Steering Is Tight Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

My steering wheel is getting hard toake turns and the steering wheel get stucks sometimes while making a turn. ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly; 4 - VIN corrected, error in one position only (indicated by ! in suggested VIN), multiple matches found; 14 - unable to provide information for some of the characters in the VIN, based on the manufacturer submission. #vpic#.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Wife was shopping in another city and steering locked up when she started it after being parked in a lot ,warning signals came on . Turned Explorer off and restarted car and drove fine and drove home 50 miles . Went to hockey game at an arena , came out and started car and steering was hard to steer ( no power steering ) but managed to drive home 2 miles and put in garage . Looked for power steering resevour and there was none under hood thinking low on fluid . Looked in owners manual and saw -- all electronic ! drove it to dealership next day ( weekend ) and parked it even though it was hard to steer . Googled this problem and saw all the same problems that others had with this steering gear ! went to dealer Monday morning and they checked it out and called me to tell me it was the steering rack that needed to be replaced at a cost of approximately $ 2500 and part had to come out of detroit and would take a few days to get here and then repair it . Called me yesterday and car was done ( $ 2395. 91 ) why no recalls ???.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I was stationary in a parking lot and started the vehicle to find messages steering assist fault service required, hill start assist not available, service advance trac, and terrain management system fault all displayed on the instrument cluster. There was no power steering assistance and the steering wheel was incredibly hard to turn. In the days leading up to the failure I noticed on a few occasions the steering wheel would not center after exiting a 90 degree turn and I would have to provide input to straighten the wheels. The electric power steering rack has failed and there are not even any parts available for this, nor does it appear Ford has acknowledge they have a widespread problem. .

I took my 2016 Ford Explorer XLT on Dec 29th 2020 to get a oil change etc. They had the vehicle all day even though I took it in at 7am. I pick it up a 4:45 pm then drive it home because I work from home I did not drive it again until Saturday Jan 9th 2021, while driving it that morning I realized that the steering wheel was hard to steer and the truck would make noises when I turn the steering in either direction. I took it in to the dealership that morning and asked the service consultant to take a look at it. He told me while my father was on the phone that he believes it the rack and pinion and he can't take it because they are busy and it's okay for me to drive it. I also told him at that time I am supposed to drive out of town and I won't be back for awhile so if there is a problem I rather leave it so it can be fixed. I have damaged on my c5 vertebrae so I can feel the hardness in the steering. He assured or dismissed me but he said it's fine. A few hours later the steering wheel seized up and the dashboard started making noise and the warning lights and messages started to displaying. It almost killed both my mother and I on the highway. If you know nyc highway you know there is no shoulders. When I pulled of the road the steering wheel locked up and I could not move it. I had to pay for the truck to be towed and a uber for myself back to the dealership and then paid for me to get home. Now they are telling me that I have to pay $2719. 81 for the rack and pinion repair and the also pay for the strut bearing to be repaired which they haven't given me the price for it because "it was too much to give me both price at once. " OH by the way, this is the same service consultant that told me it was fine for me to drive and almost killed 2 generation of my family at the same time. I am pissed!! now I see other customers complaining about the same issue on there SUV!!.

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel was extremely hard to turn. The contact needed assistance to get the vehicle off the roadway. The service power steering, traction control and power steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to jimmy michel motors, inc. (555 s elliott Ave, aurora, mo 65605, (417) 678-5001) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) and 14e001000 (steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was over the mileage and repairs were not covered. The failure mileage was 169,573.

See all problems of the 2011 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Tried driving my Explorer one morning and I had no power steering control, meaning the steering wheel was very hard to turn and I wasn't able to pull it out of car port being that said I search more about the issue online and found out that there was a recall for power steering loss. Contacted Ford to see if the could fix it due to the recall but customer service agent was saying my vehicle did not have any recalls according to the VIN of my vehicle, when clearly it has the same problem other vehicles with same issue and with recall letter have.

While driving noticed when making a turn at low speed sticky steering wheel and popping noise. Few days later when turning the wheel a grinding noise coming from the steering column. Became worse day by day, louder grinding noise turning the truck left or right driving at low speeds. When the vehicle sit for few days without movement and turn on to go drive it the steering wheel is stuck hard to move at first then when give it a bit of hard twist it breaks loose for driving but loud grinding noise when turning the wheel. It feels and sound as if the rack is bad or something.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

When I went to turn out of my driveway I noticed the steering got really hard to turn. Turning at corners the steering is hard and occasionally pulls back/jerks. ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly #vpic#.

