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.
I was driving 55mph (speed limit) down a curvy country road when the steering wheel became stiff and wouldn-??t turn. A red light flashed and said I had lost steering. I was barely able to get stopped before going of a steep embankment. I was stoped in a dangerous spot with no way get out of oncoming traffic. My vehicle flashed a yellow light that said Terrain management system failure. No only was my life risk everyone that traveled down that road that morning. This included a school bus full of children and several other people that were trying to make it so work just like me.
When driving the steering would loose power and would not respond. Warning message said power steering failed. Dealer checked and verified that the steering rack and pinion are bad.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 45 -50 MPH and attempting to merge towards the left around a curved road, the power steering was seized. The steering assistance failed and to service the steering assist warning illuminated. The contact continued to drive and the power steering self-corrected as they continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering assist had failed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the power steering unit with an aftermarket part. Approximately one year later, while driving approximately 40 MPH when the failure reoccurred. The contact managed to slightly loosen the steering wheel, however, while continuing to drive, the steering wheel would continue to stiffen causing them to have to aggressively maneuver the steering wheel. The same warning lights had illuminated. After the vehicle was driven home, the steering wheel completely seized. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired a second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
Randomly, the power steering, ABS, and traction control went out on my car. There are thousands of others with this issue and previous years of this car have already had a recall relating to this issue.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension), and the dealer confirmed that the recall repair was performed. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds on a bumpy road surface, the vehicle jerked significantly, and there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the suspension. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, causing the steering wheel to seize. The contact stated that the vehicle had become undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the recall repair had been performed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair had not been performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
- Johnsonburg, PA, USA
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Other Explorers have a recall for electric steering problems but my VIN is not included in the recall. I only have 52,000 miles on the vehicle with clunking sounds when we back up with the wheels turn to the right. I also have had really bad tire wear on the back with the inside edge completely worn off. Toe in adjustment way off, says that this vehicle already had the fix for that but looks like it was not fixed right. We are still driving vehicle at this time but not sure if we should or not? We just had new tires put on vehicle and they checked for the clunking sound. There are no warning lamps on. I will be taking the vehicle to thr Ford dealer on October 23, 2024.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "MultiTaction Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cox’S Creek, KY, USA