Steering Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

On the highway it was raining heavily, and my 6 years old was in car back seat. Suddenly wipers stopped working, steering wheel wasn't working, indicator was not working, I was getting multiple warnings on my screen. We would have ended up in a major accident.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Power steering doesnot work , steering was hard also antilock brake failure.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving into a parking lot at approximately 20-25 mph, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The message "power steering assist fault" was displayed after the failure. The contact was able to continue driving and pulled into a parking space, where the vehicle remained overnight. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repair. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph in the rain, the awd disengaged and the vehicle started sliding. The contact attempted to correct the vehicle but crashed into a lamppost with the rear driver’s side door. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The failure mileage was 187,307.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, with the power steering fault message displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving at slow speeds. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer 🔎.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the exterior b-pillar trim on the side of the vehicle became detached while the vehicle was being driven. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured by a Ford dealership, the vehicle's security system malfunctioned, the tailgate would not open, and the vehicle would not shut off normally. The trim piece is currently taped in place. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the trim detached while I was driving and was flapping against the vehicle. There was a risk that the part could have completely separated from the vehicle and struck another vehicle, pedestrian, or object in the roadway. I was also distracted while attempting to manage the situation and find a safe place to stop. Operating a vehicle with components coming apart created an unsafe condition for me and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes. A Ford dealership observed the detached trim and temporarily secured it with tape. The trim was later repaired; however, the same component has detached again, demonstrating that the problem has recurred. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? the component was inspected by a Ford dealership, which temporarily secured the trim and later repaired it. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, to my knowledge. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? there were no warning lamps or messages before the b-pillar trim detached. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured, the vehicle began exhibiting additional symptoms, including a malfunctioning security system, inability to open the tailgate, and failure to shut off completely.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

My 2014 Ford Explorer experienced a serious electric power steering failure. While driving, the vehicle displayed “power steering assist fault” and the steering became extremely difficult to turn due to loss of steering assistance. I was driving with my child in the vehicle when this occurred. I believe this created a potentially life-threatening situation. If I had needed to make an emergency maneuver or avoid another vehicle or obstacle, I may not have been able to control the vehicle normally. I could have been killed and my child could have been seriously injured or killed. The power steering control module was scanned and produced these dtcs: u3000-96 – control module: component internal failure; u2011-49 – motor: internal electronic failure; u3000-49 – control module: internal electronic failure. I replaced the battery with a brand-new battery and replaced a corroded epas fuse, but the steering remained extremely difficult and the problem continued. The vehicle is currently at howell Ford in [xxx]. I have been given an estimated repair cost of approximately $2,700 plus tax. The repair has not yet been authorized. I previously contacted NHTSA and received request #xxx, concerning “2014 Explorer electric power steering failure / matching epas dtcs. ” I am concerned this may be a safety-related defect and may be related to electric power steering failures reported on other Ford Explorer model years. I am requesting that NHTSA compare my vehicle, symptoms, and dtcs with other Ford Explorer epas complaints, investigations, recalls, and manufacturer information and determine whether the 2014 Explorer requires further safety review. I can provide the VIN, diagnostic scan, photographs, dealership information, and repair estimate. This was an actual loss of steering assistance, not merely a warning light, and occurred while I had my child in the vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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Steering simply shutoff and locked up while driving. I seen there's a recall on 2013 Ford exploers but not for 2014 even though its the same problem. Now im without a vehicle and it will be a expensive repair.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering wheel had seized due to the electric power steering failure. The contact was informed that the electric power steering and abs module needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Car has a history of showing a p07ae-09 code in the power steering control module. When the code logs in the computer the car loses power steering assist while driving causing the steering to be hard to turn. Upon researching the cars recall work we seen that the car had the power steering control module software updated but no steering gear changed. My wife and children ride in this car and I'm afraid that this is going to cause a serious accident.

