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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 5 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #353

Feb 082023

Explorer

  • 150,000 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 driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently turned to the right and then seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #352

Feb 172023

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after stopping at stop sign, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that after driving a short distance the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle came to a stop the failure would reoccur. The contact stated that a message to check the charging system was displayed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Levittown, PA, USA

problem #351

Feb 012023

Explorer

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. In addition, while reversing out of a parking space, the failure recurred with the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where and diagnosed with power steering failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #350

Jan 282023

Explorer

  • miles

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

Lost all power steering while driving with absolutely no warning. Took to dealer and it is the electronic steering assembly. After further investigation and talking to people this seems to be a major issue with this year of explorers. And it is very expensive to fix.

- Campbell, MO, USA

problem #349

Jan 232023

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering will fail sporadically when at Highway speeds or City speeds and show error code. Advance Trac AWD system disabled, traction control disabled, unsafe.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

problem #348

Jan 182023

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #347

Jan 182023

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving at low speed, the vehicle EPAS shut down creating an unsafe condition with the steering system. The error cleared from the dash and no warning lights remained though the EPAS remained disabled.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #346

Oct 192022

Explorer

  • miles
Airbag warning light randomly comes on and stays on! When Turing the steering wheel there is a loud annoying squeaky/squeal noise coming from the front end which is supper scary

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #345

Dec 232022

Explorer

  • miles
I took my vehicle in for a recall repair for the toe kicks and a noise in the front of my car when I and upon inspection was told that I need a new left front tie rod replaced and a 4 wheel alignment after the job is completed. I came home and parked it, then when I was backing out of my driveway the camera stopped working it was black. I found it strange but thought maybe it has to reboot or something, I accidently hit the park assist button and the light came on see dealer. I called the dealer told them what was happening and they asked that I bring it in. I did and they did a diagnostic saying it was the sensors that need replacing. Fast forward I'm picking up my granddaughter at school and I hear a horrible noise when I turn the steering wheel. My granddaughter asked my why car was making that noise, I said I don't know but that I was not turning music or anything on just in case we need to pull over. I immediately take it to my mechanic on my way home, luckily he's a block away, I dropped it off and walked home. They found that its the Electronic Rack & Pinion Power Steering rack. They said they have seen so many of these with the same problem and that unfortunately the recall falls short of my year Explorer 2014 which should have been included, its not safe to drive and will be an expensive fix. The recall was only for the 2011-2013. This frightened me, because he said they don't have the capability to fix it because once the new rack is installed it needs to be programmed and the dealer is pretty much the only one that can do that. This is a dealer repair only and for my safety he recommended getting this done. It will lock while driving or break and has resulted in many accidents. Ford Motor Company should be held accountable for this ongoing safety issue with their faulty Steering Rack as this goes beyond the 2011-2013 model years. I'm petrified to drive this vehicle after researching this, knowing I'm not alone in this deadly problem with my vehicle.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #344

Jan 022023

Explorer

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn, causing the driver to nearly lose control of the vehicle. During the failure, the -??steering assist fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.

- Keaau, HI, USA

problem #343

Dec 252022

Explorer

  • 122,000 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 driving various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and losing traction. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact stated that the wheels continued to spin but the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist gear needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Waseca, MN, USA

problem #342

Dec 222022

Explorer

  • miles
Electric power steering assist failed. This was a danger to myself, children and other motorist. Power steering assist fault appeared on dash. I have fault codes u3000-96, u2001-49. Ford has issued recalls for ealier and later model years but not this one. I have done some research and it appears to be a known problem for this model and model year. Thank gosh my family wasn't injured because of this failure. I hope you can do something about this known issue. Ford customer service told me there is nothing they can do for me.

- Pekin, IL, USA

problem #341

Jan 012023

Explorer

  • miles
Premature power steering failure. Danger to operator and others on the road.

- Hampton, NH, USA

problem #340

Dec 182022

Explorer

  • miles
Steering has become -??sticky-?? and did not feel right, felt completely unsafe to drive. Steering made a grinding type of noise when turning the wheel. Took my vehicle to my mechanic for inspection. Mechanic inspected and confirmed the -??steering rack-?? needs replacement. I will be replacing the steering rack asap. No warning lights.

- Gilroy , CA, USA

problem #339

Nov 222022

Explorer

  • miles
The steering began to make a rubbing sound and then turning became difficult. I also received a traction control failure warning. When the vehicle was taken to the Ford dealership where it was purchased I was told that it-??s a common failure of the steering rack (over $2,000 repair) and that there were complaints but no recall. I have since taken the vehicle home and parked it until I decide whether to make the repair.

- Tampa , FL, USA

problem #338

Nov 302022

Explorer

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering gear was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the power steering gear and reset the computer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

- Kirksville, MO, USA

problem #337

Oct 212022

Explorer

  • miles
My 2014 Ford Explorer was manufactured 07/13 and is showing signs of a power steering issue. This started in October 2022 and is ongoing. The power steering seems to go in and out while driving but seems to be fine after the car has sat or not been running. This is happening daily. No warning lights have ever come on during the power steering lose. The car intermittently will get harder to steer and at times the wheel dramatically pulls to the right and then left while it is trying to return to a straight line. This has caused me to go left of center because it is so erratic. Turning from a stop is extremely difficult. I have contacted the dealer and have been told my vehicle does not have a recall for such issue. Through research I see this is a known problem with same vehicles of newer and later years. This is a job that will likely cost 1800 to 2000 and that is not acceptable when FORD has known of this problem. A simple google search reflects many 2014 Ford vehicles with steering issues. If my car does not fit into the original recall - I would like to know what Ford changed as it pertains to EPAS system from 2/28/2012 to the date my vehicle was manufactured in 2013. Thank you In May 2014, Ford Motor Company issued a recall for the 2011-2013 Ford Explorers for a defect in the power steering system. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut-down of the power steering assist.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #336

Jul 112022

Explorer

  • miles
Power Steering Assist Service Required error displayed on dash. Problem occurs intermittently upon starting. Vehicle inspected by Ford dealer but inspection was inconclusive. Safety concern if power steering module fails while driving.

- Glastonbury, CT, USA

problem #335

Nov 082022

Explorer

  • miles
2014 Ford Explorer Sport. Have owned vehicle since new. Electric power steering module failed, first exhibiting a squealing noise on movement, then mechanical clunking when turning, followed by difficulty steering and finally seizure on arrival to Ford repair dealer. Seizure confirmed by Ford service center. Replacement part on back-order, suggesting high replacement rates. I will attempt to keep steering unit after replacement of new unit by Ford. Had been driving on freeway at 65mph in the minutes before steering seizure at dealer. Dangerous safety issue: vehicle is family car and used for school run daily, 30min commute each way on freeway at 65mph. Intermittent warnings from vehicle management system in days before failure: 4WD, cruise control, etc. No open recall on vehicle, but very similar to other year recalls on Ford Explorers, ref. NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #334

Aug 012022

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed to operate as needed, without warning. The contact's husband was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with an electric power steering failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer since the parts for the repair were on back order. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Sunbright, TN, USA

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