2015 Ford Explorer: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Steering · 99,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving into a parking lot at approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed after the failure. The contact was able to continue driving and pulled into a parking space, where the vehicle remained overnight. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repair. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · OH

Intermittent locking of steering wheel while driving for about 8 months. Now it has complete loss of power steering. [XXX] says service advance trac and complete steering loss pull over safely. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · VA

While driving, the traction control failed, which caused the vehicle to no longer accelerate. Had to safely pull over and restart the vehicle, which reset the traction control warnings. But it happened again the next day. Losing power while driving is dangerous and scary.

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Steering · VA

Total loss of Power Steering ! Warning light display: "Steering Assist Fault", "Service AdvanceTrac", turn signals unable to lock and release. Hard Fault codes present: U3000 96-C8, C200D, 49-48 C1B00, 64-48. This problem started somewhere in the last quarter of 2025, it started with intermittent and sudden loss of power steering, while driving, which is very much a safety issue, especially when my wife does not have a lot of strength in her arms while trying to maneuver a vehicle with manual steering only. It has happened to me as well. It used to be that when you get to a save pull over point, shut vehicle off and do a restart, it would reset back to normal operation, most of the time, until it would go into fault mode again. As of about XXX, 3 weeks now, the (EPAS) steering, has been in permanent fault or fail mode and will not reset. With all my research on this, I can't believe Ford has not extended model year and or VIN's, from the previous recalls on this very same issue that the Explorer has. Again, based on research, it appears the complete steering rack would need replacing. That is a very very expense repair, that is just not in our budget. So we still drive it, because we have to, I try to drive it mostly other than my wife, but it is still a bit scary. We have had this vehicle since new, it now has 112000 miles. Thank you for reading and accepting my compliant on this issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Steering · 139,160 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Failure -Service Immediately" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side road. The contact was able to drive to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 139,160.

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Steering · WA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver before the steering wheel seized. The contact stated the message 'Steering Wheel Default" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to pull over to the side. The contact turned the vehicle off and after a few minutes, the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle functioned normally for the rest of the drive. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to costs. The failure was progressively worsening, and the vehicle was no longer being driven. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000(STEERING). However, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Steering · 92,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his mother was driving and stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel before the steering wheel seized. After several attempts, the vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to Jamie Tires; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while her sister was driving the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Steering · CO

Loss of power steering assist

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Steering · 149,466 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after having the tires replaced, while in reverse or while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was losing power steering functionality. The failure had become a persistent failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,466.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Steering · 150,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel before the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle functioned normally. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Steering · 34,971 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 - 35 MPH, the steering suddenly seized. The contact had to use an excessive amount of strength to maneuver the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle and waited for a while before restarting the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering regained proper functionality and the contact drove to the destination; however, once arriving at the destination, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message “Steering Fault - Contact the Dealer” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion and steering assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact learned of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) that was related to the same failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 34,971.

Filed Feb 19, 2024 · Steering · IN

My steering lost all power and basically froze going straight. I was almost home, within 500 feet and managed to strong arm it into my driveway. I have 2 warning lights on, Service Advance Trac and Service Power steering Now. Something with in the steering system is not right. My safety was not a concern when it happened as I was slowing down to turn into my driveway Looking online, this seems to be a major problem for many people No inspections as yet, since I would need to have it towed someplace I mentions those 2 warnings above.