2011 - 2018 Explorer Power Steering Issue

[ercole]

Ever, I've been waiting 28 days for my part and still don't have an ETA as when it will arrive. I don't understand how the supplier can't produce a sufficient number of after market parts of this. This situation began happening en mass late winter/early spring. You would think if a manufacturer does a production run, they would be producing sufficient quantities to stock the after market supply houses for distribution to the dealers by now. How many can be produced realistically in one shift at the plant?

 

[182RG]

I don't understand how the supplier can't produce a sufficient number of after market parts of this.

Apparently, you've never heard of lean manufacturing? It's all the rage... (sarcasm off).

Manufacturers and vendors are punished these days for keeping safety stock...it's all just in time, make only what you need, value stream mapping, blah, blah, blah.

There's a reason.....and it's usually financial.....

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2011 Explorer and on Aug 7, 2012 the Power Steering went & also the Drive Shaft as the front end was shaking. Dealer claims that Ford knows about both of these problems.

Very disappointed with service as they can't seem to get the parts.

I'm in Boston.

When is FORD going to do a RECALL!

Lets START that Twitter campaign!!!

Welcome to the Forum EVERONWARD. :wavey:
Sorry to hear that you've experienced that problem. As for a recall, I have expressed my opinion in my post on the 19th above.
It would, however, be helpful if Ford released some kind of statement acknowledging that there is a problem and that they are looking into the cause. Then again, that may be a liability issue for them.

Peter

 

[HunterL]

Picked up my Explorer yesterday.......39 days. The dealer and Ford could not have been more accommodating (except for the long wait period for the parts). Did a couple of other items on the car that were outstanding including a software update on the My Touch system. Ford picked up all of the car rental. I can't think of anything else I could have asked them for except an improvement on the length of time I had to wait for the parts. I too wish Ford would come out with some sort of statement as to what the problem is and what they have done to fix it.

 

[peterk9]

Picked up my Explorer yesterday.......39 days. The dealer and Ford could not have been more accommodating (except for the long wait period for the parts). Did a couple of other items on the car that were outstanding including a software update on the My Touch system. Ford picked up all of the car rental. I can't think of anything else I could have asked them for except an improvement on the length of time I had to wait for the parts. I too wish Ford would come out with some sort of statement as to what the problem is and what they have done to fix it.

Glad you hear that you are back in your Explorer. I don't think that Ford has pinpointed exactly what the problems is. Replacing the steering rack seems to work for now but no one is willing to say it won't fail again as one member has experienced a second failure. I still think the problem is electrical and not mechanical.

Peter

 

[cnsheets]

Just picked mine up from the dealer yesterday, for the PS issue, they of course "could not duplicate". But the service advisor said something about them doing a reprogram that should help.....whatever that's supposed to mean. Of course the paperwork says nothing about any type of reprogram. They also could not duplicate the transmission bump on decel/excel..

 

[peterk9]

Just picked mine up from the dealer yesterday, for the PS issue, they of course "could not duplicate". But the service advisor said something about them doing a reprogram that should help.....whatever that's supposed to mean. Of course the paperwork says nothing about any type of reprogram. They also could not duplicate the transmission bump on decel/excel..

Perhaps they are talking about the EPAS (Electric Power Assist Steering). Not sure if that is a module or not but I wouldn't be surprised if that is what is causing the steering problems. As I've mentioned before, I think it is an electrical problem rather than a mechanical one.
http://media.ford.com/images/10031/EPAS.pdf

Peter

 

[FordService]

Hey guys,

Keep in mind escalating cases to your regional Customer Service Manager allows for the scope of a concern to be clearer. So I can assist, please PM me with the best way to reach you (including VIN, approximate mileage, contact info, and dealer name/state).

...Thanks again to Cory & the regional Customer Sevice Rep, Jeff, for expediting this process as much as possible...

You’re very welcome, controlfreak; please keep me in the loop.

Picked up my Explorer yesterday.......39 days. The dealer and Ford could not have been more accommodating (except for the long wait period for the parts)...

I’m really glad you were taken care of and back in your ride, HunterL.

Cory

 

[fargo1]

My wife and 3 year-old daughter narrowly avoided a multi-car accident this week when the power steering failed (2011 Explorer Limited) on the highway. She had to come to a stop in the travel lane, with cars screeching to a halt behind her.

Googling "2011 Explorer steering failure" quickly led me to this site. The circumstances were identical to every other entry. I then went to the NTHSA site and compared reports of steering problems among comparable vehicles. In a given year, there are an average of 3 or 4 reports per model, and each report is generally different. In the case of the 2011 Explorer there are 85(!) IDENTICAL problems cited (as of today).

