The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, a metal on metal grinding noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to ken garff Ford (145 w. hilton dr, St. George, ut) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Washington, UT, USA

When turning on the car sometimes the " check charging system " light comes on. When it does the steering wheel locks and you cannot turn the car left or right. You have to turn off the car and restart the car and hope that the " check charging system" light does not come on. I it does not come on the steering will not lock. The steering locks only when you turn on the car and the " check charging system" light comes on. Have taken it over and over to a Ford dealer and they say that it is the battery, have changed the battery twice. Then they say it is the alternator, have changed the alternator once. I just took it again and now the dealership says it is the power steering assembly and that it is out of warranty and it will cost about $2,000. This has happen many, many, many times throughout the 3 years we have had this car.

- Brownsivlle, TX, USA

Made a complete right turn leaving my driveway within 1000 feet the steering wheel locked up and I stopped. I was able to use extreme force to manuver steering wheel to go back and forth to turn around to get back to my driveway. Thankfully I wasn't on a highway doing 70 mph when it occured.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

We were driving on the freeway from a MINIvacation at 70 miles per hour when our 2015 Ford Explorer which only had 45,000 miles logged began to lose steering power. We almost crashed into the vehicle next to us on I-94 going at a very rapid speed of 70 miles per hour. Immediately my husband began to slow down and tried to move to the furthest right lane. He was having a tremendous amount of difficulty as our car would not allow us to steer. He finally made it to the exit lane. At this time we needed to pull off of the hwy and get a friend to tow us home. We took our vehicle into the dealership where we purchased it and they told us that they needed to recalculate our computer at the fee of $100. Within two weeks the same problem began to happen again. We took our Explorer back to the dealer to repair this problem. We were now told that it is a rack and pinion problem and it could be upwards of $2,000 to repair. It is not covered in our extended warranty and it is not covered by the upcoming recall that we have scheduled to repair which ironically is a rear suspension repair which if not fixed will cause a problem with steering. In my opinion this problem will seriously harm or even kill the owner and family of a vehicle that this can happen to as it is impossible to control your vehicle when this occurs. I hope that this issue will be resolved by Ford as this vehicle is very popular for families due to its size and this could be a fatal mistake to drive this car if this issue happens.

- West Allis, WI, USA

Loud clanking noise when parking car or at a slow speed, turning. Took into Ford dealer today and it will cost $2200 to replace.

- Woodland, CA, USA

Steering fault warning light comes on then the car looses its steering like no power steering. This has happened 4 or 5 times now

- Easton, MA, USA

Steering started making a grinding noise at 55K miles. Sound is most pronounced when turning at slow speeds. Dealership and local shop confirm steering rack and pinion need to be replaced. They advised this is a common problem with Ford Explorer. Dealership advised the warranty expired 1 month ago.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

When we turn the wheel to the right it has a loud popping noise during driving or stationary its progressing from a popping and something the steering wheel gets stuck. Told by two different mechanics that the popping noise has to do with strut and cv joint and electric steering gear and rack and pinion going bad. Our Explorer only has 91000 miles. Both mechanics say this is odd that this is going on for a 2015. That we should check for recalls.

- Kingsburg, CA, USA

The power steering went out on the highway, twice, while I was driving. Thank god I was able to gain control of the car before crashing. We had the problem fixed, under warranty, but now after 26,000 miles the problem is back. I am very concerned because my my wife now drives this car.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

I have a 2015 Ford Explorer XLT and the steering rack and pinion needs replacing. It can stop at anytime causing an accident.

- Metairir, LA, USA

The rack and pinion locked up as we were pulling out of my driveway. I was 9M pregnant and my 4yr old was in the back. Cant help but think about what would have happened had it locked up going around a curve. The repair shop I took it to said this was really common in the Ford Explorer and they have 146 service records on this one issue.

