2011 - 2018 Explorer Power Steering Issue

[controlfreak]

Picked up my 2013 300A on Monday.

By a 300A, I presume you're referring to a Mustang, and NOT an Explorer.

Nonetheless, I'm very sorry to hear that you're already having problems with another Ford EPAS system!

 

[dynaman2]

By a 300A, I presume you're referring to a Mustang, and NOT an Explorer.

300A is the base equipment group on the Explorer Limited. Only options were the towing package and the power liftgate. Had to order and wait for the build. I'm guessing that's a relatively unique configuration.

Should have it at the dealer within the hour. I'll keep everyone posted as I receive feedback.

 

[Jrister24]

I spoke to a CSM today regarding my explorer that has been in the shop since Sept 21. She said the part is on back order until sometime in November, but she'd be calling me in 2 weeks with an updated. She said the part is starting to trickle in and she's hopeful that my dealership will actually get the part before November. In the meantime, I'm still in the Edge and my dealership is doing a good job of keeping me posted.

My next quest: I'm planning on getting an ESP and hopefully my car being in the shop for 1 1/2 months will give me some leverage to workout a very good deal.

 

[WoodduckMN]

Start of week 4 of Explorer Limited sitting on the dealers parking lot. No update on when the parts will be in. At least I have a free loaner car.

In Minnesota, the lemon law is 30 business day out of service. Wonder if it will go that long?

 

[dynaman2]

Dealership just called. Surprise... Steering gear is bad and the part is back ordered. His date indicated delivery at the end of Oct. He said he would enter an emergency order for it and will get a new date tomorrow morning. He thinks he can get it in about a week, but based on the discussion here, I don't find that likely.

In the meantime, he is comfortable giving us the vehicle back until the part arrives. That surprised me a bit.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Dealership just called. Surprise... Steering gear is bad and the part is back ordered. His date indicated delivery at the end of Oct. He said he would enter an emergency order for it and will get a new date tomorrow morning. He thinks he can get it in about a week, but based on the discussion here, I don't find that likely.

In the meantime, he is comfortable giving us the vehicle back until the part arrives. That surprised me a bit.

Can you do us all a favor and call the NHTSA and also file a report on their website. I think this is vital information for them to have so they know that it is now happening with the 2013. It clearly is not within the date range that Ford stated it is.

 

[Mireeves97]

Dynaman2, here is link to NHTSA: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm. Please do.
Having experienced the power steering failure myself, I urge you to talk to the dealer about a loaner. This car is NOT safe to drive this way. Ford paid for my loaner, not the dealer.
After seeing your post on Sunday, I have been test driving other cars. I wasn't confident about the fix and now that the 2013 are having the same issue, I think my fear is warranted.

 

[steve_ltd]

I agree. I am now further concerned my replaced steering gear could still have a QA issue, or that maybe something else is going on. Cory-- this is very concerning.

 

[dynaman2]

For those that are interested, the dealer called last night. The new part is supposed to arrive early next week. I'm told I should get a firm date Monday morning and will make an appointment with service then. They say it's about a half day to fix. Salesman has offered his demo again while it's worked on.

I didn't fill out a complaint on the NTSB website yet. I admit, I'm a bit hesitant reporting my incident as a safety incident. Quality concern, absolutely, but not necessarily safety. In my case, the vehicle responded as it should. There was an error, and an alarm came up on the screen. If I had been moving, I agree this would be very different, but all three times it's occurred while stopped. I think I'll try calling NTSB and talk it through with a person (if that's possible).

For the conspiracy theorists that posted last night. Believe what you want. There's no easy way to prove myself. Pictures with newspaper dates isn't going to happen (Who even gets newspapers delivered anymore?). I've been lurking on these forums since mid summer when I began shopping for a new Explorer. Coincidentally, when my Explorer threw that first warning, I Googled the message and ended up here. Figured I'd add to the conversation since I didn't see any talk about this happening in a 2013.

 

[jrmexplorer]

For those that are interested, the dealer called last night. The new part is supposed to arrive early next week. I'm told I should get a firm date Monday morning and will make an appointment with service then. They say it's about a half day to fix. Salesman has offered his demo again while it's worked on.

I didn't fill out a complaint on the NTSB website yet. I admit, I'm a bit hesitant reporting my incident as a safety incident. Quality concern, absolutely, but not necessarily safety. In my case, the vehicle responded as it should. There was an error, and an alarm came up on the screen. If I had been moving, I agree this would be very different, but all three times it's occurred while stopped. I think I'll try calling NTSB and talk it through with a person (if that's possible).

For the conspiracy theorists that posted last night. Believe what you want. There's no easy way to prove myself. Pictures with newspaper dates isn't going to happen (Who even gets newspapers delivered anymore?). I've been lurking on these forums since mid summer when I began shopping for a new Explorer. Coincidentally, when my Explorer threw that first warning, I Googled the message and ended up here. Figured I'd add to the conversation since I didn't see any talk about this happening in a 2013.

No need to prove anything.

But for the love of God! REPORT IT TO THE NHTSA (note: not the NTSB). THE NHTSA CLASSIFIES ANY STEERING FAILURE (WHETHER MOVING OR NOT) AS A SAFETY ISSUE.

it possibly contradicts Ford's public position that the new racks are fixed. If you don't report it, then you risk getting another defective part if the root cause was not (contrary to Ford's statements) identified and fixed as Ford has stated that 2013's are fixed.

We need to keep pressure on Ford to get this fixed and make sure it is fixed and do a recall if necessary.

