The car had ongoing issues with a warning sensor that stated Steering Fault - Service Now. There was also a clinking noise when driving straight and then turning right. Took car to dealer repair show and they ran a diagnosis report (I assume they did). It was reported that it was an internal fault with strut bearings and installed a bracket that was suppose to remedy the issue. Since then I would get the Steering Fault warning but it would happen and then not show up for several months. Recently 8/2025 the error message showed up again while driving about 30 mph. At that time my steering locked. I turned off the car and started it again and it seemed fine. My husband and I test drove it short distances and there was no issues. Then I drove it down the road that I was on when it happened a couple days earlier (since it was a hilly road I thought it caused something to come loose thence the warning). I stopped at a vegetable stand and when restarting the car I received the steering warning again. I turned the car off and then on and proceeded down the road. Within a few feet the warning flashed on and also warning that said Service Advance Trac and Hill Start Assist Not Available and Terrain warnings. I took the vehicle back to the dealership again 9/4/2025 at this time I had 93,300 miles on it. They ran a diagnosis report on it and said I needed to replace the Steering Rack at a cost of over $4000 plus fees for alignment, etc. FIRST OF ALL - I think this should have been diagnosed when the car was in for steering issues in 2022 - Especially since Ford was aware of issue with the Steering Rack and it is a serious safety issue. SECOND - There should have been a safety recall for Steering Racks on these vehicles. I'm only fortunate that this did not happed when driving on a highway higher speed.

- South Bend, IN, USA

Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX].) Build Date: (08/15.), Mileage (115,262.). My vehicle has experienced a steering rack failure, which poses a serious risk of loss of steering control. I am aware of multiple recalls (such as 20v-675 / Ford 20S62 and 21V-537 / Ford 21S32) Addressing rear suspension toe link fractures in 2016 ford explorers. These recalls cover vehicles built in the same timeframe as mine, but my VIN is not included. This exclusion is concerning, as both the steering rack and suspension defect involve loss of steering control and directly impact driver and passenger safety. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate: 1. Why certain VIN's, including mine, were excluded despite being manufactured in the recall window. 2. Whether steering rack failures in the 2016 ford explorer should also be subject to an official safety recall. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety matter. I look forward to hearing from somebody. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Havre, MT, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality, and the steering wheel was stuck while attempting to turn the steering wheel to the left or the right. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact spoke with the dealer and was informed that the power steering assist had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Ransomville, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff and did not drive as intended. The contact stated that the next morning, she observed a sound emanating from the steering column. The check engine warning light was illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,580.

- Loganville, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to turn to the left or right, and the steering wheel was stiff. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and pulling into a parking spot, the steering wheel was stiff. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and restarted without the failure recurring. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for maintenance on the brakes, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,500.

- Belleville, WI, USA

I was driving the family and about to enter the highway when my steering started to feel like there may be a problem. The steering started to feel like it was sticking. I turned around and headed back home (about 4 miles) by the time I entered my street, steering failure warning lights started on the dashboard. I had to come to an abrupt stop because the steering wheel would not turn to pull in my driveway. We had to dolly the rear of the car over so i can pull straight into my driveway. I can not even imagine what would have happened if I did not turn around to head home. If this happend on the highway or on a ramp, I could have become devestating.

- Naperville, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The power steering unit failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering rack. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering rack. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bethel, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with electronic power steering control module failure. The contact was informed that that the independent mechanic found that the EPS control module was water damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000(Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Grampian, PA, USA

Steering gets really hard and jerks acts like the steering isn't working

- Bloomingdale, MI, USA

I was at Apple Ford of Lynchburg, VA when I grabbed the steering wheel to exit the vehicle when the steering wheel came loose and began to wobble up and down, making the car impossible to control safely. The Service Department and I came to the conclusion that this may represent an apparent safety issue that must be addressed.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering functionality. The contact stated that the message -??Power Steering Failure - Stop Driving Vehicle-?? was displayed. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with internal steering gear head failure. The dealer performed the steering gear replacement and realignment. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer later informed the contact that no assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was 65,964.

- Sharon, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, while attempting to make a left or right turn, there was a popping sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 70 MPH. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle with the TPMS warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at approximately 1-2 MPH, there was a loud, abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to the side. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

- Emmaus, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 144,337.

- Tazewell, VA, USA

Water pump

- Endwell, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while turning the steering to the left or right while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the steering wheel seize approximately a quarter way into the turn. The driver had to manually turn the steering wheel to continue the turn or to merge. The failure occurred intermittently but became more persistent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Proctorville, OH, USA

Vehicles steering is extremely difficult to turn, power steering fluids have been checked and changed out as well. Issue persists in high and low speeds

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

I was driving 55mph (speed limit) down a curvy country road when the steering wheel became stiff and wouldn-??t turn. A red light flashed and said I had lost steering. I was barely able to get stopped before going of a steep embankment. I was stoped in a dangerous spot with no way get out of oncoming traffic. My vehicle flashed a yellow light that said Terrain management system failure. No only was my life risk everyone that traveled down that road that morning. This included a school bus full of children and several other people that were trying to make it so work just like me.

- Cox’S Creek, KY, USA

When driving the steering would loose power and would not respond. Warning message said power steering failed. Dealer checked and verified that the steering rack and pinion are bad.

- West Warwick, RI, USA