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.
On July 20, 2017, while pulling the vehicle out of my garage, the power steering failed. A warning light about traction control came on. Thinking the traction control had inadvertently been pressed, I turned the vehicle off and then on again. The vehicle began functioning normally at that point. On Sunday, July 30, 2017, as my husband was driving on the highway, with me and 3 of our children as passengers, the power steering failed again and warning lights came on simultaneously about traction control being turned off and power steering assist needing service. The steering wheel was extremely difficult to move. Turning the vehicle off and then on once again seemed to reset the power steering again. I called autofair Ford of haverhill, MA the next day and they told me to bring the vehicle in that afternoon. On the way to autofair Ford, the power steering failed again. Autofair diagnosed the issue as a failed steering rack and replaced the steering rack and program system for a total of $1721.90. Upon researching this issue online, I learned that the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Ford Explorer had the same or very similar issue and there was a recall. In addition, I found message threads on various websites of 2014 Ford Explorer having the same or similar issues as we did. Luckily, when the power steering failed on my vehicle, we were able to keep the vehicle under control and an accident did not occur; however, if sudden sharp steering would have been needed, there likely would have been one. In addition, a failure such as this one should not occur on a vehicle that is barely 3 years old with about 48,450 miles on it. We have had all regular recommended maintenances performed on this vehicle at autofair Ford, formally regan Ford, from the time of purchase as a new vehicle.
The electronic power steering rack has failed on our vehicle. This I have seen is a problem Ford has had in the past and has still not remedied the problem. The out of pocket costs are $2500. The steering is unsafe and is allover the road. Further to this the power seat motor failed and they want $2500 to repair it. This I feel is very unfair and gouging.
We have owned this Explorer for 2 months with 44,000 miles on it when the steering started grinding and locking up. This is definitely a safety issue and other prior years have been recalled for the same issue. Dealer wants $1500 to fix it. This car was much too expensive to have this issue with these low miles. Ford needs to recall this and fix our vehicle for us. We asked the dealer to pay for this but have not received any word that they will. Many others are this website have the same issue so it is obviously a large problem with other Explorer. Please help!!
Steering fault assist and gear assembly went out while the vehicle was stationary. There was a recall for earlier models, I think they should have extended it for later models as well. The repair cost was $1652 plus towing, hotel stay and rental car fees which is not included. Ford sent a defective part to the dealership where I had my vehicle repaired and will not pay for the extra days I was without a car and rental fees.
- Delbarton, WV, USA
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The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The steering and service advance track warning indicators illuminated. The contact called Ford hixson Mazda located on 2506 macarthur dr, alexandria, la 71301 and spoke with greg who scheduled an appointment for 8/3/17. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V245000(suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available.
I was driving my car on a highway when suddently I got two warnings displayed on my panel that said "steering fault / service now" "service advance trac." About 5 minutes later the steering began to feel a little harder to move, but I made it home O.K. the next day, though, the steering wheel was almost impossible to manuever.
Steering gear box went out of my vehicle with only 29,000 miles on it, had to replace the whole gear. I only drive 600 miles or less a month I split my time between 2 vehicles. Just bought a few months before this happened
On 19 June, 2017 I was driving my 2014 Ford Explorer on I-95 South, I initially heard a single pop come from the front of my vehicle, I thought I had hit something in the road, but nothing was visible in the road, so I continued to drive. I continued to drive with no problems. On 20 June, I was driving again on I-95 North bound and my steering system began to malfunction with a little tightness in the steering, the vehicle still easily turned left and right. I continued to drive the vehicle with no problems, suddenly a warning flashed and showed a stability warning and all of a sudden the steering locked up and I could not control my vehicle at all. I was nearly killed along with six members of my family when my vehicle steering malfunctioned (froze/locked) and two tractor trailers swerved to keep from hitting my vehicle. I could no longer control my vehicle steering. My vehicle has 68,000 miles and has been regularly maintained with no known issues.
Since I purchased this vehicle new in July 2014, I have experienced a sulphur like smell in the cabin area of the vehicle when I accelerate. The odor is strong enough to make you feel nauseous and light headed. I have taken the car back to the dealership where it was purchased on two separate occasions. On one visit they claimed they had installed additional vents to eliminate the fumes. The second time, the exhaust was reportedly replaced. Neither repair created any improvement in regard to the smell. Additionally, I have experienced issues with the front suspension/steering area. The vehicle has been taken back to the dealership on two separate occasions to address the issue(s). The vehicle has a loud popping sound that emanates from the right front axle area when making a low speed turn. The first repair was reportedly a loose "boot cover". the second repair consisted of the installation of a "shim" to address the problem. Neither fix took care of the issue long term.
