10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,005 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #399

Feb 142020

Explorer

  • 116,000 miles
Had just picked up my mail from mailbox and started crossing road to enter my lane/private driveway when heard a loud clunk and was unable to steer car. Kept pushing gas pedal to try to move forward and get across the road and barely did but couldn't control direction the car was moving. When felt was safe I got out and walked around car to see if I could see what was wrong. Noticed front right passenger wheel was turned in while others were straight. I got back in car to turn steering wheel and see if it would move but it did not. I called family to come help and upon further looking discovered wheel had become disconnected from the tie rod. The car was towed to a garage and upon their inspection I was told that I needed a new inner and outer tie rod and that the axle centre bracket had broken. I googled the internet to see if this was a known problem and found a website carproblemzoo.com where 29 reports were listed of similar instances with a most recent date of 7/12/2019. This driver did contact Ford customer care as did I but had no assistance or resolution from them. In fact Ford told me they can't monitor every website and I told them this wasn't acceptable because one complaint said a mother's neck was broken. These problems must be further investigated.

- Bellefonte, PA, USA

problem #398

Feb 012020

Explorer

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 15 mph and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation the contact associated the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). Greg sweet Ford, Inc. Located at 4011 E center St, conneaut, oh 44030, was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Conneaut, OH, USA

problem #397

Feb 032020

Explorer

  • 191,000 miles
Getting off ramp turning to my right the car was hard to true steer lost control

- Lake Vier Terrace, CA, USA

problem #396

Dec 172019

Explorer

  • 99,500 miles
About two months ago the steering was getting tough with little noise like clunking, took the Explorer to a Ford dealer was told my front struts needed changed. Had that done, did not fix my steering problem. Said my VIN was outside of the recall Ford had on the steering rack. Now just yesterday I start my car and my steering wheel is stuck no movement. Turned it off and back on and got movement but no power steering it's a manual. Warning lights came on 1. "service power steering now" 2. "service advance trac". also noticed my turn signal will not stay engaged must hold in place to signal.

- Beaver Falls, PA, USA

problem #395

Feb 022020

Explorer

  • 122,000 miles
Vehicle while driving can lose signal to the electric gear box for the power steering. Causing a loss of power steering. Car display reads "power steering fault".

- Leipsic, OH, USA

problem #394

Nov 012019

Explorer

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving, the power steering failed and the steering became difficult to turn. Vehicle had defective power steering. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle safely. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the power steering would suddenly fail causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. After turning the vehicle off and then restarting the engine the vehicle would operate as normal. During the failures the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering was faulty. Tri city Ford(1348 four locust hwy, keysville va) was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

- Crew, VA, USA

problem #393

Feb 032020

Explorer

  • 46,600 miles
Steering become hard cant move the wheel or make any turn... and the light of service power steering and service advance trac came on. I almost have a accident do to this problem.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #392

Feb 052020

Explorer

  • 126,405 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting his vehicle and backing out the driveway, his power steering ceased to operate. The advanced track warning light illuminated simultaneously as the failure occurred. The contact attempted several maneuvers, such as restating the vehicle and resetting the battery, but to no avail. The dealer had not been notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering); the contact was then referred to NHTSA to file a vehicle safety complaint. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 126,405.

- Harrisburg, NC, USA

problem #391

Jan 142020

Explorer

  • 116,000 miles
On the 14th of January 2020, while driving on the freeway, my truck began to sway as if my alignment was off. A short while later, the service power steering warning light came on and as I struggled to steer the vehicle to a stop in a nearby parking lot, the warning changed to service power steering now! this was very dangerous because steering became extremely difficult and I almost side swiped a couple of cars. After I brought the vehicle to a stop, the steering locked up and steering became impossible. The vehicle was towed to a near by Ford dealership.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #390

Jan 312020

Explorer

  • 79,450 miles
I have received carbon monoxide poisoning from driving my 2013 Ford Explorer. I also have had the front end looked at and repaired had to pay most of the costs (extended warranty paid for some) for the front end popping sounds while turning. The sound is still there and on both sides now. So money wasted towards Ford!! the vehicle isnt drivable at this point and that leaves me without a vehicle.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #389

