The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering wheel had seized due to the electric power steering failure. The contact was informed that the electric power steering and ABS module needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Ford Explorer steering lock-up problems
519 of the 34,647 owner complaints about the Ford Explorer describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 519
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,500
- typical mileage
- 88,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 235Power steering loss 147Loss of power 30Grinding brakes 15Steering noise 12Jerking 12Stalling 8Check engine light 6
Trouble codes mentioned
U3000 4U2011 1P2112 1P2104 1C1B00 1
What owners say
the federal safety agency COMPLAINT: VIN [XXX]: Transmission cooler (Part 7869) ruptured, mixing fluid/coolant into corrosive glycol-acid in violation of SSM 52917. Contamination dissolved wiring insulation and delaminated clutch plates, causing systemic short circuits and CAN-bus load-shedding. Boiling fluid released toxic glycol/hydrocarbon vapors through HVAC ducts into the cabin without notice, creating an inhalation hazard. Vehicle available for inspection at South Bay Ford (BAR #XXX; captive 93 days).RISK: On XXX short circuits caused complete power steering assist dropout mid-transit. Steering locked during a turn, causing a crash into gate posts, endangering my minor children inside. Cabin chemical vapor inhalation caused respiratory tract irritation, dizziness, and headaches. Open recall hazards remain for visibility loss (Recall 26S14) and rollaway (Recall 26S48 parts backordered to 2027).CONFIRMATION: Contamination, a -1,212-mile odometer fraud discrepancy, and bricked electrical starting systems confirmed by dealer records XXX. Admitted unauthorized repairs to mask trouble codes and evade SSM 52917 confirmed in writing by Service Director [XXX] XXX, violating CA Bus & Prof Code 9884.9.HISTORY: Tracked under Ford RAV buyback #XXX, Corporate Escalation #[XXX], and CA Bureau of Automotive Repair Investigator [XXX] (Case #XXX). Total statutory loss is $54,628.75.SYMPTOMS: Transmission drops began XXX (42,319 miles). Dealer cleared codes and coerced 500 extra miles. XXX alerts included "Powertrain Malfunction" loops. Telematics registered false "Vehicle is On" loops. On XXX, dealer blocked diagnostics via a manufactured battery charge demand exactly 24 hours before federal Recall 26S48 launched. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving and the steering locked. I could not move steering wheel either way. Towed to ford repair… they replaced steering rack. Four times it was replaced..4 times it locked.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after starting the vehicle, and the steering wheel locked up. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 14V286000 (Steering) and 14E001000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Power steering message popped up on dash in a flash and disappeared while I was driving. Same message popped up a couple miles down (I pulled into a parking lot to check message.) Steering wheel locked and left me stranded in need of a tow truck to move car to mechanic and get home. Message pops up and disappears quickly not leaving much time to read or react.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The failed power steering warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, however the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,063.
My car gave a “power steering fault” message on the dash while my son was driving on I-95 on April 12. The steering wheel locked up making turning impossible and could have been fatal. He had pull over and have the vehicle towed home.
While driving the car, the steering locked up making the vehicle unable to turn. Thank got it happened in a parking lot where the truck blocked traffic for hours before getting towed. The dealer took 6 weeks of guessing the problem with Ford engineers. Replacing numerous parts in an attempt to guess what the issue was. After contacting Ford directly and expressing my concerns over the safety of the truck. They refused to communicate with me and forwarded all my information to their legal staff. Still no update from Ford regarding the repair was done properly or even confirming the safety of the car.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,226.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The steering wheel seized, and the steering wheel symbol was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was turned off and restarted to reset the steering assist function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the electric power steering assist system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Related recalls
Steering
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
- Risk
- If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.
Recall number 17V530000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Recall number 14V286000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the two bolts that attach the steering gear assembly to the frame may have been over-tightened. This condition could result in one or both of the bolts fracturing, causing the steering gear to become loose.
- Risk
- This condition could cause "clunking" noise when steering as well as decreased steering effectiveness potentially resulting in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both the steering gear assembly mounting bolts and nuts free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 07V181000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- The inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds.
- Risk
- This condition can cause the wheel on the side with the broken tie rod to tuck inward or outward and slide resulting in an increased potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the inner tie rods and replace the suspect tie rods.
Recall number 95V053000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Explorer steering lock-up
Which Ford Explorer years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (114 complaints), 2011 (107 complaints) and 2016 (78 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Ford Explorer?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,500 (median of 47 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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