Approximately 68,000 miles. Grinding noise coming from rack when turning wheel left and right at lower speeds and on sharp turns. The wheels do not straighten out or return to center when exiting a turn...driver must manually return the wheel to the middle. I was already aware of the recalls for the 2011-2013 for the malfunctioning power steering gears (or rack and pinion) when I took the vehicle into royal oak ford (royal oak, mi), they deterrmined that the rack needs to be replaced and that ford will not cover the costs for this safety issue. Quoted $1650 for rack and $550 for labor for a total of $2200. They were not also able to disclose what was the actually wrong with the rack, only stated that it needed to be replaced. The rack, p/n: ste633rm, was used in the 2011-2015 ford explorers. The safety recall is only for 2011-2013. I have a 2014 explorer which is not covered in the recall. Parts.ford.com state that this is a remanufactured rack which retails for $1417.09. There is a 2 year warranty included with this price.
2014 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 14 of 18: complaints 371 to 400 of 500, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Turning at a red light my power steering locked up with a warning on the screen stating steering assit service required. I turn the vehicle off and back on and the steering unlocked. Since the car is making a whining nose. I see multiple recalls for this make and model for power steering issues but my VIN number isnt listed.
While driving on the highway the steering was sticking as I moved the wheel left or right. After a period of time the explorer displayed the following message, "steering loss stop safely" and "service advance trac". At this point the vehicle's computer turned off the stability control and turn signals. I was able to reach my destination, but when I tried to drive the vehicle the following day, the computer displayed a message that there was complete steering failure and I could not get the steering wheel to budge. I called for a tow and it went to a ford dealership. The contacted me later in the day and stated that the steering rack completely failed and that it would have to be replaced. The total cost of steering rack amounted to $2173.75. My understanding is that ford has recalled 2011-2013 and 2015-2018 models, but not my model year of 2014.
While driving, noticed that is was more difficult to turn corners. Appontment was not available for a few days to have it looked at, and it was parked while waited for appointment. When I drove it to dealership, there was a grinding noise while turning as well as the difficult turning. Was told the electronic steering gear is defective and needs to be replaced. In doing research, this was recalled on many other explorers but not the 2014 year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the driver was unable to turn the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was towed to gervais ford(5 littleton rd, ayer, ma) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Previously, while making sharp turns, a grinding noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 81,000.
When I started my vehicle (in park) I got a message on the dashboard that said "power steering assist fault". I tried backing out of the parking space and turning and the power steering did not work.
The electrical steering control module went out on my car (63k miles) and has been replaced by the dealer at my cost for $3300. When driving down the road at any speed, worse at freeway speeds, the car started grinding while switching lanes and turning without any fault lights on. It did not feel like a safety issue but was scary as [xxx]. When parked and I would turn the wheel it would make a clunking noise. I got it home and stopped driving it until I could get in to an appointment at the dealer a couple days later. They explained that they had to replace the entire steering rack because the pieces of the rack are not serviceable - 3k after the warranty runs out - how convenient for ford! Then I go digging online and find they have recalled this unit in other explorers and escapes but not the 2014. Bogus! I have never owned a car where the steering went out, but know [xxx] well a new steering pump or mechanicals in a hydraulic system would be $200-$500 max. This youtube video indicates it is likely an engineering flaw in the design and ford won't cover or fess up to their own engineering flaw that creates high heat in the steering mechanics and they have failed to mitigate for effectively - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szhmxwcp9fo. So angry. And I fully expect this problem to recur at my expense again, who knows when because of this engineering flaw. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *js
My husband and I were driving home from myrtle beach and the steering wheel started to become stiff. We pulled over into a hotel parking lot to see what the issue was but couldn't find anything unusual. I proceeded to start the car and the dash read 'steering loss'...'service advance trac'. I had to get towed to ford, which thank god was only 2miles away.. We were told that the power steering had died suddenly and that it just happens sometimes. The total was $1771. I'm sooo disappointed with gord. I've only had the truck for a little over a year and I've only put 23,000 on it since I bought it preowned with 43,000...
