Ford Explorer 2012 with vibration and grinding sound in the steering column and loss of all steering. Initially infrequent however after two years the occurrence is common at all speeds and road conditions. I have experienced sudden and temporary loss of all steering on the interstate highways. I took my vehicle to three separate Ford dealers four times for this problem. I was told by the service adviser there were no diagnostic errors and the problem could not be replicated in a test drive by the service technician. When I returned to my local Ford dealer in may, 2014 I brought website reports of other drivers experiencing steering gear failure in their 2011 and 2012 Ford Explorer. This vehicle is currently waiting at the Ford dealer (over two weeks) for replacement parts.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

On three different occasions within the last month the power steering fault assist has gone off. Twice while driving and once when first staring the vehicle. I took it to the shop and they drove it for a few days but can't fix the problem unless something is recalled or the problem happens while they have the vehicle. This is to dangerous of an issue to happen while driving when my two small children are in the car.

- Pearland, TX, USA

While driving down the interstate my power steering went out. It was very hard to maneuver my car to the exit ramp and almost impossible to turn on smaller streets.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

This is the second incident with the steering assembly. In August of 2012 my power steering failed and the steering assembly was replaced after a two month wait for parts. (first clue there was a serious problem) it was repaired and 6 months later it has failed again. I am a police officer and we have purchased Ford Explorer as patrol vehicle. I have written a letter to the police association with my concerns about officer safety issue. When is NHTSA going to step up to the plate and recognize the serious safety issues with this flaw. This problem could have been buried years ago, but with social media the problem is exposed. Your credibility as an investigative body is certainly at question. The fact recalls were forced on Toyota and you blatantly ignore the issues with Ford is an integrity issue with your abilities to be impartial. My neighbors lost a 4 year old son in the old Chrysler mini van issues with the rear latch problem. It was uncovered that Chrysler was aware of this problem and was exposed by the media. Dealing with Ford head office gives me the impression that they are not concerned about customer safety or my concerns. I wonder how they were so empowered. There are many articles since 2012 about NHTSA investigating this issue. Influenced by corporate power or an inept investigative body. I think both.

- Caledon East, ID, USA

My wife was driving our 2012 Ford Explorer down the highway when the steering went stiff (power steering went off), causing the vehicle to swerve into the other lane, after which the terrain management system fault light came on. I happened to be in our other car following directly behind her and was able to watch the incident happen. She immediately slowed down and steered the vehicle to the side of the road. I switched vehicles with her and drove the Explorer to our house, with no additional trouble. After restarting the vehicle, the fault light was no longer on. Our vehicle is at the dealer now, and they could not find any issues. I did a google search and found this webpage, which clearly shows that this issue is wide spread and could easily cause a fatality: www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2012/Ford/Explorer/steering fortunately, my wife was only traveling 45 mph and there was no other vehicle in the other lane when the car pulled out of the lane. We have not received a safety recall for this issue yet, but we recommend NHTSA contacts Ford immediately to inquire on what they are doing to identify the defect and implement an immediate solution. This issue, if not corrected, may result in a fatality - especially if the vehicle is being operated by a young, elderly or distracted driver.

- Fort Benning, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph the power steering suddenly malfunctioned making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The contact indicated that the disabled air bag and disabled traction control sensor lights illuminated during the incident. The vehicle was turned off and back on several times in order to correct the defect. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 51,805.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel left or right, a grinding noise was heard without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 44,000.

- Rock Port , MO, USA

While traveling 70 mph on a highway steering wheel locked up, power steering assist light and traction control lights started flashing. Vehicle began to swerve as brakes were applied. Was able to coast off of highway with much effort and pull into a parking lot to call for assistance. Vehicle taken to dealership. Originally told it "sounds like a sensor has gone bad." Notified today that rack and pinion assembly must be replaced for an approximate cost of $2300. Basic warranty has expired and this is not covered under power train warranty. This vehicle is only 2 years old!!! also notified that there is a recall on the sync system that I was never made aware of. Have had this particular vehicle in the shop 5 times since I got it but can't afford to replace it!

- Friendswood, TX, USA

May 2013 (13490 miles) was driving 30 35 mph power steering went out, traction control light went on, I turned off and restarted. All was ok. Took to dealer and dealer replaced the steering rack December 23,2013, (21173 miles) was driving 40 mph power steering went out, traction control light went on. Would not reset by turning on and off. Drove to dealer with no power steering and dealer reset computer and sent me on my way. January 17,2014 (21808 miles) was driving 35 mph power steering went out, traction light went on would not reset by turning on and off. Drove to dealer with no power steering. Dealer reset computer and sent me on my way.