Hey Ford! Does someone have to die before you take this seriously? Happily for me, it won't be my wife and daughter because they will no longer drive in the vehicle. I'm sorry, however, for the family that's going to suffer because Ford hasn't acknowledged a problem that any piker with a computer and an internet account can identify in 5 minutes. This is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed NOW -- sitting on it is immoral, heartless, and, (are you listening Ford?) it's gonna be EXPENSIVE.

Meanwhile, I've got an unusable car sitting in the garage and I'm at a loss what to do about it. From the postings here, it appears that dealers are poorly equipped to deal with the problem. Cory, do you have any suggestions?

 

[phareous]

From what I have read here, dealers are just replacing the whole steering system...but I haven't heard if any of those parts are redesigned or not (if not, then it is not a long-term fix). And at any rate, there are obviously major supply shortages for the parts, so I don't see how Ford could pull off a recall without getting the supply chain fixed (even assuming they have the problem identified and fixed with a design change)

 

[peterk9]

My wife and 3 year-old daughter narrowly avoided a multi-car accident this week when the power steering failed (2011 Explorer Limited) on the highway. She had to come to a stop in the travel lane, with cars screeching to a halt behind her.

Googling "2011 Explorer steering failure" quickly led me to this site. The circumstances were identical to every other entry. I then went to the NTHSA site and compared reports of steering problems among comparable vehicles. In a given year, there are an average of 3 or 4 reports per model, and each report is generally different. In the case of the 2011 Explorer there are 85(!) IDENTICAL problems cited (as of today).

Hey Ford! Does someone have to die before you take this seriously? Happily for me, it won't be my wife and daughter because they will no longer drive in the vehicle. I'm sorry, however, for the family that's going to suffer because Ford hasn't acknowledged a problem that any piker with a computer and an internet account can identify in 5 minutes. This is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed NOW -- sitting on it is immoral, heartless, and, (are you listening Ford?) it's gonna be EXPENSIVE.

Meanwhile, I've got an unusable car sitting in the garage and I'm at a loss what to do about it. From the postings here, it appears that dealers are poorly equipped to deal with the problem. Cory, do you have any suggestions?

Welcome to the Forum fargo1. :wavey:
It is truly unfortunate that your first post had to be one of this nature. I'm glad that no one was hurt.
I totally agree that Ford's silence on this topic is puzzling. I think it is only a matter of time before someone is going to be seriously injured in one of these incidents.
Given their silence, I can only speculate that Ford has not been able to isolate the exact part that is causing the failure. I believe that owners experiencing the problem are getting the steering rack replaced but I believe this may only be a short term solution as at least one member whose vehicle was 'repaired' has had a second failure.
It also seems that the majority that are having this issue are 2011 models. Until someone proves me wrong, I'm sticking with my theory that it is an electrical and not mechanical problem since some posters were able to regain their steering after turning the Explorer off and back on.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

From what I have read here, dealers are just replacing the whole steering system...but I haven't heard if any of those parts are redesigned or not (if not, then it is not a long-term fix). And at any rate, there are obviously major supply shortages for the parts, so I don't see how Ford could pull off a recall without getting the supply chain fixed (even assuming they have the problem identified and fixed with a design change)

phareous I agree 100%

Peter

 

[fargo1]

The fact that cycling the power appears to (temporarily) resolve the steering problem is certainly a clue. The fact that the MyFord Touch system has failed weekly since the day I bought the vehicle is another. Call me crazy, but I smell an intractable software problem. The idea of waiting weeks for "parts" is bizarre, and smacks of intentional distraction.

It is of great concern to me that my car is now trying to do egregious bodily harm to me and my family, rather than just getting us lost or choosing not to provide any heat in the dead of winter.

 

[Rose29]

2012 xlt

Hi All,

Well, after having my xlt into the dealer twice within a month, I decided to come to the Internet. Both times, I would turn the car on and the Terrain Management System Failed light would come one and there would be no power steering. The first time the dealer cleared the codes as "protocol" and all the messages went away and I was "good to go". Not even 500 miles later and the same thing happens again. So, back to the dealer it goes. This time they said they were going to replace the steering rack. It has been a week, and thought I was getting the car back today... (that's what they told me). I thank God I wasn't driving when this has happened. I'm sure that is frightful. Hopefully, this will resolve my problem.

I must say though, the dealership and the service techs have been very kind and accommodating. They understand the frustration. Hopefully, Ford will be able to figure this out.

