One week prior to incident, the car started making a clicking sound when turning the steering wheel to the left, both while driving and while sitting still, but was most noticeable at low speeds. We made an appointment with Ford to have it inspected, the first available was 10 days away. Over the next few days the clicking sound increased and was more noticeable. On the day of the incident the car was driven a short distance, then parked. When we returned to drive the car again and started the car the steering wheel was completely stuck, and could not be turned in either direction. It made a terrible screeching sound when trying to turn the wheel. The car had to be towed to a Ford dealership. They replaced the power control steering module and steering assembly (rack and pinion). This is the same part that was recalled on the 2011-2013 Ford Explorer, and from online research appears to be the same part in the 2014 Ford Explorer. Therefore, this part should be recalled and should be replaced by Ford as it is defective. This is a serious safety issue as the inability to steer increases the risk of crash and death. If the wheel had locked up while driving we would have certainly crashed.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering assist failure and service advance track warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to her residence. The vehicle was taken to local dealer randy wise Ford Inc. Located at 968 S. ortonville rd, ortonville, mi 48462, (248) 627-3730, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 127,300.

- Ortonville, MI, USA

My wife was driving on the highway when the steering started feeling different. As she excited the highway onto city streets, the steering became increasingly difficult to control to the point that any required sudden movements would have created an accident due to difficulty turning the wheel. The following day, the steering was completely locked up and could not turn the wheel at all. The car was towed to first Ford in fall river, MA and determined the entire power steering pump, rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

- Westport, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering column ceased while driving 55-70 mph causing the vehicle to sway to the left and to the right. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the vehicle to the left or to the right, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to pittsville Ford (7155 friendship rd, pittsville, md 21850, (877) 760-5870) who stated that the steering column and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Delmar, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, 'the service advance track', "pull over safely, steering disabled", and "steering fault, service now" warning messages displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle loss power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then towed to bob swope Ford, Inc (1307 N dixie hwy, elizabethtown, ky 42701) where an estimate was provided for the repair of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Hodgenville, KY, USA

Ford Explorer 2014 82,000 miles great condition. Was driving 65 on the expressway, at that time the steering went out and pulled to the car to the left. The wheel was stuck.. I or someone else on the road could have been injured. I called Ford spoke to arayba, got case number. I called back the next day, arayba stated there was nothing Ford could do for me. I asked for a supervisor. This is a safety issue. It was a recall in the past. Why not now? supervisor jennifer called me back a day later. She laughed when I told her I could've have been hurt badly. Ford will not do anything to help cover charges. This part is a 2500 fix.

- Willow Springs, IL, USA

Vehicle became incredibly difficult to steer while driving on the highway at 60mph. It could have easily resulted in a vehicle collision. Indicator message on the dash stated a steering fault. I was able to get home and later the steering stopped working completely and now the error message reads steering loss. I took the car to a local dealership who diagnosed a steering gear needs to be replaced for $3,000. This steering loss could have resulted in an injury or death, no question. Vehicle is only 6 years old and 2011-2013 Ford Explorer have been recalled for the same issue (NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000) but this year of manufacture, 2014, is not covered, although it is the exact same issue.

- Buckley, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact pulled over and waited 5 minutes before starting the vehicle and driving to her destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact called O. C. welch Ford located at: 4920 independence blvd, hardeeville, SC 29927, (843) 288-0100, to notify the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

ON 7-09-2020, WHILE MAKING A TURN ON A COUNTY ROAD DOING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPHS, MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND BUT BRAKES MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO GO OFF ROADWAYINTO INTO A FIELD. THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING CAUSED A HORRIBLE SCREECH AND WAS HARD TO TURN. AFTERWARDS WHEN I WAS STOPPED TWO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DEALING WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL. ALSO MY TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. GOING SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M. AND A DISTANCE OF 10 MILES. I USED MY CODE READER AND A CODE OF P 135 OR 6 CAME UP. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT WALDORF FORD ON 7-14-2020. [XXX] IS THE SERVICE WRITER WHO CALLED ME [XXX].AT WALDORF FORD AND AFFIRMED IT WAS THE RACK N PINON. I READ ON VARIOUS ON LINE SOURCES THAT THE RACK N PINON WAS THE CAUSE WITH THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS. THIS PART WAS RECALLED FOR THE FOLLOWING YEARS: 2011,12,13,15,16 AND 2017. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pomfret, MD, USA

This is the second time my power steering has quit suddenly! the first time I replaced the rack and pinion myself and all is fine for bout a year and it just did it again!! I pulled up to get gas and killed my car and went to get back in and leave and I didn't have steering anymore! no warnings!

