Gear steering assy problem. Stiffness in steering

- Hickory, NC, USA

A few times at slow speeds the 'power steering assist fault' light would come on and it was very difficult to steer. If the engine was turned off and back on, it would clear the issue. This last time it happened the 'service advancetrac' light also came on and the issue could not be cleared. The car was too difficult to steer and had to be towed to the dealership. All of these happened at slow speeds.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Our power steering system finally went out on our 2012 XLT. In fact, the wife was driving on the interstate with our two toddlers at 75mph when it went out. She pulled over and I had to meet up with her and drive it home (not easy). We would have been eligible for the recall if this happened 8K miles ago, but since we are over the 150,000 limit, I get to pay $1940 to get it repaired(getting repaired as this is typed). Its sad really, because when I was at 120K, I was having issues with the power steering and was hoping to get it replaced at the dealer, however at the time, they were "unable to replicate the issue" so no action was taken. I am disappointed, because it takes a complete failure (and endangerment to lives) for the recall to be initiated. I wonder if GM's ignition recall is the same way? I could repair it myself as its not too bad of a job, but due to being busy, it would probably take a week or two for me to do alone and this is our primary family vehicle. My service adviser has been nothing but helpful but have to say that I am disappointed in Ford approach to the failure of a major component of the vehicle.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

After starting the car while parked the 'service advance trac" warning came on. After driving approx. 100 feet the warning went away. There was a slight hardness in the steering at this time. That went away when the warning went away. This occurred on Nov. 10, 2017. The second problem occurred on Nov. 23, 2017. While parked overnight and all day in our garage I started the car and the "power steering assist fault'' warning came on. I could not turn the steering wheel at all. I turned off the engine and within 10 to 15 seconds I started the car again. No warning came on and the power steering worked O.K. I started the car again this morning and no warning or problem.

- Twain Harte, CA, USA

Power steering quit working in the parking lot. Has no power steering. Has had a software update to fix the steering and was told the steering needed replaced but the part was on back order and then was told the vehicle didn't qualify to have the steering rack replaced and now it has failed.

- Georgetown, OH, USA

Gear shift message - 'shift to park' after putting vehicle in park and ignition is turned off.

- Vernon, CT, USA

I was driving on an intersection that dashboard lights started flickering and the car indicated check manual and orange wrench came out... and all of the sudden car stop & I tried starting it but it would it was in the middle of nowhere... I was on 342 N. san fernando rd., los angeles, ca 90031 around 2:00

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

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.

- Fountain, CO, USA

Immediately after ignition is turned on, power steering failure light comes on and steering wheel can barely turn. Turn off ignition and back on again and it is gone. This has happened 5 times in the last 2 months.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the power steering assist suddenly failed and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the power steering was faulty. The contact indicated that the power steering assist software was updated in 2013, but the failure still occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Shaver Lake, CA, USA

Power steering on the vehicle has failed on and off. I find out tomorrow what kind of service bill I am going to be hit with when they attempt the recall. This recall has been around since 2014 and I was never notified of it! if this had happened while my wife was actually driving the car it could have caused a major accident!

- Herrin, IL, USA

Drove about 2 miles in the morning while turning onto the interstate ramp the steering locked up would not go over 30mph, SUV started to smoke while the temperature gauge never changed inside of the vehicle. Lucky to not have caused a major accident. After having vehicle towed, per the mechanic the computer system is fried, motor valves melted, and all spark plugs need to be replaced. This SUV is only a 2012 and should not have this major of problems when it has been well taken care of. Ford really needs to look further into this so this does not happen to someone else.