Leaving my job in the morning I got a message on the dash saying power steering assist fault. I could not turn the steering because it was too hard. I turned off the car waited a few minutes and restarted the car and everything was ok. My mistake was to make a stop. After getting back in the car the message came back so I thought I could just wait a few minutes again. Thank god, I was parked at walgreens needless to say, power steering never came back. Took my truck to the dealer and they want over $2500 to fix it. I didn't get a repair invoice but I have the receipt with the description of the problem.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving in driveway at low speeds, the steering wheel was firm and hard to turn however, after shifting to park and restarting the vehicle, the steering worked as designed. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact called family Ford, inc. , (30 NJ-183, netcong, NJ 07857, (973) 347-3000) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The failure mileage was 77,022.

My 2013 Ford Explorer . I'm experiencing a lot problems when I doing turns left/right steering is very hard sometimes and it makes me very nervous I feel like I will crash the vehicle one if this days.

The steering makes popping and grinding noise when turning left or right. Also at times the steering is hard, there is resistance . I have to use two hands force-ably to turn. At fist I thought this was an isolated indecent but realize its getting worse over time. Was roughly around 65,000 miles when I first noticed popping noise. The vehicle has approximately 80,165 miles on it. The majority is highway miles.

When outside temp is below minus 5 degrees steering is hard, at slow speed steering locked had to jerk it to control. Above 60mph steering ok. Happened at parking lot speed (locking up) and below 60mph hard steering.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While driving on the highway the steering was sticking as I moved the wheel left or right. After a period of time the Explorer displayed the following message, "steering loss stop safely" and "service advance trac". At this point the vehicle's computer turned off the stability control and turn signals. I was able to reach my destination, but when I tried to drive the vehicle the following day, the computer displayed a message that there was complete steering failure and I could not get the steering wheel to budge. I called for a tow and it went to a Ford dealership. The contacted me later in the day and stated that the steering rack completely failed and that it would have to be replaced. The total cost of steering rack amounted to $2173. 75. My understanding is that Ford has recalled 2011-2013 and 2015-2018 models, but not my model year of 2014.

I was driving down the highway when I went to switch lanes and noticed my steering was tight and hard to bring back to the center when turning. My vehicle continued to have this issue with steering being tight and then the airbag light came on. I was worried about getting into an accident so I made an appointment to have the vehicle scanned and they said it was the electric power steering. Apparently this is a common problem and actually one that I found out by searching online many people have experienced. The issue was covered under a recall for 2011-2013 models and 2015-2017 model vehicles, but not for the 2014 model. The cost to repair is about $2000.

I was driving on Sunday, may 19th. My steering was fine when all of a sudden my dash started to light up. Power steering loss and then it said advanced traction fault. I don't even know what that means. So I tried to pull over and noticed I couldn't even move my steering wheel is was so hard to turn. I pulled to the side of the street and was able to get my vehicle towed into the repair shop down the street. They took one look at it and said there is an electrical fault with it and it is a recall on the Ford Explorer. So he gave me the recall number and I had the truck towed to the Ford dealership where I purchased my vehicle. They looked at it and said it's not part of the recall! even though my vehicle falls within the date range of being assembled and it is a 2013. The dealership will not cover it and now they want $2,430 to repair. I read the whole recall and my truck did what the recall said it was doing. I have had nothing but problems with the truck since the day I bought it. It was only 2 years old when I bought it and I had to bring it back a week later as the catalytic converter was bad. One & a 1/2 years later I had to replace the cc again and just last summer it is now on it's third cc. I am so tired of pouring money into this vehicle but I don't have a choice because it is bleeding me dry. Please help on this as it seems there are many Ford owners in the same boat as me. I have to put the $2,430 on my cc again and hope to get reimbursed for this recall. It's so sad that they will not admit that this truck is not what it was sold to be, a reliable vehicle. I will not buy a Ford vehicle ever again!.

On 5/19/20i was driving my Ford Explorer down the road 45 mph posted limit was driving fine then in motion my message center alert came on saying power steering fault service now my tryck has less then 80000 miles on it I managed to get it off the road to a parking lot aftering struggling to turn the steering wheel once I parked it I shut the vehicle off then waited 2 minuted before starting it when it came on the message alert came on but this time it saying power steering fault service now when attempting to turn the steering wheel it was very hard I managed it home and parked it till the nxt day Monday 5/20/19. I took it to the dealer and there telling me my VIN is not on the recall list for 2011 to 2013 Ford Explorer which it is experienceing the same problem and have to pay out of pocket over 1000 dollars which I dont have please help my manufacture dat was 3/2012 Ford my 2013 Explorer.

