Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver's side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The track on the seat needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel seized. While making a turn, the driver had to pull the steering wheel to correct the steering. The steering power assist fault message was displayed. …
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. Additionally, the "Steering Fault Assist" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact continued driving the vehicle until the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel seized, and the vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering became very difficult to turn. The contact was able to steer the vehicle; however, extra effort was needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to his residence and the vehicle regained power steering functionality after turning off and then restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that he recently started hearing a grinding noise coming from the transfer case. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the PTU transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the "Service Track Error" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact continued to drive to the destination where the vehicle was parked for several hours. After restarting the vehicle, the "Service Track" and "Steering Loss - Stop Vehicle" messages were displayed. The vehicle was inoperable and towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived to the residence and inspected the vehicle, diagnosing that the steering motor and module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall relating to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" and "Service Advance Track" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled into a nearby parking lot. The contact stated she turned off the vehicle and when she restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel was easier to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 40 MPH, there was a clanking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel shifted to the left and the contact immediately corrected the steering wheel; however, in the process the vehicle became airborne. The contact stated that upon landing, the front driver's, the front passenger's, and rear driver's side tires were deflated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the control arms, wheel axles, wheel bearings, rims, and tires were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
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 NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front windshield wipers activated independently. The contact removed the fuse to stop the windshield wipers. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the steering assist fault message displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared and the power steering functionality returned. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion while the contact shifted the vehicle into park(P), the vehicle delayed recognizing that the vehicle was in park(P) and failed to turn off as needed. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Steering complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 347 complaints about the steering of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 19% of the model year's 1,809 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Ford Explorer steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2015 Ford Explorer, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Explorer steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.