On Wednesday 2/5/13 I was driving on highway going about a constant speed of 55 mph. All of a sudden I see a warning pop up that says power steering assist fault and my steering wheel locked. Even to make slight curves in the road where extremely difficult. I barely had time to pull over on the side of the road in traffic before getting hit. Also, my turn signals were not functioning. I turned the vehicle off and the warnings went away. However as I started my route to get home the same thing happened again.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 10 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel and braking system seized and would not function. The contact shut the engine off and restarted the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle the steering and braking systems functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the steering unit would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel. In addition, there was an investigation under NHTSA action number: PE12017 (steering:electric power assist system) that could have been related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

I own a 2011 Ford Explorer, I have had numerous failures to the electronic power steering assist. First time this happened I was along at about 65 mph and the steering wheel locked up and the warning lights started flashing "traction control" "power steering assist failures". steering wheel becomes very difficult to move and steer car. This has happened 1/2 dozen times, each time I slowly steer the car to a safe stop turn off the car and restart the car and error clears out. This last time it occurred as I was turning left from a left turn lane when suddenly in the M idle of the turn my power steering locked up. Fortunately I was traveling at very low speed, but I was not able to steer car and went onto oncoming lane again I was fortunate not to hit anyone. However, this time the problem did not clear itself and the car is at the local Ford dealer for 8 days now. The service manager says its a gear and Ford does not have it in stock!!!

- Pembroke Pines,, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the power steering failed while the contact was attempting a left turn. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering performed as designed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the steering gear shift was replaced. The traction control warning light illuminated after the repairs. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the failure recurred two days later. The contact was then informed that the steering gear shift would need to be replaced a second time. The manufacturer was not notified of the recurring failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 8,500 and the current mileage was 9,500...updated 01/30/13 02/01/2013

- Highland Park, MI, USA

The power steering assist function turned off and the vehicle wouldn't steer. The traction control was also disabled at the same time. The occurred first in my driveway and then the next day in a parking lot at a local business. After turning off the car and restarting the issue was cleared from the computer and the steering resumed working. The vehicle was towed to the local Ford dealer for repair after the second incident. They are trying to find out the cause and make the repairs.

- Modesto, CA, USA

Pulling into a parking lot off of a highway power steering froze and was difficult to move. Turned vehicle off and on again but still had same issue and could not turn steering wheel. Turned power off, took key out of ignition and got out of vehicle. Went back in and restarted vehicle and steering seemed to be normal again. Dropped off at dealer the next day. It has been 10 weeks and it still has not been fixed, part on backorder and fearful of what will happen after it is fixed. Dealer and Ford regional customer service manager [xxx] tells me there is national back order on part. If this is the case this must be a big problem. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Newfoundland, NJ, USA

On the morning of September 25th, my wife was driving her 2011 Ford Explorer AWD limited to work and the epas power steering shut off. She was luckily close to work and not driving in any curvy terrain, and was able to park the vehicle with great exertion. I came out and switched cars so that I could drive it to the dealer. The epas was working again when I turned on the car. I brought it to the dealer where they saw the fault when they hooked the car to their system. As of today, 11/14/12, Ford still has possession of our vehicle, waiting for replacement parts.

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

While driving 50 mph, the power steering failed. The steering became extremely difficult. Warning lights appeared. After parking the vehicle, the engine was turned off. After waiting about 20 minutes, the vehicle was turned back on. The warning lights reappeared and the power steering still did not work. Once the car was put into drive, the warning lights turned off and the power steering was restored.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Driving on a mountain road, warning messages appeared - power steering assist failure and advance trac control fault. The vehicle lost all power steering assist. With much effort (extremely hard to steer!), I pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and shut it off. When I restarted, the power steering returned and after a few seconds the advance trac warning message went off. Took vehicle to Ford dealer (benson Ford easley SC). They found problem codes and performed a software update that Ford told them would correct the problem. One month later, on 6/18/2012, the power steering assist again failed. This time in my driveway. Again the steering assist returned after restarting the car. Took the vehicle again to benson Ford. Trouble codes were found and this time the fix was a new steering gear and rack assembly. Availability of the part was initially a problem but the dealer was able to locate a part two days later. The car has not had a recurrence to date ( 20125 miles) I consider this a serious safety issue as the effort required to steer the car without the assist is extreme and likely beyond the ability of some drivers.

- Seneca, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering fail warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle and it resumed normal funtion. Also, the contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the contact needed to wait until the part became available. The failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Centerville, VA, USA

Brakes make a grunting/grinding sound when braking shortly after being stationary. When this phenomenon happens on a downward slope, drive gets the feeling that brake effectiveness is reduced greatly. Owner has brought car to dealer a total of 4 times and was able to replicate noise one time.