- Ore City, TX, USA

The steering started making a grinding noise when wheel turned left or right. Eventually steering became tighter and tighter and unresponsive. At low speeds it was worse. At higher speeds it was very difficult to control the vehicle.

- Matawan, NJ, USA

While driving at 55 miles an hour on the great river rd which is windy and narrow. I was making a slight curve when I notice the steering wheel tight and not moving. I lost the steering and had a heck of a time just to get off the highway. My husband had to come and tow the Explorer back to the house. We took it to the the kieler garage in dickeyville wi. Ross said it is the complete electric steering assembly that needs to be replaced. We only have 79,848 miles on this vehicle. This could have been a terrible situation had it been on a curve. I was never so scared in all my life. I was on my way to pick up my 2 grandkids. Please look into this cause this should not happen. My VIN label said my Explorer was manufactured in 2013. There was a recall on 2011-2013. If they are using the same parts from one year to the next, then 2014 should be recalled also. I am looking at about $750 - $900. Please check into this for me.

- Cassville, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to elder Ford of troy (777 john R rd, troy, mi 48083), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering assist module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,300.

- Rockchester Hills, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering assist fault-service required warning message displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

2014 Explorer limited with 103,587 miles was being driven at vehicle was driving in city conditions at 20 mph while turning. The power steering failed and the power steering assist fault came on. Managed not to hit the car in the oncoming lane by wrestling the wheel to the right. Pulled over and turned the car off and then restarted to find the problem had abated. This occurred on or about the 20th of April, 2020. The second time the power steering failed, I was driving on the highway straight. I looked down only briefly and there were several messages displayed of which I caught the first "power steering assist fault" is the only one I recognized. I was again able to pull the car over to the side of the road, and after turning the car off and then back on the power steering was back on. This event occurred May 14th 2020.

- Edmond, OK, USA

I started the car started to back out of driveway in the process it felt like I had no power steering as I put into drive as to pull out into the road the steering felt like it didn't want to return and kind of pulled. As I drove down the road the steering was very stiff handling didn't respond very well.there was a recall on 2011-2013 models my car has a build date of 8/2013 kind of thinking it could fall under that recall.

- Hamburg,Ny, NY, USA

I own a 2014 Ford Explorer had a loss of electric power steering assist recently. Also the traction control, terrain management warning lights came on and the turn signals were not functioning. This same issue has occurred on 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 Ford Explorer which there was a recall but no recall for 2014 model. This seems very odd.the cost of repair was $2,100. I filed a complaint to Ford for reimbursement but they denied it since it wasn't part of a recall and provided no other explanation. The steering started to have problems while driving on the freeway and the traction control and terrain management lights came on, and turn signal not working. When I finally stopped the steering loss warning light came on and I couldn't turn the steering wheel. The car has 102,000 miles.

- Danville, CA, USA

Steering power assist is not consistent was significantly reduced. This took place when turning and caused an understeer which could have resulted in an accident if there was an oncoming vehicle. Vehicle was just in the dealership for service that day and checked out fine.

- Cold Spring, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel became loose. The contact stated that it was difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the frederick motor company located at 1 waverley dr, frederick, md 21702 where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000. The VIN was not available.

- Frederick, MD, USA

April 3, 2020 driving home county road 45mph steering assist warning came on was than mile later complete loss of steering occurred. With great difficulty made it to driveway. Also traction select feature doesn't work. Vehicle mileage 62725. Needs recall before deaths start being reported.

- Clarksville, TN, USA