10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 17 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 69,354 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Power steering failure while in motion
- Newton, NJ, USA
Clunking in steering rack/gears while stationary and extremely wobbly at higher speeds. Clunking also when turning
- Twin Falls, ID, USA
Started car and pulled out of parking space and no power steering. Received "power steering sensor fail" notice on dash. Turned off car and restarted and was ok. Am concerned to drive as there is no specific recall on my VIN# for this however there is a recall on other 2011 Ford Explorer for this reason.
- Arlington, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the service advancetrac and power steering warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to rodman Ford (53 Washington St, foxborough, MA 02035, (508) 543-3333) where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it was not a safety concern because there was not enough mileage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 163,000.
- Franklin, MA, USA
Compliant on Ford Explorer 2011 steering problem; its highly dishonest and cruel how Ford is always selling cars to american people and saying that are the best in the market when in reality this cars (Ford Explorer 2011) have really high hazardous defects on its steering operation system. According to the reviews there has been multi car accidents due to this malfunction of the electronic device in the steering operations system. I research for any recalls on this issue because I own one of this kind of vehicles, but I found 0 recalls. I even tried by using my car VIN # to try to cross reference any potential recalls but I found 0 recalls on the internet. I find this a real cheap business practice from a real big american icon ''Ford Motor Company'' to do for business. I sure like for the federal government to take a position against this motor giant to correct this issue and compensate those who now suffer because of this issue and accidents was cause by it.
- Hidalgo, TX, USA
I was driving home going straight on a city street doing about 40mph when my steering wheel locked up power steering assist fault message came up on my instrument panel. I left of the gas and muscled the steering wheel to get to the side of the road. Other than a couple honks from people behind me there was no harm. I looked into the problem and noticed the recall, but when I came to your site to check for an open recall for the problem my vehicle did not have an open recall so the prior owner must have had the vehicle serviced. My question is if the same part fails again does Ford have any responsibility or is it completely my responsibility" also, how do I check to see when and where the recall was performed"
- Hanford, CA, USA
Lost complete steering while driving. The wheel wouldn't let me turn it at all.
- Camby, IN, USA
Loss of power steering assist several times since 2/2016 sporadically while vehicle in motion. I understand there is a recall related to this. It has happened at low speeds in neighborhoods or while pulling out of the driveway thankfully. Turning car off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning back on usually will reset and 'fix' this. The steering wheel gets so stiff that it can not manually be turned, with the most recent occurence almost resulting in an accident.≥
- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. Upon starting the vehicle, the steering ability became very difficult and the steering assist message displayed on the message center. After approximately three attempts to restart the vehicle, the steering wheel was finally able to be turned. The contact stated that the failure occurred at least twice a month for the past year. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
- Cape Coral, FL, USA
Power steering has failed recall should be sent out for 2011 Explorer 14S06
- Ellicott City, MD, USA
My electronic power steering(eps) has gone out 3 times. The first time the dealership supposedly fixed it according to the recall that was out. I was never notified in any way by Ford or the fird dealership that my SUV even had a recall. The eps has gone out 2 more times since the "fix" and the dealership claims there isnt a problem or that tire pressure is low and shuts off the system. Every time it has gone out it was while driving during a road trip. It seems as if you drive an hour or more the eps system shuts off doesn't matter if its city driving ir highway.
- York, PA, USA
Power steering fails with no warning dealer states no codes stored so cannot verify failure and therefor will not repair suspect Ford software is not recording codes to capture failure to avoid having to repair failing power steering system
- San Jose, CA, USA
While making a sharp left turn on a city street, the power steering failed causing me to lose the ability to maneuver the turn. Luckily, there was a parking lot straight ahead so I was able to steer with difficulty into that lot. I turned off the ignition, waited 30 seconds or so, and re-started the engine. I had no other issues and reached my destination safely.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
Power steering failure. Power steering failed while driving and caused accident. I was queens boulevard between 52nd and 51st street when it occurred. My video is too large to download.
- Woodside, NY, USA
My car has about 95K miles. Currently it is in the shop getting 2 things done. A part is ordered for air bag. I've had several airbag issues needed service. My biggest concern is the power steering unit. I bought the car new from diblasio in 2012 w/ about 7K miles on it. I have extended warranty from Ford. Sept 2016 the original power steering unit failed and was replaced. 14 months later the replacement has now failed and is being replaced! the warning light came on while my wife was driving on the highway. Thank god!!!!! the power assist did not fail or she could have been killed. When I started the car the next time there was no power steering. I had the car towed to dealer. I no longer trust this car. The ps unit is a critical part of the vehicle. I have never owned a car that had a similar problem once, yet twice. With the second time taking only 14 months to fail. I call Ford corporate and told them about the situation and that I no longer trust the car. Looking online, I see articles about a ps unit recall in the 2014S. I don't recall ever receiving a notice about my vehicle and only brought it in when it started acting odd in 2016. Ford asked me what I wanted them to do. At this point I said I no longer want the car and do not want to sell it to someone with what I know and fear. I thought Ford should buy it back from me at a reasonable price and I will get a different vehicle. I was put on hold for show and the person came back and said they were sorry there is nothing they can do and that any time there is a problem I should bring it to the dealer. I am disgusted with Ford and I don't know what my options are. I need help please. I fear anyone driving this car once I get it back tomorrow.
- Lagrangeville, NY, USA
My 2011 Explorer has experienced the steering problem in several occasions, most of the time when I'm making a turn on the street or trying to park the vehicle the steering warning light comes on and the steering wheel becomes really hard to move around. Most of the time I'm driving under 30mph but it's pretty dangerous specially when there's other vehicles around and you can control your own vehicle it has happened at least 7 times in the past year. I have checked for recalls on the steering system, but there's recall
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
2011 Ford Explorer exhaust leak everytime I go 60 or 70 mile perhour exhaust smell inside the car
- Camden, NJ, USA
Loss of power steering while driving some Explorer 2011-12 were recalled. Mine was not, however it has been determined to be the steering gear and the safety issue of concern. In retrospect why was mine not recalled. This occurred while my wife was driving on the expressway. The vehicle is now at the dealership waiting for parts. Repair estimate is $2000.
- Brownstown, MI, USA
Warning electric power assist came on in dash and was unable to steer
- Canada, KY, USA
- Eight Mile, AL, USA