- Bryn Mawr, PA, USA

Driving on the side street when steering wheel suddenly became very stiff after a very slight steer to the right making it impossible to steer. Warning lights appear on instrument panel. Turned off engine and re-starting enable steering again. Same incident happen again within a week, luckily I am driving on side street and same incident happen again. Never drove car on freeways for fear of losing steering control. Brought car to dealer the following day. Dealer said fix computer malfunction. The following day after dealer said they fix it, same incident happen with my wife driving. This time steering wheel does not move even after stop/re-start of engine. Dealer tow car to their shop.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Driving around a fairly sharp curve of 2-lane country highway with no shoulder and deep ditches at about 60 mph when car suddenly pulled to the right. Felt like I had a flat tire pulling me off the road. Looked at instrument panel and saw lights indicating power steering assist fault and loss of traction control. Very hard to keep vehicle on roadway, but luckily with no one behind me, I let my speed reduce as I assessed the situation. Got vehicle off the road and started reading owner's manual. After shutting the vehicle off for just a few minutes, I restarted it to find the dashboard warnings were cleared. Confirmation from the manual said that steering may reset after a restart. Power steering was restored. A call to the dealership resulted in them telling me it was probably just a fluke incident and to continue on my trip, but to bring it by the next day when back in town. When the dealership checked the computer codes, they would not release the vehicle to me because of its danger to drive. This was almost 2 months ago and they still cannot tell me when the part will be in for my vehicle repair. Ford tells them I am on a list, but can't tell them where on the list. Dealership claims there is no recall, but there is either a very long list waiting for this part or Ford can't figure out what is wrong and why it is failing in order to make them correctly. After waiting 4 months after ordering to finally get my vehicle, you'd think Ford would have gotten it right before letting them go out.

- Evansville, IL, USA

(my wife as on her way to our daughter's one month doctor's appointment. She had just began moving from a traffic light when a bunch of lights on the dash came on and the vehicle became very hard to steer (found to be stabili-trac errors and faulty electric power steering). She managed to get the vehicle onto the shoulder without harm. After reading in the owners manual, she found that with this issue, turning the vehicle off and then back on may "clear" the issue. It did take care of the steering issue and she was able to drive again. It happened again on the way home from the doctors. Ford looked at the vehicle and has ordered another steering assembly. The same fault has happened an additional four times since the first day. That is a total of six times. The local dealership has only been able to tell us that the part is on back-order because Ford engineers are working on a revised part to correct the issue. The last time this happened to my wife she had both children in the car and was attempting to merge onto the highway. Thankfully she was able to stay in an extended shoulder after the merge lane ended. Turning the vehicle has corrected the issue every time so far.

- Walkersville, MD, USA

While driving a warning light came on stating I lost power steering. I could not steer my car. I was able to pull over. I shut off my car and restarted it and power steering came back.

- Norwood, MA, USA

Intermittently, while driving, the advanctrak and terrain management system warning light illuminated, and the "service advanctrak" warning appeared. At the same time, the power steering failed to work, and the "power steering fault" warning appeared. The turn signals also stopped working during these episodes. This has happened 5 times since September 9, 2012, all while driving the vehicle, including yesterday. In all cases, I had to take the truck off the road and completely shut down the vehicle - upon restarting, the warnings disappeared and the power steering was restored. I have had the vehicle to the dealer twice now, with no issues found. I have a 3rd appointment with the dealer today.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

Power steering assist disabled and associated warning light enabled. Vehicle had been stopped with engine running and in gear. Disable occurred when I started to move forward. Problem corrected itself after turning off and restarting vehicle. Continued to drive vehicle. Occurred a second time, approximately 1 week later, while turning into a parking space. Power steering was again enabled by turning off and restarting engine. Parked vehicle in garage for about 1 week until it was driven to the dealer where diagnosis was steering gear needed replacing. No repair performed to date, approximately 3 weeks later. Reportedly the part is on back order.

- Lago Vista, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving approximately 2 mph in a parking lot hen an immediate loss of power steering occurred with the illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the electronic steering gear required replacement. The part needed for the repair was on back order and the vehicle was scheduled to be repaired when the part became available. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number PE12017 (steering:electric power assist system) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 36,458.

- Greer , SC, USA

As I was driving through the mall parking lot, power steering failed & several warning lights lit up. I was in process of turning when power assist failed and I almost struck a parked car. I turned the vehicle off and restarted (power assist was then working). I immediately drove to my Ford dealership where it was discovered I needed a new steering rack assembly. To the best of my knowledge, this incident is consistent with NHTSA case PE12-017.

- Madison, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would fail and cause the steering wheel to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they were aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 6,200 and the current mileage was 6,400.

- State Island , NY, USA