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 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.
Took my 2016 Ford Explorer in to get A/C fixed and investigate "clunking" noise heard when turning. Dealer service rep informed me that the entire rack and pinion steering assembly needed to be replaced at a cost of ~$3200. When I asked if I could just ignore it and not get the work done (as this is quite expensive), I was told that I didn't have to get the work done but, I would be in danger of losing steering control of the vehicle. Upon doing research, online, to see if this was a normal cost, I found that there were many consumers who had the same issue. Some of these dated clear back to 2017 with low mileage. This is only a year after this vehicle was released. Even if that was the 1st complaint made, Ford has had 7 years to investigate this issue and, one would hope, issue a voluntary recall to fix it since it is a major safety issue.
- Gardner, KS, USA
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with steering gear internal failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall for the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made a loud rattling sound. The contact stated that several unknown messages were displayed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with rack and pinion failure. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,700.
Steering started grinding in the winter months around 110,900 and locked up while driving. Took to Ford Service and the Rack and Pinion is faulty. The tech said it was not due to any driving damage, but a faulty part. Vehicle currently has 120,000 miles on it and locks up driving down the road. The potential for a dangerous accident is high. This is a known issue for Ford Explorers in various years and Ford should recall this.
component or system failed or malfunctioned unavailable for inspection upon he safety of others put at risk Had the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer representatives or others warning lamps messages other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when didnt first appear What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center component been inspected by the manufacturer, representatives any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear fully report
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and making a turn, the steering wheel seized, and the contact struggled to regain control of the steering wheel. In addition, the contact noticed a grinding sound while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rack and pinion. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
A loud clunking noise was heard when the vehicle was turned to the right. Diagnosis at the CarMax repair facility indicated that the steering rack was broken. Diagnosis was complicated by the fact that the damaged part was hidden under a rubber boot. The actual damage on the steering rack appears to be a broken retainer, sealing washer, or similar that circles the jack screw of the steering rack. This retainer or washer is visible in the attached pictures. I believe there was a potential for the damaged retainer or washer to become jammed in the steering rack when the rack is in the right turn position which would make it impossible or difficult to turn the steering wheel. This could have resulted in an accident. I authorized CarMax to complete the repair and was informed that the steering rack was back ordered from Ford and would not be available for approximately 3 weeks. CarMax gave me a loaner vehicle and completed the repair when the part arrived. The broken steering rack was returned to Ford. A steering rack is not a part that I expect to fail. The fact that the part was back ordered for three weeks suggests that this part is in high demand because this is a common problem with this vehicle. The fact that the damaged part was concealed by a rubber boot made it difficult to diagnose. Clunking noises in the front suspension of a vehicle can be caused by many problems and a failure to correctly diagnose this problem could have resulted in a serious accident. I thanked the CarMax technicians for there perseverance in getting to the true cause of the noise. It is my opinion that this is a serious safety issue and that Ford should issue a safety recall for affected vehicles.
The contact-??s wife owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving out of the driveway, she noticed a loud clanking and grinding noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact-??s wife stated that the steering wheel became difficult to operate while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,684.
Rack and pinion binds. This suddenly started around 70,000 miles. It makes a grinding noise that seems to be in the steering column. While driving it catches and takes effort to move steering wheel past the catch.
Unknown Overall something within while driving my truck i had starting hearing a grinding sound while turning and then the steering started to lock up, very unsafe and while my children were going to school had me in panic mode in which i never experience out of all the vehicle ive had and paid off.
Power steering module, which is part of the front steering linkage went out suddenly while driving which resulted in no power assist to steering at 55 mph. From the auto forums, this is not an uncommon issue with the 2016 Ford Explorer yet there has been no recall on it.
This is the problem I'm experiencing, my steering wheel would tighten up when I'm backing up from being part. Then when it comes to me, pulling out and about to drive and I have to make a turn the stand well will tighten up again and make it difficult for me to drive or or to turn go other way. When I took my vehicle in to suburban Ford service Ferndale. I'm looking at the questions for additional details. I wasn't in no accident because of my. There's no fire, no injuries, but it can happen and I don't have to have the mileage at how fast I was going because the stand will would get tight when i'm about this pull off.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Huntsville, TX, USA