10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 79,005 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
There is a recall for 2013 Ford Explorer for power assist power steering failure. My vehicle based on VIN number is not included(it is a 2013 as well) I have a power assist power steering failure and Ford refuses to acknowledge the issue. I have a case number with Ford: Cas - 24449952
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
The car steering stops turning and stiffens while I am still in motion. It is the most terrifying thing ever.
- Mckinney, TX, USA
On August 30th, having driven to the pool a short distance from my house, I was unable to unlock the steering wheel to drive home. I maneuvered the wheel a bit and it unlocked. The next day was a different story. I could not get it unlocked to drive home from the pool no matter what I initially tried. I found in the owner's handbook that I should turn off the vehicle for a couple of minutes then try again. It did work, however the book warned that this could happen while driving and could "cause an accident"...no joke. I took it to the nearest auto dealer who informed me that there was a recall on 2012 and 2013 Ford Explorer that were experiencing this issue. My Ford dealer said that they were sorry but my "VIN number" was not covered by the recall. Shocked, I have tried every venue to get my $1,973.13 bill from Ford and my car rental from enterprise for $624.71 paid by Ford with no avail. Since my vehicle, 2013 Ford Explorer, had the same issue of the recall, I cannot understand why mine was not covered.
- Spring Hill, FL, USA
On two separate occasions, to include the morning of September 27, 2019, when the 2013 Ford Explorer was turned on, an error message stating 'power steering assist fault' appeared on the dashboard screen. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the error message. The power steering was disabled and it was extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel. We contacted Ford about the issue and we were told there was a recall for the 'power steering assist fault' for the 2013 Ford Explorer but our vehicle was not included based on the VIN. Even though the issues we are experiencing are identical to the recall, we must incur our own expenses to have it fixed. The vehicle currently has 105,000 miles
- New Castle, DE, USA
While driving at normal highway speed, my power steering suddenly failed. The car became immediately unable to drive.
- Old Bridge, NJ, USA
Power steering will fail while driving down road. This is a design flaw from Ford and they should repair it. This failure is caused by overheating of the electronic assemble in the steering rack. I will sue Ford if they do not respond to this complaint.
- Wayland, NY, USA
Power steering assist fault warning after turning on car and putting it in drive.. I had no power steering. Turned off car then restarted and then I could drive.
- Portland, OR, USA
When turning the truck makes a roaring noise and does not return steering back to straight direction. Hard to turn wheel manually. Ford dealer diagnostic claims steering has an internal failure and must be replaced for safety. Electric rack and pinion steering possible delayed defect!. Explorer has less than 66,000 miles on it.
- East Rockaway, NY, USA
My power steering goes out and throw the "power steering fault" error message on my dash multiple times when either I am backing up, starting to take off, while driving down the road. It did it one time about a year ago and I thought it was just a fluke but now it is happening all the time. And I have googled the problem and apparently there is a recall on only certain models but it seems like there should be several more listed the more I look at how many people are experiencing the same problems I am.
- Fredericksburg, TX, USA
2013 Ford Explorer ltd started having issues with power steering. Warning icons came up on lower right dashboard, showing lack of traction control, then text warnings "service power steering now" and "service advanced trac". after parking the vehicle and trying to use it again found steering essentially locked. Steering wheel can be turned with a lot of effort, but vehicle is unsafe to be driven. Contacted Ford to file official complaint. They maintain their official line that vehicle is not included in recall. I'm the original owner, having bought the 2013 model around Oct 2012. Have always maintained the vehicle properly. Vehicle currently has 177,000 miles, but is currently useless, as I can't even sell it in current state. Ford rep's only response (at 1-866-436-7332) was to have it towed to nearest Ford dealer, whom will then charge me $135 to "diagnose" a problem they are familiar with and demand around $2K to have it repaired. Please advise if there's a chance Ford will do the responsible thing and recall these vehicles before more people get killed driving them. I would hat to have to throw away over $40,000 invested in this car.
- Weston, FL, USA
I was hearing a grinding noise when turning. It got too loud and took it to dealership. They told me that the rack and pinion has to be replaced. It got so bad that I could potentially lose steering control when driving. I'm concerned this is a big safety issue and this failure shouldn't happen in this low mileage. I only have about 77K miles on my Explorer and I've been driving it gently.
- Manchester, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 20 mph, the power steering suddenly became inoperable.the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction and the "power steering access failure" message displayed. The vehicle was taken to paoli Ford (100 West lancaster ave, paoli, pa) where it was diagnosed that the sccm module and steering gear failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer (cas-24160629) was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 63,480.
- Downingtown, PA, USA
Loss of power steering at lower speeds or when stationary with the steering locking out at higher highway speeds causing loss of steering control
- Warman, AK, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving in reverse, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. On August 21, 2019, the steering wheel assist and traction warning indicators illuminated. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to woolwine Ford-Lincoln (located at 3080 us 49, collins, ms 39428, (601) 765-4461) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 72,000.
- Laurel, MS, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving 50 mph, the power steering completely failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to chapman Ford (1255 columbus ave, marysville, oh 43040, (937) 642-0015) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact stated that she replaced the power steering module. The manufacturer was notified and instructed the contact to keep all receipts for the repair in the event that her vehicle became included in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.
- Cable, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While the contact was making a right turn into the driveway, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction and the service power steering message displayed. The vehicle was towed to frenchies Ford (216 East orvis St, meccena, NY) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly and steering shaft were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Oneida, WI, USA
2013 Ford Explorer Sport - my vehicle is having dangerous steering issues. My vehicle is appears to be experiencing an intermittent power steering failure. While driving the vehicle at any speed there appears to be steering loss. There also appears to be loss of steering when at different steering angels. It appears to shut down the power that is being sent to the power steering assist. This fault happens when in any location, highway, parking lot, local street, city street, etc. The issue happens randomly at all speeds and sometimes when the vehicle is stationary. The most discouraging aspect of this problem with the vehicle is that Ford had recognized the same exact problem with the same make and model vehicle of mine, that were only built just months before mine. It is also disappointing to see that Ford is not even looking into the issue (as told by customer care representative in the philippines).
- Bensalem, PA, USA
Vehicle has been through 4 steering racks each time it is replaced the vehicle has left the service shop only to return in less than 24 hours. Steering tightens up rendering the vehicle almost impossible to drive. Dashboard displays warnings such as power steering failure, service power steering, powertrain lock, etc. This happens while driving. Once I was on a back road, once on a highway and once on a service road just miles from the dealership
- Mesquite, TX, USA
The electronic power steering suddenly became inoperable while driving
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
- San Antonio, TX, USA