- Watertown, TN, USA

While driving on a highway, steering fault light came on causing vehicle to lose power steering. Vehicle only has 50K miles and the steering column had to be replaced. There have been many complaints regarding this, Ford has already recalled this issue on later years. It is neglectful that nothing has been done, knowing that cars can lose power steering at any moment while driving, this endangers everyone on the road. I was able to pull the vehicle over safely. Dealership quoted me $2450 to replace. Worked with Ford customer satisfaction team who were able to help in reducing the amount. But it should have been free and this issue should be recalled before anyone is injured.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

Steering assist fault, lane keeping system malfunction

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

Steering assist error came on dash along with terrain control error while driving down road. Lost power steering ability. Luckily it was close to home when failed or could of happened when in traffic and a horrible accident could of happened. Took to mechanic and said new steering rack needed. This was a recall on the same car a few years older. Car is also being taken in next week for rear suspension recall.

- Keizer, OR, USA

Driving on highway when the steering failed. Dealer says that the electronic power steering failed and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has approx 80K miles. I have found many instances of this same occurrence when searching online. Fortunately in this instance no accident or injury but why has a recall not been issued and why is Ford ignoring the problem.

- Boyne City, MI, USA

While I was driving 70mph on a freeway, power steering stopped working. Showing the warning messages on the gauge cluster. "power steering loss" "advance trac control fault" I was able to pull over to a side of the freeway safely as there was no traffic. This is an extremely dangerous problem and must be recalled. My Explorer has about 53K miles.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

I purchased a 2015 Ford Explorer Sport with 90K miles from a Ford dealer in December.a week later I noticed that every time I turned right I would hear a clicking noise. I also heard a humming noise from the wheels. I immediately took it to the dealer and explained to them the issue. I told them that if they don't fix the issue I was gonna return the car back to them. They changed the wheel bearings and the humming noise decreased. The technician said he tightened something from the spare tire compartment and that's what was making the clicking sound. Months later as we continued driving the car the clicking would happen on occasion. I originally thought that it was something in the spare tire compartment. So I looked all over the place and nothing the noise continued occasionally. Now in July it began happening more often. I took it to the dealer again and had to pay a diagnostic fee even though I told them its the same issue as before. Now a different technician says that the steering rack and pinion is broken and needs to be replaced or the steering wheel could lock up on us on the road and cause an accident. I asked why they didn't tell me that the first time and he couldn't explain. So I've been driving a time bomb for months. The 2011-2014 model had a recall on this issue. I can't believe they wouldn't include all the years with the same issue. The steering system should be the most reliable part of the car because it ensures that you're in control of you safety. I have read many complaints on the steering rack and pinion for this vehicle.

- Valley Cillage, CA, USA

The steering makes loud metal noises when turning at slow speeds (like parking or tight turns). It also makes grinding noises when turning primarily to the right. The steering has locked on us twice in the last few weeks! dealer suggests that the electronic steering gear has gone bad. On google search, we see that hundreds of customers have the same problem. How can such a critical component and safety issue not be recalled and fixed by Ford. Dealer tells us that the steering could lock while driving causing a major accident. We are taking the car for repairs hoping that nhsta and Ford can issue a formal recall of such a dangerous issue.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Takata recall I have a Ford Explorer 2015 mileage approximately 42,865. I have had 2 occasions where the steering has failed. Last time was August 17,2019. I had no control over.the steering. I was traveling 30 miles per hour and was able to stop the car before having an accident. I contacted paramount automotive group in valdese nc August 20 2019 and spoke to the service person about this serious issue. The service person said to bring the Explorer in to be checked out. I also was able to get a Ford Explorer suspension recall fix to be worked in as well. I left the Explorer and was contacted by the service person that the steering had to be replaced and the steering not covered under warranty at a cost of $1,750. Warranty ended at 36,000. I have done some research to out that there are a large number of complaints being filed for low mileage for 2015 fordexplorers with steering issues. I have plans to contact Ford customer satisfaction to this serious defected steering problem. I have concerns with the Ford replacement steering that it may as well have future issues. I do not know at this time if Ford has made any announcements to correct and not harm the owner. I need to make all aware that a serious accident is going to occur where someone will get hurt or killed.

- Hickory, NC, USA

When steering left or right at a standstill, steering makes a popping or clicking noise. My guess is it is either rack and pinion assembly or suspension parts. In addition, rear end has a bad rattle even on smooth roads. There is about 59,500 miles on the SUV and it was just state inspected. We are afraid to drive it. Checked complaint boards and there are many similar problems.

- Pottstown, PA, USA