The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving, the steering wheel seized without warning and became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure was ongoing. The vehicle was taken to arroway Ford (located at 519 N bedford rd, bedford hills, NY 10507) where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

- Ossining, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel failed to operate. The contact was unable to control the vehicle while driving. Also, the traction control and power assist warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to red rock Ford of dickinson (2585 I-94bl, dickinson, nd 58601, (701) 225-5175), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Dickinson, ND, USA

My wife, daughter and I were driving form nyc to baltimore in my 2016 Ford Explorer. In the last 10 minutes of the trip I was on the highway traveling at approximately 65mph. I received a warning message on my vehicle stating that power steering has malfunctioned and to service now. I slowed the vehicle down and traveled another 8 miles to my destination. After consulting my owner's manual, I restarted the vehicle and got the same message as well as another one saying that the lane detecting sensor was malfunctioning as well. The next morning I was going to take it to a nearby dealership for service. However when I started the vehicle and tried to move forward the steering was very stiff and difficult to maneuver the vehicle. I had the car towed to the dealership. Currently they are assessing the vehicle and mentioned that this happens with some makes and models and that I may have to pay for the repairs which could cost in the $2000 dollar range. I have reached out to Ford customer service and they have passed me to 3 differ departments all who say there is nothing they can do.

- Port Washington, NY, USA

While driving, dashboard alerts started with: Advance trac/terrain management fault. Steering loss/stop safely. Power steering seized up and only able to drive for 5 minutes but could feel power steering tightening up. Parked and turned off vehicle; then could not turn steering wheel.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Vehicle was stationary thankfully and the steering wheel was locked and does not move.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

Steering wheel not moving, not able to control it.milage on car 42,000. Car towed to a dealer. They found, that the rack and pinion is completely locked and needs to be replaced. Estimate repair at 2,400. Warranty does not cover it. A case was open with Ford.

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

Power steering goes out while driving causing uncontrolled steering.

- Hastings, MN, USA

Steering wheel locked

- Potomac, MD, USA

I have 28,452 miles on my car and the power steering went out. I get a warning which says steering assist fault service required, terrain management system fault, and service advance trac errors upon starting my vehicle. In researching these errors, it seems to be a very common problem with Ford Explorer and a costly one to fix. I believe this to be a manufacture defect, due to the sheer number of similar complaints and low mileage. In addition, this is a huge safety problem if one was traveling down the road which also seems to happened.

- Malone, NY, USA

Popping noise when turning right. Primarily when it is cold. Needs a steering rack with only 50K mi and 2 yrs old. Dealer would not let us drive it until part came in. They put us in a rental at their expense and we have had a full size quad cab truck. Steering rack is on back order with Ford and we have been waiting for 16 days and nothing is in sight. Dealer in bedford va. Has taken good care of us.

- Bedford, VA, USA

Steering noise is a when turning.

- Louisville, KY, USA

At approximately 35000 the steering started to slip and become periodically unresponsive. At 35975 miles it failed completely while driving almost leading to an accident. It was taken to a Ford dealership where they said the entire steering system would need to be replaced and quoted $3000 for the repair.

- North Potomac, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering fault service and service advance track warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to century Ford of mt. Airy (302 century dr, mt airy, md 21771, (301) 829-2800) where the contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,135.

- Ararat, NC, USA

My power steering has been making a snapping noise and I'm afraid of catostrofic failure. I no longer trust driving the vehicle, it has only 36,000 miles.

- Vienna, VA, USA

With less than 30,000 miles, my steering began to bind when turned fully to the left or right. This was only noticeable at low speeds, but due to my concerns about the safety hazards of steering failures I took it to dealer for an evaluation. They reported that the steering module had failed and it would cost >$2300 to repair. My warranty expired due to time (42 months) so unless Ford offers a warranty extension I will have to pay an exorbitant amount for what should never fail - certainly not with less than 30,000 miles. I do not know what would have happened had I not brought the car in immediately, but the need to replace the steering system suggests it was very serious.

- Wilson, NC, USA

2016 Ford Explorer with 44789 miles steering wheel locked while driving. Drivers please beware of this issue

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

Steering making noises and hard to steer going down the road

- Russell, PA, USA

2016 Ford Explorer limited 40K miles, identified my steering was locked up 3 weeks ago, I attributed it to severe cold temperatures. I contacted the dealership and they advised they cannot troubleshoot until it happens again. Friday night 12/7/18 while driving in rush hour traffic on a one way slush covered road, I lost the ability to steer my vehicle. I had to manually steer my vehicle to safety, it was incredibly dangerous and scary.I was able to pull it onto a side street and it had to be towed to the dealership. I am thankful I was not going any faster than 30mph when this happened. I have found 71 reported incidents with Ford Explorer of this year losing steering among other major problems. I am waiting a call from the dealership and contacting Ford in the interum.

- Carthage, NY, USA

Began hearing a knocking noise when turning right. Only have 38K miles (2K out of warranty) and it is going to cost me $2,000 to fix this steering problem.. this is totally disappointing on a car with this low mileage.

- Pearl, MS, USA

While driving the steering started to make noises when turning left or right. While turning the wheel, there was a complete different feeling with a small like bump and then the wheel would turn very freely with the car wheels not turning. Drove straight to Ford dealership and they said I cannot drive it because the steering shaft had to be replaced from failure. They determined this with a very short test drive in their own parking lot.

- Orange, CT, USA