Ford announced a power steering assist fault recall on certain 2011-2013 ford explorer vehicles. My 2013 had the steering assist fault go out while driving to work and when searching under my VIN, no recall... Took it to the dealer for them to tell me they've never heard of such recall and that it's going to cost $2,200 to fix. I'm afraid to drive the vehicle considering the issue and it blows my mind that the same exact issue can occur on a vehicle that has a recall issued and my particular vehicle doesn't apply.
2013 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 23 of 29: complaints 641 to 670 of 837, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel was unable to turn in either direction. The dealer (fairway ford, 1350 e yorba linda blvd, placentia, ca 92870, (877) 476-8261) was unable to duplicate the failure or produce a diagnostic trouble code. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failure related to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Loss of power steering both when in moton on a street (twice)and when first turning on ignition in driveway. Occured three times in one week.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While the contact's wife was driving 5 MPH, the steering seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: cas15367203. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. *tt updated 12/18/18
Driving vehicle steering wheel started making scratching noise when turning wheel. Every time wheel is turned either right or left it makes same noise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving highway speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to control. The contact stated that all power steering ability was lost. The driver was able to control the steering wheel with force and coasted the vehicle to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to crossroads ford (2333 walnut street, cary, north carolina, 27518, (919) 335-4612) where it was diagnosed that the steering assembly gear (part number: db5v3504ne) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost steering ability and the power steering assist indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,700.
I was driving one day in 8/2018 and I began hearing this clicking sound and then my steering wheel became hard to turn if I was at a low rate or speed. I tried backing out of my drive way and my steering wheel just locked. I was able to get the dealership to have a diagnostic done that cost $130.00 to be told that my car need a power steering rack and my estimate was for $2500.00. My total came to $2424.05 after I also need a battery. The cost for this part is crazy $1564.92. This problem shows that they recalled it before and now they don't want to acknowledge it for my car. It a 2013 ford explorer and I have seen several complaits with the exact same issue.
Had problems with power steering not working over several years (very intermittent, maybe 1-2 times/yr). Restarting the vehicle typically fixed the problem. Power steering went out again permanently at 125k miles (after going out twice the day before). This problem only occurred on vehicle startup (ie. Never happened while the vehicle was in motion). Saw issues with other ford explorers having the same issue; however, my particular vehicle was not covered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 10 MPH, the power steering seized intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the control module was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Loss of power steering. While driving on the highway the service power steering and traction control lights came on at the same time. The steering wheel locked up and manual steering was not possible. The car had to be towed to the dealership. I believe this should fall under the power steering recall.
I started the vehicle, put it in reverse, I did not move the vehicle only engaged the transmission to reverse at that time a chime went off and the vehicle notified me that there was a power steering assist default.I turned off the vehicle. Went inside to look on internet to see possibly what the problem was. There is a recall from ford for this exact problem, however my vehicles VIN number does not match the recalled vehicles sunrise ford fort pierce fl stated they probably could not find the error until it happens again. I can only hope that this does not happen while I am driving
I was driving on a toll road, started to notice my steering wheel becoming tight, my service power steering assist light came on. I proceeded to exit and when I turned my wheel locked up and my vehicle shut down and had to be towed to ford service center. I was unable to turn the steering wheel it was locked up. I am waiting for diagnostic but dealer hs already stated my VIN is not covered under the steering column recall. Contrary tonwait you have posted in this site my year make model has been recalled. Please advise my care is at 66000 miles and this is a know defect . Something needs to be done with a the reports and complaints about the same thing coming into your web site .
While driving down the road on the highway and my warning lights came on saying "service power steering now" I lost complete control of the power steering and it became very difficult to control. I was told by ford that there was a recall for these cars with the same exact issue but my car was 3 months outside of the recall dates
I was driving my wife's vehicle when the power steering stopped working. I was driving on a 45 MPH road headed towards the thruway. Luckily I had time to avoid the on-ramp and pull into a parking lot. Called my local mechanic and had to drive 15 min so he could scan for codes, it was a long list. He cleared them and I drove it home,it seemed ok. My 2013 explorer is not on the recall list at this time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving and making turns, the steering wheel seized and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The driver powered off the engine, restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive normally. The contact stated that the failure recurred numerous times. The contact called sam pack's five star ford carrollton at (972) 242-6415 (located at 1635 s interstate 35e, carrollton, tx 75006) where an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
While driving at highway speed, the vehicle lost power steering control resulting in having to manually steer the vehicle. Warning lights for service power steering now, service advance trac, service stability control all came on at the same time. Vehicle was taken to a ford dealer, diagnosed as epas steering rack as it is an integrated system. Was informed the vehicle was not covered under a recall which results in a $2000 repair, replacing the defective part with the same part that is subject to faure again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While the vehicle was in reverse, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (bo beuckman quality ford, 15675 manchester rd, ellisville, mo 63011, (800) 401-6441) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 99,509.
