2011 - 2018 Explorer Power Steering Issue

[Wild Valley]

Everyone PLEASE file a complaint with the NHTSA!!! Even if your vehicle is now fixed. If they don't see the aggregated number of complaints it will slow down their reaction time. NO ONE should let Ford get away with this - Ford must replace the entire steering rack at their cost. Bottom line, no arguments. No one should have to go through such prolonged back and forth with the dealers. The exact same thing has happened to too many people. Think how many un-knowledgeable customers may have been suckered in to paying for something Ford probably knows should be under warranty. Think how many people could be injured or killed. Thanks,

 

[heybuddy75]

Thanks Peter, a Ford Regional Manager finally called me back today and said that they will pay all the cost to replace the steering gear (HOPE IT WORKS). I Am definitely going to file a complaint with NHTSA for leaving me hanging and trying to get me to pay for it

 

[FordService]

Thanks Peter, a Ford Regional Manager finally called me back today and said that they will pay all the cost to replace the steering gear (HOPE IT WORKS)...

It sounds like things are headed in the right direction, heybuddy75! Be sure to let us know how the repair goes; I'll be here if you need any additional assistance.

Crystal

 

[croll326]

2013 ex sport here. Power steering went out and dash lit up. Finally after 3 trips to the dealer I'm getting a new steering rack. I bought it CPO and have a $100 deductible -not bad. Just want it fixed!

 

[FordService]

2013 ex sport here. Power steering went out and dash lit up. Finally after 3 trips to the dealer I'm getting a new steering rack. I bought it CPO and have a $100 deductible -not bad. Just want it fixed!

Come back and tell us how the repair goes, croll326. You know how to contact me if you need my help.

Crystal

 

[croll326]

Come back and tell us how the repair goes, croll326. You know how to contact me if you need my help. Crystal

Thanks. STILL waiting on the part I guess. No word from dealer.

 

[FordService]

Thanks. STILL waiting on the part I guess. No word from dealer.

Waiting can definitely be frustrating, croll326. If you'd like me to have your regional customer service manager look into this, PM me the usual details (full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership) so I can get this into their hands.

Crystal

 

[Field Engineer]

2015 Explorer steering failure

Just picked up my new company car which is a 2015 Explorer 3 weeks ago. Today while driving home the power assist steering was lost while on turnpike at 75 mph for no apparent reason. I was able to pull over after 10 miles into a rest area and a key on/off cycle 2 times cleared the issue. Later I stopped for fuel and upon key on, the codes came back! a few more key on/off cycles and they were gone again. I arrived home and needed to move the vehicle this evening and it has more bells and lights going off then a slot machine going off. I have no power steering assist at all. Car only has 2900 miles on it. Hope this gets resolved fast, I drive about 45-50,000 a year and last think I want it this to happen again.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Field Engineer.:wavey:
I believe this is the first report of a 2015 model with the problem. Definitely have it taken to the dealer and file a report with the NHTSA. Links are shown in this thread. This is very troublesome news. It would also help us if you added the model of your Explorer to your profile so it shows in the margin. It may help in tracking to see if this is prevalent with a particular model. It may also help in addressing future concerns you may have.

Peter

 

[croll326]

STILL waiting on my steering rack. Seems nobody is concerned about power steering loss in this heavy vehicle. Crazy to me.

 

[heybuddy75]

Steering gear update

Thanks Peter, a Ford Regional Manager finally called me back today and said that they will pay all the cost to replace the steering gear (HOPE IT WORKS). I Am definitely going to file a complaint with NHTSA for leaving me hanging and trying to get me to pay for it

Heres a update on my 2011 Explorer. We had it back from the dealer for about two weeks now with no problems. They replaced the steering gear assembly which includes the steering gear ( I don't think just the gear can be replaced separately). Anyways Ford paid for most of the bill except for $200 which I had to pay. That kind of pissed me off but it was better than paying the full $1700.

 

[FordService]

Just picked up my new company car which is a 2015 Explorer 3 weeks ago. Today while driving home the power assist steering was lost while on turnpike at 75 mph for no apparent reason. I was able to pull over after 10 miles into a rest area and a key on/off cycle 2 times cleared the issue. Later I stopped for fuel and upon key on, the codes came back! a few more key on/off cycles and they were gone again. I arrived home and needed to move the vehicle this evening and it has more bells and lights going off then a slot machine going off. I have no power steering assist at all. Car only has 2900 miles on it. Hope this gets resolved fast, I drive about 45-50,000 a year and last think I want it this to happen again.

