2015 Ford Explorer: loss of power steering

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 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 Dec 12, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · OH

I am filing an official safety complaint regarding my 2015 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5L due to a dangerous and sudden power-steering failure that occurred while I was driving with my children in the vehicle. There were no warning lights, alerts, or symptoms leading up to the failure. The power steering went out instantly and without any indication that something was wrong. The moment it failed, the steering wheel locked up and became extremely difficult to turn, nearly causing multiple accidents. I had children in the car at the time, and this situation created an immediate and severe safety hazard for everyone in my vehicle and on the road. After this happened, I contacted (by phone) Ford directly. Without any inspection, hesitation, or further explanation, I was immediately told that the vehicle “needs a new steering rack and pinion.” The quoted repair cost exceeds $3,000, on a vehicle I am still paying $500 a month for. I have since discovered that there are thousands of other Ford Explorer owners reporting the exact same issue, with the same model years, same sudden failure, and the same required repair. This is clearly not an isolated incident. This pattern strongly indicates a widespread manufacturing or component defect that poses a significant risk of injury or death. I am deeply concerned that Ford has not issued a formal recall for a problem that can cause an immediate loss of steering control at highway speeds and in everyday driving conditions. The number of publicly documented complaints online demonstrates that this is a systemic and dangerous failure that should not be ignored. I am requesting that the federal safety agency fully investigate this issue and require Ford Motor Company to issue a recall for the defective steering rack/power steering system in the 2015 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5L ecoboost w/o park assist, as well as any related model years or trims using the same components. Vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Steering · NV

I was in a parking lot when the electric power steering went out. Couldn’t turn wheel at all

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 Aug 5, 2025 · Engine, Steering · 102,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering assist was inoperable. The failure occurred while the contact’s husband was stopped for fuel. The driver turned on the vehicle and the steering wheel had seized. The engine maintenance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and steering needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired by the dealer. The contact stated that an independent mechanic confirmed that the steering and rack and pinion needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The owner was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2025 · Steering · FL

As I was parking my 2015 Ford Explorer Sport, a warning appeared on the instrument panel stating “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and the steering suddenly became so difficult that I was unable to move the vehicle. Although this has only happened once, I’m very concerned about the possibility of it occurring again—especially while driving on the highway. Losing the ability to steer could put my family’s lives, and the lives of others, in serious danger. I have read numerous customer complaints about this exact issue on the federal safety agency website. It’s time for the manufacturer to issue a recall for these vehicles and fix the problem before someone loses their life due to this defect.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Steering · VA

The power steering assist in my vehicle is becoming progressively worse, I would welcome an inspection. Basically, the power steering assist will vary throughout the sweep of the steering wheel. During a turn or lane change the power steering may feel normal, be non-existent, or alternate between the 2 conditions, often requiring significant force to steer the vehicle (vehicle speed seems to make no difference.) This condition is an obvious safety risk for vehicle occupants or any other vehicles, pedestrians, or property in the vicinity. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or service center - I have gathered from researching various message boards that Ford will disavow the issue and tell me that I will need a new steering rack at a charge of approximately $3,000. No inspection has been done as of yet. No warning lamps or messages have presented as of yet and there are no unusual sounds accompanying the problem. The problem has been going on for approximately 3 weeks.

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