- Henryville, IN, USA

Takata recall I purchased this vehicle in January 2016, on October 22, 2016 while driving in elberton Georgia my car alerted me that the power steering needed to be serviced. About 2 miles down the road my turn signal wouldn't stay on when being used to turn. A few hours later when ready to head home I could not get my car to steer without major effort on my part. I am a mother of 3 and I refuse to put my kids in an unsafe vehicle. The issue has to do with the power steering control module and I was informed by Ford that they would not fix the issue at no charge because the recall 14S06 has expired and I had exceeded the mileage warranty by almost 3000 miles. I don't feel that I am responsible for the charges to get this issue fixed being as I was not aware of the recall. I'm not happy that I'm expected to cover charges on something I wasn't aware was a problem with my vehicle until the service alert appeared. This is my 1st Ford vehicle and I absolutely love it, however, if this is the customer service that I am going to receive I will not ever buy another Ford vehicle and I will not recommend anyone to purchase from Ford. I have been without a vehicle for 2 days as of right now, which makes it very difficult to get my kids to daycare/school and get to work. My husband has had to ask about changing his schedule in order to help me since I don't have a vehicle. Sincerely, unhappy mother of 3

- Winterville, GA, USA

Vehicle has been driving perfectly fine and out of no where it shows 2 warnings. One indicting to service power steering, and the other indictating to service advance trac system. The steering fluid is full and there are no damaged to the hose or power steering system. This is showing the same signs of the recalled Explorer yet this one has not been recalled.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

Vehicle has 66,000 miles. The service power steering now and advancetrac warning lights came on Saturday evening (9/10/16). Vehicle drove with no issues that evening. Sunday morning (9/11/16) the same indicator lights came on and the power steering did not work. Checked for leaks, fuses, etc. And no apparent issues. As dealerships were closed on Sunday, autozone ran diagnostics and showed zero error codes, even with warning lights on. This vehicle is not covered under the existing 2012 Ford Explorer recall regarding the same issue that seems to be occurring in the same year, make and model of car.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving at a low speed in reverse, the steering wheel seized completely. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the angle sensor and housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- East Moline, IL, USA

When I was driving my Ford Explorer 2012 on a busy highway (us 60), the vehicle suddenly reminded me that "power steering assist fault", then the steering wheel became inoperable, which put me in an extremely dangerous position. Very luckily, no accident happened; a gentleman stepped out his vehicle and told me to restart the vehicle; after that my vehicle become operable. This is the first time, "power steering assist fault" occurred in this vehicle, and it was completely unexpected during driving in a busy highway. It is a very dangerous fault!!! on Oct. 1st, 2014, this vehicle's "power steering control module" was reprogrammed, (2011-2013 Explorer, electric power steering reprogram pscm), at a Ford dealer. The fault occurred today appears an evidence that the "reprogram" did not solve the problem. Given a large number of Ford Explorer running on the road, I believe, this is a very serious highway safety problem.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

When we first bought the Explorer in 2012 the steering quit working on a hill and my wife crashed into a bank and a concrete light pole. Never was paid back for our insurance deductible plus now we have a wreck car not worth nothing even thought it was repaired. Ford did there update recall to the steering. All has been fine till April 2016. Twice it has showed a steering assist fault and the steering wheel wouldn't move. Luckily it was in the driveway. Ford can't look at it for a week so it sits in our driveway my wife is scared to drive it again and I don't blame her. So here we are again same problem which was suposabley fixed

- Rathdrum, ID, USA

I first reported an incident with the loss of power steering on March 24. I was told the problem was resolved by the dealer by replacing my battery? here it is 10 days later and another power steering assist failure. Vehicle was remote started from inside our home. 5 or more minutes later my wife got in the truck to find no power steering and the "power steering assist fault" error message on the dash.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

My wife first told me she thought she had a flat in the front tire because the steering wheel was pulling back and forth. She stopped to check, no flats. Restarted the vehicle and all was good. Later that week while driving her dashboard lights blinked including the traction control lights. (she wasn't sure what other lights illuminated) at the same time the power steering failed. The software fix had already been done for recall 14S06 last August. Took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the battery didn't have enough charge to run diagnostics? there was never any sign of a weak battery. I had no recourse but to have them change it. After installing the new one I was told no codes are present that would warrent any additional service. I am not confident at all that this vehicle is safe to drive.

- Wayne, NJ, USA