See all problems of the 2011 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Intermittent locking of steering wheel while driving for about 8 months. Now it has complete loss of power steering. [xxx] says service advance trac and complete steering loss pull over safely. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? yes how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? yes: while driving on [xxx] at highway speed, my vehicle suddenly began to swerve, causing a significant loss of steering control and creating an unsafe driving condition. Concerned that I had experienced a flat tire, I immediately pulled over to inspect the vehicle. Upon inspection, I found that none of the tires were flat. Believing it was unsafe to continue at normal speed, I proceeded cautiously and drove the vehicle slowly to my service center for diagnosis. After examining the vehicle, the service center informed me that the rack and pinion steering assembly was the cause of the problem I experienced. At the time of the incident, I had an extended warranty/service contract that provided powertrain coverage. However, I was informed that because the rack and pinion system in my vehicle is electronically assisted, the repair was not covered under the terms of the policy. Given the sudden loss of steering control and the potential safety risks involved, I am seeking a review of this matter by your team. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? yes, by insurance agent who declined my insurance claim. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no prior symptoms. Approximately first week of September 2026. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2011 Ford Explorer, VIN [xxx]. After recently filling the vehicle with fuel, I went to drive it and received a “power steering assist fault” message on the dashboard. The vehicle then lost power steering assistance, making the steering extremely difficult and requiring significantly more effort to control. The vehicle was inspected by a repair shop, and I was advised that the power steering/steering gear requires replacement at an estimated cost of $2,126. 43. Because of the loss of steering assistance, I believe the vehicle is unsafe to drive and presents a serious safety risk, particularly during turns or emergency maneuvers. I understand that Ford previously recalled certain 2011–2013 Ford Explorers under NHTSA recall 14v-286 (Ford recall 14s06) for a defect involving the electric power steering gear that could result in loss of power steering assist. The symptoms I am experiencing appear very similar to the defect described in that recall. My vehicle does not appear to be covered by the existing recall based on its VIN. I am requesting that NHTSA review my vehicle and this failure to determine whether it should be included in the recall or whether additional action is warranted. I can provide the VIN, repair estimate, diagnostic information, photographs, and any other documentation needed. Thank you for investigating this potentially dangerous safety defect. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Approximately 3 years ago, while driving my 2016 Ford Explorer on a [xxx], warning chimes sounded and a power steering/steering assist fault message appeared. Electric power-steering assist then stopped functioning and the steering became extremely difficult to operate. I slowed down and was able to maneuver safely off the freeway. I shut the vehicle off, opened the driver’s door, waited approximately 45 seconds and restarted it. Normal steering assist returned. Shortly afterward, I took the vehicle to oakdale Ford in oakdale, CA and reported the problem. I was advised that further diagnosis/investigation would involve approximately $5,600 in costs. I declined due to the expense, and no repair was performed. The cause of the failure remains unknown. The vehicle remains available for inspection. During the approximately 3 years since, the vehicle has unexpectedly lost electric power-steering assist at least a dozen additional times, at different speeds and on different types of roads. Sometimes warning chimes/messages occur without loss of assist; other times assist is actually lost. Shutting the vehicle down, opening the driver’s door, waiting approximately 45 seconds and restarting has restored steering assist each time, but the problem later recurs unpredictably. I live in a mountainous area and regularly drive narrow, winding roads with steep drop-offs and limited or no guardrails. Sudden loss of steering assist while negotiating a curve makes the vehicle significantly harder to control and creates a serious risk of leaving the roadway. No crash or injury has occurred to date. The failure is intermittent, unpredictable, repeatedly occurs while driving, and has not been repaired. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The steering rack limiter on the passenger side dislodged itself and got caught on the rack and pinion teeth causing my wheel to get stuck.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I was driving at 65 mph on the highway when the light for the steering came up and the power steering shut down. I had a hard time to turn the steering wheel until I was able to exit the road. I shut the car down and restarted and everything was ok, but there is a problem because the light came up again. More cars with same problem.

This is a 2013 Ford Explorer experiencing the exact catastrophic power steering failure described in recall 14s06 / 15s18. The rack has failed twice, creating an immediate crash hazard. The current recall parameters are inadequate as they exclude my VIN despite identical component failure. Not only is this an immediate crash hazard, it is difficult to find any mechanic or dealership to remedy this problem because it is a major part with heavy labor. I have been sidelined and quoted high repair fees for a repair that should be covered as Ford admitted to the design flaws in the electrical steering, however restricting who actually gets protection from it. I feel this is reckless and greedy of Ford to do this. The failure to the electric steering went out while I was driving and I was unable to turn or control my steering, it is deeply frustrating this is a known issue that I was completely unaware of. I feel that Ford is not a good company to purchase from and their products are not safe for drivers. I'm posting this so others are warned that safety is not a priority with Ford and to shop with a brand that cares about safety and integrity for their consumers and families.

The power steering has fully stopped working , the car cannot be steered, this started to happen on the road, I had to steer the entire weight of the car myself, at fast speed it was difficult but not impossible, at slow speed and zero speed or while the vehicle is stationary it was impossible or unmovable to steer. There were no warning lamps about this, the Ford dealer has not detect this in my vehicle's previous recall, further vehicle has two more recalls this year, that have been cited this year by the dealer. This needs to be addressed on their recalls because this can cause a very severe problem on the road.

Begin with cliff, I was not wanting to lock or locked or start the vehicle as I was driving. I stopped at the light vehicle started shaking, and as I drove through the light to pull over power steering assist failure, terrain, failure, and control failure.