Welcome, Field Engineer. You mentioned this is a company car, so I'd recommend getting in touch with our Fleet folks so they can help. Give them a call at 1-800-343-5338; be sure to have your VIN handy when calling to expedite things.

Crystal

 

[Field Engineer]

2015 Ford Explorer

Crystal,

Thanks! I have already contacted Lease Plan and the Vehicle is on a tow truck as we speak on way to dealer. Pallotta Ford in Wooster, Ohio is the dealer it was delivered too. I am not excited with this dealer so any help you can provide would be great. My delivery of this new vehicle was very poor. Thank you for all your assistance in advance.

Dave

 

[96sherm]

Morning all, new member with a 2015 Explorer, 3700 kms on the clock, currently sitting at the dealer waiting to be serviced for this same steering system fault, accompanied by the terrain management fault and stability system fault. It is most inconvenient.

To those of you who have had the issue, has it been re-occurring after the steering rack was replaced? We (my wife) loves the EX and has wanted one for a long time, I sure hope its not about to be a nit-picky nightmare. I'm also curious about the driving conditions where each failure has happened. We drive 9 miles of gravel road every day to reach the pavement. The whole point of buying this vehicle was to have a 4x4 family vehicle for the nasty weather and road conditions. It's not practical to have 2 pick-ups...or maybe it is?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Field Engineer]

96Sherm,

I picked up my 2015 a week ago after this failure and was informed that on the 15 models they need to replace the steering gear as they cannot just update software. Since pickup I have put on approx. 800 miles and it has been running/steering excellent. The dealer responded rapidly and had my Explorer back to me in 3 days. I feel confident that they changed the correct part from the research I have done, but have concerns that the replacement part at some time may have the same issue. I drive this vehicle for work and put on average 45-50,000 miles a year, so I will let you know if any additional failures occur. Until then, keep the faith in the SUV and enjoy.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum 96sherm.:wavey:
Without going back through all the posts in this thread, there may have been one instance where it occurred again after having the steering rack replaced. In other words, it isn't a common thing to have happen again.
I strongly suggest that you file a report with Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Branch;
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-defectinvestigations-index-76.htm

Also, it may help in addressing future concerns, if any, if you added the model of your Explorer to your profile so it shows in the margin when you post.

This confirms that this issue has now affected all 5 model years of the 5th generation Explorer.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

96Sherm,

I picked up my 2015 a week ago after this failure and was informed that on the 15 models they need to replace the steering gear as they cannot just update software. Since pickup I have put on approx. 800 miles and it has been running/steering excellent. The dealer responded rapidly and had my Explorer back to me in 3 days. I feel confident that they changed the correct part from the research I have done, but have concerns that the replacement part at some time may have the same issue. I drive this vehicle for work and put on average 45-50,000 miles a year, so I will let you know if any additional failures occur. Until then, keep the faith in the SUV and enjoy.

Did you file a complaint/report with the NHTSA?
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

Peter

 

[croll326]

Just picked up my 2013 ex sport after having the steering rack replaced. Only put a few miles on it but seems ok. I was told if this was not under my extended warranty with $100 deductible it would have ran about $2000!

While my vehicle was getting fixed, I was driving another company vechicle - a 2010 Honda Pilot Touring with.....175,000 miles on it. Not a rattle, vibration, shudder, or noise of any kind. I can only HOPE the 3.5 ecoboost and this Explorer is that smooth at 175,000 on the clock. Right now I have 47,000 on it and have had it in the shop more than the Pilot.

 

[FordServiceCA]

Morning all, new member with a 2015 Explorer, 3700 kms on the clock, currently sitting at the dealer waiting to be serviced for this same steering system fault, accompanied by the terrain management fault and stability system fault...

Welcome to the forum, 96sherm. Please PM your VIN, registered name on the vehicle, daytime phone number, and dealer info; I'll loop in your regional customer service manager.

Kwasi

 

[dallasdog]

I don't think I was the only one who had the rack replaced twice, but I think I may have been the only one whose second replacement steering rack failed as well. All three failed racks were in about 20k miles. Ford then had to buy my car back under the California lemon law. I saw that Ford was advertising the 2015 as having a new steering design and hoped that they had solved the problem, but I guess that is not the case. There was a lot to enjoy with the Ford, but I still shudder when I look at them driving by after all the fear we experienced.