My 2014 explorer was just diagnostic with a failing electric racket pinon steering defect. I am unable to drive my vehicle and not able to repair it, the cost is way to much. I see that the 2011 thru 2013 have a recall on steering failure that was addressed in August of 2014. The steering locks up on me and feels like its all over the road.

- White Bear Township, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would turn in the opposite direction of the driver input. The contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal noise. Occasionally, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering assist functionality. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted and the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 117,677.

- Rose Bud, AR, USA

Steering gear is grinding and showing signs of the same condition that the 2013 models were recalled to repair. Is it possible the steering equipment in the 2014 vehicle was manufactured doing the period the suspect gears were built?

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

While operating my vehicle at approximately 40 mph, I experienced partial loss of steering (hard steering) making the vehicle difficult to control. The partial loss of steering experienced put myself and the safety of others in my vehicle at the and on the roadway at risk for a crash. I immediately took the vehicle into a repair shop to have it inspected to ascertain what the issue was. Upon completion of the inspection, it was determined that the rack and pinion failed and needed to replaced. Prior to the loss of steering, I DID NOT receive any warning indications on my dash about steering issues or steering failures.

- New York, NY, USA

1. power steering system. Yes. 2. The steering becomes hard to steer while it is making the noise. 3. I have not taken it to the dealer yet. 4. No. I can't afford to get it fixed yet. 5. No. Several weeks ago. The steering becomes hard to steer and makes a lot of noise when it happens. It usually corrects itself after it happens. It is getting to the point where it is happening more frequently. I am at the point where I need to get it fixed but I can't afford the repair cost.

- Hobe Sound, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left. The contact accidentally struck the curb; however, there were no injuries. There were no warning lights. There was minor damage to the front end of the driver's side. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 75,000.

- Williston, VT, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and entering the highway exit ramp and turning right, the power steering failed to operate properly. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Oswego, NY, USA

I was traveling from Florida to Georgia on Sunday, May 1, 2022. I left Homosassa Springs, FL at 7:00 AM. At around 3:30 PM, I was traveling on Hwy 515, Jasper, GA. The traffic was heavy on the two lane road, speed limit was between 45 mph and 55 mph. I was traveling 45 mph when my car started driving very strange. I noticed it in the steering wheel, I pulled into the Jasper Walmart parking lot and could barely steer my car and then a message came on my dashboard stating that my electrical power steering system had shut down! Good Grief, I had just come through nightmare traffic through Atlanta...what if it had happened then! I researched this problem with the Ford power steering system. I saw that NHTSA investigated this issue in 2012 and found that this power steering problem posed a legitimate safety risk. A recall was made on 2011-2013 Ford Explorers built from 5/17/2010 thru 2/28/2012 based on an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear. I truly believe for the safety of us who are driving a 2014 Ford Explorer and those on the roadway with us, that the NHTSA needs to investigate this further. Is Ford still using the same power steering component? Since what happened to me is the same problem investigated, it appears that they are. I filed Case #[XXX] on Monday, May 2, 2022 because I think FORD is responsible for this repair. My 2014 Ford Explorer has 59,363.9 miles, driven by an older (80 on May 9) female. I am a very safe and cautious driver. I have taken excellent care of my car with consistent service requirements. This vehicle has not been abused. Your consideration for my request to investigate this issue is appreciated. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Homosassa Springs, FL, USA

I was pulling into a parking space turning my steering wheel to the right when steering seized up causing me to barely miss the concrete pole in the garage. The error message "Steering Assist Fault" popped up.. Turned car off left it as is since was difficult to turn wheel. When I went back to turn car off it reset itself and I was able to drive it without issues, but now very cautious in case I am driving on the road and this happens. There are two recalls 21S32 and 19S17 on my vehicle for "replacement of rear suspension toe links" It appears after researching that this defect can cause "a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash"

- Walpole, MA, USA

Took to dealership to fix previous recall issues and was told clunking noise when turning right is do to needing new rack and pinion system. Previous recall for this excludes the 2014 explorer but covers the 2013 thru 2017.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

When driving the Ford Explorer 2014, the power steering seems to be faulty, when turning corners or pulling out of parking spaces the steering wheel is very hard to turn. Re: safety it is very hard to steer and very dangerous, seems like it has a mind of its own. Been inspected by a Ford Dealer in Brattleboro and have been informed that i need to replace the Rack & Pinion Assembly R&R. I have been reading different websites and have noticed that ford explorers from 2013 to 2017 apart from 2014 have been recalled due to steering issues and there are many comments and complaints re: other ford explorers 2014 owners having steering issues. No warning lights have come up on the desk board.