Takata recall my name is [xxx], I own a 2013 ford explorer. The power steering assist light showed up on the message board resulting in loss of power steering. I researched recalls and found there was a problem with this in 2011- 2013. I took it to dealer and they wouldn't fix it free of charge under recall. My complaint is if ford knew there was a problem with this then why weren't they all fixed. I brought mine used and was unaware of a recall. There was and still is a problem with these vehicles apparently. Eventually someone is going to be seriously hurt when this happens. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc
Takata recall. My car started making an awful growling sound. Shortly after, I was having trouble steering. It doesn't turn well. My mechanic told me that my steering rack needs to be replaced. I have done a lot of research and was told this was a common problem for this vehicle. The cost is around $1700 to be replaced by ford. I am also still making payments on my vehicle. This has been recalled in other explorers, would why not all?
My power steering went out . Luckily I was in a parking lot. Otherwise it could have been trajic.
I purchased this vehicle new from the ford dealer in 2013. First issue, front edge of hood the paint has been bubbling and coming off. Rust is underneath. Ford refused to do anything about it. Second issue and most important, we have been losing the power steering function while driving, this has caused erratic steering as the electric power steering seems to turn on and off. The steering will bind and when you try to control the vehicle and over compensate and the electric steering re-engages, I'm all over the road. My vehicle was not part of the recall and ford refuses to do anything about the issue other than fix it for $1900-$2300.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and made an abnormal grinding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The contact called a local dealer (auffenberg ford o'fallon, 115 regency park, o'fallon, il 62269, (618) 632-0090), but the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized without warning. Prior to the failure, the steering wheel seized on other occasions. The vehicle was towed to packey webb ford (1815 ogden ave, downers grove, il 60515, (630) 598-4700) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number 14v286000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,754.
While vehicle was in motion (parking), error power steering assist fault and service advancetrac error illuminated on the dashboard. No longer able to steer car, the car did not default into manual steering mode. The car will only go straight. The car was towed to the dealer. The dealer reported that the module in the steering gear lost communication and that the entire steering gear needs to be replaced as a result. The federal safety agency issued recall id #14v286000 on some ford explorer vehicles for some steering gear failures, however the ford dealer states that my vehicle was not included in that recall in their oasis system.
While driving on the highway at 70 MPH the warning lights came on and the power steering failed, causing the driver to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. We limped the vehicle to the nearest exit. We are being told by the ford dealership that this is a "common occurrence" however, our VIN is not part of any recall "yet". This was a very dangerous situation and to now know that it is a known issue that ford is not addressing is even more upsetting. We are now needing to tow the vehicle several miles home and attempting to have it repaired during a holiday week. Vacation has been cancelled, but thank goodness we are still alive. Way to go ford....
Electric power steering failure. While drive the power steering failed and was almost impossible to control.I was driving 45 miles per hour when my steering wheel locked up causing me to steer off the road.the manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist.
My 2013 ford explorer lost the power steering as I was driving down the interstate. The steering started feeling inconsistent and then the warning light to service power steering came on along with traction control warning. I took it to the ford dealership after talking to ford customer service. This is what they recommended. The dealership said my vehicle is not part of the recall and that I would have to pay almost 1900.00 to have the power steering fixed in my explorer. This seems insane to me since there have been so many complaints of the same thing happening to so many ford explorers and escapes. I feel that my explorer also was given a faulty part and should be replaced by ford at no charge to me.
My vehicle (2013 ford explorer) lost it's power steering, which based on the owner's manual is electric power steering and does not have a mechanical unit with fluid. I did some research online and a recall of 1.1 million vehicles for power steering units exists which includes the same make model and year as my vehicle. I brought my vehicle to my dealership and they informed me that although there is a recall on the same make model and year as my vehicle, that my vehicle is not included in the recall. I was charged $223 for a diagnostic for the dealership to tell me that the power steering unit needs to be replaced at a cost of $1600. After doing more research online, I have found that there are many people with the same vehicle and problem. I feel like any vehicle of the same make, model and year as those that were recalled for power steering should be included in the recall if there is a problem with the power steering. In addition, I found through my research that the recommended $1600 repair does not guarantee that the same problem will not happen again. I currently have a loan on my vehicle and I'm not sure I'm interested in paying for such a repair that I believe should be covered by ford, since there was a recall issued for the same problem on vehicles of the same make, model and year. I also feel like the dealer which I brought the vehicle to for the diagnostic overcharged me for the diagnostic when they knew what the problem was in the first place. In the recall notice that I read it states that "loss of power steering is a safety hazard and since it is harder to steer at lower speeds there is an increased chance of getting in an accident". I feel like such a safety concern should be covered by the dealership since it is occurring with so many vehicles and there is a recall for the same problem which includes vehicles of the same make, model and year.
I bought the 2013 ford explorer in may 2013. I experienced my first power steering loss about 6 months back. Almost wrecked it with family in my car. It was pretty scary. I turned the car off and back on and it started working again. When I took the explorer to ford for an oil change I mentioned the issue with them and they said nothing was wrong, I even called for to let them know the issue but did nothing. Also, keep in my mind I was still under warranty. My power steering would continue to go off and on every now and then but on may 2018 this power loss repeated several times and I was out of warranty and they wanted to charge over $2600 to fix it. There was a recall for this exact same issue for 2013 explorers but ford said my VIN number was not part of the recall I called ford to see what they can do and they would not do anything because I was out of warranty nor did they care . I know there was a recall on power steering before but they said my explorer was not part of it.
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