I bought my 2015 Explorer back in 2018 with the popping noise in the steering. I was told back then it was normal. As time went on, the popping noise has become worse. I have addressed it over the past week, and have determined two things. 1, the tsb put out by Ford for the thrust washers on the axles is a waste of money. 2, the rack an pinion should be the true recall on the 2011-2015 Ford Explorer, and possibly newer models from what I have read. Mine was troubleshot down to the rack and pinion today by my mechanic, and just like everyone else here, it's going to cost $2300 to replace. I have had the same problems of the steering locking up over prolonged sitting as well. This is alarming and should be addressed by the NHTSA, sooner rather than later.

- Stafford, VA, USA

Driving on a two lane highway and the power steering completely failed. We were told by the dealership where we purchased the car to bring it in but it sounded like "steering assist fault" since that was the error message, duh.it was cost $500 for an alignment? replaced faulty rack and pinion gear and checked alignment(should be ok since they aligned it the same day) total bill $2291 this is a 2015 Explorer limited that has been in the shop several times for car a carbon monoxide leak in the cabin of SUV for repairs, power seat repairs and interior door panel coming apart.

- Berwick, LA, USA

While driving, Ford Explorer dash wrench light indicator turns on then suddenly you loose power and control and braking, technical disabled. You have to come to a rolling stop. Then turn on car again to remove wrench light.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I was driving my 2015 Ford Explorer Sport on a road. Suddenly, the car showed an error steering assist fault and service advance trac message on dashboard. The steering wheel became very hard to rotate and I avoided the accident. The car was uncontrollable and because of this, the turn indicator knob had some issues. I had to keep holding the indicator knob in order to turn on right/left indication. I had to put so much extra force to rotate the steering wheel during turning. This was a very dangerous scenario. I stoped the car in a parking lot, turned off the car, and waited for 5 minutes to turn on. After that the car worked well for few more minutes. The same error and issue started happening again after few minutes so I took the car to Ford dealership. They checked the code and found steering gear issue, failure code U2011:49. This is a major issue related to safety. It can cause fatal accident because of uncontrollable steering wheel issue.

- Wichita, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 mph, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The steering wheel was aggressively turned to the left and to the right and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to world Ford pensacola (6397 pensacola boulevard, pensacola, fl 32505) to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Defuniak Springs, FL, USA

Driving at 20mph over a bridge, my toe link snapped, causing me to lose control and veer off the road losing control. I lost complete control over my steering and tires remained turned, losing all control and ability to drive. The toe link was serviced because there was a recall. However, this was the second time the toe link was fixed on this vehicle. Now, only months after purchasing this vehicle, there is another issue regarding the toe link and bushings. Ford and dealership refuse to cover the charges because recall has already been serviced. My concern is that the problem will be fixed temporarily for a fourth time and will snap as I am going faster speeds than the 20 mph I initially lost control at. There needs to be another recall on my already recalled part, otherwise there will never be any safe driving distance in this vehicle.

- Sault Sainte Marie, MI, USA

Steering assist fault like came on while driving. I was unable to steer. Luckily nobody was hurt. But this could have been deadly for myself, granddaughter and anyone else around. There was no warning. No sounds nothing. I see Ford had recalls for up until 2013 for this problem, but I don't see any for 2015. And from reading information it has caused accidents injuring people. I would like to see a recall on this

- Evansdale, IA, USA

Power steering stopped while driving. This is not a typical power steering pump, it is electronic. When a normal one fails, you can still steer easily when moving. It only becomes hard when stopped or moving slow. The electronic one gets extremely hard even at highway speeds. I have brought it to the dealership which diagnosed it as the rack and pinion. I have seen online that there are many that have failed with the same issue for multiple years from around 2011 on which tells me it is fairly common even on vehicles with low mileage.

- Natchez, MS, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a left turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to carriage Ford Inc (908 E. lewis and clark pkwy, clarksville, in 47129, (612)284-4444) to be diagnosed. The strut bearings were replaced however, after test driving the vehicle, the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at a cost of $2,300. The contact was concerned that the failure was due to a defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Jefferson, IN, USA

Front end popping noise was noticed after 50,000 miles. Was told to disregard, it was normal. At 67,000 noise became louder, sensation in steering wheel felt, loss of steering momentarily. This happens when sitting still, while driving and especially while making sharp turns. Ford just quoted $2100 to replace. I've seen many more complaints related to this. This is a huge safety concern and a risk for anyone who drives the vehicle. Why hasn't there been a recall issued yet?