- Keene, NH, USA

my wife own's a 2014 ford explorer and we been having problems with the power steering assist fault. on 5/7/2021 we had a message display on the dash saying power steering assist fault while she was on the way to work. when this happens you have no steering and goes into manual steering and is hard to steer. she got the vehicle off to the shoulder of the road and turned vehicle off and restarted it and power steering message went away. she took it to our local ford dealer and the scanned it for the problem and they gave her a code of C1BOO and code U3000 and both codes ford manufacturer says it is a information code saying doesn't require parts or to be diagnosed or replaced. now on 2/23/2022 the same problem happened while taking my 7 yr old daughter to school and message on the dash came on saying power steering assist fault service and she had no previous warning and the steering locked up while going down the road. so we took it back to the ford dealer again and they quoted us a price of 2175 before tax to have it repaired. yes it has 90,000 miles on the vehicle but the first time we took it in it had a extended warranty. so i called ford customer complaint and they told me there was nothing they could do cuz the vin# had no recalls on it and i told them someone is going to get seriously injured if not killed. there is page after page of this problem happening to other ford explorer owners and its pretty pathetic that ford has been having this problem with the explorer's since 2011 for what i have been reading.

- Fennville, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-12 MPH and coming to a stop, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure almost caused a crash. The contact quickly veered to the emergency lane and turned on the hazard lights. The traction control warning light and the warning message "Steering Loss. Stop Safely" illuminated. The vehicle was being towed to the dealer and had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Sylva, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling into a parking spot, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Lamoni, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse from the residence, the steering failed to turn either to the left or the right. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,658. Vehicle has not been repaired. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT BELIEVED IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 14V28600.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

Was pulling up to gas pumps when steering failed/locked. Was able to stop vehicle to avoid collision with pumps. Steer Assist Fail warning light came on. Shut vehicle off and warning light went out and steering came back. Brought vehicle home and used other to go to work. Was told by dealer that the Steering Rack is faulted and needs replacement at 71000 miles. The 2014 Steering racks fail at between 60000-80000 miles just as the 2011-2013 Explorers do and need to be recalled before someone is killed.

- Swanton, VT, USA

While driving I noticed the power steering had failed. The steering was difficult and jerky while making turns and while coming out of turns. With the steering inconsistent the vehicle would on occasion not come out of the turn on it's own and put myself and my family at risk of an accident. The vehicle was brought to Salem NH Ford and the problem was found to be the steering rack and lower steering u-joint, shaft assembly, and pinion. There were no warning lights on the dash. Repairs for vehicle totaled $3,346.31

- Atkinson, NH, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel there was an abnormal knocking and ticking sound detected. The maintenance warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was provided a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 21V537000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Hemingway, SC, USA

Engine water pump leak the pump is internal and can potentially cause engine damage. Steering some times the power assist fails and you have to turn-off and restart the car to get the steering to work

- Carmichael , CA, USA

My steering started going out when I was merging infront of a truck. I was almost run off the road and hit by the truck at the same time but I muscled it.. it started working again for a second then went completely out saying power steering disabled pull over safely. I finally got to a place where I could pull over. Called a tow truck and my car has been sitting at the shop for months because Ford won't send the parts that were ordered. In looking up ways to get the parts I saw that there were so many other complaints of the same exact problem. I then looked up to see if there was a recall and the make and model was part of a recall but in looking up the VIN# it didn't show a recall. This issue could have killed me and from the other reports I've read it almost killed many others with the same car as well. Power Steering was inoperative. Code U3000 (control module) stored. Replace PCSM and program. PCSM is integrated into the steering rack. Integral part of the steering gear assembly. Includes lower subframe Program PCM. Is what the mechanic has put on the service order. My car was towed to the mechanic on 11/3/21. The part was ordered but Ford has yet to fill the order. The date today is 1/12/22

- Longview, WA, USA