7.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,260
- Average Mileage:
- 69,950 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace electronic power steering rack (5 reports)
- replace rack and pinion (3 reports)
Steering started making a grinding noise when turning. I ignored it until the steering started to stick requiring some effort to get it unstuck. Getting ready for a summer vacation and decided I needed to get it fixed as I considered it a significant safety issue. Took it to the dealer and have been told it will cost $2100 to repair. Ouch!
- Stan R., TULSA, OK, US
Ford makes pieces of s*. Period. The car started making grinding noises when turning. Had to have the entire rack and pinion steering unit replaced. There are THOUSANDS of people dealing with this same issue but Ford refuses to do a recall on them because they are scumbag d*heads.
- Chris L., Acworth, GA, US
I am a lifelong Ford owner. I am very disappointed in Ford that they have not offered customers some restitution for a problem that squarely is on them. I have owned other Ford vehicles that had over 80,000 miles on them and never had an issue like this. In fact, I have never had a major repair on any of my vehicles whether in or out of warranty. I plan on writing a letter to Ford Motor Company documenting my concerns but don't hold much hope that they will do anything about it.
- Florian O., Woodridge, IL, US
Out of nowhere, we started getting a grinding sound when turning the wheel. Rack and pinion needed to be replaced to the tune of just over $2k. Seemingly known Explorer issue that I consider a safety concern, but of course no recall.
- James F., Wooster, OH, US
2016 Ford Explorer purchased brand new 3 years ago. Two recalls on this vehicle and now the steering gear failed so the whole steering rack needs to be replaced. This is a safety issue and for this being a newer vehicle, with what I consider lower mileage still at this point, this should be a recall. This is happening to other people so something is faulty with the steering rack. People could get really hurt if this part completely failed going at higher speeds. Over $ 2000 to fix this.
- Nick D., Suamico, US
In January this year, our 2016 Explorer XLT started making a clunking sound when we made a right turn. (This started right after we had it in the shop for the suspension recall) Kept getting worse so on 3/5 I took it to our Ford dealership and they hit me with a repair quote of over $2300. Independent repair shops won't touch it because of the programming feature. With all the complaints about the rack in the steering unit Ford needs a recall, hopefully before it fails on someone and causes a fatal accident. We love the Explorer and have had no issues with it at all until now. Just had a 2006 Five-Hundred turn almost 200,000 miles, looks like that won't happen here.
- Davis C., Conway, MO, US
Glad I paid for an extended warranty. Was rather alarmed by the complaints about steering, as I didn't realize new systems can freeze if they fail. In the old days you could still turn if the power assist failed.
- timhimmel, Snoqualmie, US
Vehicle making popping and grinding sounds. Took to a Ford dealership and advised needs a new rack and pinion. Ordered new rack and pinion. No fault codes etc.
- livey1406, Juliette, US