Feb 012020

Explorer

  • miles
My wife was driving and somehow the car stop steering. Very hard to turn in curves and while driving slow. Message came up on dash board about steering default.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #388

Jan 172020

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
Complained of faulty power steering error message coming on when starting vehicle for 1.5 years to Ford dealership with no exact response regarding the issue. They said they reset the system and it should work fine afterwards. The next day I still had the issue. I then complained again about it but it was in the shop for numerous issues and that was overlooked/ignored. My power steering has now gone out completely and the recalls for the power steering ended for Explorer manufactured after Feb. 2012 and mine was manufactured in Dec. 2012. I asked if the dealership was required to report issues when customers bring their vehicle in to the shop and they said no. They are only reqiured to report them when they repair it or do work to it, not just assess that there is an issue. Lesson learned, always report your issues here. My power steering could have gone out while driving but thank god it didn't. it went out as I was paying a bill and had turned my car off for less than 2 minutes. Therefore, the vehicle was stationary. It is incredibly frustrating that they want me to pay for something that is a known Ford issue and that my car is currently not able to be driven. Much less, I have complained about the issue and they could have prevented it by letting me know the power steering fault is common and to get it repaired sooner rather than later to prevent a wreck.

- Harriman, TN, USA

problem #387

Jan 252020

Explorer

  • 128,500 miles
On 2 separate occasions the truck loses power while driving. This effects the engine, power steering basically anything that uses power. This has happened while driving 65mph and 35-40mph. One time it happened on a street, the other time was while driving on the highway. This is very dangerous.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #386

Jul 232019

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
3 different occurrences while driving my power steering stops working and an error message comes up telling me power assist failure. Once while backing out of my driveway, twice while turning in two separate occasions. I contacted Ford directly in regards to the recall for this matter to be told since my VIN doesn't show any open recalls this has to be paid out of my pocket. I am upset due to the fact I didn't own this vehicle at the time of the recall and I have no idea if this was included or even resolved if it were. I find it highly irresponsible to be told I cannot get a matter repaired that is happening to my vehicle that was specific to a recall and I have no knowledge of it being repaired or not. I can only hope this doesn't happen as my family is traveling down a highway.

- Sherman, TX, USA

problem #385

Dec 202019

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles
I am experiencing the same steering problems as the Explorer in the recall, yet my 2013 Explorer is not part of the recall. The recall is- NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000. I believe the population of the recall should be expanded.

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #384

Oct 102019

Explorer

  • miles
The power steering fault assist button came on in the SUV. The steering wheel locked up on me while the vehicle was in motion. I was in another city other than where I live. This was by far one the scariest things that has ever happened to me. The wheel completely locked up. This is beyond unsafe for anyone to be steering a vehicle and the steering wheel locks up. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic shop. The steering rack had to be replaced. I was charged for the pet and labor. The total cost was $1,931.18. There is a recall on the same model vehicle but because my VIN doesn't match I wouldn't qualify for the recall. This is not right! there is a recall on the vehicle for the same issue but not for my VIN. I will upload a copy of my receipt for parts and labor. This is so disappointing!

- Waycross, GA, USA

problem #383

Dec 072019

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
When starting vehicle, the power steering assist does not work. I have to restart the vehicle 1-3 times to get the steering to work. This has happened aprox. 6 times in the last 3 months. Took vehicle to dealer for repair as VIN doesn't qualify for the recall that affects 2013 Explorer and the steering gear. Upon inspection the tech found the power steering rack to be faulty. The steering gear was replaced on 1/8/2020.

- El Lago, TX, USA

problem #382

Jan 072020

Explorer

  • 87,000 miles
Power steering gear failed as a result of corrosion due to poor coating

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #381

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 18,899 miles
Steering assist faulted while driving nearly causing an accident.

- Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

problem #380

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 313,286 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. When the engine was started, the power steering assist indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 313,286.

- Houston, TX, USA

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