2013 Ford Explorer: lane keeping assist jerks the wheel

Filed May 15, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · FL

Power steering assist fault while driving with total loss of power steering. Caused difficult steering, particularly at low speed and made for a dangerous driving situation with what seemed like complete loss of steering ability. Power steering fault and lane keeping assist failure warnings lit on display at the same time. Vehicle was towed to dealership and problem was isolated to steering module/gear failure after paying for battery replacement to verify that it was not a voltage related issue. 2013 Ford Explorers manufactured through the end of February 2012 at the Chicago plant have a recall for the same issue, but this vehicle was manufactured in June 2012 and I was told it is not covered. Repair was quoted at $4500.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · GA

My power steering went out within 5 minutes of the "service power steering now" and the "lane keeping system malfunction service required" lights came on while I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph. When I turned off the explorer and turned it back on the power steering was completely gone. I checked on Ford's recall website and they show that there is a "Customer Service Program" for the Epas Steering Efforts and for "Rear toe link inspection replacement", nothing stating that these "Customer Service Programs" were restricted at 10 years or 150,000 miles anywhere online. When I call Ford to let them know that my VIN is showing that the electric power steering should be covered and asking about what can be done to get my broken down explorer to them and then I get told that my explorer doesn't qualify anymore. When I typed in my VIN it said my explorer qualifies, why would it show that if the program ended at 10 years which would have been 2023. This makes the owners of these Ford's believe that Ford will take care of their vehicles when there is a know safety issue but then that is not the case. I could've wrecked going 75 mph if I wouldn't have gotten off the interstate. This KNOWN issue for the 2013 Ford Explorers should be taken care of if they are still coming up under recalls on Ford's website when the VIN is entered.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Steering · 95,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the electric power steering assist became functional. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was related to the electric power steering, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The electric power steering assist and the lane assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the power steering control module was reprogrammed. Additionally, the dealer recommended the replacement of the power steering unit. The electronic power steering unit was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2024 · Driver assistance, Steering · 200,013 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering column was stiff to turn and had seized. The Lane Keep and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,013.

Filed May 28, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 130,200 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 - 12 MPH and turning and or veering to the right or the left, the steering wheel failed to redirect to center. The contact had to use an excessive amount of force to maneuver the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that most recently while pulling into a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. The contact pulled into a parking space and the steering wheel seized with the "Service Power Steering Now" and "Lane Keeping System Malfunction Service Required," illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to the amount of sensors, the vehicle needed to be serviced by the dealer. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, immediately referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but a case was not opened. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 130,200.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · 214,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact also stated that when the Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Automatic Steering was engaged, the function independently disengaged, and the vehicle was drifting out of the lane. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the functionality returned. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was notified of a failure with the rear suspension related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) rear toe link. The contact related the steering failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Driver assistance, Steering · GA

Driving on I95 South in Daytona Beach, Florida during crowded weekend event traffic, the lane assist malfunctioned, would not turn on and then immediately experienced power steering failure. Both warning and failure lights illuminated on the dashboard. The power steering is electric and turning the wheel was near impossible. I had 4 occupants in the vehicle and almost caused a very severe accident crossing lanes of traffic to attempt to reach the shoulder. It is near impossible to turn the wheel and although the car is driveable, its not steerable. Found out that the NHSTA campaign # 14V286000 describes the same issue as I have. Ford recall #14S06 is that recall but the issue I now have is my vehicle was built 1 day after the recall parameters. The car is sitting unable to be safely operated, and I'm asking for NHSTA to extend the dates of original recall from February to March to include this vehicle in the existing recall for the necessary repairs.

Filed May 20, 2020 · Steering · 60,025 miles · FL

After starting the vehicle I received two warnings, 1) vehicle lane departure warning disabled, followed by 2) power steering assist disabled. It was not possible to steer the vehicle therefore I turned it off, let it sit 15-20 seconds and restarted. Same warnings were received. Turned it off again and let it sit for another 15-20 seconds and then restarted. Warnings did not come on and power steering was restored. Scheduled an appointment with the dealer for the following day and was told that the power steering motor and steering rack required replacement. Vehicle is six months beyond extended warranty but has only 60,000 miles total. Researched this issue and found a recall had been issued for this exact issue (14v286000, ford 14s06), however the production date of my vehicle fell outside of the manufactured date range for the recall of may 17th, 2010 thru february 28th, 2012. My vehicle was manufactured on april 25th, 2012. I requested that the dealer open a case with ford and request this repair to be covered, dealer responded that ford denied the claim. Repair & replacement of steering rack was completed by the dealer. $2,161.79.