general problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer - part 2

For a few weeks, I thought I had developed an air bubble in my power steering system, as occasionally, steering would have a very slight resistance that I could pull through with minimal effort. I went to check my power steering fluid and upon inspection and research, discovered that my vehicle (a police intercepter utility, equal to a base model Explorer) has electric power steering, not hydraulic. I figured the issue was just a minor quirk of the electrical power steering motor kicking in. A few days ago, my power steering failed completely failed while driving at about 35mph. Only once did the dashboard light up with a warning about servicing advanced stabili-trac and something else closely related. The alert lights went out on their own after about 5 seconds and steering returned to normal. Later the same day, steering became very difficult again with no alert lights and it has remained very difficult to steer the vehicle at any speed since then, identical to the failure of a hydraulic power steering pump. I have not yet talked with Ford or any mechanics about the issue, but I plan to do so swiftly. Upon research, there are at least 280 identical complaints about identical make, model, and year vehicles. It may be time for a formal recall on the affected parts.

Power steering rack failure.

The contact owns as 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, the power steering failed. The service advance track and terrain system management fault lights was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle home and it was not repaired. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired a year ago for a failed power steering. However the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage for the first failure was 109,000, the current approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the vehicle either left or right they would have to use an excessive amount of force to turn the vehicle as if the power steering had failed. When turning the vehicle to the right the failure seems more pronounced than when turning it left. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure where it was confirmed there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 102,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

My steering lost all power and basically froze going straight. I was almost home, within 500 feet and managed to strong arm it into my driveway. I have 2 warning lights on, service advance trac and service power steering now. Something with in the steering system is not right. My safety was not a concern when it happened as I was slowing down to turn into my driveway looking online, this seems to be a major problem for many people no inspections as yet, since I would need to have it towed someplace I mentions those 2 warnings above.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel before the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle functioned normally. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the steering gear and outer tie rod. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.

Vehicle power steering failure, causing locked steering. After reading, am finding this is a major problem with many Ford models. There has been recalls on many other models. No warning at all just locked up. Luckily did not happen to my wife at highway speeds. Dtc codes u3000-96 u2011-61 c1b00-2f u3003-68 u0415-00.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering his driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver-side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed him the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The track  on the seat needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving, at unknown speeds, the steering wheel locked up. While making a turn, the driver had to pull the steering wheel to correct the steering. The steering power assist faulty message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the seat failure was due to the motor. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

The electric power steering shuts off at random times. The power steering goes out and the steering may lock according to the sonora Ford dealership. The dealership said that the car is not safe to drive without the steering rack replaced. The dealership also noticed a clunk in the steering rack when turned lock to lock. When the steering turns off a red warning signal appears on the dash with a battery symbol and a message to check charging system.

I was driving my 2015 Ford Explorer SUV and the wheels locked into going straight and I was unable to turn. This happened with no warning at all. We had the car looked at by a mechanic and they stated it was the power steering, and that the electronic module went out and the whole steering rack and pinion would need to be replaced. They suggested we contact Ford as there were recalls from the 2011-2013 models of the Ford Explorer for the same exact thing. Ford could not help us and suggested we contact the NHTSA to see if our VIN number had been missed for a recall. My safety and the safety of everyone else on the road around me was definitely put at risk. If I had been anywhere else, or going faster I would have crashed.

Clients steering locked up driving down the road. Had to stop and get a tow. Looking at the issue, found the electronic steering rack and pinion was locked, able to break it free but grinds bad. See other recalls for earlier and later years but not the 2014, seems to be the same issue, client could have been killed or killed others on the highway with no warning for a faulty part.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph down her driveway, as she turned the steering wheel to the right, she heard an abnormal grinding noise. The contact stated that the steering wheel would not return to center after completing the turn. The contact had to manually turn the wheel and again heard a grinding noise. The contact also felt a vibration in the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,657.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was very difficult to steer while in park or while driving at slow speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

The power steering was not working and a low voltage warning came on saying power consumption was being reduced. I took the car to a mechanic and he tested the battery and alternator output. They both checked good. After driving for 10-15 minutes, the power consumption reduction turns off and things go back to normal. This happens on almost every drive.

I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and I cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! after reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 9/14/2023. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.

