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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,398 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 1 of 15)

problem #289

Apr 222024

Explorer

  • miles

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

Power steering rack failure

- Cheyenne , WY, USA

problem #288

Mar 222024

Explorer

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to turn the vehicle to the left or right, an excessive amount of force was needed to turn the vehicle. The contact believed that the power steering had failed. The contact stated that while turning the vehicle to the right the failure seemed more pronounced than while turning to the left. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure where it was confirmed there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 102,000.

- Chanhassen, MN, USA

problem #287

Mar 252024

Explorer

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns as 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed. The service advance track and terrain system management fault lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle home unrepaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired a year prior due the power steering failure. However, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Dixon, IL, USA

problem #286

Feb 092024

Explorer

  • 148,000 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 35 MPH, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the steering gear and outer tie rod. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.

- Sagle, ID, USA

problem #285

Jan 012024

Explorer

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver-??s side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The track on the seat needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel seized. While making a turn, the driver had to pull the steering wheel to correct the steering. The steering power assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the seat failure was due to the motor. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #284

Feb 222024

Explorer

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Key Largo, FL, USA

problem #283

Feb 162024

Explorer

  • miles

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

My steering lost all power and basically froze going straight. I was almost home, within 500 feet and managed to strong arm it into my driveway. I have 2 warning lights on, Service Advance Trac and Service Power steering Now. Something with in the steering system is not right. My safety was not a concern when it happened as I was slowing down to turn into my driveway Looking online, this seems to be a major problem for many people No inspections as yet, since I would need to have it towed someplace I mentions those 2 warnings above.

- Kewanna, IN, USA

problem #282

Dec 152023

Explorer

  • miles
The electric power steering shuts off at random times. The power steering goes out and the steering may lock according to the Sonora Ford Dealership. The dealership said that the car is not safe to drive without the steering rack replaced. The dealership also noticed a clunk in the steering rack when turned lock to lock. When the steering turns off a red warning signal appears on the dash with a Battery symbol and a message to check charging system.

- Pinecrest, CA, USA

problem #281

Jan 042024

Explorer

  • 151,126 miles
Vehicle power steering failure, causing locked steering. After reading, am finding this is a major problem with many Ford models. There has been recalls on many other models. No warning at all just locked up. Luckily did not happen to my wife at highway speeds. DTC codes U3000-96 U2011-61 C1B00-2F U3003-68 U0415-00

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #280

Oct 012023

Explorer

  • miles
The Power Steering was not working and a Low Voltage Warning came on saying power consumption was being reduced. I took the car to a mechanic and he tested the battery and alternator output. They both checked good. After driving for 10-15 minutes, the power consumption reduction turns off and things go back to normal. This happens on almost every drive.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #279

Nov 092023

Explorer

  • miles

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

I was driving my 2015 Ford Explorer SUV and the wheels locked into going straight and I was unable to turn. This happened with no warning at all. We had the car looked at by a mechanic and they stated it was the power steering, and that the electronic module went out and the whole steering rack and pinion would need to be replaced. They suggested we contact Ford as there were recalls from the 2011-2013 models of the Ford Explorer for the same exact thing. Ford could not help us and suggested we contact the NHTSA to see if our VIN number had been missed for a recall. My safety and the safety of everyone else on the road around me was definitely put at risk. If I had been anywhere else, or going faster I would have crashed.

- Thermal, CA, USA

problem #278

Nov 072023

Explorer

  • miles
Clients steering locked up driving down the road. Had to stop and get a tow. Looking at the issue, found the electronic steering rack and pinion was locked, able to break it free but grinds bad. See other recalls for earlier and later years but not the 2014, seems to be the same issue, client could have been killed or killed others on the highway with no warning for a faulty part.

- Thousand Palm, CA, USA

problem #277

Nov 022023

Explorer

  • 107,657 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH down the driveway, the steering wheel was turned to the right and the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to return to center after completing the turn. The contact had to manually turn the steering wheel to center and heard the grinding sound again. The contact also felt a vibration in the steering column. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,657.

- Jersey Village, TX, USA

problem #276

Nov 302021

Explorer

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle steering wheel had become firm. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty sensor that was integrated into the steering column. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA

problem #275

Oct 012023

Explorer

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was very difficult to steer while in park or while driving at slow speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #274

Sep 142023

Explorer

  • miles
I own a 2015 Ford Explorer. While turning out of the driveway the steering locked up and i cannot get it to unlock, we were lucky to get it out of oncoming traffic. We were terrified!!! After reading multiple complaints it seems to be a recurring problem for many. It happened on 9/14/2023. We had no warning of any type before it malfunctioned. Please help us Ford owners out, as Ford has already been aware of it happening many times.

- Santa Claus, IN, USA

problem #273

Sep 012023

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while starting the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the steering was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the electrical motor, steering column, strut, and front end had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V530000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Richmond, KY, USA

problem #272

Jul 312023

Explorer

  • miles
when you hit the gas the steering turns when you let go it straightens back out please look into this i might cause an accident or loose control of the car

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #271

Jul 312023

Explorer

  • miles
I encountered intermittent stiffness in the steering while driving. It felt like it might not steer. And then it loosens up and is okay for a moment or two. I took it to my local mechanic. At first, they thought it to be a lubrication issue. The situation increased. I took it back. They explained previous years of my model had a recall related to the power steering assembly. And that is what they believe it to be. I did reach out to Ford directly, but they are not going to do anything. There are no warning lights or additional inspections. I do see this has appeared on forums.

- Keene, NH, USA

problem #270

Jul 152023

Explorer

  • miles
The power steering in my 2015 Ford explore completely locked up due to the steering gear going out. I am fortunate enough that it happened that low speed and no one was harmed. I could only imagine what would-??ve happened if I were on a highway or interstate. It has been inspected and diagnosed by a Ford dealership, and they concluded that it was indeed the power steering gear. At the time it went out. There were no warning signs or lights on the dashboard that would have made me think it would go out.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

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