As to the others who have had their racks fixed, I wouldn't be too concerned yet - First, we don't know if its the same part and Second - it's possible that dynaman2 just got a one-off bad one or was perhaps one of the early builds.

 

[dynaman2]

REPORT IT TO THE NHTSA (note: not the NTSB).

Sorry! NHTSA. I knew that didn't seem right when I typed it.

I will address this and keep you posted.

 

[briandoc]

Steering question?

Hi all, just bought a 2013 Ford Explorer Limited with most every option that's steering related (Park Assist, Lane Keep Assist etc). So I'm wondering if this is normal or not... the steering wheel has a lot of play in it. Sitting still with the car off or driving down the road, you can turn the steering wheel side to side quite a bit before you feel that it would actually turn the wheels. I would classify it as "a lot of slop" in the steering wheel.

I normally would think this is not normal and an issue that I should be concerned about. I just don't know if the setup is different because of all of these other systems that are now tied in to the steering and this feeling is actually the new normal.

Hope this makes sense... any thoughts? Only about 100 miles on the vehicle...

 

[dynaman2]

Hi all, just bought a 2013 Ford Explorer Limited with most every option that's steering related (Park Assist, Lane Keep Assist etc). So I'm wondering if this is normal or not... the steering wheel has a lot of play in it. Sitting still with the car off or driving down the road, you can turn the steering wheel side to side quite a bit before you feel that it would actually turn the wheels. I would classify it as "a lot of slop" in the steering wheel.

I normally would think this is not normal and an issue that I should be concerned about. I just don't know if the setup is different because of all of these other systems that are now tied in to the steering and this feeling is actually the new normal.

Hope this makes sense... any thoughts? Only about 100 miles on the vehicle...

I do not have the park assist/lane keep options on my Explorer, but I can't imagine that making a difference in the 'steering feel'. I have not noticed any slop in my steering. Never looked for it, but if it was half as bad as you mention, I'm sure I would've. How responsive is the steering when you drive? I guess that's the true test.

I'll try your experiment in the next day or two (Sitting still with the car off or driving down the road, you can turn the steering wheel side to side quite a bit before you feel that it would actually turn the wheels) and let you know.

 

[briandoc]

I do not have the park assist/lane keep options on my Explorer, but I can't imagine that making a difference in the 'steering feel'. I have not noticed any slop in my steering. Never looked for it, but if it was half as bad as you mention, I'm sure I would've. How responsive is the steering when you drive? I guess that's the true test.

I'll try your experiment in the next day or two (Sitting still with the car off or driving down the road, you can turn the steering wheel side to side quite a bit before you feel that it would actually turn the wheels) and let you know.

Thanks. The steering response seems to be fine. I drove it about 50 miles yesterday and by the end of the day I wasn't really concerned with it although it was still present. Called the dealer and they just asked if it was shaking (It isn't). He said if it's not shaking it's probably not an issue but they'll look at it next week when it's in to get the hideous dealer-installed pinstriping removed

 

[FordService]

Thanks a bunch for all the support, guys.

For those who have missed my previous posts, I’m here to help by escalating this up the line and set up a call from your regional Customer Service Managers. So I can assist, please send me a PM with your contact information (including approximate mileage, dealer name/state, and VIN).

Cory

 

[dynaman2]

Thanks. The steering response seems to be fine. I drove it about 50 miles yesterday and by the end of the day I wasn't really concerned with it although it was still present. Called the dealer and they just asked if it was shaking (It isn't). He said if it's not shaking it's probably not an issue but they'll look at it next week when it's in to get the hideous dealer-installed pinstriping removed

Just went out to the garage to try your experiment. After two consecutive power steering failures (seems to be getting worse...), I got to try it.

I'm surprised at how easy it was to turn the wheel while not moving, seems different than other vehicles. However, the force on the wheel seemed very even from lock to lock. Never felt like there was slop, but had to peak out the window to make sure the wheels were turning. Just that easy...

Not sure if that helps.

 

[blwnsmoke]

First, we don't know if its the same part and Second - it's possible that dynaman2 just got a one-off bad one or was perhaps one of the early builds.

I'm definately a Ford fan but I'm not a cheerleader for them. Now if it was anything else that failed almost immediately I'd say, "**** happens" and you are someone is bound to get a failure with how mass produced parts are made.

But the fact that he is getting a power steering failure on a new 2013, I don't believe it is just a random failure. That would be one hell of a coincidence with the hundreds of possible failures.

 

[jrmexplorer]

I'm definately a Ford fan but I'm not a cheerleader for them. Now if it was anything else that failed almost immediately I'd say, "**** happens" and you are someone is bound to get a failure with how mass produced parts are made.

But the fact that he is getting a power steering failure on a new 2013, I don't believe it is just a random failure. That would be one hell of a coincidence with the hundreds of possible failures.

yeah, your probably right, but one can hope right?

 

[Mireeves97]

Good luck guys. I traded my Explorer in yesterday. After much research on the Expedition, we went with a 2012. I haven't given up on Ford, just all the electronics involved in the Explorer and MFT.
We needed something larger anyway and still don't want to deal with Government Motors.

 

[willied]

Good luck guys. I traded my Explorer in yesterday. After much research on the Expedition, we went with a 2012. I haven't given up on Ford, just all the electronics involved in the Explorer and MFT.
We needed something larger anyway and still don't want to deal with Government Motors.

Congrats the Expedition purchase! Should be a great vehicle for ya. It's a mystery to me why more Tahoe/Suburbans are sold than Expeditions are, but there are a lot of dumb people out there.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic a bit. But I will say my mom's Explorer still hasn't had any problems with the steering after at least 5,000 miles. Knock on wood.