I was driving down the highway at approximately 65mph when I went to switch lanes and noticed my steering was tight and hard to turn toward the left. My vehicle then continued to have this issue with steering being tight to the point I was worried about getting into an accident. I stopped driving my car and made an appointment with Ford dealership. This is a common problem and actually one that I found out my sister had with her 2012 Explorer with the steering assembly or column. Her same exact issue though was covered under a recall and mine is not.

Steering is hard to steer. Feels like you have no power steering. Doesn't happen all the time just when you turn the steering wheel when driving slow. Also paint on the hood peeling off. Took to a garage for the steering and they say it's a known issue but no recall.

Bought this car from a dealership was told car was in great shape. Less than a week later steering started locking up and was hard to turn, the following day almost wrecked when vehicle stayed turning left when merging on the highway. We turned around and drove home and on every turn the steering was very hard had 2 near misses . I'm just glad my teenage driver wasn't behind the wheel. We haven't driven our car since and am very disappointed that we are to nervous to let it be driven .

Power steering failed. My 2014 Ford Explorer has 85,245 miles. Today I stopped for gas. When I re-started I got an error message "power steering assist failed". Steering was extremely hard. I am glad this did not happen yesterday when I was 250 miles from home pulling my small camper!! this is recalled on the 2013 & 2015 models, why not the 2014??.

Power steering went out when I was trying to make a left hand turn. Steering wheel was really hard to turn. The car slowed down also. Almost got hit by a car. The dash display said �powering steering fault�. Drove to dealer like this and paid $2279 to get fixed. Was told there were no recalls. Also, called Ford corporate and was told the same thing. They told me there was nothing they could do for me after I told them this should be part of a recall. They said hold on to receipts in case in the future there was a recall so I could get reimbursed. Mileage 77,033.

I was leaving to work and the steering was hard . The car was stationary , it marked power steering assault. Im pregnant and I'm afraid to crash while driving.

Electronic steering locks up while driving. Very dangerous. I believe the dates of the 14v286 campaign go beyond 02/28/2012 date of manufacture at the chicago assembly plan. I called Ford, and they said there was never a recall for my vehicle's steering. My problems match every problem I saw others reporting online. I believe that Ford is attempting to limit the dates of the issue. Because my steering is locking up and acts tight while driving and even when stationary, I believe this is a major concern and replacement of the steering unit should be covered. The Ford recall was 14s06. To reiterate, when in motion, the steering is tight and feels like it is locking up. It takes force to set free. I feel like I could die on the roads. Ford will not help.

Tl-the contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds the steering wheel was hard to turn and was making an abnormal grinding noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where informed that the power module needed to be replaced. The contact called a local dealer auffenberg Ford o'fallon located at 115 regency park, o fallon, IL 62269 (618) 632-0090. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to NHTSA however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000. Ap.

Shortly after merging onto the highway I started to feel resistance in the steering wheel. The steering wheel was "sticking". When I attempted to make slight adjustments to the steering wheel is felt as if it stick, then break free. It felt like I lost fine control of my steering. I got off the highway and while driving at slower speed I felt the same sensation. I could also hear what sounded like grinding noise when turn the wheel both left and right. The problem also generated aloud gringing noise. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was told that e steering rack was failing and would need to be replaced at a cost of $1900. The vehicle is 2013 Ford Explorer with 72,000 miles. I discovered that there was a recall for this problem on my make and model year but my vehicle was not covered under the recall.

While operating my 2014 Ford Explorer XLT, the steering was unresponsive and would seize up while driving around turns. Other times the steering while is extremely hard to turn while operating around turns on both city and highways. I believe the issue is with the electronic power steering.

I was driving my car on a highway when suddently I got two warnings displayed on my panel that said "steering fault / service now" "service advance trac. " about 5 minutes later the steering began to feel a little harder to move, but I made it home o. K. The next day, though, the steering wheel was almost impossible to manuever.

Power steering assist fault show up and the steering wheel is very hard to move. I start and turned off a couple times nothing happens. This is my second time this happen. The first time start working again but now have 2 weeks in may garage without be able of move the car.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer 🔎.

