Power steering failed while driving.
2011 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 17 of 26: complaints 461 to 490 of 743, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My ford explorer had a recall (14s06) so I took it into my dealer and had them to the update. Aprox 1000 miles later my power steering completely went out and now the bill could be as high as 1500 dollars and ford won't cover it because I already had the recall fixed once. Could you tell me what I can do to not have to pay this large amount?
On 08-2014, I received a letter from ford motor co. Indicating that I had a recall on my 2011 ford explorer and that . The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist. And that the recall would prevent the loss of power steering. I took my vehicle to the to the ford house and the said recall was performed. If I understood correctly my vehicle should not loose power to the power steering. Wrong. Approximately 3-4 weeks later my vehicle lost power to the power steering. This is the one thing the recall was suppose to prevent. It is clear to me that the work done to my vehicle did not fix the problem. After paying $1,400 to repair my vehicle I contacted ford motor company co. In hopes that they would reimburse me because my problem was never fix to begin with. Ford motor co. Advised that they had performed the work necessary to prevent my power steering for going out but could not explain how it went out anyway. Ford motor co. Never fixed my problem to begin with and are refusing to fix it now. I don't know why they would send a real stating that it is going to prevent something but it does not. This is a problem that could potentially injure or possibly get people killed and need to be resolved.
I sent my vehicle in two months for to be fix at drew ford dealership. They also corrected a recall on the powersteering fault. Now the fault is back and the steering wheel is immovable or extremely hard to move. They also claim this will not fall under the recall, because it has been remedy the first time. I am very upset with ford, because this can be a 600-2000 dollar repair. Power steering should not go this fast, my car is barely 4 years old. I may have to trade it in for more reliable vehicle like a honda or toyota. I want to support american companies. This experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle would not be repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) due to a recent evaluation of the vehicle at a dealer. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Had unit back in dealer november 2014 for the recall14s06 and was told they did a software update. January 7th 2015 went to leave work, started unit to warm up. Got in it 15 minutes later and no power steering. Light on dash said :steering assist failure" took back to dealer and was told I had to spend $1600 because it needed the steering gear replaced. Please note this unit was built in march 2011 in the chicago assembly plant and falls under the suspected time frame of the failed component. Also it is 10 months out of warranty but only has 26000 miles on it. I had to contact ford and explain to them I felt it should be cover 100% but was told I would have to take it up with my dealer after they ran my case number. Was contacted by my dealer the next day and was told it would cost me out of pocket $800 plus it could take 3/5 working days to get component. I find this as a good faith gesture but come on ford you knew back in the lab that the software update was only a bandaid and the really problem still exists.you need to step up to the plate and repair all failed units with a new steering gear at 100% your cost!
When parked in a parking garage I started out and of my spot and down a ramp toward the pay station/booth of the garage to exit. The power steering assist fault came on, I immediately lost power steering and was headed directly toward the pay booth/attendant until I was able to brake and muscle the steering away from the impending crash. This power steering issue has started to occur briefly over the last few 6 months and either resolves itself or if I stop, shut off, then restart it seems to reset. The electronic power steering seems to be at fault. I can only imagine losing this at highway speeds and the danger it poses to drivers.
After bringing my car in on 9/15/14 to address the ford explorer 2011 recall, sheehy ford in springfield, va declared my parts ok and reprogrammed my pscm (I had never had a single issue with my power steering)...I subsequently drove to kentucky (from burke, va) and several other places...eventually driving to my parent's house in vienna, va (about 30+ minutes away) for thanksgiving day (12/27/14), just 3 months later. Several streets from arrival I received a message that my power steering was failing. The car became very difficult to drive, but I was able to park the car in front of their house. After research on the internet, I hoped to be able to start the car and find the problem fixed, but unfortunately was not able to steer the car at all. I had to have the car towed the next day to a dealer (I did not choose the same dealer who had done the recall). They replaced the power steering parts several days later, but the parts were not covered under the recall because the code they received was different. This happened 3 months after they declared my parts ok! I only had to pay $100 for the fix because of my extended warranty, but am ill about what might have happened if I had been on my way to or from kentucky when the power steering failure happened so I feel obligated to report my issue to you. I understand from press releases I've seen that you consider this issue closed. I do not believe that to be the case...
