2014 Ford Explorer: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Steering · MA

Power Assist Steering fails and becomes very difficult to turn the steering wheel, requiring much force to initiate a turn and requires just as much force to disengage/return the steering to a straight ahead direction. It cuts out unexpectedly and often. Dealer has examined and says cannot be repaired without replacing the whole steering shaft, gear and rack as well as the tie rods. Vehicle only has about 80,000 miles and steering rack and gears should not wear out this soon.

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Steering · WA

While sitting at a stop light, waiting to turn, the steering wheel went stiff, then I was forced to make the turn without the power steering. it started working again but made a very loud grindy noise. the noise has not gone away. I took it to a shop, and they assesed everything, and stated the power steering rack has a fault code, and that the inner tie rods are loose, along with they can hear the power steering rack motor making a lot of noise. while going down the road the steering wheel shakes, and when making turns the steering wheel sticks and I have to yank the wheel back to unstick it. the vehicle is available to be inspected, at any time. I was almost in an accident multiple times due to the steering sticking and the wild vibration in the wheel. please help

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Suspension · PA

I had the toe link recall performed in 2022. Since that time, I have replaced brakes twice, tires twice (two full sets in less than 50k miles), control arms, sway bars, and bushings. The car will not come into alignment. There is ample evidence all over the internet that the toe link recall has been a failure. There are numerous stories just like mine of secondary suspension issues and burning through tires, especially in the rear, at an alarming rate. To my knowledge Ford has done nothing to correct the issues with the toe link, once and for all. To my knowledge, Ford is not reimbursing owners for the related losses they experience because of the issue with toe links.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · GA

I’m still waiting for the current recall to be corrected. The suspension is worn out. Replaced rear shocks, front struts, lower control arm. This is the worse automobile I’ve ever owned. If possible, I will never buy another ford. The car’s rear back up camera has been replaced and has stopped working again.

Filed Jan 7, 2025 · Steering · NY

Steering sounds like it has a groaning noise, I took it into a shop and they noticed it too while I was getting my transmission rebuilt. They could not figure out what the problem was or where it was coming from but assumed it was from the tie rod boots on one side of the car, but all the research I’ve been doing and all other comments about it have been for the rack and pinion starting to fail. It started happening about a month ago (early December 2024) for me where after sitting overnight the steering didn’t want to turn, that stopped happening, but now while driving the steering locks up and breaks free, and you can hear a groaning noise when turning the wheel both left and right when stationary or at low speeds.

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Driver assistance, Steering · TX

Control arm on Ford 2014 explorer are prone to failure, causing vehicle to lose steering. Control arms rub excessively against brake components, also causing failure to both brakes, ABS, and sensors related to wheel speed. Failure is due to the manufacture. Strong action is need to prevent further road accidents if not addressed.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Steering · GA

I purchased the vehicle in 2017. The car has 175k miles on it now. A few months ago, the vehicle began making a shuddering noise when turning. Recently, the steering became very hard and heavy. When moving the steering wheel, I began to hear a muffled noise as if something was grinding. The next day, the steering became progressively worse and even harder to turn along with the noise becoming louder. The vehicle was towed to a local shop where the issue was identified as the steering rack and pinion failure as well as the front lower control arms being broken. The shop mentioned that the parts are only available at Ford and the estimate would be more than $4,000 to repair. I was advised that other customers have come in for the same issues recently and to call Ford to see if there were any campaigns (recalls) for this vehicle and issue. I called Ford and they mentioned there were no existing or open recalls for the steering rack and pinion. The call agent mentioned that due to the vehicle no longer under Ford's warranty, all expenses would be the responsibility of the owner.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Steering · VA

April 17, '23 traveling down Mountains in WV to VA the STEERING on 2014 Ford Explorer lost PowerSteering VERY difficult control vehicle descending 9 degree grade on 2 lane highway no place to pull over right then. Had to fight the STEERING down the mountain until I was able to pull off in an Emergency stop area. No dash warning lights, under the hood P/S fluid was good all seemed normal, looked under the car no leak. Rack & Pinion Steering system t no signs of damage. Started car turned Steering wheel back/ forth a few times, heard a GRINDING noise each time I turned the wheel, like metal pieces binding. Since It scared the Wheaties out of me I called for a tow. Quote $400.00 to shop. I called my Husband to get a trailer, get this car as I'm not risking going down a mountain, injuring or killing anyone. 2 -1/2 hrs & 135 miles my husband arrives I finally felt safe. We took it to our mechanic he confirmed RACK and PINION Steering component needs replacing. Suggested to check for SAFETY RECALL seen many fail/break MY 2012-2017. Cost $2K/Part $1200. CERTAINLY a SAFETY HAZARD with little to no control over a 4000lb deadly weapon. Driver cannot manipulate 2nd MOST IMPORTANT (BRAKES being #1) FUNCTION - STEERING- whichever direction or get out of harms way. 2014 EXPLORER NHSTA reports of 1171 total complaints, 2 largest complaints: #1 STEERING(loss of steering control) 374 reported; #2 Suspension-86 reported. See the federal safety agency ID#11518075-Suspension 2014 Ford Explorer while driving vehicle made abnormal sounds, vibration, no steering. Dealer replaced Steering Rack & Bushings. the federal safety agency issues 3 Suspension Recalls :Ball Joint Knuckle Campaign# 19V435000 & 20V692000 & 21V537000 = Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture: 1)Toe links may fracture due stress rear suspension. 2)Rear toe link fracture can cause loss of steering control & crash. 3)Fractured rear toe link cause sudden change in handling, crash risk. 86 complaints=3recalls 374 Steering Complaints=0recalls WHY?PLS RECALL

Filed Jan 11, 2023 · Steering · PA

I took my vehicle in for a recall repair for the toe kicks and a noise in the front of my car when I and upon inspection was told that I need a new left front tie rod replaced and a 4 wheel alignment after the job is completed. I came home and parked it , then when I was backing out of my driveway the camera stopped working it was black. I found it strange but thought maybe it has to reboot or something, I accidently hit the park assist button and the light came on see dealer. I called the dealer told them what was happening and they asked that I bring it in. I did and they did a diagnostic saying it was the sensors that need replacing. Fast forward I'm picking up my granddaughter at school and I hear a horrible noise when I turn the steering wheel. My granddaughter asked my why car was making that noise, I said I don't know but that I was not turning music or anything on just in case we need to pull over. I immediately take it to my mechanic on my way home, luckily he's a block away, I dropped it off and walked home. They found that its the Electronic Rack & Pinion Power Steering rack. They said they have seen so many of these with the same problem and that unfortunately the recall falls short of my year Explorer 2014 which should have been included, its not safe to drive and will be an expensive fix . The recall was only for the 2011-2013. This frightened me, because he said they don't have the capability to fix it because once the new rack is installed it needs to be programmed and the dealer is pretty much the only one that can do that. This is a dealer repair only and for my safety he recommended getting this done. It will lock while driving or break and has resulted in many accidents. Ford Motor Company should be held accountable for this ongoing safety issue with their faulty Steering Rack as this goes beyond the 2011-2013 model years. I'm petrified to drive this vehicle after researching this, knowing I'm not alone in this deadly problem with my vehicle.

Filed Feb 16, 2021 · Suspension · 117,550 miles · WI

There was a recall 19s17 on the vehicle. I took vehicle to dealer for this 12-16-2019. They replaced the toe links (part db5z-5a972-j) and reported that the left side toe link ball joint was loose and needed replacement. They would have to reschedule a time to do that. Because the joint was loose, they did not perform the alignment that was supposed to be done after toe link replacement. Driving the vehicle on snow covered roads afterwards revealed that the rear suspension was out of alignment because of very poor handling/wander. The vehicle did not have that problem before the servicing. The dealer should have done a simple alignment that would have put the alignment close enough instead of sending the vehicle out in an unsafe condition. Because of the cost I was quoted, I took the vehicle to an independent auto repair shop for the joint replacement, where it was done much cheaper. I received another recall notice 20v‑675 dated november 2020, on the toe links and returned the vehicle to the dealer on 12-30-2020. They reported that the toe links passed the inspection and they replaced the attaching bolts. On 1-30-2021 I was driving the vehicle in a 70 MPH zone in three lanes of traffic when the left side toe link fractured. The vehicle went wildly out of control, skidding and sliding back and forth until I was able to fight it to a stop. Luckily there was not a collision with nearby traffic. This was 30 days after the toe link was supposed to have been inspected. The vehicle was towed to a ford dealer in the area. The dealer replaced both toe links. I have the broken toe link. Ford has refused to cover any of my expense which included a rental car. My concern is that driving the car now presents a very scary situation. Will a toe link break again and send the vehicle out of control causing an accident?

Filed Nov 7, 2019 · Steering · 75,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the steering control arm; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where the steering module was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2018 · Steering · 71,000 miles · CA

Steering gear and tie rod issue. Tie rods have failed and steering gear is going out. Dealer recommends complete replacement. Diagnosis is that steering will lock up will driving once steering gear completely fails.