Vehicle started to make a grinding noise when we turned the steering wheel. So we took it to the shop where we bought the vehicle. They diagnosed the problem saying it was the electronic power steering rack and pinion. The shop did not want us to drive vehicle home due to being unsafe to drive. Vehicle has under 80K miles.

- Gobles, MI, USA

On November 8, 2020 I was pulling out of my drive way to leave my house and noticed a grinding sound coming from the front end, it was very loud, and caused me to have loss of control over the cars steering; especially when turning wheel left and right at lower speeds and on sharp turns. (the wheels do not straighten out or return to center when exiting a turn and will then over compensate and veer to the right after having to manually turn the wheel back.) we took it to a local Ford dealer. After reviewing my Explorer they stated that the rack and pinion was bad and it needed to be replaced asap due to this being a major safety issue and we shouldn't wait to get it replaced total cost for the job would be $4,284.59. I called Ford cooperate and explained to them that this was a safety issue as it came on suddenly with out warning. I was made aware that the previous years 2011-2013 have been recalled for this same issue, and that there have been multiple other complaints on the 2014 and 2015 having the same issue but with only a "warning" being placed on them, not a recall for the 2014 or 2015. They told me that my year doesn't have a recall and stated I could open a case and file a complaint with the NHTSA and that was all I could do, but if a recall was offered in the future I could possible get reimbursed. When we brought the vehicle to the local Ford dealer, they informed us that there was a recall notice for the toe link that can affect the steering but not a recall on the rack. This steering rack issue poses a major safety concern. Please consider working with Ford to ensure the safety of all who drive the 2014 Explorer and place a recall on this item asap. I am very fortunate no one was physically hurt when my steering went. Thank you for your consideration in this matter of major safety. I look forward to hearing from you.

- Fairhaven, MA, USA

Hi my name is [xxx]. I purchased this 2014 Ford Explorer from a certified Ford garage mechanic this summer. The private party purchase was in June 2020 with 89, xxx miles. The seller showed me every repair, oil change, brakes etc. Were done in a Ford garage. Ten thousand miles later the vehicle snapped a toe link lateral arm driving down a smooth highway 60mph! the vehicle swerved and my wife and 2 young kids were in danger.. the vehicle was towed, for the wheel was tipped in and not stable...flat bed tow $100 out of pocket... Ford of hibbing dealer said the vehicle was not recalled and they wouldn't have time to repair for over a month.. they sold me the factory Ford toe link that was the "fix" upgrade... with all the dealers and local auto shops way way behind and short handed I had the vehicle towed again for $100 out of pocket to my garage.. I went to tech school out of high school for auto mechanic and received a 2 year degree and previously was a auto mechanic for 10 plus years.. anyways beyond that point I replaced the toe link in my shop and inspected other points.. after I replaced the link I was able to have the vehicle towed to a local tire and alignment shop in hibbing mn (iron range tire) which they than professionally aligned and tightened the rear suspension. 100 miles later happens again to my wife and kids down the highway!! towed again $100! currently at lundgren Ford dealer eveleth mn. $2800 to replace and repair suspension components! filed a Ford case # [xxx]. Ford refused to cooperate or possibly pay for repair! the service dept manager said the vehicle was serviced regularly at that shop and said service records show the complete rear suspension was replaced in 2019!! 20,000 miles ago! and its already breaking again! its unsafe for my wife and 4 & 6yr old boys! please help! im seriously not wasting time! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hibbing, MN, USA

As I was driving, thankfully at a slow speed, and making a right hand turn there was a complete failure of power steering. I loss complete control of steering and went into oncoming traffic. When failure occurred, several warning lights simultaneously popped up but as I was under the duress of trying to avoid a collision, I do not have a complete list but I did see the steering assist system failure and requires service all blinking red. There were no adverse road conditions nor driving style and absolutely no warning whatsoever. The vehicle has approximately 93,000 miles. I had to cover the cost to tow the car to a Ford dealer shop and they tell me that the issue cannot be replicated but they believe it is a rack and pinion and steering/column failure and are quoting me over 2500 for repairs. As this issue has been happening to hundred if not thousands of owners of the same make and model, years 2011-2014 and 2015-2017 (if not later) fall under this same failure recall, this matter needs to be addressed immediately. I fear getting behind the wheel of this car and am lucky that I did not cause a serious accident due to this vehicle failure.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

I went to get in my car to get groceries and when I went to turn into the parking lot my steering felt like I was turning a truck with no power steering.I called my car dealer and he told me that there is no recall on my car but the years before and after the year of my car, they have recalls on this problem. I only have 55,000 mi. On it.they said it would cost $2,500 to fix. I can't afford it being retired now and can't afford a new one.

