Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System Problems of Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to drive the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. While driving the vehicle with manual steering, the steering wheel started jerking to the left or right without warning. Occasionally, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle would be restarted and the steering would function however, the power steering functionality had not returned. The stability control warning light and stability control off warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted and informed the contact that the rear suspension and toe link might be fractured. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

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2012 Ford Explorer. Cpnsumer writes in regards to a recurring steering issue.

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, he noticed that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated before the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle however, the power steering functionality did not return. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

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2002 Ford Explorer rollover incident on 12/26/2004 resulted in the death of my stepson.

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While driving 35 mph steering wheel turned right. When consumer attempted to correct the direction of the steering wheel vehicle rolled over six times. No report of airbag deployment. Driver sustained head injuries.

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Power steering fails when driving at all/various speeds. Failure is felt during/attempted turning of the wheel in either direction while driving. Steering becomes very difficult and suddenly power steering kicks in and becomes unsafe as great pressure is being applied to steering wheel to overcome power steering failure. Dealership claims no known failures and cannot find problem with my steering system. As a systems safety engineer, I suspect defect in system and manufacture has yet to admit. Request assistance to force manufacture/dealership to investigate and determine problem.

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While driving at 55 mph vehicle spun out of control without warning, causing vehicle to hit the median. Dealer notified.

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Rollover. Truck was traveling on freeway at posted speed of 65mph. 8am, clear day, no rain, no other vehicles involved, driver alert and otherwise not impaired. Tires had been replaced per recall and had approximately 8k miles on them. Hit a piece of debris (more solid then tire pieces) in road which may or may not have blown out right, rear tire (unclear if cause of accident or during rollover). Truck then started to fishtail in the lane. Applied brakes (which did not lock up - good performance), also no skid occurred. The accident location was a freeway underpass, left lane with a guardrail very close to shoulder and was paved to the rail edge. As I was fighting for control, the front, left bumper hit the rail. Truck then rolled over twice and did an additional 180 deg turn. I very strongly feel that with the excellent road conditions, proper safety of the guard rail, relatively low amount of damage due to the impact itself, etc, that I should have been able to regain control of the truck and that the rollover was an excessive, dangerous reaction which should not have occurred. The cargo in the back bed was centered forward and combined with the items inside did not exceed 600 pounds + 125lb driver (well within specifications of truck). Bed had a dealer installed, fiberglass topper. I will give the car credit for keeping me safe during the rollover. I substained scratches, bruises, a sprained wrist, and bump on the head but was held in place very securely by the safety belt and seat. Gas tank also ruptured, spilling 19 gallons on roadway, but did not explode. Photos are available. I understand after talking to dealer management that the sport trac models are not suppose to have the rollover history of the enclosed Explorers but they obviously share the same stability problems.

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At high speeds vehicle shakes and will not stay in lane, and steering wheel is very loose. The consumer had rack and pinion installed, but it started leaking and become loose.

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2001 Ford Explorer sport-trac almost flipped over twice for no apparent reason. I was able to somehow re-gain control. We are more than lucky to be alive right now. . . Consumers need to know the truth. We did not!!!.

This problem started this year when raining. Today 9/16/00 in tampa FL. There is a hurrican approching I was getting supplies. The power steering locked up 2x as tring to return home in heavy rain. I called & took this vehicle immediately to autoway Ford in st. Petersburg who prevesiously noted this problem at last rain. [said manufacture defect] but did nothing or charge at that time. Now with a major hurricane approching!! they documented the problem & wanted to keep the car til Monday! I said no! storm to hit this area sun/mon. Morn, & I would be stranded> took car back home which is on the gulf. I am very frightened & will call the local news on this matter. It,s not just tires now with the Ford Explorer.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While driving on I-95 in florida in the passing lane all of a sudden had no control of steering. Car went out of control, flipped over into the grassy median , and was totalled. Had the vehicle towed to the insurance agency.

Power steering rack needed replacement in first week of operation. Power steering fluid was sprayed onto and into several other componennts. Hazardous condition. Environment contaminated.

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This vehicle has been in and out of the dealership for service issues with problems related to the steering capabilities. Technicians have blown foam in the a-pillers, added sound proofer, riveted the left floor pan, and not to mention, as stated on the service order, repositioned the floor mat, as a solution. The vehicle has a binding in steering between the steering column and something in the left front wheel. No one can seem to resolve the problem. I have also filed a complaint with the dispute settlement board, and at this time, have had no response. This problem has only worsened, and I feel it needs some attention before it becomes a major liability factor on Ford motor company, the dealership, and any other parties involved with this matter. What is the point of where enough is enough? or maybe I should get my insurance company involved along with a attorney. This is the point at which I'm at. I need someone to understand this vehicle has a problem, before someone becomes a statistic on the account of all of the problems that no one can resolve with this vehicle.

While driving at 55 mph went off the road into the ditch to avoid an animal and came back onto the road, and the consumer lost control and the vehicle flipped over.

Power steering failed. Yh.

When turning steering to the right or left, it makes a grinding noise and binds up. Dealer contacted and is aware of the problem. Cannot remedy the problm. Problem still exists. Extended warranty effective.

When driving in heavy rain through puddles, the battery indicator light comes on. The engine continues to run but the power steering ceases to operate and the windshield wipers sometimes fail. This lasts for approximately one to two minutes.

The steering makes a clicking noise and is loose at any speed when you turn the wheel in either direction. Dealer stated fix would be to grease steering column and bearing, however TSB stated do not attempt to repair, consumer stated the greasing did not help problem and is angry that dealer willingly sold vehicle knowing of this problem.

Have problem with a sloppy / loose steering that wonders and has 2 to 3 inches of play. The original steering and the 3rd which was a temporary steering did not have this problem but all of the new steering did. This play / sloppy steering has almost caused my wife with kids to loose control of the vehical. This also happened to me . The steering is pulled by the road differences and the wind and you must constantly correct the steering to stay straight. The original dealer replaced the original steering with a new one. The next few where replaced by a new dealer in another state. The new steering had the same problem but the temporary steering that was put in was fine. The next 2 went back to the loose / sloppy steering again. The new dealer( heritage Ford) will no longer replace the rack because he is unable to find the problem. I contacted Ford and they sent it back to the Ford dealer who stated that we shouild try another dealer to see if they can find it. I just want it corrected so it is safe to drive.

Attn. Nhtsa administrator-mr. Robert shelton: I am extremely concerned about the safety of my vehicle. In an effort to help in the investigation of the Ford Explorer - I would like to offer my vehicle to be used for testing. I would like to be compensated of course and this would allow me to purchase a safer vehicle for my family. The vehicles tested by dr. Dennis guenther's study of the "oversteering" condition were similar to mine. The four door (4x2) design has been chosen by dr. Guenther for reasons I don't dare wish to speculate. Although, it seems fairly obvious that my family and I are operating an unsafe vehicle. As a Ford Explorer owner, I encourage you to proceed with an investigation into rollovers associated with this vehicle. I have contacted Ford's customer relations department several times via e-mail and have gotten tracking/case id numbers in response. They are refusing to act upon a safety concern where lives are at stake. My vehicle is under warranty until October 2001 and I wish to exchange this unsafe vehicle. If my offer does not appeal to you then please offer me any suggestions that you feel are helpful to my cause. Sincerely, gary dennigmann/kim denigman/brent (05-09-96) & nathan (05-24-00).

Some of the rollover problems could be attributed not only to firestone tires but the steering which oversteers, is as sensitive as the power steering in the 1950 7 1960's. Suggest you look into this. This vehicle handles very poorly on wet roads and small puddles, it wants to go whereever it feels like. Suggest you look into this. Should also have the extremely high center of gravity looked at closely.

Driving on highway 70 mph swerved to avoid a tire in road car over steers, you must turn back the opposite way then you are out of control in that direction. Any sudden manuver you are out of control. I took the truck to Ford service they said "you have a short wheel base, that will get your attention".

My main concern is the inability to steer this vehicle. It wanders all over the road . If you happen to hit a bump ( like a lane reflector) it seems to be out of control momentarily. The vehicle has a distinct shimmy/shake. I have had the vehicle in the dealership at least 5 times(leaving it numerous days/weeks) they do not seem to be able to correct this. Their last suggestion was to file the lemon law. It seems to me that Ford should stand behind their product-but I guess only if forced to by some law. The reason I wanted to file this was to see if other persons were experiencing these same steering issues. I have never felt so unsafe driving a car before this one.

At slow speed when turning the steering wheel shakes and vibrates. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. However, dealer is unable to correct the defect.

Driver will lose control of the vehicle when making a sharp turn or on wet pavements at various speeds. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and has not been able to correct the problem.

Power steering makes noise. Yh.

While backing out of driveway there was a sudden loss of steering. Dealer has been contacted.