10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 10 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 48,722 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 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
- Key Largo, FL, USA
My steering lost all power and basically froze going straight. I was almost home, within 500 feet and managed to strong arm it into my driveway. I have 2 warning lights on, Service Advance Trac and Service Power steering Now. Something with in the steering system is not right. My safety was not a concern when it happened as I was slowing down to turn into my driveway Looking online, this seems to be a major problem for many people No inspections as yet, since I would need to have it towed someplace I mentions those 2 warnings above.
- Kewanna, IN, USA
The electric power steering shuts off at random times. The power steering goes out and the steering may lock according to the Sonora Ford Dealership. The dealership said that the car is not safe to drive without the steering rack replaced. The dealership also noticed a clunk in the steering rack when turned lock to lock. When the steering turns off a red warning signal appears on the dash with a Battery symbol and a message to check charging system.
- Pinecrest, CA, USA
Vehicle power steering failure, causing locked steering. After reading, am finding this is a major problem with many Ford models. There has been recalls on many other models. No warning at all just locked up. Luckily did not happen to my wife at highway speeds. DTC codes U3000-96 U2011-61 C1B00-2F U3003-68 U0415-00
- Lansing, MI, USA
The Power Steering was not working and a Low Voltage Warning came on saying power consumption was being reduced. I took the car to a mechanic and he tested the battery and alternator output. They both checked good. After driving for 10-15 minutes, the power consumption reduction turns off and things go back to normal. This happens on almost every drive.
- Saint Charles, MO, USA
I was driving my 2015 Ford Explorer SUV and the wheels locked into going straight and I was unable to turn. This happened with no warning at all. We had the car looked at by a mechanic and they stated it was the power steering, and that the electronic module went out and the whole steering rack and pinion would need to be replaced. They suggested we contact Ford as there were recalls from the 2011-2013 models of the Ford Explorer for the same exact thing. Ford could not help us and suggested we contact the NHTSA to see if our VIN number had been missed for a recall. My safety and the safety of everyone else on the road around me was definitely put at risk. If I had been anywhere else, or going faster I would have crashed.
- Thermal, CA, USA
Clients steering locked up driving down the road. Had to stop and get a tow. Looking at the issue, found the electronic steering rack and pinion was locked, able to break it free but grinds bad. See other recalls for earlier and later years but not the 2014, seems to be the same issue, client could have been killed or killed others on the highway with no warning for a faulty part.
- Thousand Palm, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH down the driveway, the steering wheel was turned to the right and the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to return to center after completing the turn. The contact had to manually turn the steering wheel to center and heard the grinding sound again. The contact also felt a vibration in the steering column. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,657.
- Jersey Village, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle steering wheel had become firm. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty sensor that was integrated into the steering column. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
- Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was very difficult to steer while in park or while driving at slow speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and i cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! After reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 9/14/2023. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.
- Santa Claus, IN, USA
The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while starting the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the steering was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the electrical motor, steering column, strut, and front end had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V530000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated the vehicle is a 2014 not 2015.
- Richmond, KY, USA
when you hit the gas the steering turns when you let go it straightens back out please look into this i might cause an accident or loose control of the car
- Jamestown, NY, USA
I encountered intermittent stiffness in the steering while driving. It felt like it might not steer. And then it loosens up and is okay for a moment or two. I took it to my local mechanic. At first, they thought it to be a lubrication issue. The situation increased. I took it back. They explained previous years of my model had a recall related to the power steering assembly. And that is what they believe it to be. I did reach out to Ford directly, but they are not going to do anything. There are no warning lights or additional inspections. I do see this has appeared on forums.
- Keene, NH, USA
The power steering in my 2015 Ford explore completely locked up due to the steering gear going out. I am fortunate enough that it happened that low speed and no one was harmed. I could only imagine what would-??ve happened if I were on a highway or interstate. It has been inspected and diagnosed by a Ford dealership, and they concluded that it was indeed the power steering gear. At the time it went out. There were no warning signs or lights on the dashboard that would have made me think it would go out.
- Bloomington, IN, USA
I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and i cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! After reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 07/15/2023, and we haven't been able to get it to a shop yet they are all closed until Monday. No one at this time has taken a look at it seeing how it was in the driveway of family. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.
- Bloomington, IN, USA
I have a recall on rear suspension I have called to have the repairs done several times I was given response of they didn't have the parts needed and would take several weeks. Rear suspension is very unsafe and now the engine cooling component is causing issues with over heating and not giving any warning lights on dash and am afraid found cause fire or some unsafe issue
- Sherwood Forrest, CA, USA
Last year I had to have the electric power steering pump replaced as it completely locked up almost causing an accident while trying to turn, this year now the steering shaft froze up while driving in traffic. Totaling $3,100 to fix when I was told this is something that should never need to be replaced and I drive my vehicle very carefully with my children in it.
- Dollar Bay , MI, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning the vehicle to the left, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was also jerking while attempting to steer through the turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but recurring. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly at slower speeds while turning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
- Maryland, NY, USA
- West Palm Beach, FL, USA