We were driving the vehicle at approximately 35 MPH when warning light came on stating there was issue with power steering, I believe it said power steering service was required. When we stopped at next intersection, it was evident power steering assistance was reduced. After pulling over and shutting off vehicle, then restarting, there was no power steering assistance, only manual. When traveling at low speed, turning was virtually impossible. Immediately after stopping, because wheels could not be steered, vehicle went straight, blocking a cross path in a commercial lot, with cross traffic nearly causing collision, although no collision occurred, there was clear danger.
2011 ford explorer limited: I was driving my family back from a vacation and had been traveling at an approximate speed of 65 MPH on the hwy. I turned into a parking lot for a restroom break for the kids when the rack & pinion bar broke completely near the driver side front wheel. I noticed the chimes, some loud pops and harder than normal steering prior to the part breaking. Vehicle was unable to be steered. It is not a every day driven vehicle. Vehicle has 42,608 miles on it. Luckily we weren't traveling at 65 MPH when the part failed.
On cruise control at 75mph heading east on I-44 towards tulsa, ok. Power steering service warning, advance trak warning, terrain management warning become active. Power steering advance trak and terrain management no longer active.
Driving at highway speed, all steering was lost with family in vehicle. No problems had occurred with the vehicle steering until a flash update had been completed by dealer for the recal notice. As others this occurred over a weekend and we were not home felt we could not drive even after shutting down, re starting and error cleared. Rented a vehicle ourselves until monday when the dealer provided a rental. After being in the shop for a week was notified that ford would do nothing about the issue as they assume no liability after the flash was completed! Our dealer stepped up and paid for everything. They should not have to do this and as an insurance professional view this as a major liability and if this is not correct asap someone or many will be killed! Why is this so,hard to enforce based on the number of claims for this failure? Even now with what might be the correct repairs and based on others who have done the same what assurance do any of us have?
The power steering failed while I was driving south on I-75. The recall for the module (reprogramming) had already been performed less than 2 months before. Now, after having the car in the shop for a week and 2 days, ford has agreed to pay all but $700 of the repair. The reprogramming obviously was not an effective solution since the power steering failed a short time after that was done. The car is not safe to drive. The steering went out without notice as I was traveling 70 MPH on an interstate highway. I was eventually able to muscle it over to the right lane and get to an exit without getting into a crash, but that was pure luck. The traffic was very heavy and I didn't want to make any hasty moves because I wasn't sure what was going on. It was a very scary situation. Ford has admitted that this is a problem, now they need to fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer for repairs under recall the federal safety agency campaign 14v286000(steering). The vehicle was repaired but the problem has recurred. The vehicle was taken back to dealer who explained that the vehicle was no longer eligible for the recall repairs since it had been repaired once before. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering seized and excessive force was required to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the vehicle was previously repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e001000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000...updated 10/07/14 *bf the consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 10/10/14
I was driving down the street at around 20 MPH when there were cars that suddenly stopped. When I was braking I felt as if the steering was allowing me to turn and it happened so fast I felt as if I lost braking power. Then I hit the car in front of me hard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving at any speed, the power steering and computer failed. In addition, the engine, ABS, traction control, air bag, and security sensors illuminated. The dealer advised the contact to reset the master controls. The vehicle also exhibited computer failure. The firmware was updated multiple times, however the failure recurred months later and included various electrical shorts. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact waited for months to determine if the dealer was able to provide a remedy to the firmware failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v286000 (steering) and 14e001000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) because the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Steering stop moving in the middle of driving on the express way. Had to turn the vehicle off and then restart for it to continue moving. This happen a view times but never on the express way.
2011 ford explorer was just returned two weeks ago for national recall on electronic power steering control module failure. On august 21st at 9:30 am my wife was approaching a red light. She applied the brakes and felt an immediate power loss issue with the breaks. She impacted the vehicle in front of her around 15 MPH. Air bags were not deployed at time of accident. She did noticed the terrain management failure light was illuminated at time of impact. My wife did not feel the anti lock brakes engage, nor were there any skid marks visible on the road. Minor front end damage is evident and radiator was leaking fluid. Insurance company has been notified about recent recall.
