2013 Ford Explorer steering problems

837 complaints (37% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 12 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 837
of this car's complaints: 37%
typical mileage: 95,000
crashes: 12
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Electric power assist system
16
Rack and pinion
6
Column
3
Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid
2
Steering control module
1
Rack and pinion: rack
1
Rack and pinion: mounting bracket
1
Hydraulic power assist system
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Ford Explorer steering problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford Explorer steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Power steering loss 409 Steering lock-up 114 Steering noise 21 Pulling 6

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported May 29, 2014 · 179,027 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

Recall number 14V286000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Electric power steering failureOpened June 19, 2012, closed June 12, 2014

On May 27, 2014 and amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 179,027 model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (EPAS), including 82,328 MY 2011 Explorersthat are the subject of PE12-017.Ford has assigned the recall number 14S06.the federal safety agency recall number is 14V‑286.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Sudden loss of power steering assist while driving can occur in the subject vehicles if the system loses electrical power or whenever the system detects a fault that requires it to enter fail-safe mode, which removes power from the EPAS motor and defaults to manual steering.Ford's DIR indicates that the majority of steering assist failures in the recalled vehicles have been caused by an intermittent electrical connection in the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) that can lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the PSCM for diagnostic trouble codes (DTC).If upon initial inspection a loss of steering assist DTC is present, dealers will replace the steering gear at no charge to the owner and update the PSCM with revised software.Following detection of a motor position sensor signal fault, the revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver that a power steering system fault has been detected and will maintain steering assist for the remainder of that drive cycle.If no DTC is present, dealers will reprogram the PSCM with the revised software. Analysis of information from all sources identified a total of 969 complaints and 4,059 warranty claims related to loss of power steering assist while driving in the MY 2011 through 2012 Explorer vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of 5.4 incidents per thousand vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 2.3 percent.ODI identified 15 crashes with evidence indicating loss of power steering assist may have been a factor.All 15 crashes involved low-speed impacts with roadside objects during turning maneuvers, resulting in minor vehicle damage or no damage.In one incident that occurred in a low-speed curve, the driver attempted to brake in response to the sudden increase in steering effort and inadvertently applied the accelerator pedal instead.This caused the vehicle to run off the side of the road and strike a wooden pole at approximately 15 mph.Another incident occurred when the driver was unable to to negotiate a left-turn at an intersection and ran off the road into a shallow ditch, resulting in moderate front-end damage to the vehicle and minor injuries to the driver that did not require medical treatment. This investigation is closed.All ODI complaints associated with this closing resume are listed in the Attachment 1.

PE12017

What 2013 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Steering · SC

Vehicle exhibits identical dangerous low-speed steering binding and loss of electronic power assist as described in Recall 14S06, but my VIN is excluded due to an arbitrary build date cut-off. Build Date of 08/2012. Recall cut off of 02/2012

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Steering · MI

Power Steering failure extremely hard to turn when in low speeds, recall on other explorers for same year

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Steering · OK

The steering rack limiter on the passenger side dislodged itself and got caught on the rack and pinion teeth causing my wheel to get stuck

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

This is a 2013 Ford Explorer experiencing the exact catastrophic power steering failure described in Recall 14S06 / 15S18. The rack has failed twice, creating an immediate crash hazard. The current recall parameters are inadequate as they exclude my VIN despite identical component failure. Not only is this an immediate crash hazard, it is difficult to find any mechanic or dealership to remedy this problem because it is a major part with heavy labor. I have been sidelined and quoted high repair fees for a repair that should be covered as Ford admitted to the design flaws in the electrical steering, however restricting who actually gets protection from it. I feel this is reckless and greedy of Ford to do this. The failure to the electric steering went out while I was driving and I was unable to turn or control my steering, it is deeply frustrating this is a known issue that I was completely unaware of. I feel that Ford is not a good company to purchase from and their products are not safe for drivers. I'm posting this so others are warned that safety is not a priority with Ford and to shop with a brand that cares about safety and integrity for their consumers and families.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Steering · IL

I was driving and the steering locked. I could not move steering wheel either way. Towed to ford repair… they replaced steering rack. Four times it was replaced..4 times it locked.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Steering · TX

Same issue as in recall 14S06. However, I do not see this recall under my VIN, nor has this vehicle been repaired in the past for this issue. I was hoping that possibly the recall doesn't show up because it was established in 2014. I just want to get it corrected, as the electric power steering is disabled.

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Steering · WA

I was driving at about 25 mph when the steering completely locked upon me going around a corner. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to it locking up. If another car would have been in the other lane I would have crashed. I would have been unable to avoid wrecking into anyone or anything that was in the way because I had zero control of my steering. There was nothing I could do to turn. It has not been inspected.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · MI

After getting my vehicle from the dealership my steering wheel was hard to turn , took it in and they replaced the struts (The old struts were binding). 6/7 Days later the same thing happened with the steering wheel. They had said it was a switch in the power steering and there was a safety recall and i would have to take it into a ford dealership. When i had called to make my appointment there wasn’t a recall and i called the ford company and they said the same thing.

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 Jun 11, 2026 · Steering · FL

Power steering message popped up on dash in a flash and disappeared while I was driving. Same message popped up a couple miles down (I pulled into a parking lot to check message.) Steering wheel locked and left me stranded in need of a tow truck to move car to mechanic and get home. Message pops up and disappears quickly not leaving much time to read or react.

Questions about the 2013 Ford Explorer steering

Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have steering problems?

Owners have filed 837 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 37% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford Explorer steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Explorer steering?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V286000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have bad steering?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (837 complaints), 2011 (743 complaints) and 2016 (532 complaints).