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.
2013 Ford Explorer: clunking or noise when steering
21 of the 2,239 complaints about the 2013 Ford Explorer describe clunking or noise when steering.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 88,000
- recalls
- 1
Clunking or noise when steering by model year
What owners say
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
No incidents steering makes loud noise
1. Water Pump leaking, Explorer ran hot, needs new water pump and transmission cooling line. 2. Steering suspension has a left and right popping sound, while turning steering wheel. 3. Steering knuckle has play in it while parked and engine is off.
My steering wheel is making squeaking noises when turning the wheel back and forth has not seized up on me yet but I don’t want to get to that point.my suv only has 36,000 miles on it not to happy with Ford right now!
My electric power assist keeps locking my steering wheel, and my steering wheel is making a grinding noise. Since my vehicle was made after there recall dates it will not be covered to fix. Yet it is still having the same problem as the recalled vehicles.
While driving noticed when making a turn at low speed sticky steering wheel and popping noise. Few days later when turning the wheel a grinding noise coming from the steering column. Became worse day by day, louder grinding noise turning the truck left or right driving at low speeds. When the vehicle sit for few days without movement and turn on to go drive it the steering wheel is stuck hard to move at first then when give it a bit of hard twist it breaks loose for driving but loud grinding noise when turning the wheel. It feels and sound as if the rack is bad or something.
I was driving and made a turn and had an issue with my steering . It almost calls me to run up onto a curve. My steering would make a loud noise when I turned it in.. I immediately drove the car home and took it to an auto repair shop the next day or so. It is september the 8th 2020 I took it to the repair shop and they had to repair the steering system.
When turning vehicle the steering is "sticky". Steering makes rubbing and grinding noise when turning wheel. Steering wheel and tires do not return to null position when turning. Have to turn wheel to make turn and then apply pressure to turn wheel back to straight position. This happens when in motion or stationary. First experienced on freeway at 60 MPH. Was able to exit freeway safely.
Car makes bang or clunk sound when turning left.
Transfer case makes a lot of noise I have to replace it. I am electric wreck steering makes a lot of winding noise.
About two months ago the steering was getting tough with little noise like clunking, took the explorer to a ford dealer was told my front struts needed changed. Had that done, did not fix my steering problem. Said my VIN was outside of the recall ford had on the steering rack. Now just yesterday I start my car and my steering wheel is stuck no movement. Turned it off and back on and got movement but no power steering it's a manual. Warning lights came on 1. "service power steering now" 2. "service advance trac". Also noticed my turn signal will not stay engaged must hold in place to signal.
Service bulletins that may apply
- 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration,...
- Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises
- Lincoln/ford: once procedure for heated steering wheel module program completed, heated steering wheel...
- Ford: some vehicles and trucks are experiencing a malfunction with the heated steering wheel becoming...
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- 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
Questions about the 2013 Ford Explorer steering noise
Is clunking or noise when steering a common problem on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
21 of 2,239 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Explorer (1%) mention clunking or noise when steering. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Ford Explorer
Power steering loss 409Fuel smell 207Loss of power 142Steering lock-up 114Engine failure 89Backup camera 62Grinding brakes 45Check engine light 45Door locks 38Stalling 38Jerking 34Water leak 34Overheating 31Fire or smoke 19Headlights 16Ball joint 13Fuel leak 13Harsh shifting 12No deployment 11Fuel pump 11ABS 10Screen failure 10Wipers 10Knocking 9Battery drain 8Hesitation 8Lane assist 8Won't shift 8Shudder 7Pulling 6Brake failure 5Misfire 5Whining noise 5Won't start 5
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