10.0

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

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #164

May 202018

Explorer

  • 77,943 miles
I picked up my car from the local dealership, who had just replaced brakes and rotors, done a alignment, and replaced a circuit breaker on 5/16/2018. I then took said car on a road trip down the East coast. When I first got onto the highway, I felt my car pulling ever so slightly to the right. I assumed the alignment was off and didn't think anymore of it until I tried to go across the george Washington bridge, where my car began to become increasingly more difficult to steer and handle. Several warnings came across the dashboard, including 'service power steering', along with two traction control lights on the opposite side. I pulled off into the nearest service station on the NJ turnpike, where I could no longer steer the car (as I was decreasing speed), and the red warning flashing 'service power steering now' appeared. I put my vehicle in park, and could not move the steering wheel at all. I had to have my car towed to the nearest dealership to be serviced, rent a car, and drive back home. It is absurd that 196,000 other Explorer were recalled for this problem, but mine was not (along with about 150+ other cases I researched before reporting this problem. I have 77,000 miles on my car, extended and powertrain warranties, and had to pay $2000 plus NJ state taxes out of pocket for a problem that should have never happened. This is my first Ford, and it's disappointing that they aren't including these other affected vehicles with the same issue in a recall.

- Maynard, MA, USA

problem #163

May 232018

Explorer

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became stiff while turning and remained in the position of the turn. Hall Ford Lincoln in newport news, Virginia was made aware of the failure and stated that the rack and pinion and the steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #162

May 222018

Explorer

  • 106,000 miles
Power steering does not work at times on start up. Could go out at high rate of speed and cause an accident. Should be a recall

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #161

Apr 182018

Explorer

  • miles
Steering column is supposedly damaged by "environmental factors" according to dealer service. I am not sure how the environment gets in there but they won't cover it even with the Ford premium care warranty package. The vehicle is only 5 years old 59,000 miles. Can't turn steering wheel easily, it skips sometimes. They say there is rust and corrosion in there and almost $1000 to replace after paying over $2600 for this super package warranty. It cost me $135 for them to tell me they wouldn't cover any of it!! I can't believe Ford is not doing anything about this issue that is pretty common after doing some research. People not to be able to turn their steering wheel could turn into a major issue. If I get into an accident for not being able to turn when they wouldn't cover anything better be sure I will be getting a lawyer.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #160

Apr 252018

Explorer

  • 43,135 miles
The rack and pinion steering gear failed. I was not driving at the time. There is a recall on 2011 to 2013 Ford Explorer for this issue, however the recall was for 2011-2013 models build through 2/28/12. Clearly this issue was not resolved in future models. My vehicle's steering failed at 43,000 miles.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

problem #159

Jun 172017

Explorer

  • 63,000 miles
I had the same power steering issue the other 150+ people have posted. Ford recall -14S06, NHTSA recall - 14V-286. Ford is 100% aware of this and their official stance is they will not take any action unless the nhtsb directs them to. My goal of reporting this information is to hopefully have an investigation opened. I truly hope it does not take a serious accident or death for this to get the proper attention it deserves. I don't blame nhtsb on this as I'm sure like many organizations they are focused on the urgent top issues. I've driven a number of vehicles and while there have been failures that have been frustrating, this is the first time I had something happen where I was truly concerned about safety. There were no warning lights or sounds till roughly an hour or 70 miles after I had been driving and dealing with the issue. This is in direct contraction to Ford stance that drivers are notified. Even with that concentrated effort I was not able to stay in my lane. It was not possible to keep the vehicle in a straight line on the freeway. As my vehicle would start to drift out of a straight line I would make a minor correction, the vehicle would continue to drift, so I made an increased correction, then the vehicle would have a delayed response to my inputs which caused over correction and required me to counter correct in an effort to stay in my lane. The issue in most cases appears within 59,000 to 73,000 miles. As 2013+ Explorer hit this mileage the number of dangerous situations will increase. There have been over 30 reported instances in just the last 4 months alone not counting other model years. This doesn't take into account people not reporting since the vehicle is out of warranty. In total there have been over 150 reports and that doesn't include the early population of 2013 vehicles that was included in the recall.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #158

Apr 222018

Explorer

  • 135,600 miles
Electric power steering (epas) completely failed again. This time I drove through deep water over the roadway (16" deep). A day later a noise (like an un-lubricated roller bearing turning) could be heard every time the steering wheel was turned substantially (like when parking). After 4-days the steering system, accutrak, and steering failure messages came on the information screen while driving, but I was still able to drive without effort. I was able to drive to my destination, but when I switched off the vehicle and restarted it, the power steering was totally dead! it required superman strength to turn wheel and drive. Those are the facts. My opinion is that Ford's epas steering system is terribly designed, and dangerous! when an epas fails, it should not be monumentously harder to steer than a failed hydraulic power steering system!!! (you can drive older cars with failed hydraulic power steering forever!) I am very amazed that more people are not dead because of this defective system.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #157

Mar 302018

Explorer

  • 94,000 miles
Steering hard with grinding noise. Parked vehicle. Upon next attempt to drive power steering did not work until heavy force to turn wheel. Was able to drive vehicle which had loud grinding noise when turning low speed but after stop no power assist worked.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #156

Feb 072018

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
2013 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure.

