The steering wheel makes a grinding noise when making a left of right turn. Dealership replaced the power steering hose with an updated one, as stated in the technical servic ebulletin 9821-01 which corrected the problem.
1998 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 70, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at highway speeds the steering wandered and swerved. At this time the cause is undetermined.
While driving at 40 MPH steering locked up.
Front end felt loose and vehicle was veering to the right due to cracked ball joints. Engine check light appeared, and a red brown liquid was leaking from driver's side because power steering rack was defective. Also, dealer replaced timing gear, and upper and lower intake manifolds.
On 5/7/03, I took my 1998 ford explorer to classic ford in smithfield nc., because I had been hearing a roaring noise when ever I turned to the left. I was told they needed to replace my rack & pinion. They will have to keep it a couple days to replace it. I feel that is very unusual for an auto with only 66,000 miles would have that problem with the steering.(incident date should be 5/7/2003)
At high speeds vehicle shakes and will not stay in lane, and steering wheel is very loose. *ak the consumer had rack and pinion installed, but it started leaking and become loose.
While driving 20 MPH and without warning, power steering failed, causing loss of vehicle control. After inspection of vehicle by dealer it was determined that power steering pump needed to be replaced. *ak
When turning steering wheel to the left theres a rubbing grinding sound coming from steering. Took to dealer, and they stated that steering wheel case needed replacing. Please provide any further information.
Consumer hears a grinding noise when slowing down and applying or releasing the brakes. Vehicle was taken to the dealer and inner tie rod had deteriorated from wear and tear. The part was replaced.*ak
While driving at 70 MPH the vehicle serverly turned to the left, the consumer had to quickly regain control of vehicle by turning to right to stay on road, the vehicle wa talen to the dealer for a brake job when dealer discovered a vibration in steering column. Dealer repaired a steering hose that was routed improperly. There is a bulletin # 98-21-1.
Steering wheel makes a clicking noise and vibrates floorboard. Sound in the steering has progressed, and has more play since problem occurred. Dealer was notified. Please more information.
Vehicle was approximately going 60mph when a loss of steering caused vehicle to jerk side to side and roll over. Metal fatigue caused the hydrualic rack and pinion to burst and leak fluid. This manufacturer was notified, and vehicle was totaled.
Consumer stated vehicle experiencd premature wear of the front ball joints and tie rods, dealer has been notified. *ak
When turning steering wheel to the left there is a noise. Rack and pinion malfunctioned. Please provide any further information.
Rack and pinion steering momentarily locked up while making a left turn. Vehicle taken to dealer, and had rack and pinion replaced. Currently, it was making noise whenever a turn was being made. Dealer unable to locate problem. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving a bolt came out of steering column which rendered steering totally inoperative. Also, it deactivated air bag . Consumer lost control of vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not being cooperative.*ak
Rack and pinion steering failed. While driving would feel like vehicle had flat tires. Would have to overcompensate for steering. The steering was very difficult to control. Took vehicle to an independent mechanic, who indicated there was no rack and pinion steering left. *ak nlm
While making a left turn steering failed. As a result, vehicle made a complete turn and damaged front and rear end of vehicle. Dealer has advised that there was no problem with steering. Please add additional information.
3rd steering rack and pinion in 9 months. 1st failure caused loss of vehicle control, but no injuries.
Attn. The federal safety agency administrator-[xxx]: I am extremely concerned about the safety of my vehicle. In an effort to help in the investigation of the ford explorer - I would like to offer my vehicle to be used for testing. I would like to be compensated of course and this would allow me to purchase a safer vehicle for my family. The vehicles tested by [xxx] study of the "oversteering" condition were similar to mine. The four door (4x2) design has been chosen by [xxx] for reasons I don't dare wish to speculate. Although, it seems fairly obvious that my family and I are operating an unsafe vehicle. As a ford explorer owner, I encourage you to proceed with an investigation into rollovers associated with this vehicle. I have contacted ford's customer relations department several times via e-mail and have gotten tracking/case id numbers in response. They are refusing to act upon a safety concern where lives are at stake. My vehicle is under warranty until october 2001 and I wish to exchange this unsafe vehicle. If my offer does not appeal to you then please offer me any suggestions that you feel are helpful to my cause. Sincerely, [xxx]/[xxx]/[xxx] ([xxx]) & [xxx] ([xxx]). *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *js
While traveling at approximately 30 MPH steering wheel came off in driver's hands, causing consumer to lose directional control of vehicle. Consumer was able to stop vehicle without incident. No determination has been made as to the cause for this problem. *ak
Vehicle a lemon in shop for 9 months, turning steering wheel would not turn tires, steering knuckle broke casting at wheel.
Tie rod on front passenger side broke in half causing explorer to drift over into another vehicle.
Trunk door will not shut properly. Consumer is able to slide his hand in while door is shut. *ak consumer contacted dmv and found out vehicle had been in an accident, consumer specifically asked for a vehicle that had not been damaged, however dealer sold it to him anyway, consumer feels deceived and is experiencing multiple problems with vehicle. Radio is inoperative at times. Hatch rubs agains frame of vehicle. Taillight and headlight are out of alignment, fog lights had lamp failure. Vehicle experiences problems with absorbing road shock, vehicle pulls to right. Check engine light illuminates, vehicle experiences low power. Rear power window motor failed. Power antenna failed. Right windshield wiper interior garnish molding loose, rear wiper blade skips center of glass, dealer replaced rear wiper arm and blade assembly. Steering gear assembly replaced due to noisy. Bumper not even.
Steering wheel started shaking slightly at low speed on 5/23/01. I entered a freeway and just as I was approaching 70 MPH, the entire vehicle started shaking violently to the point I nearly lost control. Started to pull off road, but shaking abated. Took veh to dealer & after road test & insp. Was told that air bubbles had formed in the steering sys., that certain explorers were known to develop this defect after varying mileages, and that ford says this problem is a "no fix" and nothing can be done about it. Dealer also sd that they had replaced entire rack & pinion systems on explorers still under warranty, but it had no effect on shaking. Heard this a.m. That firestone is accusing ford of covering up steering defects that contrib. To explorers rolling; it rang a bell & thought you folks should know about my experience... Will make my veh. Avail. For insp., should you folks or mfr. Want to.
There was squeaking noise coming from front of vehicle as if shocks were going bad in vehicle. In march, dealership informed her that there was nothing wrong with vehicle. On may 11, 2001- after the warranty expired, dealership informed consumer that following components needed to be replaced: both upper ball joints, right outer tie rod , and alignment. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Left side tensioner has been recalled for same reason that right side failed. It is the same piece of equipment and failed for the same reasons yet it has not been recalled yet.
Hood latch failed.
While backing out of driveway there was a sudden loss of steering. Dealer has been contacted.
On 11-7, vehicle was making s-like movements, consumer had difficulty keeping vehicle in the lane, after about 10 seconds, the problems ceased, however the following day the same problems occurred and consumer was unable to control vehicle, the vehicle would not respond to the steering wheel being turned, consumer collided twice with the guardrail.
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