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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 4 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #233

May 132022

Explorer

  • 81,000 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 driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. The contact manually steered the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with power steering module failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Sellersville, PA, USA

problem #232

May 092022

Explorer

  • miles
Steering locks up while driving, no warnings or anything just cannot steer the vehicle.

- New Lexington, OH, USA

problem #231

May 032022

Explorer

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The Power Steering Assist Fault and Service Advance Tract messages were displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited. The contact continued driving the vehicle using extra effort to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #230

May 042022

Explorer

  • miles

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

The Ford electronic rack and pinion system just failed. No warning light, no advance notification. Driving vehicle down road and abs ability to steer vehicle becomes impossible. Stopped vehicle and brought to dealership. In any other circumstance this could have led to a crash with injuries or death. Googled problem, and innumerable instances of this happening with Ford vehicles. Surprised this isn-??t a recall item already!!

- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

problem #229

Apr 202022

Explorer

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 25 MPH and making right turn, the steering wheel suddenly malfunctioned and became difficult to turn causing the vehicle to drive off the road. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 163,000.

- Winchester, TN, USA

problem #228

Apr 182022

Explorer

  • miles
Electronic power steering failure, no warnings no lights on dash, steering completely bound up was unable to control vehicle, vehicle came to a halt on side of road narrowly missing a service pole, powered off vehicle and started again, steering was active but decided not to risk driving and called a tow

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #227

Apr 042022

Explorer

  • miles

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

Electric power steering rack and pinion failure -- no communication to steering module. Currently available for inspection but may require immediate repair or sale of vehicle due to requirement of drivable vehicle. Inability to steer may have resulted in damage to person, vehicle and/or property if not immediately realized and car parked. Problem confirmed by independent service center (AAA Carolinas service center). No inspection of vehicle or component by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, although irregular but continuous issues with sensor re: putting transmission in park for 2+ years.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #226

Mar 292022

Explorer

  • miles
Rack and pinion failure while driving vehicle at speed. Unable to turn steering wheel without strenuous effort. Terrain Management fault, Advance Trac fault and Steering Assist fault lights/warnings indicated on dashboard.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #225

Jan 212022

Explorer

  • miles
The steering system failed twice without notice. The car would not steer while running, nearly causing an accident. The problem had been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. Uknown if the component was inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warning lamps or messages, the steering simply stopped responding and locked up.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #224

Aug 142019

Explorer

  • miles
When making a right hand turn I noticed that the car began making knocking/thumping noises. Shortly after those noises began, when I attempted to turn left the steering wheel got stuck in the left turn position. I had to jerk the steering wheel hard to get it to straighten out. If I had not been able to get it straightened out I could have driven off the road or into oncoming traffic. Ford had to replace the entire steering rack and the dealership acknowledged that this is a known issue for 2015 Explorers.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #223

Dec 272021

Explorer

  • miles

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

I was driving and my power steering failed. The following messades appeared on my dash: Terrain Management System Fault Service AdvanceTrac Hill Assist Fault Electric Power Steering Failure. I was able to turn off the car and turn it back on again and the messages went away and my power steering worked again. A few days later, same issue occurred and the power steering never came back. Very hard to turn currebtly. I did some research and found that Ford had issued a recall for the same issue in previous years for the Explorer. I also found thousands of other owners had the same issue with the 2015 Explorer. Ford needs to step up and issue a recall on the 2015 Explorer for the power steering issue gefore someone is injured or killed.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #222

Nov 032021

Explorer

  • miles
The steering on my 2015 Explorer, the rack and pinion, is broken. My SUV has only 55K miles and has never been driven off-road. For repairing this issue, the cost is $3300. I called Sheehy of Gaithersburg, from whom I purchased the SUV, and told them the problem after finding out that this was a known issue. According to them, they are aware of it, but there is no remedy at this time. I was a bit bewildered because there was a remedy, i.e., fix the rack and pinion. Nevertheless, I was told that it was okay to drive with faulty steering despite the safety issue; furthermore, I won't be reimbursed if I decide to fix it. I am just so disappointed that Ford is okay with taking such a position, especially since it is a known safety issue.

- Darnestown, MD, USA

problem #221

Feb 022019

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving my Ford Explorer and pulling a trailer behind it. I was about half way through a left hand turn at a major intersection when the power steering stopped working and my vehicle jerked hard to the right. Myself and my family were put at risk due to me barely being able to control the vehicle enough to avoid a collision with another vehicle, a telephone pole, and a curb after the steering system failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the entire steering system was replaced at the cost of $2,500 to my family. There were no indications of any problem before this occurred.

- Lexington, AL, USA

problem #220

Oct 012021

Explorer

  • miles
Explorer has approximately 69k miles. Rack and pinion has to be replaced. Rubbing sound when wheel is turned and steering wheel 'sticks' when turned. Power steering power is also affected. Not under warranty. Checked by independent repair shop.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #219

Sep 262021

Explorer

  • miles
Was driving at a speed of 45 mph. Suddenly my power steering went out. Could barely steer it. A steering assist fault service required and advance trac system lights came on. My 4 wheel drive did not work. I have had this vehicle for 3 years and only put 20,000 miles on it. It has a little over 100.000 miles on it. It is gonna cost me $2400 to have this issue fixed. I noticed a lot of 2015 Ford Explorer Sport vehicles are having this concern! Please help us!! Thank you so much!

- Hampshire , TN, USA

problem #218

Sep 102021

Explorer

  • miles
The rack and pinion is bad and grinds when turning. Yes vehicle is available for inspection if needed. no warning lamped have shown up to date other than major grinding when turning.

- Walled Lake, MI, USA

problem #217

Sep 112021

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering assist light came on and I lost my power steering all of a sudden. Stopped car turned it off started again and it worked for a minute then came back on.

- Hampshire , TN, USA

problem #216

Jul 272021

Explorer

  • miles
Multiple times I have started vehicle and the -??steering assist fault service required-?? light has come on. Never stays on for long and still able to drive car. Spoke with Ford dealership and they said I need to bring it in when the light is on. Well the light has come on as well as -??service advance Trac-?? light and now I can not drive my car. Have lost all power steering. I have looked up recalls and see that this has been a problem for 2011-2013 and a lawsuit in process for 2016-2018. Not sure why 2015 is not also a recall because I have seen multiple complaints for the same problem. I believe this is a Ford problem and should not have to pay to have this fixed. I am lucky I was still in my driveway when this happened. I now have to pay a towing company to get my car to dealership to have serviced, when it could have been taken care of multiple times if it was included in recall.

- Cataula, GA, USA

problem #215

Jul 192021

Explorer

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering assist fault and service advanced track warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact continued driving for two miles from where the failure occurred to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V675000 (Suspension) however, the vehicle was not yet taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximate 102,000

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #214

Jul 132021

Explorer

  • miles
Front rack and pinion while driving experiencing loss of steering control could be fatal if not strong enough to control vehicle inspected and confirmed that it is the rack and pinion

- Fremont , OH, USA

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