- Elgin, IL, USA

The vehicle power steering and power brakes shut off while driving making pulling over and stopping very difficult for a mature male driver. I find it difficult I can only imagine how difficult and dangerous this could be for my wife or any smaller or less experienced driver. This happened multiple times during regular driving on fairly smooth surface normal conditions.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving 50 mph when the advance tracking warning lamp illuminated and the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken the dealer for inspection. The contact was informed that the electronic power assistance system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

This is a continual problem report one 8/10/13 19,000 miles: Power steering light came on and power steering went out while driving vehicle <15 mph and back ceiling light came on and wouldn't go out. Ford: 8/13/2013 said ceiling light shortened out battery and caused power steering to go out - ordered light bulb came back in 3 days to replace light bulb - they said power steering was fixed. Report two 9/23/13 23,891 miles: Power steering light came on while parked. Ford: Did diagnostic said the issue was most likely wiring and said issue was fixed and I left with car report three 10/02/13 24,280 miles: Power steering light came on dashboard and power steering went out while driving on a highway 65 mph, pulled off hwy. Reported incident to Ford. Ford: Ran diagnostic, said issue was motherboard. Ordered part and I returned in a few days to replace computer board. Told issue was resolved and left with my car. Report four 10/31/2013 25,295 miles: Power steering yellow light came on dashboard as I started vehicle in parking lot. Power steering had not gone out only had warning light showing. I drove a few minutes home without the steering going out. I started car about an hour later in garage and power steering was completely out. Bright red lights on dashboard. Warning light said something to the tune of 'report power steering immediately". Ford: Kept car for 4 full days while we drove rental and was told they have no solution and Ford regional's engineers supposedly said 'this is not an issue they have seen before' (even though there are almost 100 reports on the NHTSA website about this exact issue) and to report if happens again. Report five 11/28/13 27,000 miles: Power steering went out while starting vehicle in garage dashboard light up with red warning signs. Have to wait until after holiday to report to service.

- Mascoutah, IL, USA

Steering suddenly became extremely hard and stiff to the point where I could not make a turn of more than 10% at any speed. Luckily I was only going 25mph at the time of the incident so I was able to gradually guide the car to the side of the road bringing it to a full stop. I tried resetting the "error condition" by restarting the car, but the steering became only marginally better. I was however able to drive the car down the side street at 5-10mph to my house which was a few short blocks away. Since the car was undrivable, I had it towed to all american Ford in paramus NJ, for service. Where they claimed that they have only heard of one or two cases such as mine. I directed them to this site to help them with their research, which they of course they were not interested in.

- Ridgewood, NJ, USA

Power steering failed during a turn making controlling the vehicle difficult. Warning lights for power steering assist, traction control and terrain monitor came on. After shutting down the car and restarting the vehicle the problem was cleared.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

While driving on the highway steering wheel became stiff and a message appeared "power steering assist failed". vehicle was very hard to steer but I managed to turn on flashers, reduce speed and steer safely to the side of the road. I turned the vehicle off and called for assistance. While waiting for help I restarted the vehicle to try to maneuver to a safer roadside position. At that time the power steering seemed to be working again so I drove carefully home. I then visited the Ford dealership where no error codes or error history was found and they found no problem and sent me on my way.

- Abingdon, VA, USA

Power steering fault with advance trac and terrain management faults. Power steering was lost. This has occurred multiple times at low, medium and high speeds. This is a serious safety issue. Vehicle was shut off and then restarted and the faults were gone and power steering was restored.

- Stafford, VA, USA

Power assist fault, service advancetrac, terrain management system fault. Disables power steering and terrain management systems. Vehicle immediately becomes extremely hard to steer and very dangerous. Has occurred 3 times and is a serious safety issue.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

After having multiple issues with the power steering failing while driving our 2012 Ford Explorer, the power steering finally gave out completely. The vehicle now has no power steering and is very hard to drive. This has also affected the electronic traction control. The vehicle is less than 2 years old, so this is very unacceptable. Ford needs to find a solution to this before someone gets in a serious accident and some is seriously injured or worse.

- Pearland, TX, USA

The power steering suddenly went off. This happened twice in 24 hours. I took it to the Ford dealer right away. I am glad that my 16 year old driver was not at the wheel when this happened. This is unacceptable for a one-year old new car. Safety must come first. Repair cost is estimated at $2200. Please look into a recall, as I have heard this is very common. Please work with Ford to remedy this obvious mechanical flaw. Thank you.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the steering wheel seized as the traction control warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 39,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.

- North Reading, MA, USA