The power steering on my 2014 Ford Explorer stopped working all together while pulling into the driveway of my home off of a city street. Warning lights came on stating traction assist and power steering faults. This happened with out warning and made the vehicle very hard to steer.

- Cushing, OK, USA

After fueling up at the gas station I started driving home when the steering got hard and couldnt make turns easily, on the dash it said 'steering assist fault service required', thankfully I was able to slow down and there wasnt much traffic but I was very scared for a few moments, I had a 1yr old and a 6yr old with

- Alton, TX, USA

Steering assist fault service required message popped up when I started my car. The steering wheel would not turn either direction. Luckily I was in office parking lot and it did not happen while driving or I would not have been able to turn to avoid other cars. I made arrangements to have car towed, but when I started it up again the steering worked as normal. I did not want to chance it happening again so I put in the shop. It was an electrical issue within the steering shaft and had to be replaced. I was lucky that it did not happen while driving, but wanted to report in case it helps others.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

While driving 2014 Explorer very near home, the power steering failed. I was able to drive back home but called for a tow to the dealership for repair. The 'code' said reset computer. This was done but during test drive failure happened again. Since no code is provided, I am told the only thing that is left is just to drive it and see if it happens again. This just seems very unsafe especially if my wife is driving and unable to handle the car to a stop or we are in heavy traffic.

- Waynesboro, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost power steering ability and the service power steering indicator illuminated. The contact drove to purchase Ford/Lincoln (1352 us-45, mayfield, ky 42066) on September 19, 2019 where they replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Hickory, KY, USA

While driving straight on the highway a warning light alert came on saying steering assist fault service required. At the same time the steering wheel locked up as I was traveling 70 mph. I could only turn the steering wheel a 10th of a turn if that. I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road. I then turned off the car and attempted to restart the car hoping it would reset the system so I could make it to the local car dealership. Unfortunately it would not reset so I limped the car to the dealership as safely as I could. Had I been turning when this had happened I wouldnt not have been able to make a turn at the speed I was going (70mph).

- Lawson, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and the "please make a safe stop" warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to wayne akers Ford (2000 10th ave N, lake worth, fl 33461, (800) 749-8875) where it was currently waiting to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

Approximately 68,000 miles. Grinding noise coming from rack 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...driver must manually return the wheel to the middle. I was already aware of the recalls for the 2011-2013 for the malfunctioning power steering gears (or rack and pinion) when I took the vehicle into royal oak Ford (royal oak, mi), they deterrmined that the rack needs to be replaced and that Ford will not cover the costs for this safety issue. Quoted $1650 for rack and $550 for labor for a total of $2200. They were not also able to disclose what was the actually wrong with the rack, only stated that it needed to be replaced. The rack, P/N: ste633rm, was used in the 2011-2015 Ford Explorer. The safety recall is only for 2011-2013. I have a 2014 Explorer which is not covered in the recall. Parts.Ford.com state that this is a remanufactured rack which retails for $1417.09. There is a 2 year warranty included with this price.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

Turning at a red light my power steering locked up with a warning on the screen stating steering assit service required. I turn the vehicle off and back on and the steering unlocked. Since the car is making a whining nose. I see multiple recalls for this make and model for power steering issues but my VIN number isnt listed.

- Lugoff, SC, USA

While driving on the highway the steering was sticking as I moved the wheel left or right. After a period of time the Explorer displayed the following message, "steering loss stop safely" and "service advance trac". at this point the vehicle's computer turned off the stability control and turn signals. I was able to reach my destination, but when I tried to drive the vehicle the following day, the computer displayed a message that there was complete steering failure and I could not get the steering wheel to budge. I called for a tow and it went to a Ford dealership. The contacted me later in the day and stated that the steering rack completely failed and that it would have to be replaced. The total cost of steering rack amounted to $2173.75. My understanding is that Ford has recalled 2011-2013 and 2015-2018 models, but not my model year of 2014.

