We purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer in June of 2023. I had changed the rear wheel bearings on the vehicle and we had an alignment done at a local Firestone Auto Repair shop after the bearings were replaced. The Firestone shop did the alignment and the steering wheel felt stiff after. We drove the vehicle for two days after the alignment and around August 1, 2023 then the power steering went out on my wife when she had our infant son in the car. She said the service advance track light was flashing red and power steering light was flashing as well. She had no steering at all and luckily she was able to park the vehicle and get a ride home safely. I took the vehicle to a local Ford Dealer and they said the alignment computer showed the steering wheel was 30 degrees off. They re calibrated the alignment but could not confirm that was the reason the power steering went out but gave me a quote to repair the power steering unit. When they pulled it out of the shop, the power steering came back on. We drove the vehicle until around August 30 2023 and the power steering went out again when my wife was driving the vehicle. We had an independent shop look at it and when they hooked it up to the scan tool, it said power steering fault. When they pulled it out of the shop, the power steering came back on. We drove the vehicle until November 3, 2023 when the power steering went out again while driving and had a different Ford Dealer look at it. The diagnoses was intermittent power steering failure but it was not covered under the recall and the dealer nor Ford was provide any assistance. The diagnoses was exactly what the recall states but it was not covered. $4200 repair cost later we have an operational vehicle. Not very impressed with Ford. Reaching out to hope to get some kind of feedback and help in this matter. Three times total while owning the vehicle for six months intermittent power steering failure. Super dangerous situations luckily no one was hurt.

- Fremont , OH, USA

the electronic power steering system seems to be failing causing extremely hard steering. This seems to be a common issue among the explorer family. It is not causing any warning lights or check engine lights to appear on the dash. This could potential cause crashes due to intermitent failures. I have had it inspected by a local mechanic who stated this is a common problem that was recalled on some explorers but mine did not qualify. Mechanic stated the repairs could be extremely pricey.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

I was driving and the steering wheel seized up and locked while I was turning to the left. The car continued to turn left despite my best efforts to straighten the wheel or turn it in any other direction. I just slammed on the brakes to stop from hitting someone or something. Eventually, the steering wheel loosened and I was able to park. During the parking, the steering wheel continued to stay tight and was difficult/almost impossible to turn. I called a tow truck and got the vehicle taken to my local Ford Dealership. I looked online to see what the issue might be and that's when I noticed many complaints/concerns about power steering in 2013 Ford Explorers. This is what I found: "Ford recalled certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorers, saying these vehicles -??may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting a shut down of the power steering assist.-?? This is the exact problem that I have but I never received a recall notification. I contacted Ford and they said my car wasn't made in the same plant that the recall vehicles were made. However, other articles point out that it was widespread and continuous. "Ford Motor Co. announced three safety recalls in North America, including nearly 775,000 Explorer SUVs for an issue that may result in loss of steering control and thus increase the risk of a crash." The recall number was 14S06 but I am being told I don't qualify for the recall despite having a Ford Explorer within that exact year and the exact same issues and problem. I am very disappointed that Ford is unwilling to acknowledge the issue or help to remedy it. I contacted Dealerships and Ford Customer Service and both said there are no recalls on file. I hope this issue can be made aware (it already has if it is a recall of 775,000 vehicles) and addressed. Luckily, no one was hurt but this could have been very bad and Ford should take ownership.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH from a parking spot and turning the wheel to the left, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The contact was able to reverse into a parking spot. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

ELECTRICAL RACK AND PINION - LOCKED UP STEERING WHEEL. Wife driving car could have been hurt. Was inspected by independent service person. No warning !!

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the Electronic Power Steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and the vehicle operated normally. The failure was intermittent but eventually, the failure became a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle the Electronic Power Steering had malfunctioned and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle the failure had self corrected and the vehicle operated as normal. The failure was intermittent but eventually the failure became a permanent problem. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the Steering Rack Assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000(Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel was loose and the traction control was inadvertently deactivated. The failure caused the vehicle to vibrate abnormally. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the Service Advance Trac System message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who recalibrated the steering wheel; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

- Mission, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact also stated that an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that a new steering gear system was needed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tampa, FL, USA

The electric power assist for the steering quit working. This would be dangerous if driven

- Fort Mccoy, FL, USA

Steering failure- known issue and has safety recall but my serial number was not in recall but having issue with power steering going out and giving fault warning. Usually able to restart and code goes away and steering works. Now it has happened while driving and cannot reset. No power steering. Asked dealer and they refused to repair since VIN was not in recall. Wrote Ford and they refused to repair under recall. This is a problem even though VIN is not in recall. Ford needs to repair under warranty since it-??s a safety issue. Latest incident was 11/28/2023 but has happened multiple times in the last 8 months.

- New Hill, NC, USA

While driving I-??ve been having trouble with my steering wheel getting stuck when I make turns. Or just locking up randomly without movement. I then have to shut my car off and restart. It has almost caused me to wreck on multiple occasions. I-??ve taken my car to two different mechanic shops and I was told by both that I would need to take my car into the dealership because the steering is electric. The dealership quoted me a price for 3 grand to have it fixed. This needs to be on the recall list immediately as I-??ve found this to be a major issues for this make and model. Very dangerous! Be careful.

- Des Moines , IA, USA

The power Steering Assist failed. I was unable to steer the vehicle.

- Columbia, SC, USA

2013 Ford Explorer: Power Steering service now red light came on as problem occured it did ding, but not in time for reaction. While driving the wheel will lock no matter how fast or slow you are going. Put myself, my children and husband in danger, as well as others. This has occurred now 4 times in the last month. It is being sent to dealership for a current Recall. No police or insurance has inspected.

- Converse, TX, USA

Electric Steering Module failure loss of steering control could have caused accident, able to stop and pull over barely. Was like steering was fighting me, used a lot of force to pull over almost caused accident not safe!!!!!! Scared the hell out of me.

- Mantua, OH, USA

Started car with auto start. Drove approx 5 miles. Pulled up to gas station shut car off, no issues. Pumped gas started vehicle and all these warning lights came on. Service power steering, and so on. Vehicle wheel is locked in place. Called tow truck.

- Cheswick, PA, USA

Power steering is not working properly. Steering is easy then a few seconds later it's hard to turn

- Foley, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated she was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and driving to the residence. The vehicle was parked at the residence and failed to restart for four days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,500.

- Tabor City, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact stated the "loss of power steering" message was illuminated. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off and on and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a dealer who diagnosed and determined that the power steering gears, and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,192.

- Kyle, TX, USA

Power steering assist popped up on dashboard with no warning. The safety of me and my children were put at jeopardy because what if we were driving on road and the steering wheel locked up on us?

- Houston, TX, USA