This has happened twice now about 3 weeks apart from each other. We are driving under normal conditions and the power steering will fail. An alert on the dash will say power steering failure. Once we turn the car off and restart it the power steering engages again. I took it to the dealer and since the computer didn't submit a code and they couldn't reproduce the problem they sent me home with it. This is extremely unsafe, if we happen to be turning when it all the sudden goes out we would have ended up going off the road or in to oncoming traffic. These cars are mainly owned by families with kids since it has three rows of seats, can something be done before it results in more serious consequences?

- Salem, OR, USA

On several occasions after starting the vehicle, the steering will not function, its stiff as a brick, wheel can not be turned. Shutting off the vehicle and restarting corrected the problem. One occasion, while pulling out of a parking lot, the steering became very stiff and the wheel would not turn. It was momentary and corrected itself.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving 40 mph. The contact shut off and restarted vehicle however, the train management mode was non-functional and all of the gear box lights on failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised that the steering rack failed. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The current and failure mileage was 22,000.

- Harwich, MA, USA

I was slowing to stop for a stop light and a light appeared on the dash that the advance traction failed. Seconds later, a light came on saying the power steering failed, I tried to turn the wheel and it was very difficult to turn.

- Lowell, IN, USA

I was driving my Ford Explorer and I got a warning alarm that the power steering failed. It was very difficult to steer the vehicle. I reported it to the dealer and when they looked at the car, the power steering was working but they are going to fix it.

- North Mankato, MN, USA

Started car and proceded to back out of driveway. Power steering was not working. A warning showed on dash screen "power steering assist" off failure. Stopped car / restarted and the power steering returned. Drove 5- 10 miles, no other failure.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

On July 4, 2012, was driving on the highway getting ready to exit in about 100 yards, as I was decreasing speed I heard and felt a light bang, the car seemed to surge like it was the transmission and brakes were pulsating, and had no power steering. Car pulled severely to the right almost hitting the guard rail, could not steer. Jammed on breaks, fortunately in the slow lane, and pulled over. Power steering light and hill descent control fault came on, shut the car off and turned it back on power steering then worked but the traction control light on center console did not work until the next day when I took it to the dealer. Dealer kept car for 2 days, returned it to me with no found no fault. On Sunday, July 22, 2012, the same thing happened at 30 mph, felt the car jump forward then the power steering assist light and hill descent light came on as well as another light (I took pics of the error messages). This time when I pulled over and restarted it, it did not work, let the car sit for 15 minutes still did not work, called the towline and no answer, so drove the car 3 miles to home with no power steering or traction control. Next day called dealer called dealer, and they said they could not take me in for another week, also stated they never heard of these issues, so I googled and found this website where other people are having the same problems. The traction control has happened numerous times (at least 10) and the power steering twice within 18 days.

- Riverdale, NJ, USA

The steering failed while driving the vehicle on 4 occasions in my brand new XLT. The first three times it happened I returned it to the dealer to check it out and fix the problem. Each time (three total) the Ford dealer service department returned it to me and told me it was fixed. While driving the vehicle in normal driving conditions the steering would suddenly stop working, warning chimes and lights on the dashboard "service advance trac", "power steering assist fault", "terrain management system fault" and traction control failure and traction control off lights glowing while in motion. Almost crashed the vehicle each time it happened. The vehicle would also slow down even though my gas pedal position never changed. When it happened the 4th time, I almost was in a fatal accident with a tractor trailer and realized Ford Motor Corporation is not interested in fixing this problem or addressing this life safety issue all late model Explorer owners are faced with. Ford claimed they know nothing but same issue all over internet. They claimed the fix was they replaced an angle sensor in the steering column, another time it was the computer needed to be refreshed and another said there was no record in the onboard computer, nothing to fix. As I am not an expert, it seems like the computer is faulty because the sync and navigation never worked properly. Was there a crash" was there an injury or fatality" I believe if it has not happened yet, it will. The head of customer service operations manager told me I had two options "call the better business bureau", or "call an attorney". I will be doing both. I will never buy another Ford because of their inability and unwillingness to help me in this. Ford customer service from the dealer level through the toll free corporate hotline was absolutely horrifying. Search online for others unreported here.

- Burlington, MA, USA

On July 31,2012 I went to drive the Explorer and the power steering warning came on. It reset itself. On August 2,2012 I took it to my Ford dealer but the system was working. Later that day the system failed again with two additional codes. Ford agreed to have the car towed to the dealership. Today I was informed that it will cost me half of a $1500 repair bill.

- Milford, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving 35 mph when the power steering assist became inoperable. The power steering assist independently reset once the vehicle was turned off then restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose a failure. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle back to the dealer should the problem recur. The failure recurred twice but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 19,000.

