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
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving low speeds, the steering seized. The vehicle was placed in park and then restarted. The power assist fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,285.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that odor came from the electric power assist mechanism. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). Darling's Ford Volkswagen Audi was called at 207-941-1330 (located at 403 hogan rd, bangor, me 04401). The contact was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
- Franklin, ME, USA
Last year my power steering on my 2013 Ford Explorer failed. It was parked and when I went to turn it on it said power steering failure. When I inquired about a recall I was told my car did not fall under the specifications, so I had to pay to get the power steering replaced (roughly $1,400). Nine months later my power steering failed again, this time it happened while I was driving.
- International Falls, MN, USA
Was driving down the interstate and the power steering went out advancetrac lights came on and the dash started flashing service power steering now and service advancetrac now
- King George, VA, USA
I was driving down Aurora road and my power steering went out which caused me to lose control
- Buckley, IL, USA
The steering wheel locks on starting and gives error message (steering assist fault) the vehicle is 76K miles
- San Antonio, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While the contact was reversing from a parking space, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled back into the parking space and towed to marshall Ford Lincoln (4200 East end boulevard, marshall, tx 75672, (800) 419-5762). The dealer diagnosed that the steering rack failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
- Woodlawnn, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed to function, which caused the steering wheel to jerk while making a turn. It was extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel in either direction. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact had to apply extreme force when turning the steering wheel. Evergreen Ford Lincoln (1500 18th ave nw, issaquah, wa 98027, (425) 651-2465) indicated that there was a diagnostic trouble code indicating an intermittent fault and diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
- Maple Valley, WA, USA
The power steering intermittently goes out. While drive 55 mph the steering went out the car crossed center line almost hitting an oncoming car. My wife and kids were in the car. This has happened multiple times since. Ford has a recall on the same vehicle model years as mine 2011-2013 recall L#14S06. This car was made at the same time in the same plant in Chicago, yet they will not fix this $2,000 problem.
- Sumner, IA, USA
Power steering down. Warning massage said 'power steering assist fault' 'service advance trac' 'terrain management system fault'. it is too hard to steer. Control module internal failure, codes U3000-49, U3000-96, U3000-71.
- Ridgewood, NJ, USA
Steering sticks as your turning, in any direction or speed including stationary. This problem does not allow the vehicle to steer smoothly and frequently causes it to cross the centerline and off road! not safe!
- Medina, OH, USA
Power steering went out when I was trying to make a left hand turn. Steering wheel was really hard to turn. The car slowed down also. Almost got hit by a car. The dash display said 'powering steering fault'. drove to dealer like this and paid $2279 to get fixed. Was told there were no recalls. Also, called Ford corporate and was told the same thing. They told me there was nothing they could do for me after I told them this should be part of a recall. They said hold on to receipts in case in the future there was a recall so I could get reimbursed. Mileage 77,033.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
When I start my vehicle I get a warning that says, "power steering assist fault" and I can not turn my steering wheel whatsoever. This is not the first time this has happened although this time the vehicle is not able to turn at all anymore. The first time this happened I was turning into a parking spot and the wheels locked up and after 3-5 attempts of starting and stopping the engine the issue was resolved. The second time this happened I was parked in my driveway and when I started my vehicle to leave, as I proceeded to back out of my driveway the wheels wouldn't turn and my vehicle went straight backwards. After letting the vehicle sit for several hours the issue was self resolved. The third time this happened which was the most recent I started the vehicle and got the warning again and checked the wheels and they would not turn at all. The vehicle is now stuck in my driveway and will only go forwards and backwards as the wheels do not turn at all. Nothing seems to be resolving the issue now. Not every time it happens do I get the warning on the dash first, only after it happens do I get a notification on the dash. I am just glad this did not happen when I was driving down the road with my family in the car.
- Mineola, TX, USA
Failure of steering gear. Steering becomes difficult and attempts to hang after a turn. There was a recall on 2013 Explorer for similar reasons, but only certain VIN numbers. There are numerous on line complaints about this issue. Obviously Ford did not correct the problem and has refused to extend the recall. Repair cost $1850.
- Alabaster, AL, USA
Power steering became very intermittent no lights come on no warning then no power steering still have to manually pull wheel to turn all while driving down interstate
- Buckley, IL, USA
Rack and pinon in these model vechiles as well as inner and outer tire rods are faulty. The rack and pinion can sieze making the steering wheel in operable.
- Sicklerville, NJ, USA
I purchased my car brand new in 2012. I have a 2013 Ford Explorer. There was a recall #14S06 in 2014 that did not include my car, which was manufactured in the same year. The cars steering issue is a mechanical manufacturing defect. I am told that "because my car was not listed within the dates listed within the year 2012 that the recall was issued". despite notices, there is still a manufacturer's defect that I was told that Ford would not resolve. This defect is through no fault of my own. The car has less than 100K on it. I almost had an accident because it just suddenly locked up and wouldn't even turn and became inoperable. I would just like Ford to provide reimbursement or replacement parts for the repairs. I am not trying to get them to buy me a new car. The dealer is charging $2500+ to repair it. I believe that Ford knew or should have known that the problem would not only be limited to cars that were within a certain time frame, rather, they knew or should have known that the issue could extend to other vehicles of the same type that were manufactured within the same year.
- Pasadena, CA, USA
My vehicle has the same symptoms of a recall (recall # 14S06) for other 2013 Ford Explorer that were manufactured 5 months earlier. At low speeds and while turning, the vehicles steering sticks and is now making a roaring sound that's coming from the steering gear assembly.
- Apo, AE, USA
Power steering assist. Steering wheel locks up while driving. Making this an extremely dangerous situation, not only for me but other drivers also. There was a recall for this issue just not my VIN. Please expand the recall to include my car before something bad happens. Thanks.
- Louisville, KY, USA
- Morris, OK, USA