 

[peterk9]

Hi All,

Well, after having my xlt into the dealer twice within a month, I decided to come to the Internet. Both times, I would turn the car on and the Terrain Management System Failed light would come one and there would be no power steering. The first time the dealer cleared the codes as "protocol" and all the messages went away and I was "good to go". Not even 500 miles later and the same thing happens again. So, back to the dealer it goes. This time they said they were going to replace the steering rack. It has been a week, and thought I was getting the car back today... (that's what they told me). I thank God I wasn't driving when this has happened. I'm sure that is frightful. Hopefully, this will resolve my problem.

I must say though, the dealership and the service techs have been very kind and accommodating. They understand the frustration. Hopefully, Ford will be able to figure this out.

Hi Rose29. Welcome aboard. :wavey:
Glad to hear you didn't have to experience it going down the highway like some members have. There has only been one actual accident that I'm aware of. Explorer meets hydro pole. No personal injuries. This is a great place to get answers to most questions/problems and there are 2 Ford reps, Cory (FordCustSrvc) and Rebecca (FordIVTteam) who monitor the Forum as well. Both have been very helpful.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[broncoford]

My wife and 3 year-old daughter narrowly avoided a multi-car accident this week when the power steering failed (2011 Explorer Limited) on the highway. She had to come to a stop in the travel lane, with cars screeching to a halt behind her.

Googling "2011 Explorer steering failure" quickly led me to this site. The circumstances were identical to every other entry. I then went to the NTHSA site and compared reports of steering problems among comparable vehicles. In a given year, there are an average of 3 or 4 reports per model, and each report is generally different. In the case of the 2011 Explorer there are 85(!) IDENTICAL problems cited (as of today).

Hey Ford! Does someone have to die before you take this seriously? Happily for me, it won't be my wife and daughter because they will no longer drive in the vehicle. I'm sorry, however, for the family that's going to suffer because Ford hasn't acknowledged a problem that any piker with a computer and an internet account can identify in 5 minutes. This is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed NOW -- sitting on it is immoral, heartless, and, (are you listening Ford?) it's gonna be EXPENSIVE.

Meanwhile, I've got an unusable car sitting in the garage and I'm at a loss what to do about it. From the postings here, it appears that dealers are poorly equipped to deal with the problem. Cory, do you have any suggestions?

Well put. I can not understand why people continue to put their famlies lives in danger knowing this problem exists. I can see ford does not care and does not admit there is a problem to save millions.

 

[rsscully]

Back in the shop again

Not trying to hijack this thread but my Ex. is back in the shop again. While my steering issue seems to be resolved for now (see previous posts) my vehicle is back in for the A/C blowing hot air when sitting still. I also have a transmission noise in 1st and 2nd gear while accelerating. Dealer claims replacing the cooling fans will fix a/c (thought they already did cooling fan update), but still has no idea what is causing the noise. Luckily I was able to reproduce the sound when a tech was riding along. Seems that everything electrical (steering ESP, a/c fans, MFT) are plagued on this vehicle. Still have less than 11,000 miles and has been in shop 4 times and over a month and a half. Dealership has been accommodating but is probably tired of seeing me. Likewise.

 

[FordService]

The fact that cycling the power appears to (temporarily) resolve the steering problem is certainly a clue...

Welcome to the forum, fargo1. It’s important your concern is resolved once and for all. So I can escalate to your regional Customer Service Manager, please send me a PM with your contact information, VIN, dealer name/state, and approximate mileage.

...It has been a week, and thought I was getting the car back today... (that's what they told me)...I must say though, the dealership and the service techs have been very kind and accommodating...

Thank you for posting the update, Rose29; I’m confident the dealer will take care of you.

...This is a great place to get answers to most questions/problems and there are 2 Ford reps, Cory (FordCustSrvc) and Rebecca (FordIVTteam) who monitor the Forum as well. Both have been very helpful...

I really appreciate your kind words, Peter.

...Still have less than 11,000 miles and has been in shop 4 times and over a month and a half. Dealership has been accommodating but is probably tired of seeing me. Likewise.

rsscully,

I want to help getting your ride fixed. Please PM me with the credentials I listed above so I can escalate this up the line for you.

Cory

 

[tropicvi]

It is my understanding that NHTSA are expecting a response from Ford by Aug 29th. According to NHTSA they have been receiving cases on an almost daily basis. Looking forward to what the response is.

 

[tropicvi]

From the diagrams I have been shown, the steering rack is designed that the steering column input is near the left end (like normal on old systems), while the assist (EPAS) mechanism is built into a location near the right end of the rack. The EPAS receives its instruction, not from the physical connection with the steering wheel, but from a ring sensor at the base of the steering wheel. Between that ring sensor and the EPAS, there is a lot of electronic processing going on in onboard computers. Zero user servicing available. With these systems we are forever at the mercy of the Dealer Techs, or at least the software they are issued for their laptops. Gone are the days of mechanical troubleshooting.