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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,836 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ford Explorer steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 10 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #556

Apr 202022

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to turn at slow speeds, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Lachine, MI, USA

problem #555

May 082022

Explorer

  • 115,496 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the steering wheel became firm and was difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while slowing down. The steering power functionality would return while accelerating. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that she contacted the dealer however, they were not able to assist. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,496.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #554

May 022022

Explorer

  • miles
Was driving and trac control plus power steering assist came on and I lost all power steering while traveling at 70mph. Turn signals would not stay on and this almost caused me to wreck. Very unsafe.

- Watonga, OK, USA

problem #553

Apr 202022

Explorer

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH the steering wheel became firm and was difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. While slowing down and attempting to pull over, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Marstons Mills, MA, USA

problem #552

Apr 212022

Explorer

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist while turning to the left. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a faulty power steering assist system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 14V286000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Leesburg, IN, USA

problem #551

Apr 222022

Explorer

  • miles
Steering failed completely. Unable to turn wheel at all. Thankfully I was stopped in my driveway this time, but unable to turn vehicle at all. It is being taken to Ford Dealership tomorrow. Problem has been reported to dealership, but not inspected yet.

- Leesburg, IN, USA

problem #550

Mar 012022

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electronic power steering assist message was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to return to normal operation. The contact stated on several occasions the contact drove the vehicle without power steering assist. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #549

Mar 302022

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering failing. When turning makes loud grinding noise and gets stuck in one position and has to be jerked back to get out of a turn.

- Leesburg, IN, USA

problem #548

Mar 262022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a turn, the steering became difficult to maneuver. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was diagnosed at a local dealer as a beginning stage of power steering failure. The contact believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000. Consumer stated Ford Motor Company will not assist in fixing this issue under this recall, despite their own dealership telling them this issue is affecting the consumer's vehicle. Consumer's power steering is almost non existent at times.

- Grand Forks Afb, ND, USA

problem #547

Mar 242022

Explorer

  • miles
Lost power steering and have code U3000-96

- Loris, SC, USA

problem #546

Mar 012022

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle should be part of the Ford campaign 14S06 or 15N01. The power rack and pinion has frozen and made the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle has a build date of 3/12 and the campaign lists the affected vehicles from 2011 through February 28th 2012. Ford has denied multiple attempts to get this repaired and they say the build date excludes this vehicle. We are talking about literally days apart to make it eligible. We replaced the power rack and pinion at our expense approximately 2 years ago and the same problem has reoccurred. This vehicle is unsafe to drive and we can not get it repaired outside of the Ford dealerships as the electronic power steering control module has to be re-set by Ford after a replacement. The warning message is on in red on the instrument cluster message center and the warning chime is sounding.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #545

Mar 172022

Explorer

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering became inoperable. The power steering assist failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #544

Feb 222022

Explorer

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly in cold weather. The driver took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #543

Mar 042022

Explorer

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light illuminated the following day. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #542

Feb 272022

Explorer

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" While driving home and turning on to our street I lost control of Power Steering. Was very difficult to steer - scary. Yes available for inspection, although we have an appt to check it and repair estimate on March 10, 2022 with Cutter Ford. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Scary. This is my wife's vehicle, It's a blessing that wife was not driving vehicle home from work in traffic on the H-1 freeway in Hawaii. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? There was a recall for 2013 Explorers in June 2014. Dealer Manager had denied any recall for my VIN. was not any help to, seem like he didn't care there was a recall on Ford 2013 Explorer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet, Dealer with Cutter Ford appt March 10, 2022 Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" Lamp illuminated as soon as problem occurred saying " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT"

- Ewa Beach, HI, USA

problem #541

Jan 012022

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle has lost ability to steer and several warning light illuminated indicating power steering problem. Diagnosis revealed the problem is a failed rack and pinion.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #540

Feb 182022

Explorer

  • miles
There is an open recall for 2011-2013 Explorers (#14V286000) for the exact cause of the submission of this complaint. My family and other's lives were at risk when my explorer lost power steering capabilities while driving. The power steering was completely disabled almost making it impossible to navigate. The vehicle had to be towed because it was such a hazard to drive with local traffic. Upon the loss of the power steering a "power steering assist" light illuminated on the dash. The local Ford dealership noted that this was a known problem and the 2013's were actually recalled for this exact issue. Once they looked up my VIN number they noted that mine was not included even though it is textbook for the other 2013 explorers which noted the same problem that caused this recall. Ford has not been of any help and instructed I submit this complaint here. The repair is not an affordable cost to swallow when there is an open recall for the exact problem on the SAME years, but for some reason mine was not included.

- Claremont, MN, USA

problem #539

Jan 012022

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the power steering and advanced tract warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel failed to move. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Foley, AL, USA

problem #538

Jan 282022

Explorer

  • 59,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the steering wheel locked up. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel in either direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and remained at the dealer. The contact was informed that the power steering assist failed and would be an out-of-pocket expense. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was provided with a case number. The failure mileage was 59,800.

- Spicewood, TX, USA

problem #537

Jan 242022

Explorer

  • miles
I was stopped in the middle median waiting to make a left turn. Once there was a gap with on coming traffic I started to make the left turn and I lost control of the vehicle, not sure what happened in the moment. Once I gripped the steering wheel to try and regain control before I jumped the curb and hit the apartment building that was in front of me I was able to park the vehicle and assess the situation. I looked down and noticed the warning light that said -??Power steering fault.-?? I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Ford dealership and they have diagnosed the problem as needing to replace the whole -??steering rack.-?? This is a $2300 repair. Under further investigation I have become aware that there is already a recall -??14S06-?? for this exact problem, but due to my build date being out by a couple months my Explorer is not covered. I have read online many other experiencing the same concern I am having, and their Explorers are not covered as well. This is a huge safety concern and could cause accidents relating to injury/death. This needs to be addressed immediately!

- Roy, UT, USA

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