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
Turn off vehicle one day and that next started it and cannot turn the wheel what so ever. Was able to start vehicle and remove keys from ignition. Steering did release a day or two later, but seized up and cannot remove keys or use the vehicle.
- Hibbing , MN, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while making a right or left turn, there was a loud sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced; however, the parts for the repair were on backorder. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the parts for the repair. The contact was informed the vehicle was inoperable. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
- Portland, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently turned to the right and then seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
- Joliet, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after stopping at stop sign, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that after driving a short distance the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle came to a stop the failure would reoccur. The contact stated that a message to check the charging system was displayed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
- Levittown, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. In addition, while reversing out of a parking space, the failure recurred with the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where and diagnosed with power steering failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Lost all power steering while driving with absolutely no warning. Took to dealer and it is the electronic steering assembly. After further investigation and talking to people this seems to be a major issue with this year of explorers. And it is very expensive to fix.
- Campbell, MO, USA
Power steering will fail sporadically when at Highway speeds or City speeds and show error code. Advance Trac AWD system disabled, traction control disabled, unsafe.
- Gardnerville, NV, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
- Pensacola, FL, USA
While driving at low speed, the vehicle EPAS shut down creating an unsafe condition with the steering system. The error cleared from the dash and no warning lights remained though the EPAS remained disabled.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
Airbag warning light randomly comes on and stays on! When Turing the steering wheel there is a loud annoying squeaky/squeal noise coming from the front end which is supper scary
- Capitol Heights, MD, USA
I took my vehicle in for a recall repair for the toe kicks and a noise in the front of my car when I and upon inspection was told that I need a new left front tie rod replaced and a 4 wheel alignment after the job is completed. I came home and parked it, then when I was backing out of my driveway the camera stopped working it was black. I found it strange but thought maybe it has to reboot or something, I accidently hit the park assist button and the light came on see dealer. I called the dealer told them what was happening and they asked that I bring it in. I did and they did a diagnostic saying it was the sensors that need replacing. Fast forward I'm picking up my granddaughter at school and I hear a horrible noise when I turn the steering wheel. My granddaughter asked my why car was making that noise, I said I don't know but that I was not turning music or anything on just in case we need to pull over. I immediately take it to my mechanic on my way home, luckily he's a block away, I dropped it off and walked home. They found that its the Electronic Rack & Pinion Power Steering rack. They said they have seen so many of these with the same problem and that unfortunately the recall falls short of my year Explorer 2014 which should have been included, its not safe to drive and will be an expensive fix. The recall was only for the 2011-2013. This frightened me, because he said they don't have the capability to fix it because once the new rack is installed it needs to be programmed and the dealer is pretty much the only one that can do that. This is a dealer repair only and for my safety he recommended getting this done. It will lock while driving or break and has resulted in many accidents. Ford Motor Company should be held accountable for this ongoing safety issue with their faulty Steering Rack as this goes beyond the 2011-2013 model years. I'm petrified to drive this vehicle after researching this, knowing I'm not alone in this deadly problem with my vehicle.
- Bensalem, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn, causing the driver to nearly lose control of the vehicle. During the failure, the -??steering assist fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.
- Keaau, HI, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and losing traction. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact stated that the wheels continued to spin but the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist gear needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
- Waseca, MN, USA
Electric power steering assist failed. This was a danger to myself, children and other motorist. Power steering assist fault appeared on dash. I have fault codes u3000-96, u2001-49. Ford has issued recalls for ealier and later model years but not this one. I have done some research and it appears to be a known problem for this model and model year. Thank gosh my family wasn't injured because of this failure. I hope you can do something about this known issue. Ford customer service told me there is nothing they can do for me.
- Pekin, IL, USA
Premature power steering failure. Danger to operator and others on the road.
- Hampton, NH, USA
Steering has become -??sticky-?? and did not feel right, felt completely unsafe to drive. Steering made a grinding type of noise when turning the wheel. Took my vehicle to my mechanic for inspection. Mechanic inspected and confirmed the -??steering rack-?? needs replacement. I will be replacing the steering rack asap. No warning lights.
- Gilroy , CA, USA
The steering began to make a rubbing sound and then turning became difficult. I also received a traction control failure warning. When the vehicle was taken to the Ford dealership where it was purchased I was told that it-??s a common failure of the steering rack (over $2,000 repair) and that there were complaints but no recall. I have since taken the vehicle home and parked it until I decide whether to make the repair.
- Tampa , FL, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering gear was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the power steering gear and reset the computer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
- Kirksville, MO, USA
My 2014 Ford Explorer was manufactured 07/13 and is showing signs of a power steering issue. This started in October 2022 and is ongoing. The power steering seems to go in and out while driving but seems to be fine after the car has sat or not been running. This is happening daily. No warning lights have ever come on during the power steering lose. The car intermittently will get harder to steer and at times the wheel dramatically pulls to the right and then left while it is trying to return to a straight line. This has caused me to go left of center because it is so erratic. Turning from a stop is extremely difficult. I have contacted the dealer and have been told my vehicle does not have a recall for such issue. Through research I see this is a known problem with same vehicles of newer and later years. This is a job that will likely cost 1800 to 2000 and that is not acceptable when FORD has known of this problem. A simple google search reflects many 2014 Ford vehicles with steering issues. If my car does not fit into the original recall - I would like to know what Ford changed as it pertains to EPAS system from 2/28/2012 to the date my vehicle was manufactured in 2013. Thank you In May 2014, Ford Motor Company issued a recall for the 2011-2013 Ford Explorers for a defect in the power steering system. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut-down of the power steering assist.
- Akron, OH, USA
- Roseville, CA, USA