2016 Explorer – Intermittent Electrical Failure (Gauges, Radio, Power Steering)

[zendobi]

Hey everyone,

I’m hoping to get some guidance on a persistent issue with my 2016 Ford Explorer. Over the last two weeks, I’ve been experiencing random electrical failures while driving. All the issues always occur together—never separately—but at different frequencies. Here’s what happens:

• Gauges & Dash Power Loss (Most Frequent): The instrument cluster (speedometer, tach, etc.) will go completely black and lose power. This happens the most often.
• Radio & Infotainment Issues (Moderate Frequency): The radio also shuts off and resets, but only when the gauges go out—never on its own. If the power loss lasts longer (30-45 sec), the radio screen displays a message saying it’s shutting down to save battery. This happens less often than the gauges going out but more often than power steering loss.
• Power Steering Loss (Rare): On very rare occasions, I also lose power steering, but only when the gauges and radio go out—never separately.
• Battery Went Dead: This morning, I found my battery completely drained. I recharged it and took it to AutoZone, where they tested it and determined it was bad. They replaced it, and they also tested my alternator & charging system, which checked out fine.
• Problem Still Exists: Immediately after leaving AutoZone, the same power loss occurred, ruling out the battery as the issue.
• Check Charging System Warning: Occasionally, with or without any other symptom, the “Check Charging System” light and warning message will appear and stay on for several minutes before turning off. This happens both with and without the gauges going out.
• When It Happens: The issue seems to be triggered most often by acceleration and when approaching 60 mph on the highway. However, it has never occurred when the vehicle is sitting still.

What other details would be helpful to diagnose this? Has anyone encountered something similar? Appreciate any insights!

 

[Steve8316]

...ruling out the battery as the issue.

No, replacing a part does not rule it out as a cause - especially when the replacement is a cheapo like from the zone. MANY new parts are garbage. And the zone is not a diagnosis or repair shop; nor are its employees trained as such.

...triggered most often by acceleration and when approaching 60 mph on the highway.

Inspect the engine mounts & all the wiring near them or that could be affected by the engine rocking on the mounts. Put it on ramps to inspect from below. Have an assistant power-brake it 1st & Reverse while you watch the engine movement (hood up, of course).

What other details would be helpful to diagnose this?

Everything. Miles, maintenance history, mods (especially electrical), damage, repairs, history of this symptom (miles/date when it first appeared, what happened to the vehicle just before, frequency in time/miles...), full list of factory options including engine size/type and transmission model, F/AWD, tire size, and LOTS OF PICTURES - especially the battery terminals and both fuse/relay blocks, but anything that could possibly be relevant to this symptom. Put as much info as possible into your signature so it shows with each post. But you can omit "Ford Explorer" because that's assumed here.

 

[peterk9]

Hey everyone,

I’m hoping to get some guidance on a persistent issue with my 2016 Ford Explorer. Over the last two weeks, I’ve been experiencing random electrical failures while driving. All the issues always occur together—never separately—but at different frequencies. Here’s what happens:


What other details would be helpful to diagnose this? Has anyone encountered something similar? Appreciate any insights!

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't know if the problem could be a bad ground. I think Steve would have a better idea when he gets the info.

Peter