Recall 21V316 affects 616,967 2016-2019 Ford Explorer SUVs for roof rail covers that can detach. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 616,967 2016-2019 Explorer SUVs under recall 21V316 because the retention pins for the roof rail covers can loosen and let the covers detach from the vehicle. A detached cover can become a road hazard and raise the risk of a crash, so Ford dealers will repair affected Explorers free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The roof rail covers on the 2016-2019 Ford Explorer are the painted trim pieces that run along the top edges of the vehicle, where the roof meets the side glass. They sit over a base rail that is bolted to the body, held in place by molded retention pins that snap into clips along the rail. Their job is to cap the structural rail, seal out water, and finish the look of the roofline.
On affected Explorers, the retention pins can loosen because the cover and the pins did not seat fully against the clips during assembly. With reduced grip, normal driving forces, vibration, and highway air pressure work the cover loose over time. Once the pins release, the cover can detach from the vehicle and fall into the road behind it.
Before the cover comes off, owners often notice increased wind noise from the roofline, or squeaks and rattles from the same area. Those sounds are the early warning sign that the retention is failing.
Who's affected?
Covers four consecutive model years of the Explorer (2016-2019), all flagged for the same right-side roof rail cover part.
| 2016 Ford Explorer | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2017 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| Units affected | 616,967 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A roof rail cover that detaches at speed becomes a road hazard for the vehicles behind you, raising the risk of a crash. Increased wind noise, squeaks, or rattles from the roofline are early signs the cover or its clips are loose, so schedule the repair soon if you notice them. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2019 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free repair.
- Ask the dealer to install the push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers that secure the roof rail trim to the vehicle.
- Bring the owner notification letter if Ford has mailed yours. If not, reference recall number 21V316 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions, and reference Ford recall 21S22 when you call.
- Inspect the roof rail covers before driving. If a cover looks loose or shifted, park the vehicle and arrange transport to the dealer to avoid a detached cover creating a road hazard.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician installs push-pins to secure the roof rail covers and inspects the rail clips and covers, replacing any that are damaged. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you previously paid out of pocket to reattach or replace the roof rail covers before the recall notice, Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and any related repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive, and reference recall 21V316.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 5, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 12, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 13, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 28, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 28, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 1, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V316?
Recall 21V316 covers 616,967 2016-2019 Ford Explorer SUVs with roof rail cover retention pins that can loosen and let the covers detach from the vehicle. A detached cover can become a road hazard for following traffic. Ford dealers will install push-pins and replace damaged rail clips and covers as needed, free of charge.
What should I do if my 2016-2019 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 21V316. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the roof rail cover inspection and push-pin installation. Reference recall number 21V316 and Ford's internal number 21S22 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost. Ford dealers will install the push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips or roof rail covers free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer, regardless of where the Explorer was originally purchased.
What if I bought my Ford Explorer used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Ford never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Explorer is included, and reference recall number 21V316 when you call the dealer to schedule the inspection.
What if I already paid out of pocket to reattach or replace my roof rail covers?
Contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to ask about reimbursement for prior out-of-pocket expenses related to the roof rail covers. Reference recall number 21V316 and Ford's internal number 21S22. Have your receipts and repair documentation ready when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V316000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V316 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V316000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →