2014 Ford Explorer: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering · NY

My 2014 Ford Explorer experienced a serious electric power steering failure. While driving, the vehicle displayed “Power Steering Assist Fault” and the steering became extremely difficult to turn due to loss of steering assistance. I was driving with my child in the vehicle when this occurred. I believe this created a potentially life-threatening situation. If I had needed to make an emergency maneuver or avoid another vehicle or obstacle, I may not have been able to control the vehicle normally. I could have been killed and my child could have been seriously injured or killed. The Power Steering Control Module was scanned and produced these DTCs: U3000-96 – Control Module: Component Internal Failure; U2011-49 – Motor: Internal Electronic Failure; U3000-49 – Control Module: Internal Electronic Failure. I replaced the battery with a brand-new battery and replaced a corroded EPAS fuse, but the steering remained extremely difficult and the problem continued. The vehicle is currently at Howell Ford in [XXX]. I have been given an estimated repair cost of approximately $2,700 plus tax. The repair has not yet been authorized. I previously contacted the federal safety agency and received Request #XXX, concerning “2014 Explorer Electric Power Steering Failure / Matching EPAS DTCs.” I am concerned this may be a safety-related defect and may be related to electric power steering failures reported on other Ford Explorer model years. I am requesting that the federal safety agency compare my vehicle, symptoms, and DTCs with other Ford Explorer EPAS complaints, investigations, recalls, and manufacturer information and determine whether the 2014 Explorer requires further safety review. I can provide the VIN, diagnostic scan, photographs, dealership information, and repair estimate. This was an actual loss of steering assistance, not merely a warning light, and occurred while I had my child in the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TN · fire

Sudden and complete loss of power steering assist while vehicle was in operation. Vehicle became extremely difficult to steer, creating safety hazard for driver and child passenger. Inspection revealed 150A EPAS Mega Fuse, Part #L0114875AA, was melted due to electrical short in Power Steering Control Module. This is identical to the defect described in the federal safety agency Safety Recall 14V316000 / Ford 14S06. Fire risk confirmed by melted/burned fuse condition. Photos of failed component attached. Component is available for inspection. Ford Customer Service denied assistance under Recall 14S06 on 07/10/2026, claiming vehicle was not covered despite physical evidence of the exact defect described in the recall. Vehicle manufacture date is 06/2014. Ford Technical Service Bulletin 15-0082 acknowledges some 2014 vehicles may still have defective modules installed. Vehicle is currently inoperable. Owner has dependent child with medical therapy appointments requiring reliable transportation. Current mileage approximate as vehicle cannot be driven. Request immediate the federal safety agency investigation and enforcement under federal safety law 49 USC 30120.

Filed Jan 24, 2026 · Steering · TX

Power Steering stopped working. Error messages shown are "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service AdvanceTrac"

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Steering · GA

Loss of steering. Driving down the road the my completely locks up while in drive. Was told it was faulty rack and pinions.

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Steering · FL

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Electronic Steering Gear failed causing the steering to "stick" at certain points of steering, and causing a loud rubbing noise. The steering is also more "loose" and feels insecure. Yes it is available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure of the electronic steering gear can cause unexpected failure of steering ability while operating the vehicle. This could cause a severe accident going any speed, but especially if I were on the highway. A crash due to loss of steering ability could kill me, my family, and others on the road. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, my local Ford dealership has confirmed the issue and stated that they won't repair it because it isn't part of any open recall, even though there was a major recall (14S06/the federal safety agency 14V‑286) opened for the prior model year of my vehicle. Ford should have included 2014 in that recall since the issues persists in 2014 models and is evident by the other 200+ Technical Service Bulletins posted by Ford. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It's been inspected by my local Ford dealership. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps or messages. I noticed the issue after picking the vehicle up from the Ford dealership. They didn't notice the issue until I reported it to them, meaning they missed it during their maintenance inspections and check-up. I noticed the issue on September 21, 2025.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Steering · 131,590 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the power steering assist feature was disabled, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The messages "Service Advance-trac" and "Steering Loss - Stop Safely" were displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,590.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Steering · FL

electric power steering failure while driving

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Steering · 129,000 miles · WA

The contact’s daughter owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving on the highway at 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the power steering assist was disabled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the power steering assist feature was still inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, 2 years later the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle regained power steering functionality and the warning lights turned off; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Steering · 180,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering became difficult to turn. The message “Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that an unknown part had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Steering · MT

Power Steering Failure Approximate date

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Steering · 106,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was lost power steering functionality. The message "Steering Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electric power steering gearbox had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance could not be provided because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · VA

I was driving my explorer in a residential area when my power steering assist went out, causing me to not be able to control the steering wheel. I had 3 passengers in the vehicle at the time. I came close to crashing into a ditch but was able to stop the vehicle. It terrified me and my passengers. I struggled to steer it to a restaurant parking lot. After my power steering stopped working, and alarm went off on the dash and said "steering assist fault" needs serviced. I had the explorer towed to AschenBach Ford in Wytheville, Virginia. The Ford service department said that the bar and all electrical steering needs replaced. There was a recall for some 2014 Ford Explorers with this same problem but my VIN is not apart of those recalls and I feel it should have been because that's what happened to my vehicle. It's recalls 14S06/14V‑286.