10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 70,504 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
Recall 14S06/15N01 performed in 2016 for failed steering. Complete steering rack replaced. 4 years later the steering completely failed again while my wife was driving. Luckily I was with. Vehicle is impossible for her to steer when it failed. I was able to take over and get the vehicle home. Takes all the strength you need to turn. Took it to Ford dealership. Ford refuses to replace the failed steering rack again that was replaced under a safety recall. Ford also refuses to help with any financial support for the $3000 repair. In review of 14S06 and 15N01 there have been multiple supplements with extended coverage but only 1 time replacement. Thus they are recusing themselves of liability should a crash have occurred. The safety recall solution is simply a continuation of a major safety issue they do not stand behind. I'm grateful my wife and kids were not alone or in an accident. Others may no be so lucky and Ford needs to be held responsible for their solution. 8 year old vehicle. Steering has failed every 4 years since new. Recall means nothing, people will get hurt.
- Sartell, MN, USA
Leaving my home and driving down the street power steering locked, was unable to steer vehicle and almost caused an accident. There was a prior recall for the steering component and thought this would have been corrected. Very dangerous to lose steering power while driving. Had multi point inspection checked by dealer July 23 and no issue was found by the dealers.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving and making a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated the service traction control and the power steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (hertrich Ford of easton located at 9617 ocean gateway, easton, md 21601, (410) 822-2900) where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 151,977.
- Stevensville, MD, USA
Power steering assist fault, my steering was intermittent but now its completely gone. I can not steer my car. It was stationary, it happened as soon as I started my car.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle loss power steering assist with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to and independent mechanic who retrieved dtc code: (U2011-49). The vehicle was taken to earnhardt Ford located at 7300 w orchid ln, chandler, AZ 85226, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle mileage limitation had been exceeded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,140.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
I own a 2012 Ford Explorer. Recently I received a warning on the dashboard indicating that there is a "power steering assist fault. " this happened while I was driving the vehicle with my family (lucky at a low speed). I am aware of a recall for this issue. In short, the recall covers 2011-2013 Explorer and mandates that Ford replace first the software for the steering rack assembly and if that does not rectify the problem then the entire steering rack assemble itself. I visited my local Ford dealer who diagnosed the issue and stated that the entire steering rack assemble failed and needed to be replaced. They also informed me that my vehicle is not covered under the recall. My question is why? a known steering issue for 2012 Explorer is clearly evident on my vehicle. Seems Ford is passing the blame for a known issue! I must note that there are only 45,000 miles on this vehicle and for this to fail with so few miles (while I was driving) is unacceptable. It is unclear to me why Ford would not cover this under the recall especially since it is a major safety issue. NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000
- Hudson, FL, USA
Ford spain unable to conduct recalls due to no parts available for Explorer 2012. Discussed with.
- Puerto De Santa Maria, AE, USA
Recall repair failed. Same issue and Ford declines to repair.
- Brownsville, TX, USA
My power steering and power assist went out for a second time after being replaced under a recall making it hard to steer and tearing up other parts in my vehicle. I was told by a Ford dealership that the recall was only good to be replaced once and I would have to pay for it a second time.
- Coolidge, GA, USA
My wife and kids were driving our 2012 Ford Explorer on the highway when the dashboard gave a notice of "service power steering" and "service advancetrac". the SUV instantly lost all power steering and my wife had to muscle the vehicle off the highway. After taking some time to look int what could be the cause I ended up having it taken to the germain Ford of beavercreek. Upon diagnoses they stated that the electric power steering gear had become faulty. I asked if this was covered under the 'field action notice' or the recall that were available for this issue that I have seen all over the internet. It was explained that due to being 9,900 miles over the warranty of the field action notice they would not cover it, even after a asking through a provisional request to Ford. I called Ford customer service and was advised that this SUV had the initial recall on the electric power steering back in 2014 and that this field action notice is a follow-up coverage for that. I stated that this fix must still have issues and was advised that Ford has the thought that if something was wrong I would have brought it in before the 150K/10 yr mark. I stated we didn't know anything was wrong until now.
- Jamestown, OH, USA
Started my 2022 Ford explora, and as I started to back out of my parking space I noticed I could not steer with the steering wheel, the steering froze on me. I attempted to start the vehicle once more and I found my self in the same situation with my steering frozen. I traveled over 78 miles with no steering capability.
- Aguadillia, PR, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). Shortly after receiving the recall letter, the contact's wife was driving at 20 mph and experienced complete loss of power steering. The contact also experienced the failure while driving at 70 mph. The vehicle was taken to mccombs Ford West located at 7111 northwest loop 410, san antonio, tx 78238, where a software update was performed however, the failure recurred. The contact also experienced the loss of power steering assist while the vehicle was being reversed out of the driveway. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
- Jbsa Lackland, TX, USA
My wife was driving down the street and the steering wheel locked up on her. Now it is stiff and cannot drive it. The dealership told me since it was over 160,000 miles that they will not fix the recall.
- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
The front strut tower mounts are bad. This is on every 2011-2015 Ford Explorer I have seen. It makes a bad clunk sound everytime the wheel is turned.
- Spokane Valley, WA, USA
Power steering assist fault, first appeared January 9th 2020 - purchased vehicle with around 146,000 miles on 4/2019 - we are the second owners, first owner bought new and had detailed maintenance records - never had recall work done from 2014 regarding this issue. Took to paul miller Ford, lexington, ky - stated Ford should have to fix - but they won't because it is over 150,000 miles. Power steering assist fault light came back on Feb 7, 2020 - and still remains on and un-driveable. Ford refuses to fix the issue, and I'm not the only one. There are several of us on forums being told the same thing. I do not believe the previous recall fixed them all - they only contacted ones that were manufactured out of Chicago - with this many still having problems, there has to be problems with all models during this time-frame, regardless of where they were manufactured. This is a safety issue and should be addressed and Ford should be held accountable. Had I known about this issue - I would not have bought the vehicle.
- Virgie, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. When the vehicle was started, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering required extra effort to turn. The vehicle was turned off and on and resumed normal operation after five minutes. The vehicle was taken to tropical Ford (located at 9900 S orange blossom trail, orlando, fl 32837, (407) 851-3800) where it was diagnosed that the eps software needed to be updated. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
After a recall free fixed, the car its showing the samething problem, but the dealershi say now I should to pay because 4 years ago was fix it....
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Our SUV lost power steering while driving and unable to steer vehicle without excessive force. Warnings that came on dash include: Service power steering now, advancetrac warning, and all terrain warning. The turn signals also will not operate properly.
- Lampe, MO, USA
Vehicle in motion. Steering became more difficult. No sensor light came on. I pulled over to stop and sensor said power steering and intelligent 4 wheel drive need service. Called mechanic. Tried to drive and steering was completely locked.
- Kapaa, HI, USA
- Surprise, AZ, USA