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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,569 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.

2015 Ford Explorer steering problems

steering problem

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2015 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #273

Sep 142023

Explorer

  • miles

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

I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and i cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! After reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 9/14/2023. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.

- Santa Claus, IN, USA

problem #272

Sep 012023

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while starting the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the steering was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the electrical motor, steering column, strut, and front end had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V530000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated the vehicle is a 2014 not 2015.

- Richmond, KY, USA

problem #271

Jul 312023

Explorer

  • miles
when you hit the gas the steering turns when you let go it straightens back out please look into this i might cause an accident or loose control of the car

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #270

Jul 312023

Explorer

  • miles

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

I encountered intermittent stiffness in the steering while driving. It felt like it might not steer. And then it loosens up and is okay for a moment or two. I took it to my local mechanic. At first, they thought it to be a lubrication issue. The situation increased. I took it back. They explained previous years of my model had a recall related to the power steering assembly. And that is what they believe it to be. I did reach out to Ford directly, but they are not going to do anything. There are no warning lights or additional inspections. I do see this has appeared on forums.

- Keene, NH, USA

problem #269

Jul 152023

Explorer

  • miles
The power steering in my 2015 Ford explore completely locked up due to the steering gear going out. I am fortunate enough that it happened that low speed and no one was harmed. I could only imagine what would-??ve happened if I were on a highway or interstate. It has been inspected and diagnosed by a Ford dealership, and they concluded that it was indeed the power steering gear. At the time it went out. There were no warning signs or lights on the dashboard that would have made me think it would go out.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #268

Jul 152023

Explorer

  • miles
I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and i cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! After reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 07/15/2023, and we haven't been able to get it to a shop yet they are all closed until Monday. No one at this time has taken a look at it seeing how it was in the driveway of family. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #267

Jun 082023

Explorer

  • miles

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

I have a recall on rear suspension I have called to have the repairs done several times I was given response of they didn't have the parts needed and would take several weeks. Rear suspension is very unsafe and now the engine cooling component is causing issues with over heating and not giving any warning lights on dash and am afraid found cause fire or some unsafe issue

- Sherwood Forrest, CA, USA

problem #266

May 152023

Explorer

  • miles
Last year I had to have the electric power steering pump replaced as it completely locked up almost causing an accident while trying to turn, this year now the steering shaft froze up while driving in traffic. Totaling $3,100 to fix when I was told this is something that should never need to be replaced and I drive my vehicle very carefully with my children in it.

- Dollar Bay , MI, USA

problem #265

Mar 302023

Explorer

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning the vehicle to the left, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was also jerking while attempting to steer through the turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but recurring. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly at slower speeds while turning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Maryland, NY, USA

problem #264

Apr 252023

Explorer

  • 143,515 miles
The steering wheel was no longer operable(loss control of vehicle) We were turning into a gas station to purchase gas and the steering wheel failed I was able to miss the car at the pump next to the one I was attempting to park at. I purchased this vehicle 3/10/2023 I was not aware of any recalls or anything until tonight. I did not have any lights on indicating an issue but I had been reaching out to the dealer because I sensed something was wrong with the vehicle. My attempts to get it diagnosed went ignored until 4/25/23 when this incident occurred.

- Montgomery , AL, USA

problem #263

Mar 282022

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front windshield wipers activated independently. The contact removed the fuse to stop the windshield wipers. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the steering assist fault message displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared and the power steering functionality returned. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion while the contact shifted the vehicle into park(P), the vehicle delayed recognizing that the vehicle was in park(P) and failed to turn off as needed. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

problem #262

Mar 242023

Explorer

  • miles
I am unable to take this matter to the dealer, as they have shut down thier business.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

problem #261

Mar 202023

Explorer

  • miles
EPS unit started clunking loudly when turning right in a parking lot. Replaced by a mechanic and clunking no longer present.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #260

Jul 012022

Explorer

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the rack and pinion replaced on two separate occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

- Meyersdale, PA, USA

problem #259

Mar 172023

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle use an electrical power assist. Vehicle became hard to steer leading to unsafe condition.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #258

Mar 032023

Explorer

  • miles
Without any warning, the engine and power system failed while on the highway. There was no system warning lights preceding the event, and the vehicle had be well maintained. We were lucky to have been able to get off the road by safely coasting. Once towed to the mechanics, we were told that a rod had failed and entire would need to be replaced.

- Belleville , IL, USA

problem #257

Feb 162023

Explorer

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost steering gear functionality. The contact was able to pull the steering wheel and regain control. There was an unknown steering message displayed. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear, connecting rod, and rear toe link needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #256

Feb 132023

Explorer

  • miles
We have had power steering loss upon starting our 2015 Ford Explorer front wheel drive with park assist. This evening 2/13/2023 my wife called me to tell me the steering has stopped working again and she could not turn the wheels. The power rack has totally failed and I AS A STRONG MAN COULD HARDLY turn the wheels. I limped it home and it was all I could do to turn the wheels even going down the road. I am upset that Ford would of made this type of self sealed power rack that can fail and one will lose all control of the steering. Because it is so hard to turn the wheels. No woman can turn when in this situation and can wreak their Explorer because of this failure. Ford need to fix this issue and not just put the same part back into the Explorer. So anyone that owns a 2015 Explorer be aware of this issue!!

- Rossville, IN, USA

problem #255

Nov 172022

Explorer

  • miles
After several instances of intermittent loss of steering, the steering is now suck in manual mode (very stiff if not impossible to turn wheel). Luckily my wife was just pulling out of the driveway and not attempting to make a turn in traffic!! The dealer said it needs a new rack but at my expense!!"? $2500-3200. I am appalled that Ford has not addressed this issue yet. 2013/14 models covered, 2016 models covered. Why not 2015 models?" Its THE SAME EXACT ISSUE!!! Now I have a $12,000 brick sitting in the driveway. HEY, FORD!!! PLEASE HELP!! this is a very scary safety issue!

- Red Bluff, CA, USA

problem #254

Jan 222023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving at about 50 mph and didn't have control of steering luckily I didn't panic and got safely off the highway. Never showed any signs that it was malfunctioning and it just went out. Took it the dealership and they told me it would be $2300 to repair.

- Abbeville, SC, USA

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