- Camp Lejeune, NC, USA

Traveling at 55 mph and received an alarm and warning message of a power steering fault. Vehicle became very hard to steer but I was able to get off of the highway. Restarted vehicle with all messages clear and vehicle drove ok. Vehicle was taken to dealer. Awaiting outcome.

- Covington, VA, USA

I was driving down the highway when the powersteering failed. Fortunately I was able to gain control of the vehicle without crashing. However it happened a second time and I slightly lost control of the car and ended up in the grass on the side of the road.

- Port Matilda, PA, USA

2011 Ford Explorer limited exhibiting variable power steering failure code. When fault occurs, power steering is lost on car until car is shut off and restarted. Failure has occurred more that 12 times in last month at speeds up to 35 mph. Dealer cannot recognize fault or recommend fix as the computer resets itself and clears the fault code upon restarting. This is a serious safety concern when traveling with children and has occurred at both stop and at speeds of 35 mph. When occurs, the car has no power steering until owner can pull over to reset.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Steering wheel locks up when vehicles in motion suddenly lost power steering assist and made it harder to steer the vehicle. The dash board indicated "power steering assist fault" and "service advancetrack". this happened three time and after switching off the power and restarting the vehicle corrected the problem.. when steering locked up I almost hit the curb and telephone pole. Scared to drive the car have not made the first payment.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

Driving at 35mph when a beep and notification popped up in the instrument panel. I received a warning for "power steering assist fault" and had a "service advance trac" warning. I lost power steering to the vehicle, which was very difficult to pull off of the road in traffic. I also lost the terrain management system function. After turning off the ignition and re-starting the engine, the warning went away and I regained power steering. This problem has happened 3 more times before taking it in. The dealership reprogrammed the computer. This sequence happened again after the reprogram, and the replaced my steering angle sensor and reprogrammed again. I had two more failures after this was done and the vehicle is back at the dealership today.

- Sagamore Hills, OH, USA

A warning light came on while I was making a right turn. The steering wheel became hard turn, the first time I was able to get the truck to the curb and restart the truck. That seemed to make the light go away and I was able to make turns with ease. The other time the I lost my power steering, I was traveling on the highway on my way home from work traffic was heavy, it was a struggle to get to the breakdown from the left lane. I was able to avoid some close calls that day. I have lost the power steering several other times before, but that incident made me set up the truck for service. I made my call on 7/20/12 for a 7/28/12 service, the Ford service center customer rep. Told me the part is back order and they don't know they will have the part in stock, also they kept the truck and gave a Ford Focus to drive. Not good considering I use my truck for work.

- Roslindale, MA, USA

Power steering assist failure warning came on as I lost steering. Brought the car to the dealer where they they reprogrammed epas module which obviously wasnt the problem because 7/27/2012 I was driving on the highway at 55mph and the same thing happened again...I was barely able to steer the car off the road.

- Hawthorne, NY, USA

Suddenly lost power steering assist and made it harder to steer the vehicle. The dash board indicated "power steering assist fault" and "service advancetrack". this happened twice and after switching off the power and restarting the vehicle corrected the problem.

- Oak Brook, IL, USA

Was driving to work and was turning into the parking lot and the instrument panel suddenly showed "power steering default" and then the steering became extremely hard. Vehicle acted as if it had no power steering at all. Made it to a parking spot. Turned off vehicle. Got out checked for leaks, checked to see if power steering was low. (no leaks, fluid level was fine) restarted vehicle, the computer seemed to reset and steering seemed fine. Drove around parking lot steering fine. Has not happened again. Taking vehicle to dealership to have them check. Vehicle has less than 12,000 miles 2011 Ford Explorer limited 4X4, V6 motor.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

Power steering failure on 2011 Ford Explorer while traveling in neighborhood. Started the vehicle with remote start to cool vehicle in hot, humid houston, Texas about 3 to 4 minutes before entering it. We drove 1.2 miles to an acquaintance's residence to co-sign a check for non-profit payment. Left vehicle running for +/- 3 minutes in his driveway. Backed out of his driveway and drove 1/2 mile when lost power steering and noticed two messages on the dash. One showed "power steering assist fault" and other "service auto tracking". stopped on the street, shut off engine, and restarted the car. No message. Drove 1/4 and the event recurred as described. Returned home and parked car at our personal residence. Called russell & smith Ford service department at 5:03pm and left message. Suspect it is after hours and will not hear from them until morning of July 26, 2012. The message is not in owner's manual. Searched the internet and noticed NHTSA investigation and chose to contribute and provide contact information.

- Houston, TX, USA