10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,432 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
After an all day event, I got into the car, started it as usual, but the power steering would not work. There was a warning on the dash, so I took it to a local mechanic. He hooked it up to the computer, and did a scan, which showed several codes related to power steering issue. I do recall on the drive to the event, my navigation went out, with a warning that sd nav card is not working, and my phone would not connect to the system via the cable. Mechanic reset the code to test it out. This has activated the power steering, radio, and even the back up camera. Yes, back up camera would only work periodically, so I thought it was camera itself. I'm worried power steering will go out during the normal drive. Is there any recall on power steering or electrical issues?
- Lewisville, TX, USA
The electronic steering rack has failed and locked up. This recall has been issued for some Explorer but should be expanded to include more VIN numbers as this is the same problem and the vehicle only has 40,000 miles on it. The problem started while I was driving it. I took it to a mechanic and the steering locked up fully and power steering failed during their test drive.
- Huntersville, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power assist default warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Suburban Ford of ferndale (21600 woodward ave, ferndale, mi 48220, (248) 399-1000) was contacted and informed the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic came to the contact's residence and informed the contact that there was an unknown recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
- Detroit, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While attempting to turn the vehicle, it became difficult to maneuver the steering wheel as if the power steering failed. The contact stated that she also heard a grinding noise coming from the dashboard area of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact spoke with tri Ford Inc (located at 12610 Illinois 143, highland, il 62249, 618-654-2122) and was informed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
- Trenton, IL, USA
Power steering assist light turns on which causes loss of steering capability.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
Sudden power steering failure while driving cruising speed.. car became extremely limited to handle. Ford tech verified and pulled code U3000:61 requiring replacement of steering gear.
- Old Bridge, NJ, USA
Cranked up car this morning and the power steering assist fault light came on. Could not turn steering wheel. Tried again later and could drive it to the Ford dealership 1.5 miles away. They said there's no recall. And it's $2300 to replace the steering gear. Has 107000 miles on
- Crystal River, FL, USA
Lost power steering. The power steering will intermittently work and you will get a power steering assist fault notice. There is a recall for this issue (15S11) but for some reason this Explorer was not included due to the manufacture date. I believe that recall needs to be extended to cover all of the vehicles affected. The vehicle is almost unsteerable when this happens and is not safe to drive.
- Macon, GA, USA
On the evening of 04oct,2019 my vehicle experienced the failure outlined in NHTSA recall #14V286 (power steering failure). Ford needs to expand the number of vehicles covered under this recall as this is a major safety failure that could result in injury, loss of life and/or property damage. Ford does not have a policy or procedure on file to deal with vehicle owners like my self I believe that this is highly regrettable and should be addressed as soon as possible. Thanks (xxxx) document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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
- Cedar Park, TX, USA