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
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Power Steering Assist Fault, " message was displayed after which the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle, before coming to a complete stop after driving into a small roadside ditch. The contact was able to drive the vehicle out of the ditch unassisted. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); the VIN was included, but the contact was informed that the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 134,000.
- Adairsville, GA, USA
My vehicles EPAS is failing. This happened while I was diving down the road. the Ford motor company is aware of the issue. In the past they did a CSP for the issue. That CSP has expired. The issue has not been resolved and they will do nothing to resolve the issue.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking lot, the power steering function became inoperable, and the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact was able to pull the vehicle into the driveway. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
- Cheyenne, WY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering assist also failed to operate as needed. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering was no longer functioning. The contact stated that prior to the failure the vehicle was experiencing a loss of power steering assist intermittently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
- Cheyenne, WY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more often. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
- Centerton, AR, USA
Power Steering just went out with no warning. Plus 3 other failures Service advance Trac Power Steering fault and Terrain Management Fault. All these occurred at the same time.
- South Dartmouth, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The blind spot sensors also displayed an error message on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the traction control and several other electrical systems failed intermittently. The contact stated that the message -??Brake Failure-?? was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with power steering braking sensor failure. The vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact stated that after the software update, the steering seized and was no longer operable. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the failure had called for the warranty coverage associated with the recall under Manufacturer ID Number: 15N01 (Steering), requiring that the gearbox be replaced. The contact stated that the warranty coverage had expired due to the mileage and year limitation. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
- Delray Beach, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving out of the dealer lot, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was diagnosed with steering gear and steering module failures. The contact was informed that the steering gear and the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 110,304.
- Snellville, GA, USA
While driving in the rain, I lost power steering and had several unrelated waring lights come on. Dash lights flickered. Engine continued to run normally but warning lights came on and off. I was able to drive to a safe location and turn the car off. When I restarted the car everything was normal including the power steering. This happened 2 more times on the 12 mile trip home. In the last 60 days this has happened 3 more times during a rain. On one of these occasions the steering came back on like normal with out me stopping.
- Port Huron, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with steering gear failure. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not eligible for coverage under the Customer Satisfaction Program: EPAS - Steering Efforts program. The contact was informed that the steering gear repair needed to be completed prior to the three unrepaired recall repairs being performed. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
- South Bend, IN, USA
The steering rack and pinion failed causing our steering wheel to lock while driving. This was a major safety risk/hazard for my family, me, and other drivers on the road. We lost all steering capabilities, something we'd never experienced before. This could have caused an accident leading to serious bodily harm and or fatal injuries to all involved. This problem has been confirmed by a Ford Dealership. The vehicle has been inspected by a Ford Dealership service team. There were no warning lamps or messages until after the vehicle steering locked up.
- Tampa, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking area, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering malfunction and tire sensor warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed rack and pinion and a failed passenger's side tire sensor. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion and the passenger-??s side tire sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,468.
- Chauncey, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering and 4WD suddenly failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The 4WD was independently deactivated. During the failure, the message "Service Power Steering" and "Service Power Track" were displayed. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 110,000.
- Columbus, KS, USA
Steering Fault Service Now" with no symptoms. Then, a minute later the steering locked up and ran myself and my two little kids off the road. Then when I turned my car off. I started it back up and then the steering was fine. Then 3 days later it locked up again driving down the highway. Thank God I was in the right lane and not the middle. It threw me off the road again. I'm scared to death of my explorer. I'm afraid to drive it now.
- Canton, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "Service Power Steering Now" message was displayed, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a Manufacturer's Extended Customer Satisfaction Campaign related to the power steering malfunction. The failure mileage was 160,000.
- Eastpointe, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
- Wentzville, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact used excessive force to pull to the side of the road. The power steering failure and Service Power Steering messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 114,401.
- Lebanon, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact stated that four unknown messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a power steering failure, but recommended no repairs at the time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
- Schenectady, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred several times; however, the power steering was reset independently when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The contact stated that after the last failure had occurred, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the failure description was like an unknown recall however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
- Naalehu, HI, USA
- Sautee Nacoochee, GA, USA