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On Friday 7/24/2026, I was driving and all the sudden my steering went out. Dash flashed no power steering assist / advantrac system fail. I pulled over immediately to turn around & get home with zero power steering. The amount of strength to steer/control was extreme. To turn was almost impossible. I took my car to Ford autonation on arapahoe in centennial on 7/27/26, they ran full diagnostics & it came back that the car suffered a hard internal failure (dtc u3000) of the electronic power steering control module, creating an immediate, dangerous loss of steering assist while driving. This vehicle was subject to federal safety recall 14s06 (NHTSA campaign 14v286000). According to official Ford oasis data, Ford attempted to remedy this safety defect in 2014 using a software reflash shortcut (labor code 14s06a) rather than replacing the physical defective hardware. I have a text (via their service dept) from the service manager as well stating "it was a reflash" when I asked which labor code was done under the 14s06; "was it the software reflash or the full rack replacement?". I have a formal case with Ford corporate created 7/31/26, and have that number as well. Ibecause Ford's software patch completely failed to prevent the component's internal hardware failure, the original federally mandated safety defect remains active, unresolved, and dangerous in this chassis. Ford corporate is refusing to honor the recall remedy because the vehicle is past an arbitrary 10-year limit on their internal customer satisfaction extensions, violating the permanent nature of safety recalls. I stated I would be filing with the NHTSA and they pushed my information on to the safety auto office on 7/31/26.

Abs module has failed. Causing a number of other safety systems to be deactivated. Power steering, traction control, drive mode selection, and braking. All these lights are illuminated on dash. Independent auto repair shop verified this abs module has failed and there is no replacement parts from Ford.

Loss of power steering assist . Yes it is available for inspection on request. I can't steer it . It has not been confirmed by anybody yet. It has not been inspected by anybody yet. There are no warning lights on dash .

Same issue as in recall 14s06. However, I do not see this recall under my VIN, nor has this vehicle been repaired in the past for this issue. I was hoping that possibly the recall doesn't show up because it was established in 2014. I just want to get it corrected, as the electric power steering is disabled.

Sudden and complete loss of power steering assist while vehicle was in operation. Vehicle became extremely difficult to steer, creating safety hazard for driver and child passenger. Inspection revealed 150a epas mega fuse, part #l0114875aa, was melted due to electrical short in power steering control module. This is identical to the defect described in NHTSA safety recall 14v316000 / Ford 14s06. Fire risk confirmed by melted/burned fuse condition. Photos of failed component attached. Component is available for inspection. Ford customer service denied assistance under recall 14s06 on 07/10/2026, claiming vehicle was not covered despite physical evidence of the exact defect described in the recall. Vehicle manufacture date is 06/2014. Ford technical service bulletin 15-0082 acknowledges some 2014 vehicles may still have defective modules installed. Vehicle is currently inoperable. Owner has dependent child with medical therapy appointments requiring reliable transportation. Current mileage approximate as vehicle cannot be driven. Request immediate NHTSA investigation and enforcement under federal safety law 49 usc 30120.

When going around a curve the steering wheel is sticking on the right. I have to tighten my grip on the wheel and manually straighten the wheel. This happened to me several times today on my 50 min trip. This was very frightening to me making me scared the wheel would stick and I have no control of the car while driving. I purchased this car on sat June 27. It just started today July 3. I am planning to take it back to the dealership on Monday.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 80 mph, the steering wheel was abnormally loose, and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The brake pedal was depressed several times, and the vehicle stopped. No warning lights were illuminated. A driver nearby assisted with stopping traffic to allow the contact to drive the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was inspected, and the other driver became aware that the rear tires were completely bald. The vehicle was taken to discount tires, and the contact was informed that the failure was because of the rear suspension. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 26v101000 (suspension) in March 24, 2026. In addition, the contact was informed that an alignment was not performed because the alignment machine was unavailable. The contact had not been informed that the recall repair was completed. The dealer informed the contact that an alignment had been completed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,419.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making turns, the steering wheel made loud grinding sounds and was loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

Hello. I purchased my car in 2018. 2-3 years later, the power steering would randomly go out while driving - on the highway and city roads. This could happen once and then not again for 6+ months. When this happened a message would display about a "steering assist fault, service now". I found that if I pulled over, turned the car off and then on, it would generally work again. We had the vehicle in to 3 separate repair shops between 10/2022 and 10/2025 and no one could diagnose the issue as they needed it to replicate the condition. (in hindsight find this strange (concerning!!) as a simple google search shows what I am describing is a very common issue with a number of Ford models and also other vehicles. ) in June 2026, while on vacation with my family (on a mountain) it happened again. We turned the car on and off several time, disconnected/reconnected the battery and could not get the car to start working again and this time the steering wheel was completely locked. We had the vehicle towed and rented a car to drive home. The dealership was able to diagnose and repair the issue by replacing the entire steering rack assembly. No issues since then.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the "service power steering" message was displayed. The contact pulled into a parking lot, turned off and then restarted the vehicle. The failure persisted, and the power steering feature failed to operate as needed. While in reverse, the back over prevention camera display the "service camera - take to dealer" message on the screen. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was a recall for the failure, NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 237,000.

