2011 - 2018 Explorer Power Steering Issue

[AtTheBeach]

Ford's Response to NHTSA

This just in...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM425907/INRL-PE12017-52566.pdf

 

[NS Explorer]

This just in...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM425907/INRL-PE12017-52566.pdf

I can't get the link to work but I really would like to see the response!

 

[AtTheBeach]

Ford Response

I'm not sure why it is but for some reason it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for the document to download and open up. Even with my high-speed connection it took several minutes...so, if you click and WAIT, you should be able to read it eventually. (Hint: Watch your Internet light to see that data is streaming in.)

 

[jrmexplorer]

I can't get the link to work but I really would like to see the response!

From what I could tell, there response is that they identified three specific manufacturing defects that were leading to intermittent connections on the printed circuit boards of the EPAS systems.

The first was that a conveyer belt was tilted 3 degrees in the wrong direction causing a coating to run onto a part it wasn't supposed to. Ford has fixed that and implemented 100% visual inspection on the pieces.

The second was that a ribbon cable wasn't properly being assembled leading to intermittent wire connections.

The third was some rivets that could have voids in them which would be filled later with a corrosive chemical which may cause problems.

According to Ford they have fixed these manufacturing issues and they have reported that new EPAS units manufactured after the fixes have not had any failures.

-J

 

[gdecamp]

According to Ford they have fixed these manufacturing issues and they have reported that new EPAS units manufactured after the fixes have not had any failures.

-J

What about the ones we own that are waiting to fail?

 

[peterk9]

My download took about 3 minutes.
I guess the bottom line is that even though they admitted there was a problem, there will be NO RECALL.:thumbdwn:
I guess Ford will fix as the problems as they happen provided the vehicle isn't written off during the failure.

Peter

 

[cnsheets]

I guess it could be worse, we could own the 2013 Escape which Ford just announced a 3rd recall on.

So my question, I have had this happen 2-3 times now, and have taken it to the dealer once, they of course could not duplicate the problem, thus no repairs made.

Am I supposed to just keep taking it in over and over and over and hope by chance that the dealer finally has it happen to them? If Ford does not do a recall, whats the best course of action to resolve the problem if it is intermittent and I am unable to "muscle" the car to the dealership so they can see themselves? that is if it happens during their business hours.


And does the NHTSA have to accept Ford's response or can they force them into doing more?

 

[velanzia]

It took awfully long time to download after failing one time. try the link below, I uploaded it to my Google Drive.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9EekzyTRRA_TnZsVk9tUzR5V0k (PDF - 30.5 mb)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9EekzyTRRA_aWtSaGk5MENCRTA (ZIP - 29.5 mb)

 

[willied]

That's absolutely pathetic. I really wanted to think Ford cared, but it's clear they don't.

 

[phareous]

I'm not sure why it is but for some reason it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for the document to download and open up. Even with my high-speed connection it took several minutes...so, if you click and WAIT, you should be able to read it eventually. (Hint: Watch your Internet light to see that data is streaming in.)

its a 30MB pdf...no wonder it takes a while

 

[VinceL]

It took less than 20 seconds to download and open on my laptop. I guess I shouldn't complain about my connection speed

As for Ford's response, I can't say that I am surprised by it. It's the typical CYA, nothing new there, but it is a bit disappointing. I'm also left to wonder, since they did identify the problems leading to this issue, and therefore admit that there is an issue, what happens to all of the vehicles affected by it? Instead of fixing them through a recall, they will fix them as the problem appears? Jeez, I hope nobody gets seriously injured during one of these failures, as Ford could get its but sued off. I wonder sometimes...

 

[nextreme]

From what I was told by Transport Canada, steering is one of the major components that MUST be working flawlessly or it is considered a hazard. If ford has identified that racks made between date A and date B may fail they MUST recall vehicles with these racks.

We are not talking about a speaker cutting in and out or the interior light switch not working. This is the steering mechanism, with which a failure of during high speed can cause death.

I have not had my Explorer fixed because the dealer couldn't find any codes. That doesn't mean it didn't happen. I didn't dream up having my steering lock up on me while driving with all of my loved ones on the highway.

It is nice to see Ford customer service in America doing something for Americans. I guess next time I'll just buy a different 'import' seeing as us Canucks are not considered to be of the same value customer. A customer is a customer and I'm getting awfully tired of these excuses of who is responsible to help me. Ford made my damn death trap. Ford should be helping me - just the way it helps my fellow customers south of the border.

 

[gdecamp]

Jeez, I hope nobody gets seriously injured during one of these failures, as Ford could get its but sued off. I wonder sometimes...

I would hope that besides being sued there would be criminal action taken against them in that case....just pathetic.

 

[AJGROGG]

Come ride along with me...

This just in...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM425907/INRL-PE12017-52566.pdf

Perhaps we should invite a few Ford execs to come ride along. This low speed crap...mine happened at 55 mph and had I not been on the phone with my boss at the time who said, "hit the brakes!"' I may have panicked and had a terrible accident. Fortunately I was on a straight stretch but it took every ounce of strength I had to get the vehicle to the side of the road. And let me add that now every time my low gas warning comes on and makes the same sound as the other warnings, my heart stops!

 

[new to ford]

I read FORD's 22-page pdf file response and I agree with the statement on pages 4-5:

“Allegations of loss of assist at higher speeds would not be expected to result in loss of vehicle control, as the amount of assist provided by the system at higher speeds is less than that provided at lower speeds and fault warning chime and message in the instrument cluster would adequately alert the driver that heightened concentration is appropriate.”

So if my wife, while driving her explorer losses power steering assist and crashes, my response to her will be: "hey honey, sorry you don't have sufficient upper body strength to maneuver a mechanical steering system, but you did get an audible/visual chime alerting you of this condition"

What a joke, :thumbdwn:
I wonder if those FORD executives have there wifes'/ families driving around in these faulty explorers.
FORD, you are admitting there were flaws in the process/manufacturing, so do the right thing and REPLACE OUR EPAS SYSTEMS BEFORE THEY FAIL!!!

 

[fargo1]

It is remarkable that Ford would resist a recall when they've identified defects in critical components related to STEERING. I suspect that their response to NHTSA would be quite different if Alan Mulally experienced an EPAS failure in an Explorer. In any case, I've sent a rebuttal to NHTSA, objecting to the characterization of the "compensatory effort" (in the event of a failure) as "tolerable." Insane. In addition, their statistical analysis (citing 2.5 incidents per 1000 vehicles) was seriously flawed -- as any Statistics 101 student could see. If someone gets hurt, I don't want to feel like I didn't at least try to do the right thing.

 

[new to ford]

yes, since when is 2,500 PPM (parts per million) failure rate considered "insignificant"?
Suppliers are held to 0-10 PPM

 

[EVERONWARD]

Steering module

Cory - Thanks for checking in. The dealership replaced the power steering rack last week and I've had no issues since. So far, so good.

Where are you located, that you were able to get a replacement part. I'm in Boston and there is no info avail from dealer in this area as to when part will be in.

 

[gdecamp]

yes, since when is 2,500 PPM (parts per million) failure rate considered "insignificant"?

Didn't they put a warning on cigarettes and alcohol for less?

 

[zed512]

Perhaps the best course of action would be to contact a major automotive magazine to publish an article and customer feedback on this issue.

Any suggestions?

We could start a poll for customer satisfaction (in terms of how Ford are dealing with this issue and the smelly exhaust fume issue during high revs) and then post to the magazine along with a explorerforum letter.