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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 5 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #656

Jul 032023

Explorer

  • 190,000 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 driving at slower speeds, the power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Martinsville, IN, USA

problem #655

Jul 072023

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering issues light came on right before it happened

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #654

Jul 062023

Explorer

  • miles
The safety failure involved the Electric Power Steering Rack on my 2013 Ford Explorer XLT. The failure occurred while driving on the interstate at posted highway speed, 65 mph. The warning lights came on during the failure and all power steering was lost. The electronic control box on the Steering Rack has been the diagnosed failure by a Ford service center, and the entire rack requires replacement, costing approximately $4000. While the lost of power steering did not cause an accident, it certainly could have and is a definite safety concern. This steering system had a recall in 2014 for the 2013 Ford Explorer, but my car's VIN was not included in the recall for some reason. From online research, this is apparently happening to others. Please raise this for a recall immediately as this could have been catastrophic.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #653

Jul 072023

Explorer

  • miles

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

On July 7, 2023 I was traveling to home from work. While driving about 50mph the car started beeping at me saying the traction control system and the intelligent awd has turned off. Then I received an error for power steering fault. After that the electronic power steering turned off making massively difficult to turn. Thankfully was able to pull off the road into a stores parking lot where I called my insurance company for a tow truck. Tow arrived and took it to a local ford dealer I go to. There they diagnosed the cars steering gear failed resulting in the above events. If the recall was applied to my vehicle and taken care of my safety would have never been put at risk.

- Orefield, PA, USA

problem #652

Jul 112023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving when I got a warning my power steering needed serviced I was on the highway and couldn-??t pull over my traction control turned off and said the advanced traction control needed serviced. I got to a sage space and pulled over. I turned off my car and turned it back on to my wheel being locked and unable to move.

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #651

Jul 072023

Explorer

  • 249,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and merging into the left lane, the vehicle pulled to the right with the traction control and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to control the vehicle but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer since the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and that the warranty had expired. No additional assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NTHSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 249,000.

- Middletown, PA, USA

problem #650

Jul 082023

Explorer

  • 87,000 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 driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the message "Steering Default" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- East Aurora, NY, USA

problem #649

Jul 072023

Explorer

  • miles
i was driving on the thru-way 90 and lost all power steering almost hit 3 people I was so scared I have proof of 13 people die because of this issue no steering control

- East Aurora, NY, USA

problem #648

Jul 022023

Explorer

  • miles
There are no warning lights on. My steering wheel is extremely hard to turn at times. I have seen recalls on this same year vehicle. The dealership has inspected my vehicle for this issue and it is the known steering issue for explorers. Where this is a failure of a known nature, my vehicle should be covered under the recall and I should not have to pay for this repair out of pocket.

- Bristol, ME, USA

problem #647

Jun 272023

Explorer

  • miles
The power steering system has an intermittent electric connection and the steering wheel will jerk in opposite directions. There is a recall for the issue with similar year ford explorers but for has told me to contact nhtsa to see if this vehicle can be added to the list for the same issues. Also I am not able to smog it due to bad catalytic converters.

- Turlock, CA, USA

problem #646

Jun 222023

Explorer

  • 100,000 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 driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #645

Jun 222023

Explorer

  • 145,178 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, which corrected the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 145,178.

- Cedar Falls, IA, USA

problem #644

Jun 082023

Explorer

  • miles
Steering rack moving up and down, steering loose

- Wahiawa, HI, USA

problem #643

Sep 202019

Explorer

  • 214,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact also stated that when the Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Automatic Steering was engaged, the function independently disengaged, and the vehicle was drifting out of the lane. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the functionality returned. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was notified of a failure with the rear suspension related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) rear toe link. The contact related the steering failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #642

Jun 202023

Explorer

  • miles
Started car and Power Steering Assist Fail message came on, put car in drive and tried to turn steering wheel and had no power steering. Shut down car and restarted. The message did not show up this time, put car in drive and had power steering. This message has shown up in the past, approximately 10 to 12 times, but this is the first time we-??ve had a loss of power steering. It appears Ford has had a recall for this issue already (Recall #14S06) with a limited number of vehicles. Obviously, this is a problem with farther reaching ramifications that Ford should be required to do something about at their expense. If I had lost power while driving down the highway, I could have been involved in a wreck injuring myself and/or others. Please look into this. Thank you.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #641

Jun 172023

Explorer

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 20 MPH, the power steering seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Belleville, NJ, USA

problem #640

Dec 282022

Explorer

  • miles
Sudden loss of power steering and traction control components at high velocity. Loss of steering put me and other at risk by not being able to control the vehicle.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #639

Jun 072023

Explorer

  • 181,324 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while turning out the driveway, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The steering wheel became firm with the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was 181,324.

- Ellenburg Depot, NY, USA

problem #638

Jun 052023

Explorer

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he depressed the accelerator pedal while shifted into reverse to exit his driveway and the steering wheel seized. The contact depressed the brake pedal and shifted into park. The contact stated that the -??electric power steering assist failure-?? message was displayed. The contact then stated that he inspected underneath the hood of the vehicle, but no failures were detected. The contact then turned off and restarted the vehicle. The warning indicator had turned off and the vehicle operated as designed. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #637

May 282023

Explorer

  • 156,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became firm, requiring extra effort while steering the vehicle. The contact stated that the stability control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light turned off an hour before the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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