After getting my vehicle from the dealership my steering wheel was hard to turn , took it in and they replaced the struts (the old struts were binding). 6/7 days later the same thing happened with the steering wheel. They had said it was a switch in the power steering and there was a safety recall and I would have to take it into a Ford dealership. When I had called to make my appointment there wasn’t a recall and I called the Ford company and they said the same thing.

This 2015 Ford Explorer XLT - the power steering goes out. Multiple times. No recall with many many of these vehicles reporting to have the same problem. I was 200 miles away from home when this happened. The steering becomes extremely stiff and jerks. Making it very dangerous.

The electronic power steering failed yes its available for inspection my child and my safety were put at risk when I warning came up and said "steering loss, stop safely" and the steering wheel was locked. The problem was still there when it was brought into Ford service center nothing prior to the warning.

While my granddaughter was driving our 2019 Ford Explorer, the steering effort suddenly increased without warning, as if the electric power steering assist stopped functioning. She was traveling at approximately 45 mph on a public road and was unable to steer normally. The sudden loss of assist caused her to nearly leave her lane and almost resulted in a collision. This vehicle uses an electric?assist rack?and?pinion steering system. There were no warning lights or messages before or during the event. Road conditions were dry. After the incident, steering remained abnormally heavy/intermittent. It isn't as though it mimics an old school vehicle without power steering, where it simply requires a good deal of strength. With this situation, if you work hard to make a correction, the car suddenly pulls further quickly in that direction, or in the opposite direction in a very jerky manner. The failure occurred without any prior symptoms and created an immediate loss?of?control hazard, especially for younger or smaller drivers who cannot overcome the sudden increase in steering force. It basically feels like it is locked up. I am reporting this because the failure was sudden, unannounced, and nearly caused an accident. This appears to be a malfunction of the electric power steering assist system, and it presents an unreasonable safety risk. On a related note, I am the director of quality for a manufacturing facility and have conducted hundreds of formal risk assessments during product design. A sudden, unannounced loss of steering assist represents a high?severity, low?tolerance safety hazard. In my professional opinion, this failure mode warrants an accelerated investigation.

Nhtsa complaint: VIN [xxx]: transmission cooler (part 7869) ruptured, mixing fluid/coolant into corrosive glycol-acid in violation of ssm 52917. Contamination dissolved wiring insulation and delaminated clutch plates, causing systemic short circuits and can-bus load-shedding. Boiling fluid released toxic glycol/hydrocarbon vapors through hvac ducts into the cabin without notice, creating an inhalation hazard. Vehicle available for inspection at south bay Ford (bar #xxx; captive 93 days). Risk: on xxx short circuits caused complete power steering assist dropout mid-transit. Steering locked during a turn, causing a crash into gate posts, endangering my minor children inside. Cabin chemical vapor inhalation caused respiratory tract irritation, dizziness, and headaches. Open recall hazards remain for visibility loss (recall 26s14) and rollaway (recall 26s48 parts backordered to 2027). Confirmation: contamination, a -1,212-mile odometer fraud discrepancy, and bricked electrical starting systems confirmed by dealer records xxx. Admitted unauthorized repairs to mask trouble codes and evade ssm 52917 confirmed in writing by service director [xxx] xxx, violating CA bus & prof code 9884. 9. History: tracked under Ford rav buyback #xxx, corporate escalation #[xxx], and CA bureau of automotive repair investigator [xxx] (case #xxx). Total statutory loss is $54,628. 75. Symptoms: transmission drops began xxx (42,319 miles). Dealer cleared codes and coerced 500 extra miles. Xxx alerts included "powertrain malfunction" loops. Telematics registered false "vehicle is on" loops. On xxx, dealer blocked diagnostics via a manufactured battery charge demand exactly 24 hours before federal recall 26s48 launched. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

As I was backing my 2013 Ford Explorer base model out of my garage I heard a pop and then my steering started making a grinding/dragging noise. When I pulled onto the street I noticed that my steering wheel would "stick". I went a short distance further down the road and it seemed to stop sticking. When I went around a curve towards the left, my steering stuck again and it was harder to get it to "unstick". I returned it back to my home and parked it back in the garage. I see that there is a recall for the steering on the 2013 models, but my VIN is not included in this recall. This is a huge safety hazard and could put me out of work, as I care for and transport autistic individuals. This vehicle and my job are my livelihood and this needs to be corrected/recall issued on all of the 2013 models since they all seem to be having similar steering issues. Vehicle has not yet been inspected. Vehicle is available for inspection on request.