On two separate occasions while in park. . . Thank goodness. . My steeling wheel locked up where I could not turn the wheel right or left, or just slightly because the steering wheel was to hard to turn. The third occasion was while driving, vehicle in motion, and all of a sudden the steering locked up again. . . Luckily I was able to pull over and restart the vehicle and that seem to fix the issue. To me this issue seems to be a manufacture defect and not a simply wear and tear of the vehicle. I will be getting this issue fixed soon, as not to cause an accident, however I strongly recommend this issue be look into for the most important reason our safety, but I also don't think that we the consumer should be paying for faulty products because something with the manufacture was not done right or was not inspected further. First incident happen around may of 2017 to current.

During my vacation in July 2016, while driving on route 95 interstate, I noticed that the steering was getting hard to control. I continued driving and received a alarm on the dash stating that the traction control is now off, service needed. I proceeded to the first gas station and upon re-starting the vehicle, another alarm on the dash said power steering not working. I had no power steering. I had to be towed to a Ford dealer where they determined it was a bad gear in the steering gearbox and the entire unit would need replaced. Vehicle only has 40,000 miles.

Was driving and the steering wheel became really hard to turn and then on my screen of my truck a warning pop up saying ( power steering assist fault) so now my steering is very hard to turn.

We were driving to our new home from visiting family and picking up the vehicle. Driving down the interstate at 70+ miles an hour I noticed the steering was tightening up and seemed to be overcorrecting when I tried to stay in the lane. Finally the advance trac light came on and stated there was a steering failure. I pulled over to a rest stop immediately and turned off the vehicle. When I restarted the vehicle power steering was completely gone. Car had to be towed to nearest town where we were stuck for 4 days. Dealership ended up replacing the power steering gear.

I first encountered the problem on Monday June 08, 2015 as I was driving to work at the traffic light all of a sudden the steering was really hard to steer as I was trying to make a left turn I had to use all of might to make the turn very scary. I was able to drive my car home after work that night, everything okay till Wednesday, June 10, 2015 @ 7-8am, driving to drop my kids off to school and work, as I was a making a left turn it happened again, but worst it was busier day, 2 error message came on about steering assist and trac advance message, and 2 lights came on dashboard with a car and 2 wavy lines (road) 2nd picture was the same with the word off. I had to use all my might and drive slow to turn into the school turned the car off and on hoping lights will go off, still the same call my boss let her my car issues and that im running late. I called Ford service dept, I was told to the bring car in immediately not safe to drive but it will cost me to tow car. I drove car in that night myself, Thursday pick up rental, Friday -06/12/15, I received a call from Ford saying part will cost me 1500. 00- 2000. 00, not including labor. Outrageous its a electrical problem Ford should fix it free, but no per rep, let him know what I want to do on Monday rental will be on my own after that. Wow, first my rental I have to pay for upgrade it was not same size as my vehicle, family of 6(including my blind, disabled wheelchair father) who we care for, Ford still wont cover for a car same size as my car. I was told I need to take care of the difference for rental upgrade if I want a bigger car. So, ive decided I dont have that kind of money so I will pick my car up on Monday, June 15, 2015 and hope and pray that I wont get into an accident because Ford will not work me. My option is to trade my car in for another car and spend more money. Very disappointed in Ford!!!!!.

While driving on a highway, my steering began to feel tighter and tighter, with the wheel harder to turn. Soon it began to require a "push" to make the movement of the wheel begin. I pulled off the highway and the dash alerts came on. One said, "service power steering now" and one indicated that the traction control function was off. The manual said I should shut off the engine and it would reset these. Instead, the steering locked entirely. No dealers were still open the night before thanksgiving, so I took the vehicle to a shop I've used. They didn't have the computer hookups necessary so I towed it again to another shop. They "cleared" the codes, and found the vehicle did not misfunction again. They alerted me to the recall, Ford's #14s06 this recall included explores made between may of 2010 and februaryl28, 2013. My Explorer was made very soon thereafter, within days, in fact. Given that timing and the facts that indicate that my vehicle suffered the same defects the recall addresses, I feel my vehicle repair should be covered by Ford motor company. Ford motor company and the local dealer advise me that since my vehicle is not within the parameters of the recall, there is nothing they can do for me. I hereby submit my petition for an NHTSA investigation into whether Ford has met it's obligations in this matter. I hereby request the recall management division of the NHTSA to ensure that the scope of the recall [Ford #14s06] is adequate. I feel the scope fell short, in my case, by a few days, leaving my vehicle dangerously unprotected. I cannot repair this defect myself. There is no diagnosis available for me. The defect may be in the sensor, or in the power steering control module, or in the steering "rack". The local Ford dealer advises me that there are no "racks" available at this time anywhere. The NHTSA is my only hope.