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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
58,747 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.

2014 Ford Explorer steering problems

steering problem

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2014 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #413

May 192024

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact's husband stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to stick intermittently with the "Service Steering Now" message displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the steering wheel failure, the contact's husband used excessive force to steer the vehicle home. Upon restart of the vehicle, the steering wheel seized in place and then failed to move regardless of the excessive force used. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle for the steering. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #412

May 062024

Explorer

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the "Service Steering Assist" and the traction stability warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway with difficulty and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

- Apollo Beach, FL, USA

problem #411

Sep 222021

Explorer

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, after which the vehicle started to pull to the left. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 121,000.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

problem #410

May 092024

Explorer

  • 200,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. Additionally, the power steering sensor fault message was displayed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Hilton Head Island, SC, USA

problem #409

Apr 112024

Explorer

  • miles
The Steering Assist system or power steering component stopped working causing unsteerable vehicle. This was part of the Ford recall [XXX]. We purchased this explorer used from Colvin Ford in Mcminneville, Oregon when the recall was still open and the dealer never notified us of the recall nor did they fix it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Tualatin, OR, USA

problem #408

Apr 052024

Explorer

  • miles
Steering went out while driving. Mechanic said it-??s the rack and pinion. He said it-??s common and was recalled in other year Explorers but not 2014. He said it could be the same part that was recalled but it was used in the 2014 instead of other years that were recalled.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

problem #407

Jan 012024

Explorer

  • 128,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. A message indicating a power steering failure was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's parents. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA

problem #406

Mar 112024

Explorer

  • 207,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the "Loss of Steering Please Stop Safely, " message and several other unknown messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The steering wheel seized; however, the contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the home of a relative where a code reader discovered a defect with the rack and pinion. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and both informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.

- Knox, IN, USA

problem #405

Mar 042024

Explorer

  • miles
My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why is there no recall? This is putting people at risk or crashing which could cause fatality!

- Chestertown, MD, USA

problem #404

Feb 112024

Explorer

  • miles
The electronic power steering is failing. Vehicle steering wheel is tight. Steering wheel hard to turn. I know 775k explorers had a recall for this issue but no recall was issued for my vehicle. Checked steering knuckle and sensors, everything seems to be in working order bit steering is still tight.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

problem #403

Mar 112024

Explorer

  • miles

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

Steering became jumpy and hard to steer intermittent. Stabilitrak light on and then lost power steering light on. Thank goodness I stopped when I did because now steering wheel is locked and only goes forward and backwards. This could have been extremely dangerous traveling on the toll road!

- Knox, IN, USA

problem #402

Dec 222023

Explorer

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to steer, causing him to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the highway. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering had failed. The contact stated that the dealer cleared the DTC codes; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rack and pinion and the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

- Perth Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #401

Feb 222024

Explorer

  • miles
Control arm on Ford 2014 explorer are prone to failure, causing vehicle to lose steering. Control arms rub excessively against brake components, also causing failure to both brakes, ABS, and sensors related to wheel speed. Failure is due to the manufacture. Strong action is need to prevent further road accidents if not addressed.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #400

Feb 012024

Explorer

  • miles
My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why is there no recall? This is putting people at risk or crashing which could cause fatality! Secondly, my back seat belt doesn't work it will not latch any more, and I have seen so many complaints about that as well, but again Ford will not recall it. So I have a seat in my vehicle that cannot be used by anyone as it is a safety concern if there was an accident.

- Oxford, OH, USA

problem #399

Nov 082023

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering has gone out with Power Steering System Failure, Advance Track Failure alerts appearing upon cranking vehicle. Steering wheel locked up. This is an issue with the 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 and covered under warranty but not the 2014. How can it be an issue, not be an issue for a year, and then be an issue again?

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #398

Jan 302024

Explorer

  • miles
Steering has become stiff and not responsive, feels like it catches and then frees up. There are no waring lights or trouble codes to the issue.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #397

Jun 012023

Explorer

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 60 MPH, the power steering intermittently became inoperable and, after five minutes, returned to normal operation. The vehicle veered across the lanes of traffic. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three separate occasions, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer reset the codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #396

Jan 232024

Explorer

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the "Loss of Power Steering - Pullover Safely" message was displayed. The contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. 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 referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 154,000.

- Glouster, OH, USA

problem #395

Jan 022024

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 20-?"30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Bath, PA, USA

problem #394

Aug 062023

Explorer

  • miles
Hello, yes my vehicle is available upon inspection request. Bell Ford(recall performed) and another shop has inspected the vehicle for the power steering issue. had a toe link recall completed at Bell Ford in May, 2022. Since then my vehicle has not been driving as smoothly. Please add this recall back to my vehicle. radio/ climate control screen updates and sometimes just goes black when I start the vehicle. Sometimes can take up to 5 mins to turn back on. Please add this to the recall list for my vehicle. *Forward collision warning never worked. ** power steering went out while myself and my daughter were driving on a busy state highway. I was not going over 60 mph per speed limit. 3 alarms went off while driving. My SUV instantly became very hard to handle. There is no power steering. I went to an auto shop and they told me it was electrical, they couldn-??t fix it and gave me a print out of the diagnosis. I-??ve researched the problem and see this is a common issue and usually happens where it-??s not safe to just stop as the vehicle suggests. I have pictures was trying to add but it won-??t let me select that option. Please add this to the recall list for my vehicle.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

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