Approximately 2 weeks ago, I received a warning for power assist fault- service soon. Once I turned my truck off and restarted it the warning went away and the truck drove fine. Then about 1 week ago, the warning came back and did not go off. The truck became extremely hard to turn almost locking up while I was driving in traffic. I took the truck to Ford dealership to learn that steering assembly had failed and it would cost $3,000 to fix! I-??ve read where this has happened to several others with this same male truck. Luckily, I was not on the highway or this could have resulted in an accident possibly a fatality. This needs to be addressed as this is a very serious issue.

- Batesville, MS, USA

Issue with the power steering in the vehicle. Loud grinding when turning vehicle.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

We own a 2016 Ford Explorer with only 23,000 miles on it. While driving down the road the steering began to make a noise when trying to turn and shortly after it became very hard to keep control of the car (not a power steering issue). We were only a half mile from a dealer when the problem began and we drove it there so they can diagnose the problem. The dealer found that the steering rack needed to be replaced. No warning lights or any messages came on the dashboard prior to issue nor when the issue started.

- Washington, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that his while his son was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The driver was unable to control the vehicle and the vehicle went across two lanes of traffic to the right. The contact stated that numerous unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's son was able to steer the vehicle to the residence however, excessive force was needed while steering the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel then seized and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Steering wheel started making a rubbing sound. Then it started loud grinding/scraping noise. Steering wheel -??catches-??, hard to turn, or locks up. No warning light/s for service were presented. 2 weeks for an appointment by Ford Co. I have had Ford mechanic inspect, & diagnosis is a Electronic Steering Box, Steering Rack. The vehicle has 60, 005 miles. The Ford service rep did not say anything about not driving it. I parked it, afraid of an accident! Waiting on parts. I have read there have been 2,000 complaints filed. How many have not been officially filed?

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

I was driving on the interstate and the power steering stopped work. No signs or anything till it stopped working. I had to pull over asap and it was very hard to turn. Now there is no way of getting the part for my car to fix it because of national back order

- Caldwell , OH, USA

Steering makes occasional clunking/popping noises at very slow speeds backing out and turning form my driveway. It also occurs occasionally making slow speed turns like on a roundabout or U-turn. On one occasion we had a loss of power steering mid corner and jerking sensation. I had it towed to my local Ford dealer as it is a safety concern and they said they could find no noise and no codes stored. There were no warning lamps indicated. I demonstrated it to t he technician and they said it was "normal". No way is this normal and it is a safety issue as I can feel the clunking and my steering wheel fighting me when it happens. I have read others have experienced similar issues. We purchased the Explorer new and have had no accidents.

- Livermore, CA, USA

The power steering on my 2016 Ford Explorer failed at 73,000 miles. I had a total loss of power steering and had to be towed to the dealership who, upon investigating the cause, said it was corroded but wasn't visible until they opened the Steering Gear Assembly. After doing some web searches on the topic, I found that this is becoming a common issue with Ford Explorers. There have been many reports of people who have lost power steering while driving. The replacement part is currently on backorder and Ford is in the process of releasing 250 within the next week but they said most have been claimed already. Again, indicating that my experience was not an isolated issue. This is a safety issue.

- Pawcatuck, CT, USA

I drove it Wednesday to an apt one hour away with no issues but the next morning the steering wheel would hardly turn at all and made a constant knocking noise. If this had happened to me while on an interstate or highway, I am certain that I would have crashed since I had no control. I did inquire with Vogler service dept. about it having anything to do with the last recall we took care of since it warns of possible loss of steering control but was told it did not. I understand that the whole steering assembly (for lack of parts jargon) has to be replaced and reprogrammed and that this will be difficult to get and also Vogler said they are short staffed so it will take a while. The recalls I am referring to are 20S62 and 21S32

- Pinckneyville, IL, USA

Vehicle (2016 Ford Explorer) returned from the dealer following standard maintenance and a recall repair for the rear toe link. Operator noted the vehicle-??s steering seemed somewhat stiff. Vehicle sat parked for two days and when driven again the steering was incredibly stiff require a great deal of effort to turn the wheel in either direction. Steering continues to be stiff and difficult whenever the vehicle is operated. Dealer was contacted and vehicle was brought back in for assessment. Dealer diagnosed the problem as the Steering Rack and advised it would need to be replaced. Per dealer the part is on national backorder and no time frame is available for when the part may be available. Dealer was unwilling to provide alternate transportation because the vehicle is no longer under warranty and part is on national backorder.

