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.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering had failed, and the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Rack and pinion failure. Caused me almost to wreck. Cost is $4200 to fix. Ford has to program it and send it back to my mechanic. I-??m lucky this didn-??t go out while going down a hill that would have been very bad.
Randomly whilst driving, my dash had multiple error messages pop up and my power steering went out completely. The error messages were as follows: Service AdvanceTrac, Terrain Management System Fault, Hill Start Assist Not Available, & Power Steering Assit Fault. This keeps happening intermittently, while I am driving. This causes a serious safety issue, for my steering wheel to lock up while I am driving! I did get the codes for the errors and they are as follows: U0420-41, C0051-67, U0151-00, U0131-00. My ABS system failed check, as well. This is a known issue with Ford vehicles, as there have already been recalls for previous models. According to [XXX]: "Ford has recalled earlier model year Explorers with power steering problems before. In 2014, Ford recalled certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorers, saying these vehicles -??may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting a shut down of the power steering assist.-?? According to Ford, this issue -??may increase the risk of a accident.-?? In 2015, Ford recalled certain model year Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. According to Ford, these vehicles had -??electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.-?? As a result, -??[i]f the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash-??. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power steering started to make creaking sounds when turning the steering wheel right or left. Speed not a factor. I was concerned that something might be seriously wrong so took to local mechanic. Need to replace the rack and pinion steering gear. Took a week to get the parts. Cost $2500 to fix. Now it needs to go back for a redo cause there are issues with the electronics. Must wait another week for replacement parts. Must redo rack and pinion and recalibrate computer. Ford has to do it as local mechanics don-??t have the the proper calibration computer. Platinum version. Just shy of 52,000 miles.This should be on fords recall list.
I recently went to a mechanic sho0 to have a wheel alignment done because my steering wheel is about 50% tilted to the left. The shop told me they were unable to align the vehicle because there was a problem with my toelinks in the back of my car preventing the wheel from being straight. I called Ford to see if there was anything they could do because I got my toelinks done when there was a recall back in 2019. I have since had issues with my steering wheel not being lined and thought it was just out of balance. I would like for the toelinks to be looked at once again because apparently there is an issue with them.
- Akron, OH, USA
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Rack & Pinion Went out while driving. Ford dealer said it-??s on back order a lot of vehicles have done it. Had complete steering loss in the mist of driving down road. It-??s electrical.
EPS electronic power steering. EPS failed without warning. Wheel jerked to left with no ability to control it doing 45 in town. Consulted for dealership, they're asking $3,500 in repairs. No warning lights. Problem happened on 08/15/2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made abnormal grinding sounds. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,400.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact stated that the Hill Start Assist Not Available, The Terrain Management System Fault, and Service Advance-trac message was displayed on the instrument panel. The Traction Control and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the independent mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Steering was acting funny, return of the steering wheel to the straight position was becoming difficult. Electronic rack and pinion system then failed while driving. Luckily the issue occurred while in my driveway. Entire system was then replaced for roughly $2500.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while turning the steering wheel to the right, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was idling and while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion steering gear had failed. The dealer determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
The electric powered steering was making scraping-clicking noise when turning to the right. The steering rack over-extension stop came apart inside the rack enclosure. This can result in a tire scraping on metal parts inside the fender enclosure. I have 46,000 miles on this Explorer and I drive conservatively. I have learned that Ford vehicles have issues with these steering units and this part including labor is extremely expensive. Due to the safety factors I believe a recall repair or replacement for this part is in order.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to leave her residence, it was difficult to maneuver the steering wheel. The contact continued to drive the vehicle when several unknown warning lights displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a power steering rack failure and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the steering was seized and failed to return to center. The tire sensor warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tie rod and steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 148,996.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,558.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 113,000.
July 17, 2024 A little over a week ago steering system on my 2016 Ford Explore started making grinding noises when turning steering wheel. Steering started to feel " tighter " or stiffer when turning. There were no warning lamps or messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. Took it to the dealership where vehicle was purchased. Service advisor came out and verified there " seems " to be a problem but can't get the vehicle in until August 5. I am concerned about the danger of the steering system locking up while driving and asked him about it and advisor only said " just have it towed in ". In my opinion this is an extremely dangerous defect !!! If the steering locks up it certainly could cause the vehicle to veer into on coming traffic resulting injury or death. Who then is responsible for this defect and it IS a defect in the rack and pinion. I have been doing research about this problem and have found not just a few but many, many, customers with the same problems with repair costs ranging from $2,500 - $5,000 and apparently a huge shortage of parts 2016 Explorers.
Steering wheel stated making weird noise when turning. Got harder to steer and started jerking while driving. The explorer jerked from side to side and almost caused me multiple wrecks. I took it to the shop and it was my steering rack and pinion that needed replacing and may also have to be reprogrammed, which is an extra $600. I have had several cars and never had an issue like this! Not to mention it was almost $3000 fix. There were no warning lights for this and this is very dangerous especially since it happens so fast and could be deadly on the interstate! This needs to be recalled, there are many owners I read have had this problem. It is unacceptable and deadly! Not safe!
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact heard a squeaking sound while steering the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became undrivable. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with power steering assist assembly failure. The contact was informed that the power steering assist assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Missouri City, TX, USA