2017 Ford Explorer Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  614%
• 25k–50k
  2148%
• 50k–75k
  818%
• 75k–100k
  37%
• 100k–150k
  614%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger's side the A-pillar applique trim had a split in the middle causing rainwater and dirt to enter the vehicle. As a result of the failure, the sunroof motor was damaged and then failed to operate. The local dealer was called, and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. On another occasion, while driving at various speeds, while making a left or right turn there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened when turning to the right. …

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel did not return to center. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to respond normally while turning the steering wheel to center. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument cluster went black, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over safely and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the "System Communication Error" message was displayed on the infotainment screen after the restart. The contact later had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness and the GWM harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the battery had started to drain very quickly. …

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assists warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the power steering had seized, and the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed power steering module. The contact stated that the dealer performed a power steering factory reset; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was parked and turned off. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, the power steering had seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop from a traffic light, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. The contact exited and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that upon attempting to resume driving, the steering wheel was uncontrollable, the suspension seemed to have failed, and the vehicle was sliding. The message "Terrain Management System Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to respond. The contact shifted to park(P) and then shifted back into drive(D). The vehicle then regained steering functionality. The contact was able to continue driving however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three occasions; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,676.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V530000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on uneven terrain or roads, the rear of the vehicle was pulling to the left or the right. There was no warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear of the vehicle was misaligned from the front end. In addition, the local independent mechanic advised the contact that the rear tie rod needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was swaying and became difficult to control with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V537000 (Steering). The dealer had been notified on multiple occasions of the issue and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, there was a squeaking sound coming from the tires. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was observed that the steering wheel had seized and failed to move. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH to the residence, the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel was previously pulling to the right. The message that the "Lane Assist Steering Lost - Check Park Assist: Service Advancetrac" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for a tire rotation, oil change, and alignment, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,415.

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Explorer years