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.
While driving on the interstate and set MPH were 55, a series of notifications popped up on my dashboard. One stated -??Steering assist fault repair required.-?? After I hit Ok to clear the screen my steering wheel tightened up and locked and caused me to almost crash into another family. We were able to move it to a safe location.
While driving/turning vehicle becomes hard to steer as if power steering is failing. It will tighten up and loosen consistently. Most noticeable when turning or shifting lanes. Started out being occasional then increased within a couple weeks. On occasion, there is a faint winding noise coming from the steering column. No noises noticeable from the outside as of yet. Mechanics can not figure out the issue. No codes or visible failures.
Power steering gear rack assembly failed. Lost power steering assist when turning at intersection and almost lost control of vehicle to collision and pedestrian injury. Power steering assist recovered after engine shut down and restart and again lost power steering when driving around curve and almost collided with on coming traffic head on. Afterwards the power steering did not recover and it was confirmed defective and replaced by Midas repair shop. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to failure. The messages that appeared on the dash display after failure are: 1. STEERING ASSIST FAULT - SERVICE REQUIRED. 2. HILLS START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. 3. SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC.
In the past week or two I have noticed the steering in my 2016 Ford Explorer starting to feel "heavy" and that progressed to being really stiff and kind of hard to turn. Called Ford and they advised to have the vehicle examined. Took the car to my preferred repair facility and there were no codes for an issue; they found my battery was bad and suggested changing it to see if that would help the steering. Battery was replaced and still issues with the steering, the mechanic at my facility said "the rack is still bad". I will make contact with Ford again however based on the number of complaints I see from others I am sure that will get me no where. It appears there are hundreds of complaints about this issue I see for the 2016 Explorers, and many others from prior years too. And these are just the people who have taken the time to complain. This clearly can turn into a large safety issue if people aren't able to control their vehicles while operating. I have no issue with making repairs to my cars, things break. I do have an issue with having to go into my own pocket to fix issues that are a known problem. While not safety issues I also have two other seemingly "known" issues with my car. The rear air conditioning line is leaking so my air is out; and the paint on my hood is bubbling and chipping away, apparently an issue with manufacture of the hood.
The power steering assist failed and malfunctioned. Power steering assist does not work either standing still or driving. Turning engine off and back on corrects the problem but problem comes back without warning when driving. This conditions creates dangerous situation of crash or injury. No inspection has been done yet but will have it repaired tomorrow. Warning message on dash says, "Loss of Steering Power Assist". Also, messages light up, "Service Advance Trac" and "Hills Start Assist Not Available" There were no prior warning lamps or messages of symptoms of problem prior to failure.
- Palos Hills, IL, USA
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We are hearing a loud noise on our '16 Ford Explorer Platinum when turning the steering wheel. It only has about 62,000 miles. The Service department at our local Ford Dealership stated that the noise likely means the Steering Rack could lock up at any time while driving. It could happen soon or never. The cost to repair is about $3000. It is a common & known issue on this Ford model. How can this not be on a safety recall" If the vehicle is in the middle of traffic when the steering locks up, it could be tragic, possibly causing an accident that could take lives. There are no warning lamps or messages warning of any issues. Are we to pay $3000 for the replacement part & labor with just a possible guess of what defect the noise may cause? How is Ford not responsible to repair this known defect"
Steering freezes or goes stiff through turns as if power steering is failing. Grinding noise while turning wheel at lower speeds. Online research points to rack and pinion failure. Steering issue has gotten progressively worse over months. Started as a slight hesitation while going through turns at a reduced speed but has progressed to more frequent steering issues at all speeds.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Lane Keep Assist warning light illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that this was a common failure with the year, make, and model vehicle. The dealer was able to duplicate the failure, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Steering wheel started to make noises and becoming stiff when turning left or right. No warning or indicator lights are showing. Next day Steering wheel was locked & wouldn't move. Ford dealership serviced the vehicle & said it was the lower steering shaft. I paid to have it fixed. Then the dealership said the steering rack needs replaced & there was no way of knowing it until the lower steering shaft was replaced. The steering rack was recalled on other 2016 Ford Explorers & I don't understand why it wasn't recalled on mine since it's having the same symptoms. Ford said I'll know when to replace it because the power steering will go out. There's no way this car is safe to drive. Let alone to be advised to drive it until the power steering goes out.
The rack and pinion has gone up with only 60,000 miles on the car. Steering control was lost The problem has been confirmed by the dealer No warning lights went on the steering wheel started grinding and steering control was limited.
Vehicle is undriveable due to the steering system locking up as so many others have reported. Started as just being stiff during turns and is not completely locked, and the dealer claims they cannot get parts to repair and there is no recall.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while steering the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I had my ford explorer 2016 for only 2 years and the rack and pinion already failed. Luckily I wasn-??t on the free way when it failed on me and it would be a safety hazard. I heard clanking noise whenever I steer the steering wheel. My Dealership can-??t replace it due to a extended warranty not valid anymore
After turning left at a stop sign I lost the ability to turn the wheels right. The steering wheel turns all the way to the right however the wheels stop in the straight position. I am however able to turn the all the way to the left.
The vehicle became very difficult to steer while on the freeway and then the steering system completely failed. I was able to safely get off the freeway, but I was lucky. This could have been devastating. There were no warning lights until the system shut down. The system issues match exactly the complaints of those who experienced issues with the rear toe link. I live in California, in the Sierra Nevadas in an area with high snow and brine (corrosive) used daily in the winter. The recall is not showing in my area because Ford has deemed all of California as a non corrosive area. This is an extremely dangerous, recognized safety issue which I was not given notice of the recall because Ford mis-catergorized all of California as a non-snow area.
The contact owns a?2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power of steering assist, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to her face. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the parts to do the repair were not available. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The electronic Power Steering randomly goes out. It has caused the need to make immediate stops. It comes and goes, but strangely seems to work just fine when it is raining. Otherwise, it goes from power assist, to choppy assist, to no assist. This causes loss of steering control (dangerous). There are various similar complaints online via forums for the 2016 Ford Explorer, which seems to be common danger that these vehicles have. This started mid-December 2022 and has continued.
Ford has a recall active until July 2023 involving steering components. The recall was repaired, however the same part failed within 8 months. Ford has informed me that there was a "customer satisfaction program" associated with the recall, that could have the parts replaced AGAIN within six months of repair. I am curious how they can replace parts with what they clearly know to be defective parts, and give a six month limit on replacement. This is poor business as well as potentially harmful or fatal. Recall 21S32 is the original recall notice.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while turning in either direction, the steering wheel jerked with a rubbing sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the local service center to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gulfport, MS, USA