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While pulling out of the driveway, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to o. C. Welch ford lincoln (4920 independence blvd, hardeeville, sc 29927, (843) 288-0100). The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer stated the same thing as the dealer and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The contact stated that the dealer ordered the part to repair the power steering. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Takata recall my wife an I took your family out for the weekend an the call was working fine but sunday morning we were going to head to church the car started but the steering wheel was stiff an it was even hard for me to try an turn it .. An we only have had the car for three months now an the dealership said the car was in good condition that the car was fine bc they looked over it .so if I was driving down the road would it stop working an we have new borns
Loss of power assisted steering while driving. Has occurred on numerous occasions. Very difficult to control vehicle safely to pull over to side of road and stop and restart engine to get power steering to work again. Have warnings pop up on dash 'steering assist fault service required'. Filed report with ford cas-21990659.
I recently was driving down the highway at 70mph when my car's steering became out of control. It was like I was fishtailing on ice and the steering was loose. Thankfully I was able to brake and get into a grassy area off the side of the highway. I was able to get off the exit and drive at a slower speed. Thankfully I did not crash but was extremely close to crashing.
I was driving down the highway when I went to switch lanes and noticed my steering was tight and hard to bring back to the center when turning. My vehicle continued to have this issue with steering being tight and then the airbag light came on. I was worried about getting into an accident so I made an appointment to have the vehicle scanned and they said it was the electric power steering. Apparently this is a common problem and actually one that I found out by searching online many people have experienced. The issue was covered under a recall for 2011-2013 models and 2015-2017 model vehicles, but not for the 2014 model.the cost to repair is about $2000
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 40 MPH around a curve, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road and power off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and able to drive, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to first choice ford (located at 1264 dewar dr, rock spring wy 82901, (307) 382-2519) where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 46,291.
On saturday, 6/29/19, I took my car to bob tomes ford in mckinney, tx, to have recall 19s17 work done as I feel I have limited control of my car due to this suspension toe link/steering issue. I was told ford sent the wrong parts and that I would have to wait a couple weeks for the correct parts to come in. I don't know if this is true. All I know is, I have complained to ford multiple times and was very glad to hear about this recall. Now I have to wait even longer? This is the same recall from 2016. Why can't ford get it right? Should I trade my ford in? I just bought it in march 2019. I told the guy at ford, if I crash my car before they can fix it, I will be taking ford to court. Help
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the eps, traction control, and various other unknown warning indicators illuminated. The contact had to strongly maneuver the vehicle in both directions to prevent a crash. The vehicle was barely coasted off the highway. When the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the various warning indicators still flashed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was diagnosed and repaired. The vehicle was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v286000 (steering) and 14e001000 (steering); although, the vehicle exhibited the same failure. Apple ford shakopee (1624 weston ct, shakopee, mn 55379, (952) 445-2420) was contacted and indicated that the vehicle would need to be scheduled for an appointment the following monday or tuesday for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. *bf consumer stated the rack and pinion steering assist was replaced. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
Steering grabs and pulls my car while driving. Hard to turn steering wheel. No lights or messages appear. Contacted dealership due to them fixing the rear suspension toe links. They advised it has no effect on the steering of my SUV. I was driving 45-50 miles MPH on hwy 72 fredericktown mo trieing to slow down to turn left.
Vehicle steering assist malfunction light came on and I lost all steering capabilities. I am a 220 pound man that had to struggle to get the vehicle to the side of the road. The steering wheel literally locked in the position it was in. My wife complained about this problem earlier in the day. Thank god she was able to pull to the side of the road. Steering assist malfunction light appeared and just as quick as this light came on, we lost all steering. Extremely dangerous condition!!! I have parked the SUV in the garage and have not used it since. Ford acknowledges this problem in the 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 vehicles. It's obviously an issue from 2011-2017. Why was 2014 excluded from this recall?