- Clay, NY, USA

While attempting to take a slight right turn, the vehicle did not turn at first. It continued straight for a second. Then it seam like the steering jumped and caught a gear. The vehicle then turned to the right. I was traveling at around 25 mph

- Mandeville, LA, USA

The vehicle was in motion, luckily at low speeds when the steering failed completely, vehicle immediately became unable to steer (this was not loss of power steering, it was loss of steering completely). Several warnings immediately popped up including steering assist system failure, service required immediately. Upon investigation it appears this issue was covered (via recall) in year models 2011-2013 and 2015-2017. For some reason VIN's from 2014 were omitted from the recall yet I am far from the only person experiencing the same issue with these 2014 models. We love our Explorer but I am afraid to let my wife or daughter drive it now. The repair is going to cost me approx $3,000 plus the cost of having it towed to the dealership. This is a major safety issue and should be addressed by Ford and NHTSA as soon as possible. This year model being omitted from this recall is an incredible oversight. My Explorer had 123,000 miles at the time of failure. At the time of failure there was no excessive force or harsh driving conditions being used.

- Midlothian, TX, USA

Power steering failed while pulling out of a parking space causing the vehicle to be extremely difficult to control. Multiple warning messages appear in the dash upon starting the vehicle. This appears to be an issue with the power steering control module. There is a recall for previous year models of this car with the same steering system.

- Willis, TX, USA

Lost power steering while operating vehicle. Advancetrac and power steering assist codes both came on. Very dangerous and steering gear box has been recalled in prior and later models but not the 2014 model. Cost of repair close to 2000 dollars for a vehicle part they have clearly had issues with.

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel seized with the steering assist warning light illuminated. The warning light indicated fault service required. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer in miami, Florida, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack & pinion module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with the same failure the dealer diagnosed earlier. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the steering power assist warning light illuminated indicating a need for service. The contact stated that his wife almost crashed the vehicle due to the power steering seizing while she was driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but, was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact called haag Ford sales, Inc (405 E eads pkwy, greendale, in 47025) and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that their engineer would inspect the vehicle but, offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

- Guilford, IN, USA

When I went to turn out of my driveway I noticed the steering got really hard to turn. Turning at corners the steering is hard and occasionally pulls back/jerks.

- Stroudsburg, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle or while driving at various speeds, the power steering ceased with the steering assist fault, service required warning message on the instrument panel. The contact stated that upon restart of the vehicle, the power steering returned and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact called mccombs Ford West (7111 northwest loop 410, san antonio, tx 78238) and mac haik's southway Ford (7979 interstate 35 access rd, san antonio, tx 78224) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer who also informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact to call NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving and making turns. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

- Auburn, NY, USA

Was driving up a hill going around corner and steering failed nearly causing an accident. There was no warning and the steering jerked to the left in a right hand turn. Was barely able to control vehicle. I am a fairly muscular person and it took everything to control the vehicle. Was barely able to get vehicle home luckily I was only a couple miles from home. An average person would not have been able to control the vehicle and an accident would likely happen. Under research with Ford with electronic steering this is happening regularly and accidents are happening.there is no warning and the steering wheel gets jerked to one side or the other with very little control on the vehicle.the vehicle I was driving was moving when this occurred.

- Orange, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the power steering ceased to operate as an unknown warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle to all american Ford in point pleasant (3306 bridge ave, point pleasant, NJ 08742) where he left the vehicle there to be inspected and repaired. The contact was later informed that his steering rack module was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact reached out to the manufacturer and was given a case number. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would call him back. The contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Point Pleasant, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel ceased as the anti-lock braking system, steering assist failure, and the service advanced track warning messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a relative's house. The contact spoke to cecil atkission Ford Lincoln (2700 veterans blvd, del rio, tx 78840) where she was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and was given the same information as the dealer. The contact was then referred to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving with the curve of the road at approximately 55 mph, the power steering suddenly failed. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that they needed to use excessive amount of force when steering the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer O'brien Ford of shelbyville (720 mt eden rd, shelbyville, ky 40065, (502) 633-4535) who stated that the gear assembly steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

An error comes on the dash that says steering failure pullover safely. The whole power steering is electric and Ford has had this problem before

- Ridgely, MD, USA

Driving down the road, all my traction control lights came on and my steering wheel locked up. Luckily I was at low speed and was able to stop safely. I called local Ford dealer that told me it was not a recall.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA