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

On the highway with my family in the car "steering fault" light came on and the steering wheel got hard to turn. Luckily I was close to home and started going home. Juat as I pulled into my drive way "steering loss" light came on amd I could no longer turn my steering wheel. Luckily no one was injured. Having the vehicle towed to dealership.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the power steering made a grinding noise while the vehicle was making a turn. Also, the steering wheel became stiff and resistant without warning. Ted britt Ford of chantilly (Ford building, 4175 auto park cir, chantilly, va 20151, (703) 454-0008) was contacted and stated that diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified 5 times. The failure mileage was 37,000.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving 50 mph, the 'power steering fault assist' message appeared on the instrument panel and the power steering seized. The contact had to use excessive strength to steer the vehicle. The contact drove to magic city Ford (51 northridge ln, lexington, va 24450, (540) 463-3196) and was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The dealer ordered the part, which was expected to arrive on July 30, 2019. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 44,000.

- Edineurg, VA, USA

I started having problems with the steering wheel at 16,000 miles. I took the vehicle to my local Ford dealership each time, only to be told it must be giving a code so they can figure out the problem. My Explorer steering problem would correct itself if I turned off the ignition & started back. In July 2019 at 46,636 miles I lost all steering. I had the Explorer towed into my local Ford service center and was told it is a steering gear that needs to be replaced. This is a very dangerous problem with these vehicles thay I feel needs to be addressed asap!

- Fulton, MS, USA

While driving on the highway at 65 mph I noticed my steering wheel become shaky and uncontrollable. I was feeling unsafe and moved to the right lane and within seconds the steering wheel froze up and warning lights went on. I glided to the shoulder. Turned the car off. Tried several times turning it back on but warning lights and steering wheel was still locked. Had the car towed.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

Turning steering wheel makes a grinding noise. Steering gets stuck when turning left or right and has to be forced back to center. Does not return on its own. Happens while sitting or driving. If you make a turn on the street it will send you off the road or into another lane if you do not force the steering wheel back. The steering rack is bad. 3 year old Explorer. After researching more almost every other year of Explorer in the teens has had a recall for the steering gear except 15/16. There are a lot of complaints for 2016 steering gears. Are we waiting for someone to get killed first?

- Lincoln, NE, USA

Making a right turn at 20mph on a city street and steering wheel started locking up. Found it unerving and difficult to come out of the turn. This caused me to make a dangerous stop in a active intersection.

- Folsom, PA, USA

Dash warning message states "steering system fault". power steering no longer active. Extremely difficult to turn wheel. Had to muscle car to safe lane. Not drive-able.

- Bluffton, SC, USA