10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,948 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #504

Jun 282021

Explorer

  • miles
Power Steering Failure when driving car. Notification of sensor on dash and power steering fails. Had to restart car upon failure to get power steering back. This has occurred several times at several different mileages fir car. Recalls on other Ford vehicles including Ford Explorer have been issued.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #503

Jul 042021

Explorer

  • miles
The electric power steering assist failed on my explorer while driving causing me to lose control and hit the ditch. There was a recall with this problem on the 2011-2013 models but both Ford and my local Ford dealer advised me that my vehicle is not part of the recall. It-??s the same problem as the existing recall but mine is not included.

- Monticello , KY, USA

problem #502

Jun 302021

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving this 2013 Ford Explorer and suddenly the steering wheel became very difficult to steer and turn. Some warning lights appear on the dashboard stating POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC and TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. The experience a loss of power and require extra effort to steer the vehicle. This potentially may increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident or crash and place motorist safety at risk. I urge FORD to address this concern immediately. This seems to be a trend and complain from numerous other motorist who operate and drive the 2013 Ford Explorer.

- Eagle Butte, SD, USA

problem #501

Nov 012019

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and regained normal steering functionality. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the battery, alternator, and transmission needed to be replaced. The battery and alternator were replaced. The dealer also performed three recall repairs for the door, rear toe link, and exhaust. and the battery and alternator were replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for transmission repair. The vehicle remained at the mechanic's. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #500

Jun 192021

Explorer

  • miles
On, June 19, 2021 I was driving back home from a Father's Day fishing excursion in Morehead City, NC, about 4 hours in my 5 hours and 40 minutes drive back home, my power steering light lite up on my dashboard, I felt my steering wheel starting to get a little tighter on my turns, so I found the nearest Auto Zone, looking to buy some power steering fluid, but before going inside, I lifted up my hood, to look for my power steering tank, I could not find one, so I went to my Ford manual book and found out, it was an electric power steering system. Since I was 1 hours and 40 minutes from being home, after I drop my brother in law off at his home in Arlington, Va. He had gotten sea sick on the boat and was in bad shape, so I left my truck running, then I made it home to my girlfriend house in White Plains, MD, I got up on June 20th, 2021, and started my truck up, and I could not turn my steering wheel at all, so I called my Travelers roadside assistance, for a tow truck, and they delivered my truck to Ford Dealership in Waldorf, MD. I waiting on them to call me back today, they was busy yesterday.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #499

Jun 062021

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving this said Ford motor vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to steer and maneuver. Immediately a warning light appear on the dashboard stating POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. This said Ford SUV experience a loss of power and require extra effort to steer the vehicle. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash and place my safety and the safety of other motorist and/or pedestrians at risk. I hope this concern can be addressed in a timely manner. Thanks in advance.

- Eagle Butte, SD, USA

problem #498

Jun 022021

Explorer

  • miles
As I was driving down the interstate the steering got hard to control. It was hard keeping the car in my lane. The warning light came on and told be to check power steering. I had to drive on the side of the interstate for 2 miles to the next exit. Then had to wait 8 hours for someone to come get my family. There are some recalls on this but not on my car. Dealer told me the part is over 1500 dollars. I don't understand why mine is not on recall list. I have lost all trust in Ford products.

- Natchez, MS, USA

problem #497

Jun 022021

Explorer

  • miles
Power Steering Assist Fault message appears randomly at start up. Generally restarting the vehicle will clear the fault. Recalls were issued for the model year of my vehicle, but it seems my vin falls outside of the recall, but this very serious safety issue is still effecting it.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #496

May 222021

Explorer

  • 95,920 miles
The contact owns a 2013 FORD Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel ceased. The contact stated while taking the vehicle to the dealer, about 5 to 6 miles later the power steering warning light disappeared. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,920

- St.Peters, MO, USA

problem #495

Dec 012020

Explorer

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding sound was coming from the steering wheel while turning in either direction, without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering gearbox was defective and that if not replaced, the power steering would fail to operate. Months later, while driving 55 mph, the "service power steering" message appeared on the instrument panel. Upon leaving a bank, the contact started her vehicle, and the "service power steering now" and "lane-keeping system, services required" messages appeared on the instrument panel. Due to the complete loss of power steering, the vehicle was towed to her home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (steering) and referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Oregon, IL, USA

problem #494

Mar 132021

Explorer

  • miles
Loss of power steering. Hard to turn. Took it to dealer. Dealer couldn't find the problem. It worked fine for a month then went out again while trying to turn. No warning lights have ever came on.

- Salem, MO, USA

problem #493

May 182021

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving down the road and the electric power steering failed and almost resulted in an accident

- Titusville, PA, USA

problem #492

May 082021

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
Steering started feeling like it was getting stuck when turning left and the steering wheel would not come back to center this occurred while driving on any type of road the problem got worse over several days until I felt it unsafe to drive it any longer and took it to a repair shop.

- Denton, MD, USA

problem #491

Jun 102019

Explorer

  • miles
Outstanding recall since 2019 not fixed. Vehicle might have a fractured rear suspension toe link.

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

problem #490

Apr 252021

Explorer

  • 103,000 miles
Driving down the street and the power steering went out and almost caused us to crash.

- Harahan, LA, USA

problem #489

Apr 152021

Explorer

  • 98,000 miles
I was driving and heard a knocking noise from the rear end. Within 30 seconds I lost control of my steering. My car began fishtailing and the rear tires were squawking. The only way I could straighten out the vehicle was to turn wheel completely to the left. I was doing 35 mph and dropped down to 15 mph until I could pull over to safety.

- Harrison Township, MI, USA

problem #488

Mar 042021

Explorer

  • 50,216 miles
This vehicle had only 50,216 miles on it when the steering started to fail. On the highway. First there was a gradual loss of control which ultimately got worse. Managed to get it home since I wasn't far away at which time power steering completely failed. Diagnosis revealed a failed steering rack and pinion assembly. Replacement corrected the problem. An internet search revealed this is not an isolated problem and in fact appears to be quite common. I consider the premature failure of this assembly a significant safety issue. It appears there have been recalls for this applying to other years/VIN/manufacturing locations. I should also mention it took a month to get replacement assembly which tells me Ford cannot keep up with the demand. Thankyou.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #487

Apr 012013

Explorer

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 10 mph, the power steering suddenly ceased. The driver turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset and regain power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred at start-up. The contact took the vehicle to bluebonnet Ford (351 ih 35 S, new braunfels, tx 78130, (833)505-0245) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #486

Mar 012021

Explorer

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist fault message displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to bell Ford located at 2401 w bell rd, phoenix, AZ 85023, who diagnosed that the power steering gear assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 77,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #485

Mar 272021

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
While in motion, the power steering quit operating. I was on a straight road near my house. No accidents but could have easily been a deadly crash if failed in a different situation. Turns out there was a recall, 14S06 on the Ford Explorer but my VIN was not included. $2700 in repairs by Ford dealer. Obviously, the scope of vehicles that fail was underestimated for this issue of steering failure. Furthermore, in reading the owners manual, it references the failure in the manual and how to reset it by cycling engine power. This obviously was understood by Ford as an issue from the beginning.

- Cumming, GA, USA

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