- Groton, CT, USA

I was driving on highway 45 in Illinois in my 2015 Ford Explorer and was slowing down for a red light when my power steering failed and a warning came on in the vehicle information display stating "steering assist fault " service required. I was three blocks from the Ford dealer and drove there. Steering was very difficult and I was fortunate to be so close to the dealer. A tech did a pin point inspection on the vehicle and the next day I was told that there was corrosion in the power steering control module terminal contacts. Grease was applied and I was charged $323. I was advised that if this happened again that I may need to replace the power steering control module on the vehicle and this would cost $2300. This vehicle has 33500 miles on it and is garage kept with regular maintenance. I asked why the terminal contacts weren't checked during regular maintenance which was done three months ago and was told it is not part of the inspection.

- Frankfort, IL, USA

Popping sounds coming from right side wheel. Took to Ford dealer to be serviced and the told me the gear stop in the rack and pinion as broken off and needs to be replaced and would put me at $2100. They also told me if I did not want to replace it at this time I could leave it alone and continue with the popping sound or they could cut it off but then I would need to be careful and not overly turn the steering wheel.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Started hearing popping sound on passengers side when backing and turning and now it has advanced to steering feels like it catches or binds for a second while driving down road.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

After sitting for 1 month, I went to start and battery was dead. Aaa got car running, and batter was recharged. Sort time after, power steering became inoperable and has been for 6 weeks. Steering now manual and very stiff.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

My daughter in law was driving the vehicle when the power steering assist fault came on the screen and steering became very hard. She was driving in town around 30 mph and was able to pull over and stop the vehicle. When she restarted it the fault was gone and she was able to drive home. I found that there were many cases of this happening on the internet at speeds from slow to fast. I took the vehicle to the local dealer who told me the steering gear had to be replaced. He also said there was no recall on my Ford even though several complaints were on the web. They are ordering the part for it and the parts and labor are over 2000$. will Ford wait til somebody gets killed before they recall the vehicles?

- Mountain Home, AR, USA

I have recently heard a popping sound when I turn the steering wheel. This happens when stationary and in motion. I have had a mechanic look at my vehicle and state that the rack system needs to be replaced and that there is a chance the steering can lock up while driving. I did research and found there are recalls on Ford Explorer for 2011 to 20014 but not 2015. Why? it is the same issue just a different year.

- Bells, TX, USA

Steering started making a "knocking" noise when moving the steering wheel. This occurs while in part or in motion. I was told by the repair shot and my 2015 Explorer with 45K miles on it needs to have the rack and pinion replaced at a cost of $2100. Not covered under warranty and apparently no recall for this dangerous situation.

- Parker, CO, USA

I left my 2015 Explorer with just 31000 miles on it parked in the garage for 10 days. When I started it again, the 'check charging system ' light came on just for a moment and cleaned. I tried to pull the car out of the garage, but the steering wheel was locked. Eventually it unlocked. When I started driving it, a very loud grinding noise could be heard when the steering wheel was turned left or right. The vehicle does not need to be moving for concern to happen. Took it to charles gabus Ford in des moines Iowa, and they told me that a steering gear needs to be replaced to eliminate the noise. They installed the new steering gear, but it cost me $2234. When I went to pick up my car from the shop, there was another Explorer waiting to be picked up as well. I asked my service advisor was wrong with that one, and he told me 'the steering'. I am a very disappointed in Ford that they didn't recall the steering wheel assembly on 2015 Explorer yet. There are too many complains about it. Maybe they are waiting for somebody to get a very badly injured or killed to make it happen.

- Urbandale, IA, USA

Driving down a highway road approximately speed of 60 mph and warning lights on dash came on "steering assist failure" and a couple others. Lost total control of steering was unable to turn the wheel. Vehicle was diagnosed at fremont Ford of fremont Michigan said to of had a faulty steering rack as its electronic when it fails it fails. Well 2100$ later its repaired.

- Fremont, MI, USA

The first incident was about 9months ago I was driving with my 3 year old on highway at about 65mph the car locked up steering the wheel. The car was moving all directions on three lanes and it was very hard for me to atempt to steer as the wheel was very tight. It finally went down to 0 mph and I pulled over thanking god I did not crash. The lights were flickering all over. Attempted to trade at a dealership regor dykes in Texas bc I was scarred to drive it. They fixed it as a trade then got sued and returned it back to me and took my new car back. Then yesterday I left home to take all my kids to school 3. and got to 40 mph and it did it again luckily we were not on a highway. This time when it hit 0 mph it was still driveable but would not accelerate above 40. I'm scarred for my life in this car and there is nothing I can do about it. It is now parked and I dont know what to do.

- Lubbock, TX, USA