" and the unit sits right next to the hot exhaust. Ask the seller if the PTU fluid has ever been changed. If it hasn't, and the car has 100,000 miles, factor in a fluid flush immediately.
- Scout the Roof Rails: Check the plastic covers on the roof rails. They have a habit of flying off on the highway. If they’re loose or rattling, they need new clips or adhesive before your next road trip.
- The "Water Pump" Fund: If you buy a V6 model with over 80,000 miles, keep $2,500 in a high-yield savings account just in case. It’s the "Explorer Tax." You might never need it, but you’ll sleep better knowing it’s there.
- Paint Bubbling: Look at the leading edge of the hood. Ford used aluminum hoods, and a chemical reaction often causes the paint to bubble and flake off. It’s purely cosmetic, but it’s a great bargaining chip to knock $500 off the asking price.
- Verify the Trim: Don’t let a dealer sell you an XLT with leather seats as a "Limited." A real Limited will have ventilated seats and the Sony audio system. A real Sport will always have the blacked-out grille and the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
The 2016 Ford Explorer is a handsome, capable, and comfortable SUV that handles better than most of its peers. It isn't as bulletproof as a Toyota Highlander, but it’s a lot more exciting to drive and generally cheaper to buy. Just go in with your eyes open to the mechanical quirks, and you’ll likely end up with a vehicle you actually enjoy owning.