The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while starting the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the steering was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the electrical motor, steering column, strut, and front end had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17v530000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

When you hit the gas the steering turns when you let go it straightens back out please look into this I might cause an accident or loose control of the car.

I encountered intermittent stiffness in the steering while driving. It felt like it might not steer. And then it loosens up and is okay for a moment or two. I took it to my local mechanic. At first, they thought it to be a lubrication issue. The situation increased. I took it back. They explained previous years of my model had a recall related to the power steering assembly. And that is what they believe it to be. I did reach out to Ford directly, but they are not going to do anything. There are no warning lights or additional inspections. I do see this has appeared on forums.

I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and I cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! after reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 07/15/2023, and we haven't been able to get it to a shop yet they are all closed until Monday. No one at this time has taken a look at it seeing how it was in the driveway of family. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.

The power steering in my 2015 Ford explore completely locked up due to the steering gear going out. I am fortunate enough that it happened that low speed and no one was harmed. I could only imagine what would’ve happened if I were on a highway or interstate. It has been inspected and diagnosed by a Ford dealership, and they concluded that it was indeed the power steering gear. At the time it went out. There were no warning signs or lights on the dashboard that would have made me think it would go out.

I have a recall on rear suspension I have called to have the repairs done several times I was given response of they didn't have the parts needed and would take several weeks . Rear suspension is very unsafe and now the engine cooling component is causing issues with over heating and not giving any warning lights on dash and am afraid found cause fire or some unsafe issue.

Last year I had to have the electric power steering pump replaced as it completely locked up almost causing an accident while trying to turn, this year now the steering shaft froze up while driving in traffic. Totaling $3,100. 00 to fix when I was told this is something that should never need to be replaced and I drive my vehicle very carefully with my children in it .

The steering wheel was no longer operable(loss control of vehicle) we were turning into a gas station to purchase gas and the steering wheel failed I was able to miss the car at the pump next to the one I was attempting to park at. I purchased this vehicle 3/10/2023 I was not aware of any recalls or anything until tonight. I did not have any lights on indicating an issue but I had been reaching out to the dealer because I sensed something was wrong with the vehicle. My attempts to get it diagnosed went ignored until 4/25/23 when this incident occurred.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph and turning the vehicle to the left, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was also jerking while attempting to steer through the turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but recurring. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly at slower speeds while turning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

I am unable to take this matter to the dealer, as they have shut down thier business.

Eps unit started clunking loudly when turning right in a parking lot. Replaced by a mechanic and clunking no longer present.

Vehicle use an electrical power assist. Vehicle became hard to steer leading to unsafe condition.

Without any warning, the engine and power system failed while on the highway. There was no system warning lights preceding the event, and the vehicle had be well maintained. We were lucky to have been able to get off the road by safely coasting. Once towed to the mechanics, we were told that a rod had failed and entire would need to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost steering gear functionality. The contact was able to pull the steering wheel and regain control. There was an unknown steering message displayed. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear, connecting rod, and rear toe link needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

We have had power steering loss upon starting our 2015 Ford Explorer front wheel drive with park assist. This evening 2/13/2023 my wife called me to tell me the steering has stopped working again and she could not turn the wheels. The power rack has totally failed and I as a strong man could hardly turn the wheels. I limped it home and it was all I could do to turn the wheels even going down the road. I am upset that Ford would of made this type of self sealed power rack that can fail and one will lose all control of the steering. Because it is so hard to turn the wheels. No woman can turn when in this situation and can wreak their Explorer because of this failure. Ford need to fix this issue and not just put the same part back into the Explorer. So anyone that owns a 2015 Explorer be aware of this issue!!.

I was driving at about 50 mph and didn't have control of steering luckily I didn't panic and got safely off the highway. Never showed any signs that it was malfunctioning and it just went out. Took it the dealership and they told me it would be $2300 to repair.

The steering makes a loud pop noise when turning sometimes locks up.

My steering column was fine one day, and then very loud the next. We took the car to our dealership. They figured out what was wrong. . . The steering gear went out which caused the complete steering gear assembly to be replaced. But, then they could not get the part from Ford. They said it was a "known issue" and Ford was not releasing the necessary part to have this repaired. They had my car four weeks before Ford agreed to ship the part. I am guessing they had to make sure the parts in inventory would not have the same issue. They would not release my car back to me because they deemed it "unsafe to drive". Finally five-six weeks later, I have my car back repaired.