The steering has become very difficult and a noise of a 'grating' sound is occurring. This morning I had trouble keeping it straight. The vehicle has less than 50K miles - owned it for about 6 months

- Foxboro, MA, USA

I was driving down the highway going approx 50 mph when my steering wheel locked up and automatically pulled me towards oncoming traffic. I had to forcefully pull off of the road. We took it to the dealership and they said the epas is bad. From doing research I have learned this is actually a common issue. It was terrifying for me, especially because my 2 yo and 3 month old children were in the vehicle with me when this occurred. There is only 61K miles on this vehicle that we have only had for 7 months. This needs to be recalled before there are fatalities- if there haven't been already!!!

- Rockwood, TN, USA

While driving, I noticed some 'sticking' or 'jerking' in the steering. Also, a grinding sound when turning the wheel, while sitting still or while driving. Being memorial day weekend, we headed to Ford dealership to drop off for service, on the way to the dealership, the dash warnings started flashing. Service advance trac, no hill assist, and service steering assist now. We made it to the dealership, after a scary ride there! 2016 with 65,000 miles. $2500 in repairs. Definitely scary, and certainly a safety issue had the steering seized at a high rate of speed.

- Marysville, IN, USA

While driving received a warning light stating, "loss of steering-service advance track". immediately after the warning the steering locked up and would not steer. Towed to dealer and advised that this happens frequently and replaced the rack and pinion and electronic steering control. Steering immediately locked up.

- Liberty, MO, USA

I have had this used car 2 months and it only has 25K on it, the steering column is grinding and feels very tight when driving, almost like your driving on a flat.dealership offered to fix it for $2000 '.are you kidding? should be a recall like older years are.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving out of a parking lot, a whining sound was heard from the front driver's side wheel. In addition, the steering column made a popping noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Furthermore, while driving and making left turns, the whining and popping noise occurred. The vehicle was taken to viva Ford (located at 5550 N desert blvd, el paso, tx 79912, (915) 834-2800) where it was diagnosed that the front driver and passenger hub assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred after leaving the dealer. The contact immediately called dealer and she was advised to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number: Cas21646401-Y3N9W3. The approximate failure mileage was 59,500.

- El Paso, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel jerked slightly while turning in either direction. The message "steering failure" suddenly displayed and the power steering malfunctioned, which caused the steering wheel to become extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to walls Ford (2 merrill St, salisbury, MA) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and gear assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,500.

- Newburyport, MA, USA

My steering rack/pinion has gone completely out. At first the steering wheel would make noises when turning, however now it is completely impossible to drive. I have researched and previous model Explorer have had the exact same issues and multiple 2016 models are experiencing the same problem. I can't find a part, I can't drive my vehicle. What is needed for a recall to happen on this model?

- Columbia, MS, USA

Loss off power steering and stability control

- Forest Hills, NY, USA

While stopped and attempting to turn my steering wheel to the right or left to maneuver out of a parking space, backing into my driveway or simply making a right or left turn, I would hear a popping noise coming from the steering mechanism. The noise did not happen all the time and I could go a month or so without hearing it at all. I took the vehicle into the dealership for an oil change and asked Ford to do a visual inspection of my steering mechanism to make sure nothing appeared to be obviously identifiable. Explained to Ford that the popping noise comes and goes. I was told that everything looked to be in good shape and nothing was loose. A couple of months later the popping noise was replaced with steering resistance and grinding as I turned the steering wheel in a parked position and while driving. Furthermore, when changing lanes the vehicle appeared to have too much play in the steering wheel and would have to be pulled back to center. This appears to be a serious safety issue, so I researched "2016 Ford Explorer steering complaints" and was surprised to find hundreds of steering complaints just like mine. My vehicle currently has roughly 69,800 miles, however, the complaints I read dealt with vehicles between 22,000 - 80,000 miles. I dropped my car off today at Ford to have the problem assessed. My vehicle is not under warranty and this may be something I have to pay out of pocket for. With the number of complaints I was able to uncover with a simple google search I'm sure Ford is aware of the steering mechanism defective and a recall should be ordered. There is no way a major part such as the steering mechanism should be failing on any vehicle. I encourage the NHTSA to look into the hundreds if not thousands of other complaints related to the 2016 - 2018 Ford Explorer steering assembly.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Takata recall. Whenever I maneuver slowly when I park horizontally, I can hear crackling sound and this was fixed twice by Ford dealer. Recently, the dashboard had warning that steering is not working. The steering became stiff right away and stiffer that have to drive slowly and turn on my hazard light the next 3 miles to reach home. I could hardly turn the wheel that have to avoid roads where I have to turn. It was fixed by same dealer and got my vehicle after a week. The mileage is 18,000 and now I'm not confident to take my 3 year old car on long distance drive. The suspension was fixed as well mid 2018 for the car is running like a 20 year old truck on the road.

- Woodside, NY, USA

After 44K miles the steering rack is completely broken and requires a full replacement. This is greater than $2500 cost for a new car car makes a loud mechanical clunking sound when turning right. Had it reviewed by local Ford dealer and they said bearings on the rack and pinion assembly are going. This is a safety issue where a new car with such low miles has a steering system that requires full replacement. Internet searches have shown many instances of people requiring a replacement of the system.

- Cedar Rapids, Ia, IA, USA

Started hearing grinding noise when turning left or right. Rack and pinion went bad at 78000 miles.

- Plattsmouth, NE, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle shut down without warning. The vehicle was towed to rountree Ford (318-798-3673, located at 8770 business park dr, shreveport, la 71105) where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The failure was repaired. After the repair, while driving at an unknown speed, the seat belt indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to wray Ford (318-686-7300, located at 2851 benton rd, bossier city, la 71111) where the seat belt harness, buckle, and computer module were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered an extended warranty, stating that nothing else could be done. Later on, while driving approximately 70 mph, the steering lost power. An unknown warning indicator regarding a visit to the dealer illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to wray Ford where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

Randomly, car began making a grinding noise when turning one day. Took care into shop and discovered that steering rack needs to be replaced. Car only has 70K miles and will cost $2,300 to repair.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 20 mph, the steering lost power and the power steering, brake assist, and other unknown indicators illuminated. The contact managed to drive the vehicle to his residence where the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to quirk Ford of augusta (207-560-1371, located at 7 water St, hallowell, me 04347) where it was diagnosed that the electronic power assist steering system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was not covered by the warranty. The failure was repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

- Winslow, ME, USA

"takata recall "was driving slowly making turn and suddenly could not move steering wheel but vehicle was still moving a bit.. could not stop it... could not go forward... no backward....thanks god that was in the alley with no people otherwise somebody would get hit... just cars around but I did not hit any...thanks god...horible experience...

- Chicago, IL, USA

Started hearing noise and feeling vibration when steering to the right while driving and parking; got more pronounced over several days. Took vehicle to Ford where they diagnosed need to replace steering gear/rack & pinion assembly. Repair cost $2125. Vehicle had 51K miles. Seems unusual to have major part fail after 3 years of driving.

- Reston, VA, USA

Vehicle steering became stiff while driving in a parking lot, with multiple errors. Cannot drive vehicle safely. Happened without warning. -hill start assist not available -service advancetrac -terrain management system fault

- Neah Bay, WA, USA

While driving on a major highway the power steering went out with eps failure error messages: "steering assist fault service required" and "service advancetrac" could not steer the vehicle effectively and needed to pull off the road. There were no warning signs or previous issues. No restart, battery disconnect or fix was/is available. Took it to the dealership who recognized full steering rack/pinion failure at only 50,000 miles.

- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA