2013 Ford Explorer: sudden loss of power

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 Mar 22, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

While driving a 2013 Ford Explorer, the vehicle experienced an electrical issue that caused the power steering system to malfunction. The power steering assist suddenly failed, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. The failure occurred suddenly and at the time of the incident the vehicle was traveling 2 miles and I parked it immediately.This created a serious safety hazard, especially when attempting to turn or maneuver the vehicle. A warning message stating “Power Steering Assist Fault” did appear on the dashboard .Prior to the failure, there were no warning signs. Due to the sudden loss of power steering assist, the driver’s ability to safely control the vehicle was significantly reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. The issue has not yet been inspected. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Steering · MD

Hi, my power steering went out. It's tough to turn. I see there was a safety recall, 14S06, that mentions the power steering control module. According to the federal safety agency website my car has a safety recall. MAY 29, 2014 the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Steering · 159,200 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and accelerating, the steering wheel inadvertently veered to the left, and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,200.

Filed Jul 19, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · WA

I was driving the vehicle when all of a sudden I lost powersteering and the steering became impossible to control almost causing an accident.I then took the vehicle to the shop and was informed my rack and pinion had to be replaced. I replaced it eventhough there is a recall for this issue in the 2013 ford explorer but it does NOTcover my Vin which is frustrating. So then I'm leaving the mechanic shop and I'm almost home and I get a powersteering fault light and the powersteering goes stiff again.almost causing me to wreck again these are the same symptoms are in recall 14V286000 And i cannot figure out why my vehicle isnt part of the recall for the dangers that this issues causes.

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Steering · 93,572 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality became operable. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following day, the failure recurred, and the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The messages "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Power Steering" were displayed, and the traction control warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 93,572.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Steering · 191,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel seized. The message "Check Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. 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 referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2025 · Steering · 179,663 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to parallel park, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove back to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,663.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Steering · 173,289 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed, and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the steering rack assembly 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,289.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Steering · 153,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering warning light was illuminated. The stability-trac and loss of power steering messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was reprogrammed four times. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure was due to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed May 28, 2024 · Steering · 166,394 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the "Service Power Steering Now" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. 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 made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 166,394.

Filed May 2, 2024 · Steering · 200,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel was stiff and difficult to turn. The contact stated that moments afterward the steering wheel became firm with the "Loss of Power Steering" message displayed. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, but the power steering functionality failed to return. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed, and the mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall for the year, make, and model for a power steering failure, and the contact was referred to a dealer. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact called a local dealer and described the failure and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.