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. When the engine was started and the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the steering wheel became difficult to move. The power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. When the contact turned off the engine and restarted the vehicle, it returned to normal operation. When the warning indicator illuminated, the engine became difficult to start. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure recurred several other times. The local dealer (lorenzo Ford located at 30725 S federal hwy (US1), homestead, fl 33030 888-454-9476) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-392-3673 and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.
- Homestead, FL, USA
It's making real loud noise. Trys to pull the car off the road. It's very dangerous, unsafe to drive.
- Parkton, NC, USA
Began experiencing some light binding in steering while driving highway speed. Exercised the steering back a forth a little. Advancetrac stability control was turned off by the vehicle control system and steering service warning appeared on the dash. Vehicle became difficult to steer. Vehicles from my model year were recalled for steering gear failure (14S06), but my vehicle was manufactured after the relevant date. Ford is making me pay for the repair (new steering rack) for $1520 (parts and labor).
- New Bern, NC, USA
The vehicle began making rubbing/grinding noises when steered (both directions) in normal operation. This was accompanied by sluggish steering. At one point the warning lights indicated that the steering system required service "now!". upon pulling over and stopping, the steering locked up, making the vehicle unable to drive. My Ford service tech advised that the steering gear box was "bad". they replaced the defective part at the expense (to me) of $1,700.
- Livingston, MT, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While making left or right turns, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer was notified and scheduled an appointment to inspect and diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
- Miami, FL, USA
Driving 80 mph on the turnpike and steering becomes very difficult to manuveur. If the steering would've froze, it could've resulted in a fatal crash going 80 mph. Take to dealership and it needs a new power steering rack which costs $1,800. It appears certain vins for my year, make, model were recalled for the same issue but my was not and is not eligible but is having the same issues. This is a major safety issue and needs to be resolved by Ford.
- Olmsted Falls, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving, the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 06/13/17
- Lowell, IN, USA
I was driving my 2013 Ford Explorer when I went to make a turn and the wheel froze without warning. The electronic power steering failed and I was told I needed to replace the steering rack and it was not covered under warranty.
- Aurora, CO, USA
The power steering went out and the SUV was hard to steer. This happened when I first started the vehicle. The Ford dealer said that it was the rack and pinion and will need to be replaced in the near future. I have seen a recall for this problem on a lot of 2013 Ford Explorer but the dealer said that mine was not one on recall. I believe it needs to be because this is a safety hazard and evidently a common problem on the Ford Explorer. The dealer stated that the cost to replace it was $1800. The description of the problem on the recall fits exactly to the problem this vehicle is having.
- Covington, GA, USA
While on the highway driving home, I got a yellow caution message to service the power steering soon. I exited the highway to make a rest stop and when I started the vehicle again, the same message popped up, followed immediately by a red warning message to service power steering now. Vehicle had no power steering on the remaining drive home.
- Portage, MI, USA
Vehicle has become hard to steer & takes extra effort. Was diagnosed by Ford dealer as having a faulty electrical component in the steering rack. Ford service manager stated the steering can completely lock up while vehicle is moving if steering rack not replaced. Steering rack must be replaced at approx. Cost of $1500.
- Elsmere, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact restarted the vehicle in order to use the steering wheel. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
- Little Elm, TX, USA
Back in October 2016 I moved my Explorer in my drive way everything was fine next day couldn't drive or move it the power assist was beeping on the dash steering wheel don't even move wheels don't move.... $2000 and up to fix it not everyone can afford that and it has to be taking to a Ford dealership!!so it still sits in my drive way today I have ask Ford motor to help that didn't happen.......
- Linden, MI, USA
Total lose of steering in 2013 Ford Explorer 2/26/17 while driving down road at 55 mph, no warning lights. Engine stayed on but vehicle veered to the left (yes we went into the median) vehicle was making noise (sitting while turning steering wheel) a few days before. Vehicle was towed to Ford dealer. I looked up the recalls on this vehicle for the electronic steering, there were none listed.
- Navarre, FL, USA
Power steering fault message and complete loss of steering, while backing out of driveway. Vehicle has approx 46,800 miles on it. Vehicle extremely hard to steer, and left on street overnight. Went to start next day and error message gone. My vehicle was not part of the recall involving the power steering problem. I think this needs to be looked into further. To lose your steering on a highway would be catastrophic.
- Lithia, FL, USA
The vehicle was traveling approximately 15mph and started to make a turn when the power steering failed. The car jumped the curb and came to stop. Vehicle dashboard said 'power steering failure' the vehicles ignition was turned off by the driver and then was re-started. The power steering then came back and was functioning.
- Elmhurst, IL, USA
While driving down a city street my vehicle lurched and the terrain management system fault light and orange wrench light came on. It wouldn't accelerate and I lost my power steering. I was able to coast to side of the road. I shut it off and waiter for about a minute then restarted it. It idled rough for a few seconds then smoothed out and I was able to make it home.
- Milton, FL, USA
I had no prior issues with steering and I purchased this vehicle September 29, 2016. I parked my vehicle at home overnight and when I started it the next morning, the power steering fail warning popped up on my dash and it was almost impossible to turn the steering wheel.
- Annapolis, MD, USA
My 2013 Ford Explorer has had its power steering assist stop working 3 times in the last month. Happened when driving on a mild turn on a 2 lane blacktop winding road - could have resulted in an accident. This was a recalled item for these cars from 2011 through 2013 but based on my VIN number Ford is saying that it is not covered. My car obviously has the same problem as the recalled vins on file. Ford want me to pay for the repair ands keep my receipt in case a recall is issued later (or someone in my family dies because of this).
- Patterson, NY, USA
- Dayton, TX, USA