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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 3 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #696

Jul 012020

Explorer

  • 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 upon start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact also stated that an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that a new steering gear system was needed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #695

Dec 012023

Explorer

  • miles
The electric power assist for the steering quit working. This would be dangerous if driven

- Fort Mccoy, FL, USA

problem #694

Nov 282023

Explorer

  • miles
Steering failure- known issue and has safety recall but my serial number was not in recall but having issue with power steering going out and giving fault warning. Usually able to restart and code goes away and steering works. Now it has happened while driving and cannot reset. No power steering. Asked dealer and they refused to repair since VIN was not in recall. Wrote Ford and they refused to repair under recall. This is a problem even though VIN is not in recall. Ford needs to repair under warranty since it-??s a safety issue. Latest incident was 11/28/2023 but has happened multiple times in the last 8 months.

- New Hill, NC, USA

problem #693

Nov 012023

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving I-??ve been having trouble with my steering wheel getting stuck when I make turns. Or just locking up randomly without movement. I then have to shut my car off and restart. It has almost caused me to wreck on multiple occasions. I-??ve taken my car to two different mechanic shops and I was told by both that I would need to take my car into the dealership because the steering is electric. The dealership quoted me a price for 3 grand to have it fixed. This needs to be on the recall list immediately as I-??ve found this to be a major issues for this make and model. Very dangerous! Be careful.

- Des Moines , IA, USA

problem #692

Nov 132023

Explorer

  • miles
The power Steering Assist failed. I was unable to steer the vehicle.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #691

Nov 102023

Explorer

  • miles
2013 Ford Explorer: Power Steering service now red light came on as problem occured it did ding, but not in time for reaction. While driving the wheel will lock no matter how fast or slow you are going. Put myself, my children and husband in danger, as well as others. This has occurred now 4 times in the last month. It is being sent to dealership for a current Recall. No police or insurance has inspected.

- Converse, TX, USA

problem #690

Oct 252023

Explorer

  • miles

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

Electric Steering Module failure loss of steering control could have caused accident, able to stop and pull over barely. Was like steering was fighting me, used a lot of force to pull over almost caused accident not safe!!!!!! Scared the hell out of me.

- Mantua, OH, USA

problem #689

Oct 222023

Explorer

  • miles
Started car with auto start. Drove approx 5 miles. Pulled up to gas station shut car off, no issues. Pumped gas started vehicle and all these warning lights came on. Service power steering, and so on. Vehicle wheel is locked in place. Called tow truck.

- Cheswick, PA, USA

problem #688

Sep 122023

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering is not working properly. Steering is easy then a few seconds later it's hard to turn

- Foley, AL, USA

problem #687

Oct 112023

Explorer

  • 120,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated she was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and driving to the residence. The vehicle was parked at the residence and failed to restart for four days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,500.

- Tabor City, NC, USA

problem #686

Mar 162023

Explorer

  • 105,192 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 approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact stated the "loss of power steering" message was illuminated. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off and on and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a dealer who diagnosed and determined that the power steering gears, and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,192.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #685

Aug 282023

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering assist popped up on dashboard with no warning. The safety of me and my children were put at jeopardy because what if we were driving on road and the steering wheel locked up on us?

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #684

Oct 012023

Explorer

  • miles
See Ford Campaign 15N01. Coverage for this vehicle expired 3-25-2022. O/A 10-1-2023 steering became very erratic and traction light would come on intermittently. Independent garage found 4 mounting points for EPAS/steering gear were bad allowing unit to move freely and cause loss of steering. Advised was dealer repair because of proprietary computer program. Coggin Ford over several days couldn't find or would not acknowledge problem even though they were told several times where to look. They just said the lower control arms needed repair for $2500+. Had to get car back to independent garage to do repairs using parts obtained from the same dealer. Went to dealer after repair, showed replaced parts and got refund of their diagnostic fee.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #683

Oct 122023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving along the interstate and noticed the vehicle swerving side to side and it was not due to my driving. It was as if the steering was going out or rather I was unable to keep the vehicle under control. I was having to work extra hard to keep the car in the correct lane. I was about 45 minutes from home but no where to pull over due to construction on the interstate. So I just tried going slower. Once I got off the exit a warning popped up on the car that said -??service power steering-??. I pulled off at the car service shop I use for repairs and stopped the car. By the time I went to drive again which was only a couple moments, the car was hardly able to make turns.

- Tryon, NC, USA

problem #682

Oct 012023

Explorer

  • miles
The vehicle's power steering loses power periodically since about October 1, 2023. I have just had the vehicle diagnosed at Duval Ford in Jacksonville, FL on October 9, 2023. I subsequently had Power Steering Control Module replaced, an alignment, and reprogramming of the Primary Control Module done at Ortega Car Care in Jacksonville since there would be cost savings of nearly $1,000. Safety Recall 14S06 seems to be targeted to this problem. The covered vehicle build period is January 1, 2012 to February 28, 2012 according to 14S06 (including Supplement 3). Based on my VIN, my vehicle was built on 4/20/12. I believe that being only 51 days from the end of the approved build period (which may be somewhat arbitrary?) is not a sufficient reason to deny any/all financial assist to get the described safety repair completed. I sent an email to the NHTSA (Request #831557) re: NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 and was provided the option of pursuing a "complaint" to get a more satisfactory resolution. I am writing this complaint for my partner and the vehicle owner - [XXX] - since his language and writing skills are limited. Thank you for the opportunity to submit this complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #681

Sep 252023

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering has gone out. No control of vehicle. Steering wheel is VERY HARD to move if movable if all thank goodness didn-??t cause any accident on freeway. Car will need towed. See info all over web about accident and incidents about this issue on this model but no recall need help from ford on matter

- Salem , AR, USA

problem #680

Oct 052023

Explorer

  • miles
For that pass 6 months my vehicle has had a check engine light on. Warning light will flash steering assist fault the the wheel locks up and vehicle comes to a holt. This problem has been happening on and off some days it-??s fine some days this accurs. Recall #14S06

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #679

Oct 042023

Explorer

  • 164,567 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and making a turn, the electric steering gear lost power and switched to manual mode. The power steering control module warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The contact opened the hood to refill the power steering fluid but was unable to locate the steering fluid reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the power steering. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 164,567.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #678

Aug 292010

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the power steering failed while making a right turn. The contact stated that the power steering fault and stabili-trak lost warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he could no longer steer the vehicle because the steering wheel had seized in place and the vehicle was stopped in the middle of an intersection. The contact stated that the engine was still running. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times however, the power steering had not regained functionality. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times however, the work-around of turning off and restarting the vehicle restored the functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #677

Sep 282023

Explorer

  • miles
1. Power Steering fault randomly causing total loss of power steering. Have to turn the car off and restart to fix. No error codes are stored when this happens. No DTC's. This also causes a system terrain fault but again no error codes are stored for this either. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. This has happened while driving in the mountains, on the highway and through residential areas making the car very hard to control or causing us to have to pull over in dangerous situations to restart the car to correct. 3. Whenever we take it for diagnosis they cannot duplicate the issue nor see the error codes in the history. Thankfully we have not yet been in an accident where we have needed the police to be involved although this has happened many times since we have owned the vehicle (5 years). 4. We have been told to drive it to a dealership while the error is occurring so they can see it live time however we have not yet been in a position to do this where it wouldn't have caused a safety issue to us or those around us. 5. There is no warning or alert that happens prior to the fault occurring.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

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