- Rochester, MN, USA

While driving, noticed that is was more difficult to turn corners. Appontment was not available for a few days to have it looked at, and it was parked while waited for appointment. When I drove it to dealership, there was a grinding noise while turning as well as the difficult turning. Was told the electronic steering gear is defective and needs to be replaced. In doing research, this was recalled on many other Explorer but not the 2014 year.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the driver was unable to turn the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was towed to gervais Ford(5 littleton rd, ayer, MA) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Previously, while making sharp turns, a grinding noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 81,000.

- Leominster, MA, USA

When I started my vehicle (in park) I got a message on the dashboard that said "power steering assist fault". I tried backing out of the parking space and turning and the power steering did not work.

- Belgium, WI, USA

The electrical steering control module went out on my car (63K miles) and has been replaced by the dealer at my cost for $3300. When driving down the road at any speed, worse at freeway speeds, the car started grinding while switching lanes and turning without any fault lights on. It did not feel like a safety issue but was scary as [xxx]. when parked and I would turn the wheel it would make a clunking noise. I got it home and stopped driving it until I could get in to an appointment at the dealer a couple days later. They explained that they had to replace the entire steering rack because the pieces of the rack are not serviceable - 3K after the warranty runs out - how convenient for Ford! then I go digging online and find they have recalled this unit in other Explorer and escapes but not the 2014. Bogus! I have never owned a car where the steering went out, but know [xxx] well a new steering pump or mechanicals in a hydraulic system would be $200-$500 max. This youtube video indicates it is likely an engineering flaw in the design and Ford won't cover or fess up to their own engineering flaw that creates high heat in the steering mechanics and they have failed to mitigate for effectively - https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=szhmxwcp9fo. So angry. And I fully expect this problem to recur at my expense again, who knows when because of this engineering flaw. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Richfield, MN, USA

My husband and I were driving home from myrtle beach and the steering wheel started to become stiff. We pulled over into a hotel parking lot to see what the issue was but couldn't find anything unusual. I proceeded to start the car and the dash read 'steering loss'...'service advance trac'. I had to get towed to Ford, which thank god was only 2miles away.. we were told that the power steering had died suddenly and that it just happens sometimes. The total was $1771. I'm sooo disappointed with gord. I've only had the truck for a little over a year and I've only put 23,000 on it since I bought it preowned with 43,000...

- Bronx, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While pulling out of the driveway, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to O. C. welch Ford Lincoln (4920 independence blvd, hardeeville, SC 29927, (843) 288-0100). The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer stated the same thing as the dealer and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact stated that the dealer ordered the part to repair the power steering. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Hiltonhead Island, SC, USA

Takata recall my wife an I took your family out for the weekend an the call was working fine but Sunday morning we were going to head to church the car started but the steering wheel was stiff an it was even hard for me to try an turn it.. an we only have had the car for three months now an the dealership said the car was in good condition that the car was fine bc they looked over it.so if I was driving down the road would it stop working an we have new borns

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

Loss of power assisted steering while driving. Has occurred on numerous occasions. Very difficult to control vehicle safely to pull over to side of road and stop and restart engine to get power steering to work again. Have warnings pop up on dash 'steering assist fault service required'. filed report with Ford cas-21990659.

- Newark, IL, USA

I recently was driving down the highway at 70mph when my car's steering became out of control. It was like I was fishtailing on ice and the steering was loose. Thankfully I was able to brake and get into a grassy area off the side of the highway. I was able to get off the exit and drive at a slower speed. Thankfully I did not crash but was extremely close to crashing.

- Concord, NC, USA

I was driving down the highway when I went to switch lanes and noticed my steering was tight and hard to bring back to the center when turning. My vehicle continued to have this issue with steering being tight and then the airbag light came on. I was worried about getting into an accident so I made an appointment to have the vehicle scanned and they said it was the electric power steering. Apparently this is a common problem and actually one that I found out by searching online many people have experienced. The issue was covered under a recall for 2011-2013 models and 2015-2017 model vehicles, but not for the 2014 model.the cost to repair is about $2000

- Magnolia, TX, USA