10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,432 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused a collision. The local dealer and a second dealer, Gregg Smith Ford Lincoln (1316 Price Ln, Clinton, MO 64735) were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
- Clinton, MO, USA
Power steering went out. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. error is on car.
- International Falls, MN, USA
Vehicle lost power steering while driving. Vehicle indicates power steering assist fault. Vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership. My 17 year old son was driving the vehicle at the time of the malfunction with several passengers in the vehicle. Thankfully he was able to maintain control of the vehicle, but a power steering failure and lower experienced driver could have easily resulted in an motor vehicle accident and injuries. The dealership has confirmed that this was the failure of the steering gear, a known issue with many 2013 Ford Explorers. A search of my VIN indicates that it was not part of a recall, but vehicle presents with the same problems as described in NHTSA Recall 14V-286 issued in 2014. There were no previous indicators of this failure prior to the time of the event.
- Bloomington, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds when the power steering would suddenly fail to make it difficult to maneuver the vehicle and or seize complete movement. The contact stated that when the failure occurred they would park the vehicle and maneuver the steering wheel until they were able to gain control. The contact had made an appointment with the dealer but not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed as of yet. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
- Cozad, NE, USA
I was driving the kids to school and the power steering assist light came on and then the steering went and the vehicle became very hard to steer. I called Ford twice and spoke to two different representatives who said because my vehicle was not built between May 17, 2010 and February 28, 2012 there was nothing they could do, upon looking at the over 1500 complaints on this website over 620 are for this same issue with 2013 explorers built just outside of the above dates. Does there have to be injury, fatality or fire before this is addressed.
- Brooksville, FL, USA
Every now and then, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" light would come one, usually once I parked or when I first started the car. When I would turn off the car and restart, the light would no longer be on and there were no power steering problems. This went on for a month or two. It seemed like it was just a faulty warning light. Then one day while at my daughters school, thankfully, I was parked, my "Power Steering Assist Fault" light came on and power steering no longer works. The car is extremely difficult to turn and is not safe to drive.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. Additionally, there was an abnormally strong burning odor coming through the A/C vents. The contact stated that she lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle veered towards the opposite lane of traffic. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. The contact then contacted the Highway Patrol who drove the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault message was displayed with another unknown message. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor and electrical wiring had experienced an electrical short. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
- Forney, TX, USA
This vehicle has had recurring instances of failed power steering. It will happen at low speeds where the power steering malfunctions and does not work until the car is shut off and turned back on. This can be especially dangerous when driving near other people or cars when we experience loss of control. Thankfully no collisions have occurred yet but it-??s is an issue that has been recurring. There was a recall set out for electrical power steering failure - #14V286000. Unfortunately this recall only affects 2011-2013 FORD Explorers up until Feb 28, 2012 while this one was made Mar 7, 2012 (just a week outside of the recall). This was frustrating because the vehicle is experiencing every symptom that the recall #14V286000 states it fixes.
- Waco, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The power steering assist message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and was informed that there was no open recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
- Grass Valley, CA, USA
Driving on I95 South in Daytona Beach, Florida during crowded weekend event traffic, the lane assist malfunctioned, would not turn on and then immediately experienced power steering failure. Both warning and failure lights illuminated on the dashboard. The power steering is electric and turning the wheel was near impossible. I had 4 occupants in the vehicle and almost caused a very severe accident crossing lanes of traffic to attempt to reach the shoulder. It is near impossible to turn the wheel and although the car is driveable, its not steerable. Found out that the NHSTA campaign # 14V286000 describes the same issue as I have. Ford recall #14S06 is that recall but the issue I now have is my vehicle was built 1 day after the recall parameters. The car is sitting unable to be safely operated, and I'm asking for NHSTA to extend the dates of original recall from February to March to include this vehicle in the existing recall for the necessary repairs.
- Nahunta, GA, USA
The 2013 Ford Explorer power steering stopped working at 89,100 miles. The mechanic we took it to said this should be a recall. Mechanic provided me with recall 14S06, which describes my problem. I called ford and the vin didn-??t come up as in this recall. I think it needs to be added to the recall, Mechanic says steering rack needs to be replaced. Lots of people have same problem it-??s not safe and too expensive. We bought this car brand new and it can-??t even steer after less than 90k miles. I hope others complain
- Laguna Hills, CA, USA
The contact's wife owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was pulling into the driveway, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. A message indicating a power steering system failure was displayed. The contact's wife parked and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted upon starting the vehicle the next day. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
- Douglas, GA, USA
While driving home from work on the 95 (highway) I noticed that I could barely control the steering in my 2013 Ford Explorer. Fortunately I was able to make it home and my husband arranged to have it towed to a mechanic who inspected the vehicle and advised us that it had a rack and pinion failure. He mentioned that it would be very dangerous to attempt to drive the vehicle with this issue and that the total cost to repair would be over $4K. I recently replaced the engine on this vehicle which cost me over $2K. I do not have the $4K at this time to replace the rack and pinion. This is extremely upsetting. Is there any recall will this issue?
- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA
No incidents steering makes loud noise
- Clayton, DE, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed, the steering wheel failed to operate as needed with the Traction Control warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to reset the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact notified the dealer and the manufacturer of the failure and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
- Piedmont, SC, USA
[XXX] 13 recalls listed two of which are the electronic power steering and traction control. I bought this vehicle and less than five days later the power steering goes out. So I'm going to loose my job and I could have lost my life yet Ford is denying there are any recalls and refusing to fix them. I am also a veteran and this is the last bit of bad news I can bare. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Fayetteville , GA, USA
Power steering control module causing power steering to stop and loss of control to car. I took to auto shop and had codes reset and happened again with in an hour.
- Mecosta, MI, USA
Our Explorer has been riding extremely rough going down smooth highways and the slightest bump in the road make the car shake sideways as if it-??s almost bending in half. Last week, We drove a couple miles down the road and stopped at Walmart. After loading groceries up I started the car to leave and the steering wheel was harder than normal to move. I thought we might have had a low tire and we weren-??t that far from home, however as we-??re driving home, the dash notification screen lights up and says power steering assist fault. So I then let off the gas pedal attempting to try to slow down and this causes the steering wheel to completely tighten up, almost causing us to wreck as I can no longer move the steering wheel more than an inch in either direction while going down the highway. The only way I was able to get us home safely was stopping and going no more than 15 mph until we pulled into our driveway. I will not let my family get in the car until I know we-??re all completely safe and out of harms way. The Ford dealership in Ponchatoula said it will have to be towed there and the problem won-??t go away until the faulty steering motor is fixed. We were told they-??ve had plenty Explorers come in with the same problem as our year, make, model and engine. I-??m 6-??2 230lbs I should not have this much trouble trying to turn a steering wheel either driving or sitting still.
- Ponchatoula , LA, USA
Steering Assembly Part E5BZ3504AM failed while driving down the interstate. Initially power steering was lost but as it was driven further on the interstate, there was more play in the steering wheel, to the point I was struggling to keep it steady in the lane. This put my entire family and those around me at risk. Vehicle is currently unsafe to drive. Explorer is at local dealer. The dealer states the part is on indefinite backorder with > 10,000 of the Steering Assembly parts on back order across the US. Our local dealer has a total of 3 2013 Ford Explorers awaiting this part. This sounds like a material defect that should be addressed by the manufacturer.
- Clear Brook, VA, USA
- Hilo, HI, USA