I was driving the vehicle when the steering suddenly locked up. There was virtually no steering except with very heavy struggles. Fortunately I was able to pull over but had to be towed. Vehicle indications showed power steering failure and all-wheel drive failure. Dealership indicated the Rack and Pinion must be replaced at a cost of about $2,300. They indicated it is a huge problem and they don't know where to get replacement parts. I can't find any anywhere. Salvage yards are out and all parts stores can't get them. I need a vehicle to drive.

- Arthur, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was making a left turn and then attempting to straighten the steering wheel, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The driver stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The driver stated she experience the failure multiple times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering and the steering wheel turned all the way to the right inadvertently, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out. The contact depressed the brake pedal, which caused the vehicle to stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle by forcefully steering the steering wheel. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,400. Estimate from the dealer confirming that the problem is rack and pinion, otherwise known as the power steering rack.

- Marietta, PA, USA

I have a 2016 ford explorer and like most of the other complaints on locked up steering. My explorer steering wheel has lock up with now warning lights and no codes. My ford dealership to get my vehicle in the mechanic bay had to call a tow truck. Luckily my vehicle was already at ford for other unrelated issues. After reading all of these incidents. Ford is really lucky no one has been killed or seriously injured.

- Aurora, IL, USA

My rack and pinion steering column and power steering pump went out causing a hefty cost to replace and it is starting to fail again creating hazardous conditions while driving. I do believe there is a steering issue in these models. Also my power lift gate in the back closes without stopping automatically while I-??m loading the rear or unloading. There is NO STOPPING SAFETY SENSOR, I HAD THE BACK CLOSE ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALMOST CRUSH ME. there is no safety sensor to stop the power lift gate from closing on you, I have had to crawl in my rear end to avoid being crushed by my liftgate! This is not safe!

- Warren, MI, USA

My wife was driving to work and the steering wheel just locked up on her and almost caused a serious accident out of nowhere

- Foster , RI, USA

Steering gear assembly completely failed, causing a total lock up of the steering wheel and loss of control. Happened at highway speeds, could barely pull off to side of road. Nearly crashed as there was no warning or indication of total steering loss. Ford dealer replacement cost of $3000. I was told this is a common issue with the Explorer, but there was no remedy offered by Ford.

- Scio, OH, USA

I was driving down the highway at approximately 60mph when my steering wheel became extremely stiff and hard to turn. The vehicle became very hard to handle. The steering wheel ended up locking up completely and I had to have it towed to the dealership. After diagnostics it was determined that the entire steering gear had failed. The cost to fix is $2200. Keep in mind that there is only 26,000 miles on the odometer! There were also no warning lights on the dash. No recall or warranty coverage.

- Dunreith, IN, USA

About 2 weeks ago I heard a noise and from that point it sounded like my steering wheel was grinding. Steering is tight at slower speeds and it is making that same grinding noise. I took it to a dealership to get checked out and was told the steering gear had failed and that it needs to be repaired however the parts are on back order with no foreseeable ship date, but that it was ok to drive, just may be a little hard to steer at low speeds. This morning my steering wheel was totally locked up and could not turn in either direction. There are no warning lights or other indication of an issue. My concern is could this have happened while driving" What caused it to break in the first place and why did it ultimately seize up completely after being told it could be driven"

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the steering gear replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

Steering rack failure on 2016 and 17 Explorers at 55,000 mile, haven't had the vehicle in a month due to acquiring parts because there are so many of these parts failing and was told by ford they can't release the vehicle until its repaired because the steering could lock up and it is also a $3000 dollar repair. Wouldn't this be a recall due to the low mileage, amount of failures and and result of the failure

- Pelham, NH, USA

When I turn right there is a popping noise. Sometimes the steering wheel gets stuck and I have to pull it hard to go back straight. It-??s very scary, especially going around a curve.

- Orange, TX, USA

My steering felt very out of control had to have car towed to dealer and they replaced rack and pinion there was internal damage to steering rack they had to replace

- Alpha, NJ, USA

On October 17, 2021 the steering system on my 2016 explorer completely shutdown. The ABS, Hill Assist and Service Advance Trac lights all went on. The steering wheel would not turn either way. Luckily, this incident occurred in a parking lot and no injury or damage happened. I had AAA tow the car to Porter Ford, Newark DE.

- Landenberg, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact-??s wife stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering assist and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing rack and pinion to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

- Syracuse, IN, USA

Driving at 20mph, going through a moderate turn and lost Power Steering. No warning lights, no noise, just total loss of Steering and I felt as if I couldn't overpower the steering until 2 seconds later I regained power steering. The same problem occurred at 10mph while coming to a stop. Once again I did not have the ability to overpower the wheel and straighten it when I tried. Luckily once again power came back and I was able to control without issue. Several complaints on the same issue and NO RECALL has been issued by Ford. If the same issue occurs at highway speed I don't know what I'll do. Ford had a Service Bulletin out for 2013-2016 Explorers that stated they would simply reprogram the module. They did not extend the coverage beyond 2018 nor did they actually replace a faulty steering rack with the coverage. This is a severe safety concern and one that should have a recall out as it puts the driver and all other motorists at risk. If you can't steer your car, then everyone is at risk.

- New Richmond, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and making a turn, he heard an abnormal banging sound coming from the steering wheel and the steering wheel locked up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated as he veered to the side of the road, he was able to steer the steering wheel with no issues. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- Sayville, NY, USA

Complete loss of basic steering of the car while under operation.

- Lake Villa, IL, USA

Beginning of day; felt like I was in a major windstorm & in a constant battle with the car steering. Middle of day: Power Steering Fault light came on and feeling like I was in a major windstorm & in a constant battle with the car steering GETTING WORSE. End of the day: Then Power Steering Failure "Pull over Safely" came on.. I didn't just lose power steering. I lost TOTAL STEERING capability at 57,400 miles... Car is at dealership now. Had my 90yr old mother been driving there would have been an accident. This is gonna get someone killed. I had just dropped off my Grandson before I lost total control.

- Fleetwood, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his son was driving 40 MPH, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was stiff and difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with steering rack failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Greensburg, PA, USA