- Yelm, WA, USA

problem #155

Jul 272017

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
While driving on the freeway and changing lanes to the right, the steering locked up and caused the car to go off right side of freeway. Luckily I was heading in a realatively safe direction. I had the car towed to the nearest Ford dealer and they said the electronic steering module had lost its position and failed. They also told me this is a known problem and Ford may cover repair. However they did not. This VIN is outside of the current recall period for the same issue.

- Wildomar, CA, USA

problem #154

Mar 032018

Explorer

  • 82,419 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. It was unknown if there were any warning indicators illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dave littleton Ford dealer (1098 us-169, smithville, mo 64089) where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed the failure was relevant to NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 82,419. The VIN was not provided.

- Gower, MO, USA

problem #153

Jan 012016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
2013 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle VIN not listed under power steering control module recall notice. Consumer has previous complaint on another vehicle in artemis. The consumer stated the steering would not always function on initial start up. The consumer was advised that there was a steering recall, but the vehicle's VIN was not included.

- Lake Isabella, CA, USA

problem #152

Mar 222018

Explorer

  • 68,000 miles
Electric power steering failure. While drive the power steering failed and was almost impossible to control

- Springhill, FL, USA

problem #151

Mar 092018

Explorer

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The steering ability returned to normal the next day. Four days later, the steering wheel became difficult to turn again. On another occasion, while the vehicle was idling, the contact exited the vehicle and the door locks malfunctioned. The contact became locked out of the vehicle. The vehicle was currently at chapman auto store (6744 E black horse pike, egg harbor township, NJ 08234, (609) 646-2000), but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

- Egg Harbour Township, NJ, USA

problem #150

Nov 212017

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 43,517 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (bondy's Ford Lincoln, 3615 ross clark cir, dothan, al 36303, (877) 858-3522) where it was diagnosed that a nut became disconnected. The dealer replaced the part and inspected the steering area. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: PE12017 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 43,517.

- Ozark, AL, USA

problem #149

Sep 012017

Explorer

  • 70,157 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving unknown speeds, the steering wheel failed to move and the default steering warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,157.

- Hutchinson, KS, USA

problem #148

Mar 082018

Explorer

  • 110,000 miles
Steering got really hard while driving, could barely turn the wheel. Felt like I didn't have power steering. Did it several times on way home trying to turn. Next morning steering wheel was completely locked. Called a tow truck and delivered to Ford dealer. They said the steering rack (power assisted) is defective and will need to be replaced. I told dealer this was extremely dangerous, and that I wanted the defective part back.

- Edgerton, WI, USA

problem #147

Feb 232018

Explorer

  • 58,000 miles
Same problem that hundreds of other Ford owners have complained about, the power steering stops working, steering wheel locks up, the warning power steering fault light comes on. Had checked at clasic Ford in smithfield, nc said there were 99 faulk codes listing that there was a loss of motor position sensor signal, which ment that the steering rack assembly had to be replaced. The very same problem that the 14S06 Ford recall is for, but this vehicle was built after the approved dates, built at the same plant Chicago, Ford does not care enough about their customer safety they just want your dollars. Dealship says it will cost $2500 to fix. Vehicle only has 59,000 miles.

- Smithfield, NC, USA

problem #146

Feb 282018

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
While driving on the highway my steering started to stiffen. I had trouble turning and correcting my steering. There is a recall specifically for this issue but my truck is not covered. This is a very dangerous issue that needs to be resolved immediately.

- Norridge, IL, USA

problem #145

Mar 022018

Explorer

  • 162,000 miles
After starting I noticed the steering very hard to turn. Almost like it had lost power steering. When turning, at first it is hard to turn, then becomes easy and then goes back to being hard to turn. Call my local dealership and wa stood some 2013 model years are covered and some not. If not covered, the cost to replace the electronic module would $1,800. Very very dangerous to drive. How can some model year 2013 be covered on a recall and others not>

- Bloomington, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »