2013 Ford Explorer: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Steering · 150,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and coming to a stop at a red traffic light, the messages "Power Steering Failure" and "Service Advancetrac" were displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence; however, the steering wheel was jerking slightly from left to right while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable while reversing. The vehicle was not 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 150,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · Engine, Steering · CA

The power steering system has an intermittent electric connection and the steering wheel will jerk in opposite directions. There is a recall for the issue with similar year ford explorers but for has told me to contact the federal safety agency to see if this vehicle can be added to the list for the same issues. Also I am not able to smog it due to bad catalytic converters.

Filed Jun 23, 2023 · Suspension · 142,000 miles · OH

The rear subframe fractured while driving nearly causing a wreck. The rear of the vehicle jerked violently to the right. If this had been on the highway I believe it would have cost the car to spin out. At the dealership it was found that the rear subframe was rusted out where the recalled to link attached. I tried to get part from the dealership but they said it was already disposed of i do have several pictures of the rusted frame. There were no symptoms until it broke.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Fuel system, Suspension · OK

This winter I began starting my vehicle and letting it warm up before driving it. After letting it run approximately 10 to 15 minutes, I opened my door and to get in and there was a very strong exhaust smell inside. I would have to roll my windows down to clear the cabin of the fumes. This happened every single time I would let it sit and warm up. There is also something happening with what I believe is my drive-train. There is a lot of different noises (squealing/whining, grinding (metal to metal), clanking and thumping) when I give it gas after sitting at a light. As soon as I step on the gas pedal it makes all the above noises and jerks, then acts like it doesn't want to go. It finally kicks in then goes. Once it kicks in, it drives just fine. The noise sounds like its coming from the undercarriage and sometimes the rear end. I am not driving the vehicle now, it is parked in my driveway, so I am currently without transportation. There is also a very loud popping noise coming from the front end. I was told this could be ball joints or possibly stabilizers.

Filed Jul 10, 2022 · Steering · WI

After picking up the vehicle from an oil change from the Ford dealer, the power steering functionality has changed. Upon entering the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the steering felt like it locked up. But with enough force the resistance can be overcome and the wheel will turn, but in jerking motions. It takes a strong effort, but will make an approx 60-90 degree advance/rotation of the steering wheel, then another effort to continue the turn, advancing about a quarter turn each time. Vehicle now feels unsafe to drive and am concerned it will sieze completely while driving due to a known recall that exists for this exact issue, the federal safety agency recall ID 14V286000, but the VIN falls just outside the recall range.

Filed Jun 3, 2022 · Steering · 165,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and started jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle however, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. However, upon pulling into his driveway, the steering wheel seized. The contact restarted the vehicle the following day and the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired with a new power steering unit at an independent automotive shop in late July 2022 at the owner's expense.

Filed Apr 11, 2022 · Steering · IN

Power steering failing. When turning makes loud grinding noise and gets stuck in one position and has to be jerked back to get out of a turn.

Filed Nov 1, 2021 · Steering · 188,000 miles · NM · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering assist before the driver lost control of the vehicle. The traction control warning light was illuminated along with the service power steering message displayed. The driver sustained injuries to her arm however, no medical attention was provided. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Steering · SC

While shifting my Explorer (which I had just purchased used 3 days prior) from Reverse into Drive after backing out of a driveway, a prompt appeared on the left side of dash instrument panel saying ‘Power Steering Assist Fault,’ and then the power steering failed completely. After struggling to steer the car off the road, I parked and turned the ignition off and back on again and the problem went away (power steering resumed as normal). Then, after backing up again, the same thing happened in the same sequence. Again, I parked, turned the car off and on again and once again, the power steering worked. After this happened twice (in about 15 minutes), the next time I started the car, the power steering assist fault prompt came up again and the power steering never resumed working. I was about an hour away from my home and had to drive the car on the interstate and back home with no power steering and a traction management issue as well (steering became very jerky while adjusting wheel left or right to stay in lane, causing car to swerve back and forth). I notified my salesperson right away, but since it was Saturday, he said to bring it in first thing Monday. I took the car to the dealership I bought it from the following Monday and it was diagnosed and the part was ordered, but apparently is on a national backorder due to the chip shortage. Other prompts that came up (that never came up before) were ‘Service Advance Trac’ and another about the Terrain Management system. The blinker also stopped working automatically- meaning it would not stay on when engaged all the way. I had to hold it down to keep the blinker on, whereas before, it would stay on by itself if blinker arm was depressed all the way. This became difficult when trying to turn the vehicle with no power steering. The car is currently at Phil Long Ford Motor City dealership in Colorado Springs awaiting the backordered part.

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · Steering · 96,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk back and forth while making turns in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. After test driving the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2020 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · CT

2013 ford explorer limited 4wd 3.5l became undriveable in a matter of 4 days. It started as a squeal as I accelerated from a stop and quickly escalated to lurching, pulsating and bumping at all speeds. Mechanic initially thought it was a caliper that was locked up but when I brought it back 2 days later after the problem persisted and worsened he realized that the transfer case was faulty. He noted that ford is notorious for faulty transfer cases and horrible warranties that end before the parts go. I'm told that my vehicle could lock up at any moment and cause me to not be able to react putting my families safety and those around me in danger. Help please! I'm told this is a common issue and not isolated to my vehicle. Multiple phone calls to ford have me on hold for 15+ minutes with no sound and then phone call ends without the chance to talk to a representative. My vehicle had roughly 94,000 miles at the time. Repair cost was estimated between $3,000 - $5,000.

Filed Dec 26, 2019 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · KS

My car began lurching when I was driving and began leaking oil. When I took it in, I found out the pto needed repaired. The transfer case was filled with metal and covered in metal shards. Mechanic said the car wasn't driveable and would be dangerous to have on the road.