10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 10 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 58,359 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. An unknown warning light was illuminated, and the Wheel Drive indicator light was turned off. The contact was able to pull into the parking space. The vehicle was towed to Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The part was purchased from the Ford dealer and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while driving 6 months later. The vehicle was towed to Pep Boys, where the rack and pinion was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive to the residence using added force. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
- Mobile, AL, USA
My 2014 Ford Explorer has developed a serious problem where the power steering intermittently stops working. I'm now afraid to drive this vehicle since it is almost impossible to steer this SUV without power steering. What happens if the power steering cuts out while I'm driving at 60 or 70 mph in dense traffic? I understand other drivers have reported the same problem. This is a very serious condition and should warrant an immediate recall, investigation, and repair by Ford and the NTSB.
- Mount Juliet, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact's husband stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to stick intermittently with the "Service Steering Now" message displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the steering wheel failure, the contact's husband used excessive force to steer the vehicle home. Upon restart of the vehicle, the steering wheel seized in place and then failed to move regardless of the excessive force used. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle for the steering. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Montgomery, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the "Service Steering Assist" and the traction stability warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway with difficulty and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
- Apollo Beach, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, after which the vehicle started to pull to the left. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 121,000.
- Morgantown, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. Additionally, the power steering sensor fault message was displayed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
- Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
The Steering Assist system or power steering component stopped working causing unsteerable vehicle. This was part of the Ford recall [XXX]. We purchased this explorer used from Colvin Ford in Mcminneville, Oregon when the recall was still open and the dealer never notified us of the recall nor did they fix it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Tualatin, OR, USA
Steering went out while driving. Mechanic said it-??s the rack and pinion. He said it-??s common and was recalled in other year Explorers but not 2014. He said it could be the same part that was recalled but it was used in the 2014 instead of other years that were recalled.
- Bettendorf, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. A message indicating a power steering failure was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's parents. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
- Bullhead City, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the "Loss of Steering Please Stop Safely, " message and several other unknown messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The steering wheel seized; however, the contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the home of a relative where a code reader discovered a defect with the rack and pinion. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and both informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
- Knox, IN, USA
My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why is there no recall? This is putting people at risk or crashing which could cause fatality!
- Chestertown, MD, USA
The electronic power steering is failing. Vehicle steering wheel is tight. Steering wheel hard to turn. I know 775k explorers had a recall for this issue but no recall was issued for my vehicle. Checked steering knuckle and sensors, everything seems to be in working order bit steering is still tight.
- Romeoville, IL, USA
Steering became jumpy and hard to steer intermittent. Stabilitrak light on and then lost power steering light on. Thank goodness I stopped when I did because now steering wheel is locked and only goes forward and backwards. This could have been extremely dangerous traveling on the toll road!
- Knox, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to steer, causing him to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the highway. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering had failed. The contact stated that the dealer cleared the DTC codes; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rack and pinion and the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
- Perth Amboy, NJ, USA
Control arm on Ford 2014 explorer are prone to failure, causing vehicle to lose steering. Control arms rub excessively against brake components, also causing failure to both brakes, ABS, and sensors related to wheel speed. Failure is due to the manufacture. Strong action is need to prevent further road accidents if not addressed.
- Katy, TX, USA
My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why is there no recall? This is putting people at risk or crashing which could cause fatality! Secondly, my back seat belt doesn't work it will not latch any more, and I have seen so many complaints about that as well, but again Ford will not recall it. So I have a seat in my vehicle that cannot be used by anyone as it is a safety concern if there was an accident.
- Oxford, OH, USA
Power steering has gone out with Power Steering System Failure, Advance Track Failure alerts appearing upon cranking vehicle. Steering wheel locked up. This is an issue with the 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 and covered under warranty but not the 2014. How can it be an issue, not be an issue for a year, and then be an issue again?
- Decatur, AL, USA
Steering has become stiff and not responsive, feels like it catches and then frees up. There are no waring lights or trouble codes to the issue.
- Lebanon, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 60 MPH, the power steering intermittently became inoperable and, after five minutes, returned to normal operation. The vehicle veered across the lanes of traffic. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three separate occasions, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer reset the codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
- Downey, CA, USA
- Woodbine, NJ, USA