Steering while driving thru town or on highway is loosing power steering assist randomly and causing major steering and control issues

- Holley, NY, USA

I took my vehicle to 2 mechanics and they notated a rack and pinion issue on my vehicle. I have attempted to take it to my local Ford Dealership (Woody Anderson) but they claim there are no appointments available for months. I googled and found there was a recall on Ford Explorers including 2016 for Rack and Pinion, but it was not associated with my VIN. I believe this should be covered under the recall and would like for there to be an assessment to get this recall to cover my vehicle. The rack and pinion is causing shaking in the steering and posing a safety issue.

- Madison, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph when attempting to make a left turn when the vehicle's power steering had failed. The contact had difficulty getting the vehicle to straighten back up while accelerating. The contact stated the steering wheel had emitted a grinding and humming sound whenever they would turn the vehicle left or right. The contact also noticed there was fluid leaking from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact contacted the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering gearbox failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was told their failure related to NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (STEERING) however their vin was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 60,025.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

Have 2016 Ford Explorer which my son had while at college and at 72,940 miles on 09/15/2021 the steering malfunction which made steering very difficult and safety hazard. Ford dealership looked into the issue and stated it needed a new steering gear assembly which cost $3,493.92. Ford dealership stated that there was no recall for this repair and when ask the dealership how this does happen, they stated, "I DO NOT KNOW". I had the repaired made and decided to talk to Ford on the issue. Made two calls on 11/29/2021 & 01/13/2022 to the Ford Customer Service and received case#CAS35022773 but received no solution in having Ford pay for this repair.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

Driving to work through mountain passes as I live in northern Montana, warning lights came on in dash. Lost power steering ran off road, regained control, took it to ford dealership they said $2200 to fix, I've only had the car just over a month, I pay $750, and now the car sits

- Hot Springs , MT, USA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The steering. No, it has been repaired at a local Ford dealership. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? No, the problem occurred when starting the vehicle in the morning after it sat all night. Had this problem occurred while I was driving it certainly would have put myself and others in danger. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it was repaired at my local Ford dealership. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, it was repaired at my local Ford dealership. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" Yes, the following: Service advance trac Steering assist fault required Hill start assist not available I discovered the problem 03/23/2022 and had it towed to my local Ford dealership for diagnosis and repair. The vehicle was parked in my driveway at the time. The steering wheel was VERY difficult to turn. Had this happened while driving I would have been unable to steer the vehicle. The problem was confirmed and repaired at a Ford dealership.

- Big Canoe, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that power steering functionality returned without restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,237.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

For the least 4 or five days I've noticed increased resistance and a "stickiness" when turning the steering wheel. Its not constant but each time I turn the wheel is have to manually assist the wheel with making the turn or getting back to its preturn starting point. Ive learned in this vehicle, since there is not steering fluid the issue may be electronic.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

I was driving the vehicle when the steering suddenly locked up. There was virtually no steering except with very heavy struggles. Fortunately I was able to pull over but had to be towed. Vehicle indications showed power steering failure and all-wheel drive failure. Dealership indicated the Rack and Pinion must be replaced at a cost of about $2,300. They indicated it is a huge problem and they don't know where to get replacement parts. I can't find any anywhere. Salvage yards are out and all parts stores can't get them. I need a vehicle to drive.

- Arthur, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was making a left turn and then attempting to straighten the steering wheel, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The driver stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The driver stated she experience the failure multiple times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering and the steering wheel turned all the way to the right inadvertently, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out. The contact depressed the brake pedal, which caused the vehicle to stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle by forcefully steering the steering wheel. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,400. Estimate from the dealer confirming that the problem is rack and pinion, otherwise known as the power steering rack.

- Marietta, PA, USA

I have a 2016 ford explorer and like most of the other complaints on locked up steering. My explorer steering wheel has lock up with now warning lights and no codes. My ford dealership to get my vehicle in the mechanic bay had to call a tow truck. Luckily my vehicle was already at ford for other unrelated issues. After reading all of these incidents. Ford is really lucky no one has been killed or seriously injured.

- Aurora, IL, USA

My rack and pinion steering column and power steering pump went out causing a hefty cost to replace and it is starting to fail again creating hazardous conditions while driving. I do believe there is a steering issue in these models. Also my power lift gate in the back closes without stopping automatically while I-??m loading the rear or unloading. There is NO STOPPING SAFETY SENSOR, I HAD THE BACK CLOSE ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALMOST CRUSH ME. there is no safety sensor to stop the power lift gate from closing on you, I have had to crawl in my rear end to avoid being crushed by my liftgate! This is not safe!

- Warren, MI, USA

My wife was driving to work and the steering wheel just locked up on her and almost caused a serious accident out of nowhere

- Foster , RI, USA

Steering gear assembly completely failed, causing a total lock up of the steering wheel and loss of control. Happened at highway speeds, could barely pull off to side of road. Nearly crashed as there was no warning or indication of total steering loss. Ford dealer replacement cost of $3000. I was told this is a common issue with the Explorer, but there was no remedy offered by Ford.

- Scio, OH, USA

I was driving down the highway at approximately 60mph when my steering wheel became extremely stiff and hard to turn. The vehicle became very hard to handle. The steering wheel ended up locking up completely and I had to have it towed to the dealership. After diagnostics it was determined that the entire steering gear had failed. The cost to fix is $2200. Keep in mind that there is only 26,000 miles on the odometer! There were also no warning lights on the dash. No recall or warranty coverage.

- Dunreith, IN, USA

About 2 weeks ago I heard a noise and from that point it sounded like my steering wheel was grinding. Steering is tight at slower speeds and it is making that same grinding noise. I took it to a dealership to get checked out and was told the steering gear had failed and that it needs to be repaired however the parts are on back order with no foreseeable ship date, but that it was ok to drive, just may be a little hard to steer at low speeds. This morning my steering wheel was totally locked up and could not turn in either direction. There are no warning lights or other indication of an issue. My concern is could this have happened while driving" What caused it to break in the first place and why did it ultimately seize up completely after being told it could be driven"

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the steering gear replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

Steering rack failure on 2016 and 17 Explorers at 55,000 mile, haven't had the vehicle in a month due to acquiring parts because there are so many of these parts failing and was told by ford they can't release the vehicle until its repaired because the steering could lock up and it is also a $3000 dollar repair. Wouldn't this be a recall due to the low mileage, amount of failures and and result of the failure

- Pelham, NH, USA

When I turn right there is a popping noise. Sometimes the steering wheel gets stuck and I have to pull it hard to go back straight. It-??s very scary, especially going around a curve.

- Orange, TX, USA