While the vehicle was in motion, in a turn, the steering assist had a fault. A message showed on the screen stating that there was a steering assist fault. After restarting the vehicle several times, the issue did not go away. Steering the vehicle felt like the steering wheel was fighting against me (rather than simply a power steering loss). I was told by a dealership mechanic that the problem was unknown but somewhere in the steering column so replacing the entire steering column would fix it.
Our 2014 Ford Explorer Sport has suddenly lost its power steering making it very difficult to drive and has a tendency to jerk the wheel left and right when driving. This I'm told is not under warranty and will cost approximately $1800 to fix. I believe the three years prior to mine had the same problem and were recalled. The Explorer has not been in any accidents and has 73K miles. The airbag light also came on when the steering issue started however the Ford service department said that it was unrelated and that would be another expense after the steering was repaired.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While the contact's son was driving 55 mph, the power steering failed. In addition, the "steering loss stop safely" and "service advance trac" warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly (power steering rack) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: Cas-12267703. The manufacturer declined to assist the contact since the vehicle was outside of the 36 month or 36,000 mile warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 42,988.....updated 06/21/17 updated 09/15/2017
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver side door failed to lock properly. The dealer diagnosed that the door latch needed to be replaced. The contact informed the manufacturer who requested that the vehicle receive a second diagnostic, which rendered the same results. The vehicle was not repaired. While attempting to leave an auto shop, the power steering failed. The contact was unable to reactivate the power steering and had the vehicle towed to her home. The contact informed the dealer of the failure, but could not drive to the dealer due to the power steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and opened case number: 12284176. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Vehicle was purchased in April 2014 with a little over 500 miles. The vehicle now has approximately 33,900 miles. A couple weeks ago we noticed a squeaking noise when the steering wheel was turned either way while moving and while not moving. I called on 4-25 for appointment on 4-27. The vehicle was looked over and I received a call on 4-28 stating the steering gear box was bad and need replaced. I was then told my warranty had expired on 4-17 and that they would not cover the bill of $1738. I did research and there were similar issues with this year vehicle as well as recalls on this same vehicle 2011-2013. Sounds to me like Ford has not fixed the issue and should cover these ridiculous costs to those that have had them. I should not have to worry about these types of things on such a low mileage vehicle. Ford will probably be losing our continued business.
Takata recall cuando lo manejo SE mueve mucho ES difcil de controlar a 60 millas parese un bote 🚣 SE mueve de lado a lado como si patinara mas en el freeway ES muy riesgoso
After a knock was discovered while turning I took the vehicle in to Ford assuming I was under warranty. They identified a code (not available) and diagnosed the problem to be with the "steering gear box assembly", specifically the rack and pinion. After researching the problem on the internet I found multiple occurrences of similar mishaps, some resulting in lock up of the steering component. Ford informed me that we exceeded the mileage portion of the warranty but not the years (vehicle is 2 1/2 years old). They also informed me that because I was out of warranty due to mileage, they wouldn't cover the repairs and quoted $2200 in repairs. $1500 for parts and the rest for labor. I believe this to be a safety issue due to the potential to lock up the steering resulting in collision. I have researched the repair and can obtain the same part number for approx. $650 and labor around $700. There are documented recalls on Ford Explorer up to 2013, but for some reason 2014 is not included.
A malfunction of the electric power steering system occurred, the vehicle warning lights for the stability control and the stability control system off turned on on the warning indicator dashboard. This cause a loss of steering assist on my vehicle while I was going up to big bear on highway 330. The vehicle was very difficult to steer and control making it a very unsafe and dangers drive. Luckily I was going at a very slow speed do to traffic conditions. I don't know what could of happen if I was going at the speed limit posted. There is a recall on the 2011,2012, and 2013 regarding this issue "suspension & steering, May 29, 2014" the Ford recall number is 14S06. My car is still in big bear unable to drive anymore steering wheel is stuck now that I parked it.
I've had issues with my Ford Explorer not turning well, making noises with the turn, and have taken it into the shop who have said it's a common issue. This is a danger. My other complaint is that there has been a recall (NHTSA recall 16V-245) and have taken my car in to have the repair and they have said they didn't want to use the parts/time to do the fix! I have called on 3 separate occasions for the repair and they state they are not willing to do the repair. I feel like I have a potential danger with my car and Ford sends a letter to cover themselves with the government, and I'm left in the lurch. The government has shown to be ineffective and I'm hoping that my message will be heard by someone.
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- New Paltz Ny, NY, USA