2013 Ford Explorer: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Steering · MO

As I was backing my 2013 Ford Explorer Base model out of my garage I heard a pop and then my steering started making a grinding/dragging noise. When I pulled onto the street I noticed that my steering wheel would "stick". I went a short distance further down the road and it seemed to stop sticking. When I went around a curve towards the left, my steering stuck again and it was harder to get it to "unstick". I returned it back to my home and parked it back in the garage. I see that there is a recall for the steering on the 2013 models, but my VIN is NOT included in this recall. This is a huge safety hazard and could put me out of work, as I care for and transport autistic individuals. This vehicle and my job are my livelihood and this needs to be corrected/recall issued on all of the 2013 models since they all seem to be having similar steering issues. Vehicle has not yet been inspected. Vehicle is available for inspection on request.

Filed Jul 16, 2025 · Steering · 155,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard a grinding sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering module and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 155,000.

Filed May 17, 2024 · Steering · NC

My 2013 explorer that I purchased is apart of the recall OEM 15n01 EPAS steering efforts. My VIN matches under the recall and my steering gear/rack seems to be faulty or broken. The service center confirmed the steering rack is faulty and is not safe to drive, It doesn’t let me drive in a straight acceleration and there’s knocking/grinding noise when it allows me to turn the wheel. What steps do I take in having this issue repaired?

Filed May 14, 2024 · Steering · LA

When I move my steering wheel in any direction there's a grinding noise and my steering wheel tries to get stuck.There was no warning lights on and now the vehicle is difficult to drive

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Steering · TX

Popping/Grinding Noises: experienced popping or grinding sounds when turning the steering wheel, especially at slow speeds. Steering Wheel Seizure: There have been instances where the steering wheel has seized, accompanied by error messages such as “service power steering now” and “service advancetrac,” indicating a potential failure of the rack and pinion system. Difficulty in Steering: A tight steering wheel, grinding noises, or shaking, particularly at higher speeds, can be symptoms of worn-out bushings or bearings in the rack and pinion. these issues are causing somuch more due to that steering wheel has play and i need to constantly get alignment, my tires are wearing out and tires are expensive to replace too, its causing me to spend absurd amount of money that i do not have

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Steering · 170,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was making an abnormal squealing sound while turning left or right. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated the steering rack and pinion was warped and needed to be replaced. The local dealer was called, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2023 · Engine · 165,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud squeaking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact then became aware that there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the failure was a known issue. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2023 · Steering · 138,549 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 25 MPH, and the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The dealer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,549.

Filed Jun 8, 2023 · Steering · 181,324 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while turning out the driveway, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The steering wheel became firm with the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency hotline. The failure mileage was 181,324.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Fuel system, Suspension · OK

This winter I began starting my vehicle and letting it warm up before driving it. After letting it run approximately 10 to 15 minutes, I opened my door and to get in and there was a very strong exhaust smell inside. I would have to roll my windows down to clear the cabin of the fumes. This happened every single time I would let it sit and warm up. There is also something happening with what I believe is my drive-train. There is a lot of different noises (squealing/whining, grinding (metal to metal), clanking and thumping) when I give it gas after sitting at a light. As soon as I step on the gas pedal it makes all the above noises and jerks, then acts like it doesn't want to go. It finally kicks in then goes. Once it kicks in, it drives just fine. The noise sounds like its coming from the undercarriage and sometimes the rear end. I am not driving the vehicle now, it is parked in my driveway, so I am currently without transportation. There is also a very loud popping noise coming from the front end. I was told this could be ball joints or possibly stabilizers.

Filed Aug 10, 2022 · Steering · OR

Steering loss on highway two times but came back and a squealing noise when trying to park some times found out there isn't a power steering pump so don't know where the squealing noise is coming from but it is in the steering had the ford dealer check it out and they said it needs replaced

Filed Jun 30, 2022 · Steering · 92,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway at 20 MPH, she heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the driver's side floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was repaired with remanufactured parts; however, while driving and turning all the way to the right, the steering rack was making abnormal grinding sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the rack and pinion were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer since the parts to repair the vehicle were no longer available. The contact stated that the parts were on national back order. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The VIN was not available.