2015 Ford Explorer: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Jul 24, 2024 · Steering · NM

I had just pulled out of my driveway when I heard a "clunk" and the power steering seized up. Dash lights indicated "Steering Asist Fault Service Required" and "Service Advance Trac". I had to drive around the block (pulling very hard on steering wheel) to get it back in my driveway. It was frightening not having full control of the car. There is a Recall for Ford Explorer Steering Issues (the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 and the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN# 21V537000) "Cross axis ball joint to seize" but my VIN is not in the recall but should be. This is a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE that needs to be addressed by Ford Manufacturing.

Filed Jan 24, 2024 · Steering · CA

The electric power steering shuts off at random times. The power steering goes out and the steering may lock according to the Sonora Ford Dealership. The dealership said that the car is not safe to drive without the steering rack replaced. The dealership also noticed a clunk in the steering rack when turned lock to lock. When the steering turns off a red warning signal appears on the dash with a Battery symbol and a message to check charging system.

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · Steering · NY

the steering makes a loud pop noise when turning sometimes locks up

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Steering · OH

This has been an intermittent issue for approximately a year. The vehicle experiences binding popping when turning. The steering sticks and takes a second to return to function. I have almost missed curves because of the malfunction. It has not been examined by a dealership, but by a few independent mechanics. Sometimes it cannot be duplicated and in other instances it happens so quickly the tech cannot assess the issue properly. I have not had any warning lights or alerts other than the activity. I am scared to drive my vehicle especially with my kids inside. I have read several forums and this is clearly an issue that Ford is aware of, but has chosen to do nothing about. Please help.

Filed Jun 12, 2021 · Steering · KY

In July 2020, after car had sat mostly unused from March 2020 to June 2020 due to the pandemic lockdown, steering binded up while turning left out of a parking lot at a slow speed. Had to yank the steering wheel to get it to return to normal steering. Made a popping sound when yanked. Didn’t happen again but in September 2020 started noticing a lot of popping when the wheel would turn left or right at slow speeds. Took car to Meineke. They diagnosed need for new front struts. These were replaced at a cost of $1000. Popping stopped until about November 2020. Noticed it again only intermittently when pulling out of driveway and turning steering wheel far left or right. Would hear a single pop sound. From then until June 2021 would notice this intermittently and had steering bind up again probably 2 more times. Very terrifying to have to yank hard to get steering wheel to turn correctly when driving in traffic. Steering did seem a little loose as well. After reading about the hundreds of complaints about rack and pinions going bad on 2014-2016 explorers and seeing that my car’s symptoms were exactly the same I knew this had to be the issue. I took the car to Meineke and they wanted $3600 to replace the rack and pinion which was way too much. Ford dealer at Oxmoor replaced for $1988. The car had 103,000 miles when the problems started. It had a certified preowned warranty through 100,000 miles so of course this wasn’t covered but a rack and pinion should not fail in a 6 year old car with barely over 100K miles. And having steering that doesn’t work is extremely dangerous. Ford needs to step up and take responsibility for this failure and do a recall in ALL explorers that are having this issue and replace the rack and pinions and reimburse those that have had to pay out of pocket for it. My father worked for Ford and I’ve been loyal to this brand but after spending over $3000 on a car in a matter of 6 months that is barely 6 yrs old, I’m done with Ford.

Filed May 26, 2021 · Body · AR

At 89,000 miles I was going 65 mph headed home when my window pillar flew off just so happen the vehicle behind us didn’t get affected by it. I am reaching out because there should be a recall on this. This is unacceptable for you to even pay for something with a part that will come off. Reach 100,000 popping noise when turning. What’s the issue Ford.

Filed Apr 15, 2021 · Steering · WI

Rack and pinion steering has gone bad. Clicking sound when turning and steering unstable. Feels very unsafe at any speed.

Filed Mar 31, 2021 · Steering · 58,500 miles · MI

On 03/31/2021 I took my 2015 explorer in for an alignment after I replaced the two front struts due to a loud intermittent popping noise when steering the vehicle left and right at low speed. The popping noise has existed since I purchased the car a month ago. The car was aligned at bill brown ford, and I had them inspect the vehicle to find the sound. The young technician was not able to identify the sound, and said to bring the vehicle back if it continues. Well, I just got home and the steering still clunks. After doing extensive research and the dealership confirming that it isn't the front struts, I am concerned that the steering rack is going bad in my car. At 58k miles I should not have this problem and I am concerned for my safety. What happens if it goes out on the freeway??? I could get killed and cause an accident. Wake up ford!!! This is your responsibility and you people are putting loyal customers in harm's way. Unreal.

Filed Mar 26, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · 114,000 miles · OH

No power steering and a loud popping sound when ever I turned the steering wheel to the right. Just had the front suspension lower control arms replaced at mileage of 112477. The faulty steering warning light came on and it appears this is a problem ford has had since 2011 on the ford explorer. I have read on the internet this is not an unusual problem with the 2015 ford explorer, so why has this issue not been required to be included in recall order?? I almost hit another car on a wet rainy night and I was going straight. Lack of steering control when driving 65 MPH is a deadly event. Will contact dealer that serviced the front suspension to hear their side of the story.

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · Steering · 90,000 miles · NC

Suddenly, while backing out of a parking spot we noticed a loud popping sound while turning towards the right. On the drive home it popped every time we turned right. After taking it to our main mechanic, he informed us about a steering gear / rack and pinion problem. My vehicle has 90,000. I drive it maybe 80 miles a week. It doesn't make any sense for it to be having this extent of a problem from 'wear and tear' upon my own research I found hundreds of people with the exact issue with the rack and pinion. Also leaving them dumbfounded as to their ford explorer having <110,000mi with a steering gear issue that averages a cost of $2500. This is absolutely a dangerous ford problem that needs to be recalled and resolved immediately.

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 37,000 miles · AL

Popping/knocking noise when turning at low speed, gradually get getting more severe over time. In addition there have been instances where the car has not turned as the steering wheel is moved. Ford garage has diagnosed this as a steering rack and pinion unit problem. With on 40k unacceptable early failure of this component with a $3,000 repair cost.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Steering · 77,000 miles · PA

Popping/knocking noise when turning at low speed, gradually get getting more severe over time. In addition there have been instances where the car has not turned as the steering wheel is moved. Ford garage has diagnosed this as a steering rack and pinion unit problem. With on 77k this seems to be an unacceptable early failure of this component.