Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 mph, he became aware of a strong clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that an unknown safety recall related to the rack and pinion for the vehicle had expired. The contact had not received notification regarding the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while she was at a stop sign, the steering wheel lost power steering inadvertently. The warning message "power steering assist fault" illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off for a minute. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module software needed to be updated. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and the abs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she purchased the rack and pinion and her boyfriend completed the replacement; however, the failure reoccurred months later while driving 40-45 mph. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the recall repair for NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) had previously been completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 147,841.

Tl the contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Recently, the vehicle started experiencing the same symptoms, and was taken to suburban Ford of ferndale (21600 woodward Ave, ferndale, mi 48220 248) 399-1000) where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and determined that the contact had to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 106,653.

Recall: 14v286000 recall date: 05/29/2014 component: steering:electric power assist system hello, I own a 2012 Ford Explorer limited. We received the recall several years ago from Ford. We then took it to the dealership and had the recall completed. Here recently, the steering has intermittently become very difficult to operate when first started up and first moving. So far, we can regain operation by shutting off the vehicle and then restarting. It seems obvious that Ford's "fix" for this recall did not address the issue. We are now nervous that this will show up while on the highway. We are now facing the high cost of replacing the rack and pinion.

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he had received a recall alert NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) regarding the power steering. Shortly after receiving the letter, the contact's wife was driving at 20 mph and experienced complete loss of power steering. The contact stated that he had also experienced the same failure while driving at 70 mph. The contact took the vehicle to mccombs Ford west 7111 northwest loop 410, san antonio, TX 78238 where a software update was performed and the vehicle was returned to the contact. Months later. The contact experienced the same failure again while backing out of his driveway. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that he would need his rack and pinion replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000. Jo.

When it accelerate 0 to 60 it feels like trembles, even when it passes 60 mph it feels. If you active the over drive it feels iven more. . . I replace the tires, brakes , control arm, motor mount. The mechanic check everything. So the only rest for check is the rack and pinion the hall thing. The Explorer is in very good condition.

In a parking lot on a Friday Dec. 19 at 6am, the steering assist dash warning light came on, and in same instance, steering locked up. I was unable to steer, but was able to bring my 2012 Ford Explorer limited to a stop. Restarting the car enabled steering. I notified my spouse who called dealership and arranged for a service visit the next Monday. Dealer honored recall ( 14s06 electric power steering ) for issue by flashing the software. My 2012 Ford Explorer was presented to me as repaired & fixed and ready to drive in a safe manner. Same event occurred Jan. 8 at 8pm in a parking lot. I took my Explorer to same dealer the next morning. The dealer called and stated the rack & pinion and several steering modules required replacement. Dealer then stated you only get one (1) Ford recall service for an event and any further work would not be covered by Ford motor company. After the first repair attempt which was not a solution, all costs ($1700-$2300 for rack & pinion/associated parts contrasted to a virtually no cost software update done under the recall as a potential fix(thus using up your recall and closing your case, when the recall addresses the parts failure) are borne by the vehicle owner even if it still a recall event. Dealer did state they would check what Ford would do since the second event occurred 2 weeks and 600 miles later. Basically, Ford has developed a policy to circumvent covering the cost of a mandated safety recall. An internet search shows this is a business-as-usual practice for Ford for this steering lock up recall. Bottom line - Ford is keeping unsafe vehicles, which have a recall notice, on the road as people who don't have the funds or stamina to fight Ford, leave the Ford dealer service department with the same unrepaired safety defect present.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel left or right, a grinding noise was heard without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 44,000.

I was driving the vehicle down the highway when the steering went stiff and several lights on the dash came on. I immediately slowed down and and struggled to steer the vehicle of the side of the road. Once to the side of the road, I called the dealer they acknowledged this a common problem in the new Explorers and that if I turned the vehicle off and restarted it would reset the system and to bring it to dealer immediately. I arrived at the dealer (after it happened a second time) where they informed I would need a new rack and pinion. I don't mind paying for the replacement part but this is a huge safety issue. If I had been going through a turn at those speeds, my kids and I would have been killed. If the dealer and Ford know there is a problem why hasn't there been a recall. Do we have to wait until someone dies?.

We had just driven 1 1/2 hours (about 100 miles) from home to a campground, pulling our fleetwood pop-up camper. Drove highway speeds, with air conditioning on (as it was hot outside), sometimes using the "tow" mode other times not. Vehicle acted fine during our trip. Pulled into the parking lot to register at the office and shut off the motor for about 15 min. Started it again to pull into our site and there was no power steering. Got a warning on the dash that said "power steering assist fault". Note: this had happened a couple weeks prior to this under similar circumstances, but after shutting off the ignition and restarting, problem cleared itself. Not so lucky this time. Power steering did not come back. It was 4:30 pm the day before a national holiday (July 4th) and I knew it was not going to get looked at until at least 2 days later. Ford roadside assistance could only offer to have it towed to the nearest dealer 21 miles away. I decided to have it towed on July 5th. On July 4th, after letting it sit all night and completely cool down, I started it up. Same problem plus two additional warning messages: "service advancetrack" and "terrain management system fault". Vehicle was towed to dealer and diagnosed as needing the steering gear (part of the electronic rack and pinion steering). Part #bb5z-3504-he. I was told there were over 500 on back order and no estimated date as to when they will be in stock. Had I known there was this known problem with the Explorers I certainly wouldn't have bought one. Why wasn't there a recall? there are now almost 600 of these parts on back order which tells me there are a lot of consumers affected and potentially many more to come. The service manager told me the design of the part was changed after my Ford was built.