On april 10, 2019 we were pulling out of my drive way to leave my house and noticed a grinding sound coming from the front end, it was very loud. We took it to a reputable mechanic company local to do a diagnostic the sound. This company is ase-certified. After reviewing my explorer they stated that the rack and pinion was bad and it needed to be replaced asap due to this being a major safety issue and we shouldn't wait to get it replaced. $1998.21 later we received the car back the next day fixed. I had called ford and explained to them that this was a saftey issue and we had read on line that the previous years have been recalled. They told me that my year doesnt have a recall and stated I could write a letter and that was all I could do. I also asked if anyone would follow up with me and ford couldnt answer my questions. We just received another recall notice for the toe link. So that car is going back to the dealer for that work. This is recall number 4 that I have had to take the car back to the dealership for.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel would sporadically tighten and the "steering assist fault" and "check charging system" indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic referred the contact to brandon ford (9090 e adamo dr, tampa, fl 33619, (813) 246-3673) where it was diagnosed that a new alternator was needed. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The mechanic replaced the alternator. The failure recurred and the contact called the dealer who informed her that the alternator should have been replaced with one from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired again. The contact was concerned that the dealer was recommending a higher repair bill. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Power steering failure while in motion on interstate
Started with hearing groaning/grinding noise when turning. I experienced a loss of power steering after a few days later while driving on city streets around 35 MPH. Received the warning lights "loss of steering" and "service advancetrac". There are so many rack and pinon failures in late model explorers. They should be recalled!!
While driving down a major highway with my family and with no warning the power steering went out along with a notification saying, "steering loss stop safely" and "service advance trac". Had my girlfriend been driving we probably all would have been killed by a semi coming through the curve as I was struggling to steer the vehicle and keep it in our lane as there was no place to pull to the side of the road. I finally managed to stop the vehicle and pull to the side of the road after struggling through the curve. I called a friend to pick up my family and manage to get the vehicle back home driving very slow struggling with the steering with hazard lights on. After a little research I found there were recalls for the same issue on 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 ford explorer 's but not the 2014! Even though 1000's have reported the same issue with the 2014. This is ridiculous its almost as if people have to get killed before they do something about about this.
Timing chain and cam phasers causing vehicle to excel erase and stop with no control. Power steering going in and out while driving.
I was driving down the highway at approximately 65mph when I went to switch lanes and noticed my steering was tight and hard to turn toward the left. My vehicle then continued to have this issue with steering being tight to the point I was worried about getting into an accident. I stopped driving my car and made an appointment with ford dealership. This is a common problem and actually one that I found out my sister had with her 2012 explorer with the steering assembly or column. Her same exact issue though was covered under a recall and mine is not.
Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn. The "failure on full electric steering control" and "safely park the vehicle" messages were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an electric power steering loss and wanted to know if that could have been attributed to the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v245000 (suspension). The vehicle was towed to priority ford (located at 7520 n military hwy, norfolk, va 23518, (757) 419-2500), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the "power steering out pull over" warning message appeared. The vehicle was taken to mclaughlin ford (950 n main st, sumter, sc 29150, (888) 471-4257) where an alignment was performed and the computer was reset. After the repairs, the failure recurred and the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to j.c. Lewis ford (9505 abercorn st, savannah, ga 31406, (912) 210-5690) where the alternator and battery were replaced, but the failure still occurred. The vehicle was taken to multiple unknown dealers, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 113,738.
I was driving when all of a sudden the steering wheel became hard to maneuver.. It gets really stiff and hard to control. Once it sticks to a specific path it wants to go in that directation and I lose control of managing the direction of the ford explorer 2014 xlt.
I had stopped to get gas and once I returned to the car and put it in gear it made a horrible sound and the steering went out and I could hardly move the wheel. Turned the car back off and waited a few minutes, turned it back on and still no power steering. Luckily for me my husband was still in town and he had to come and drive the car to the dealer since I could not turn it at all to even move it away from the gas pump. The repair bill was $1,800 for something that should not be going out on a less that 5 year old vehicle that cost close to $30,000! I just feel blessed that my daughter and I were not actually driving down the road when it went out like others have complained about.
Bought this car from a dealership was told car was in great shape. Less than a week later steering started locking up and was hard to turn, the following day almost wrecked when vehicle stayed turning left when merging on the highway. We turned around and drove home and on every turn the steering was very hard had 2 near misses .I'm just glad my teenage driver wasn't behind the wheel. We haven't driven our car since and am very disappointed that we are to nervous to let it be driven .
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