Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
Steering
Ford Explorer Steering problems by year
2,512 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.
Steering complaints by model year
Steering recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can...
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the two bolts that attach the steering gear assembly to the frame may have been over-tightened. This condition could result in one or both of the bolts fracturing, causing the steering gear to become loose.
The inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds.
Covers1995 Ford Explorer
Latest Explorer steering complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled over to the roadside, where the steering wheel completely seized. The vehicle was parked and left unattended. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was previously included in a recall prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not longer covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Estaba estacionado poniendo gas a mi exprorer y cuando la encendí el volante se puso muy duro y me marco el código P07AE-09 y también apareció falla en el sistema de dirección asistida.
Out of nowhere the steering assist quit when i turned on the car in question on to go work in the morning. Luckily for everybody it did not happen while on the road like many of the cases i have read about. Now i'm facing a $3,000 bill to repair a very common problem Ford refuses to recall.
My steering wheel suddenly became really loose causing the control of the vehicle to be really difficult and it make a very loose hollow noise.
My steering wheel is turning 360 degrees. My tires are not always turning with the steering wheel. This may become dangerous and would like to know if the 23S63/2023-678 recall is affected with my 2018 Ford Explorer? If it is not affected with the recall above could this be considered a recall? Thank you.
Power Assist Steering fails and becomes very difficult to turn the steering wheel, requiring much force to initiate a turn and requires just as much force to disengage/return the steering to a straight ahead direction. It cuts out unexpectedly and often. Dealer has examined and says cannot be repaired without replacing the whole steering shaft, gear and rack as well as the tie rods. Vehicle only has about 80,000 miles and steering rack and gears should not wear out this soon.
Power steering doesnot work , steering was hard also antilock brake failure
on the highway it was raining heavily, and my [[redacted]] 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. 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 [[redacted]] 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...
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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)
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.
Intermittent locking of steering wheel while driving for about 8 months. Now it has complete loss of power steering. [[redacted]] 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)
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...
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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.
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.
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...
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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 [[redacted]]. 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 #[redacted], 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)
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.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data