My vehicle has 48,950 miles and was told that the loud clunking sound my vehicle makes while turning the steering wheel in either direction, is due to the steering gear and hardware that needs to be replaced. I have seen many online complaints about steering issue with this make, model and year. It is concerning to me that this may affect the safety of my family. Such an expensive vehicle and to be told that this repair will cost over $2000 is unacceptable. This is poor manufacturing and not a normal wear and tear item, and certainly not at 49,000 miles.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

I was parked, when a loud sound came from the motor area of my 2016 Ford Explorer. The service advance track and the steering failure light came on about. I brought the car to dealer and they said that the rack and pinion is leaking, evan that only had 32, 000 miles is not covered by warranty because expires a few months ago, and is going to cost $2,230 for the parts and labor. The day before I was with all my family having fun and driving around, I'm thinking if this part breaks while we was at interstate 70, that the speed limits is 70mph, and you lose control of the vehicle, it will be a really bad or fatal accident. There being a lot of reports with this issue. What Ford and the NHTSA are waiting to take accion, that more incident ocurred or people died to do a recall. Like they are doing with the air bags after a many people died. Please take action today, don't wait until is to late.

- Nottingham, MD, USA

We experienced popping noises on the front end while turning at intersections, pulling in and out of driveway and parking spots. Due to having to replace worn tires at 32K, we took to local quick lane at our St joseph Ford dealership. We reported the popping noises at this time and requested it be looked at while they replaced tires. There were no finds at this time regarding what was making the noises. We continued to experience occasional popping noises while turning at intersections, pulling in/out of driveway and parking spots. On 8/8/19, we took to same dealership service department to perform fsa19S17, a recall where the rear suspension toe link was replaced at 38205mi. A 4-wheel alignment was also done at this time. On 8/23/19, we noticed the popping had gotten worse. On 8/26/19, the steering briefly seized rounding a corner at approximately 30-35mph. It scared my wife, as she felt a brief loss of control of the vehicle. On 8/28/19 we dropped it off at the same dealership and reported that popping was worse and the steering had seized. After the test drives and assessment they called to report that the steering rack was failing and would need replaced. They quoted $2900 for repairs. We have not agreed to pay for this repair. We have since discovered this is a well known issue by Ford and other vehicle owners of the same make and model. We are reporting in hopes that Ford will recall to rectify this serious safety issue.

- St Joseph, MO, USA

My steering problem started while driving, which began with a popping noise when backing up and then a grinding noise while turning left or right when driving forward. The problem quickly progressed and the vehicle became difficult to turn left or right when I was driving in traffic at around 30 mph. I had to muscle the steering wheel to turn the vehicle and managed to drive to the nearest garage. This same garage was very aware of this problem with the Ford Explorer and repaired my vehicle at a cost of $2417.74. From the time the steering problem began to the time the vehicle could not be driven was less than four hours. This problem is very dangerous and there should be a recall for it asap!!.

- Hogansburg, NY, USA

At approx 65K miles I noticed the steering wheel becoming stiff and a noise of plastic rubbing in the steering column. Today at 67K miles I took vehicle into Ford dealer for another recall to be told the rack is bad. Seeing as this is such an abundant issue with these vehicles, I'm trying to understand how this isn't a safety recall. If this part fails while driving it could lead to a catastrophic crash. Honestly I'm afraid to have the dealer replace it with an identical part since there is obviously an issue with the part is it is currently being produced.

- Fremont, IN, USA

Driving and lost full power steering control of vehicle. Ford had to replace power steering with only 47,900 miles on vehicle.

- Orange, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving 65 mph, the traction control indicator illuminated and the steering seized. The contact pulled the vehicle over and attempted to turn off and restart the vehicle, but the steering was locked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who discovered that the entire front rack and pinion system needed to be replaced. The total cost, including towing, was $2,300. Ford of hibbing (2627 E beltline, hibbing, mn 55746, (218) 262-3881) stated there were no recalls and the warranty recently expired; therefore, they would not assist with the repair cost. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 31,060.