Power steering still failing even after recall "fix". My ford explorer 2011 already had the power steering recall (safety recall notice 14s06/the federal safety agency recall 14-v-286) fix completed at dealership on 8/7/14, but the power steering is still failing! This is very serious if the recall "fix" is not working. Please require ford to immediately implement the proper fix and immediately notify all owners who have already taken their explorers in per the recall and have this issue fixed immediately. Ford knows about this issue and could be putting people's lives at risk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would veer to the right without the contact moving the steering wheel. The dealer stated that the rack and pinion steering mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
I was making a right hand turn going down a hill onto a street when the sensors went off and the power steering stopped working. The car registered two warnings. I stopped the car in the middle of the street. I was manually able to get it to a parking lot but it was extremely difficult. I drove very slowly. When I got to the parking lot, I turned the car off and restarted it. The warnings disappeared and the car functioned normally. I proceeded to call the dealership where I got the car from to explain the situation. I subsequently called the dealership the following day to voice my concerns and make an appointment. The best they could do was a week from today. This is a certified, pre-owned vehicle that I purchased less than a year ago.
On june 16th, 2014, I was traveling 40 MPH with my 3 year old and 18 month old in the car and I lost all power steering and ended up in a ditch. There was no way to control it or even turn the wheel. It happened again on june 19th, 2014 however, my husband was driving and was able to get the car off the road.
Power assisted steering goes off with no warning. First happened back in 2012, pulled off road, restarted car everything worked fine. Problem occurring more frequently over past 6-8 months. (3 or 4 times) dealer says unaware of any general problems with the steering am scheduled to take to dealer for further analysis. Not covered by any recall but problem widely reported on the web.
At approx 1430 on june 2nd on highway on ramp accelerating had the service advancetrac warning light and chime come on and the traction control off light and chime come on and lost all power steering control of vehicle. I immediately put on my emergency flasher and let off the accelerator and forced my explorer to the shoulder. Once on the shoulder of the highway I cleared the faults, I wish I would have taken cell photo of fault, and turned vehicle off and then restarted vehicle with no issues. I did not have any other issues for the rest of the drive approx 25 to 30 min.
While driving on the interstate at about 70 MPH, an electrical light came up on the dash and I immediately lost power steering. My family was in the car and it was extremely frightening. I was able to muscle the car over to the right lane at which point, power steering was restored. The issue happened again around 20 minutes later and then rectified itself after a minute or so. I drove the car to the dealer and spoke with them about what happened. They kept the car for a week and could not "replicate the issue". This was the first week of april. I am now learning that ford was aware of this problem back in january and has issued a recall.
I was driving on a four lane highway when a signal came on dash " steering assist failure" and I could not steer the vehicle. Was just coming off highway and was able to continue to ramp and had to pull off on median in middle of busy exit ramp. Stopped and then restarted car which temporarily fixed problem now dealership is telling me the steering column module needs replaced - will cost me $600 !!!!!:( very disappointed in ford as there are many reports of this happening to others !
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that when backing out of the driveway the power steering failed. As a result, the power steering assist fault and service steering advance tract lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,417 and the current mileage was 87,437. Pm updated 9/4/14
While driving approximately 45 MPH on local road, power steering gave out and vehicle became extremely difficult to effectively steer and pull off across 2 lanes of traffic onto shoulder. After pulling off to side of road, turned of engine and re-started. Steering came back and was able to return home. Next day, SUV did same thing 2x and added a new error message regarding traction control system fault along with power steering system fault. Ford has a section in their owners manual warning that failure of this system will require additional effort to steer the vehicle, but the dramatic change from power steering to this scenario is startling. My husband reviewed on line and discovered a re-call for the power steering problem had been issued in january. When contacting ford dealer they stated this recall did not include our car since the recall was only for vehicles that had repairs for this same issue (done in a certain time period). If this issue had happened with a less experienced driver (ie our 17 year old daughter who drives this car frequently) the issue would most likely have caused her to panic and due to diminished maneuverability may lead to an accident. I am surprised the re-call is only for a part that has been installed to make a repair when the underlying problem this repair was being made for has not been addressed. It appears there are several complaints about this same issue.
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