Steering Is Loose problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer

I started hearing a knocking in the front end and the steering was very loose, when I turned right at first and on occasion to the left mechanic said if I had gone much further it would have broken all the way and I would have lost all control of the SUV.

When turning the steering wheel to the right there is a distinct clunking sound. I have read multiple blogs where many similar stories are being told and it seems there's a defect in the steering gear expierencing internal failure prematurly. Owners are saying their vehicles will drift in the lane and the steering becomes loose and uncontrollable. Ford dealers are charging $2,500 to replace the parts causing this extreme safety issue. This needs to be recalled and fixed now, who can afford such an expensive repair on something this critical. Ford needs to step up and take responsibility. We took our vehicle in at 56,000 and they said nothing was wrong. At 68,326 miles we took in again because it got worse. This happens when you turn to the right and I hear it at slow speeds when parking or just right turns.

When turning the steering wheel to the right there is a distinct clunking sound. I have read multiple blogs where many similar stories are being told and it seems there's a defect in the rack and pinion. Owners are saying their vehicles will drift in the lane and the steering becomes loose and uncontrollable. Ford dealers are charging at least $2000. 00 to replace the parts causing this extreme safety issue. I know of the recall for the rear suspension but this is very different. This needs to be recalled and fixed now, who can afford such an expensive repair on something this critical. Ford needs to step up and take responsibility. My vehicle has 65,000 miles. This happens when you turn to the right and I hear it at slow speeds when parking or just right turns.

When turning the steering wheel to the right there is a distinct clunking sound. I have read multiple blogs where many similar stories are being told and it seems there's a defect in the rack and pinion. Owners are saying their vehicles will drift in the lane and the steering becomes loose and uncontrollable. Ford dealers are charging at least $2000. 00 to replace the parts causing this extreme safety issue. I know of the recall for the rear suspension but this is very different. This needs to be recalled and fixed now, who can afford such an expensive repair on something this critical. Ford needs to step up and take responsibility. My vehicle has 65,000 miles. This happens when you turn to the right and I hear it at slow speeds when parking or just right turns.

At around 75k miles the steering began to making popping/grinding noises. The sound resolved within the same trip and stopped. It's been two months and the grinding sound returned while driving this weekend on a winding road with my two year in the back seat. While driving around a corner at moderate speed (35-40 mph), the steering wheel briefly stuck and brought my vehicle to the edge of the pavement before I gained control again. The sticking persisted around corners and while turning both directions. Once unstuck, the steering felt loose and near unpredictable. The vehicle is now at a local Ford dealership who confirmed it's a result of rack and pinion failure and quoted around $2500 to repair. They confirmed this is common in Explorers. My research also shows hundreds of reports and complaints exactly as mine, often in frightening and life threatening circumstances. There is serious potential for fatal outcomes with the nature and frequency of this malfunction.

While driving my 2016 Ford Explorer, the power steering became loose and making a grinding noise in the front end. The vehicle was taken to a local Ford dealership and was diagnosed with a steering rack issue. Needs to be replaced. Ford motor CO will not pay for the repair. This is clearly a safety issue. More importantly, while my vehicle was being diagnosed, two additional Ford Explorers were brought to the same dealership for the same problem. Ford needs to recall these vehicles and make these safety repairs. Prior to bringing the vehicle to Ford for diagnostics I took a video of the damage and the grinding sounds in the front end.