- Granville, MA, USA

Steering gear asy replaced.

- Janesville, WI, USA

July 28,2022 while driving on the highway at 55mph the power steering began to fail. It didn't fail completely but the steering felt awkward. I slowed up considerably. Fortunately I was less than 2 miles to my home. As I was getting home a power steering warning light illuminated and then went off. Not sure exactly what it said as I was too busy driving. At that point the power steering hadn't failed completely but still felt awkward (I would say the steering alternated between smooth steering and like the steering wheel was starting to lock in place). I managed to get to my driveway. I shut the suv off and called the local Ford dealership. They advised restarting the suv and to see if the power steering returned. It didn't. It was completely locked up at that point and I couldn't even turn the steering wheel. I called a tow truck and had it towed to the closest Ford dealership. Russ Hubler Automotive in Greensburg Indiana. The dealer called on July 29, 2022 and said the power steering had failed. I'm not a mechanic so I don't know the mechanical details but they said it wasn't the electric steering motor or module. It would cost about $2,200 to fix. As of today August 1, 2022 it is sitting at the dealership waiting on parts to be repaired. As I did more research I found that MANY other people had reported the same problem. I called Ford Customer Service on August 1, 2002 and spoke to a rep and then finally her supervisor. They refused to help. I was on the phone with them for 46 minutes. The supervisor finally admitted the power steering was a recall issue but it did not as yet include my VIN number even though I had the exact same experience as hundreds of other owners. She advised filing this report with the NHTSA and the BBB. She admitted that Ford was not to going to address this issue until they were required to by the NHTSA. She advised saving my receipts so that if and when the recall included my VIN number I could be reimbursed. Disappointed in Ford.

- Batesville, IN, USA

My 2016 Ford Explorer only has 26,815 miles. Was driving vehicle when suddenly started to have steering issues. One of the message(s) was: Steering Fault Service Now.

- Onalaska, WI, USA

The rack and pinion failed and need to be replaced.

- Fenton, MI, USA

Power steering tends to go out at random. When car is turned off and then restarted, power steering goes back to functioning normal until it goes out at random again. Rack and pinion unavailable for replacement.

- Kersey, PA, USA

When driving my vehicle my steering wheel sticks to the right and left when making a turn and also making a slight turn. I have to pull the wheel back into place hard. I have tried to call the manufacturer but they stated that there is no recall and I could bring it in for 170 dollars to get it looked out. I have read online that the same year, make, and model of the vehicle has had the same recall. It scares me to drive it but unfortunately I don-??t have a choice I have too.

- Saint Ann , MO, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a stop, the steering wheel seized with the "Power Steering Failure - Drive Slowly" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to notify a dealer due to the national holiday. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not towed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Hampshire, IL, USA

Upon driving the steering locked up and was stiff to turn and maneuver. It locks up and fault steering sign comes on.It happened on freeway. I am attempting to try and get it fixed but having difficulty with company going back and forth with my extended warranty. It is used for my wife to transport my grandkid. Unfortunately no resolution yet and this seems to be a continuous issue for this vehicle this year 2022. Ford should as previous years take care of this dangerous issue. This is my 3rd and last Ford car.

- Fair Oaks , CA, USA

Steering wheel locked up going 40mph.Received warning for steering fault and for lane keeping system. Restarting vehicle did not help.

- Sellersburg, IN, USA

I was driving through a residential area with my 3 kids in the backseat when the steering wheel stopped working and I was unable to turn it past 1/2in at either direction and my tires were not turning either. I had to use strong incredible force to get it to turn. We were stopped in the middle of the road. The steering wheel stopped turning while I was driving WITHOUT any warnings or signs indicating this was going to happen. It just completely locked, all I could do was go forward or back. Now I am getting on my dash board -??Steering Assist Fault-Service Required-?? -??Terrain management system fault-?? -??Service Advance Tract-?? and -??Hill Start Assist Not Available-?? warning lights illuminated. All ford dealerships are booked out until 2-3 months out so now I-??m left without a car or transportation. Clearly this is an issue with a lot of Ford vehicles and what a shame they are not doing anything about it!

- Portland, OR, USA