- Hibbing, MN, USA

Explorer Sport 57800 miles vehicle is experiencing popping noises when turning the steering wheel left or right also happens while braking the popping is significant enough to feel in the steering wheel as well as in the floor boards on both front passenger and driver. The steering wheel has exhibited extreme vibration enough to make the outside driver review mirror shake. The steering wheel has also been stuck in the left turning position twice while trying to straighten wheels back out. Dealer wants $2,500 to repair it. They also charge me $140 to tell me it needed to be fixed.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

At 40,906 miles the steering totally failed. I was driving home from work and lost all steering capability, the wheel effectively locked up. Towed to dealer. A steering module inside the gearbox failed. From what I have read, this is a common issue with the epds system. The entire gear assembly was replaced for a total of $2,234.22 with labor. After over a dozen different calls to fomoco customer service, they agreed to compensate me a total of $525 this is an extremely dangerous issue and I am concerned it will happen again.

- Berkley, MI, USA

While taking a 250 mile trip up the coast of California, we stopped for gas. When the 2016 Ford Explorer was turned back on, a "steering assist fault" error message appeared on the dashboard and I realized I no longer had power steering. The power steering never returned after that. I had to drive the vehicle 250 miles back home with no power steering. I took it to the local Ford dealer, and I was told the repairs would not be covered under any warranty since my vehicle now has just over 50,000 miles on it. I am waiting for the estimate on the repairs.

- Upland, CA, USA

I was driving 55mph on the highway when my power steering stopped working. It was very hard to drive and control the car. I could of easily crashed and kill myself or someone else. I had just purchased this car less then a week before and I took it to the Ford dealership I bought it from. They said they could not cover it and I have to pay over $2000 to get it fixed.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden all the warning lights for the power steering starting flashing on my dash and my steering locked up. I almost had an accident going down the road. The garage I have taken it to have told me that the power steering control module and the rack and pinion are what needs replacing and it's $1950. I've read hundreds of other people's stories about this exact same thing happening to them and costing them anywhere from $2-$4000 to fix. And it's always happening when the vehicles are around 20-40,000 miles and it's always been Ford Explorer 2016-2018 models. My Explorer is at 102,000 miles. There needs to be a recall on these parts asap before someone dies from this happening!

- West Paducah, KY, USA

Steering started making a popping noise when turning the wheel to the right. Could not feel anything in the steering wheel when it happened. Popping changed from a single pop when turning right to multiple pops. Took to Ford dealer. Ford said not to drive as the steering could lock up causing an accident. Ford replaced the steering gear and said this was a known and frequently occurring problem.

- Evansville, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering seized. The contact regained control of the steering and drove to purvis Ford Lincoln (3660 jefferson davis hwy, fredericksburg, va 22408, (540) 898-3000). The dealer diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 23972804. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,000.

- Fredricksburg, VA, USA

Steering rack/steering gear failure causing car to lose control and run off road into shoulder/ditch. Alloy wheel bent with running off road. No injury or bodily harm as this occurred in a low traffic area at about 30mph. Steering wheel would lock into turns. Car steering wheel very hard to turn car uncontrollable at any higher rate of speed. Not covered under manufacture warranty or recall. Mileage at failure: 53257 part # fb5Z*3504 gear asy- steering cost $1310.40 after labor and tax repair total came to $1826.60

- Jonesborough, TN, USA

Had just returned to baton rouge, la from biloxi ms, stop to drop off our traveling guest at their home restarted the vehicle and a steering assist error code appeared alone with two other codes uphill start and one for traction. There was no warning or indication something was wrong

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Steering went out on the vehicle. Diagnosed as the steering gear/rack. Started with making a grinding noise when turning and eventually failed. Only 40,000 miles on vehicle.

- Canton, MI, USA

I was parked at the airport. When I started my car I received a warning "steering assist fault service required" the power steering was completely disabled and I was not able to drive the vehicle without great difficulty. I had to drive it home and it was extremely dangerous. The vehicle was parked when I got the warning.

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the message "steering fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to keith hawthorn Ford (617 North main St, belmont, nc) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

While in motion the vehicles steering suddenly became "sticky" and making a grinding sound. Shortly after the car became hard to control while in motion because it had lost power steering. The car is only 3 years old and the repair is very expensive as well as not guaranteed because the part is fatly and it can happen again.

- Berkley, MA, USA