Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% | 3,000 miles |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% | 207,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% | 23,000 miles |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% | 17,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% | 58,000 miles |
| 2015 | 347 | 19% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 499 | 30% | 90,000 miles |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% | 95,000 miles |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% | 97,000 miles |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% | 68,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% | 98,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% | 81,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% | 101,000 miles |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% | 92,000 miles |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% | 109,000 miles |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% | 87,000 miles |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% | 122,000 miles |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% | 196,000 miles |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% | 98,000 miles |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On October 24, 2024, my 2025 Ford Explorer ST experienced a sudden steering column lock and complete loss of braking while I was driving, leading to a crash and injuries. The vehicle had approximately 800 miles and was a warranty replacement provided weeks earlier. Prior to delivery, the dealer referenced a Quality Assurance hold of about two months on this vehicle, which was not disclosed to me in any detail. The simultaneous loss of steering and brakes suggests a potential common cause safety defect that may affect other 2025 Explorer ST vehicles. My insurer State Farm is currently conducting a Cause and Origin inspection. I request NHTSA review for a potential defect trend.
-EPAS malfunctioning and is available for inspection. -Steering sticks in turns and requires too much effort to return to center causing me to overcorrect which causes the steering to stick in the opposite direction and so on. This is not consistent or predictable Also The car is constantly drifting left to right and requires constant corrections to maintain center. -I replicated the issue with the dealer in the car. Dealer said the other car drove the same so there was nothing they could do. -only the dealer has looked at it -no warning lamps present at this time -i have videos that show the car taking turns on a mountain pass and I am able to let go of the wheel and the car continues to turn. Without steering assist features activated. It should at least try to center on its own.
I rented a 2023 Ford Explorer. I had many issues with the added safety features while renting it, ultimately resulting in an accident. Firstly, the lane keeping assist did not function properly. In construction zones, back roads, and during rainy weather, the vehicle would jerk very hard to one side of the other. Even after trying to shut off the lane keeping assist feature, it it would automatically turn back on. Luckily, most of those incidents would happen in low traffic areas. Until the final time it happened, resulting in a head on collision with another vehicle. Additionally, the screen that displayed the lane assist activity would go blank randomly while driving. Also. There was a constant issue with the a pop up screen saying to keep holding the steering wheel. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn into the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to remain in the intended lane while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the shocks and struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an alternate dealer where it was diagnosed with strut mount failures. The contact was informed that the strut mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
While traveling on I-26 east near North Carolina MM 51 in the left lane, the vehicle suddenly pulled uncontrollably to the left resulting in a sideswipe of the guardrail. The vehicle then swerved to the right stopping near the center of the interstate. My wife was able to move the vehicle to the right shoulder under its own power. The right front tire/wheel was laying almost flat attached to the vehicle only by the brake line. The entire wheel assembly was detached from the steering/suspension system. The vehicle was towed to a local collision center and inspected by my insurance adjuster. The vehicle was determined a total loss. There were no injuries or other vehicles involved. The NC Highway Patrol responded but did not complete an accident report.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel started moving independently from side to side, without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 207,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that prior to the failure she observed a "transmission code" warning that flashed twice but did not illuminate again. The contact pulled off the roadway and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and regained power steering functionality. Additionally, the instrument cluster failed to operate as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the instrument cluster failure reoccurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
The front tires chewed to pieces, one blew, and the dealer initially felt it was an alignment issue from the factory. Up one further inspection, they found an aluminum toe rod with a 45 degree bend. I believe this was a factory issue as we hit nothing on the highway. It seems from an FMEA point of view, it is likely the blown tire and momentum of the car bent the tie rod and that the tire damage was caused by a part failure or some other issue with the car. It is a 3 month old car with 9,400 miles. The car struck Nothing on the highway.
Related recalls (4)
Steering
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.
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.
Steering › Electric power assist system
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…
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…
Steering
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.
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
The inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the inner tie rods and replace the suspect tie rods.
NHTSA investigations
Steering knuckle separations
There is no summary currently available
Vehicle rollaway allegations
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), Ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column.
Electric power steering failure
On May 27, 2014 and amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 179,027 model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (EPAS), including 82,328 MY 2011 Explorersthat are the subject of PE12-017.Ford has…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (836), 2011 (742), 2016 (532), 2014 (499) and 2012 (360) model years. Steering complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 17V-530 (steering, Aug 28, 2017); 14V-286 (electric power assist system, May 29, 2014); 07V-181 (steering, Apr 25, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (87 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (50).
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.