2015 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,791 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 37 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 98 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraOct 13, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Campaign 25V695000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJul 15, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
Campaign 21V537000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearMar 12, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
Campaign 20V675000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftNov 10, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
Campaign 20V692000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearApr 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S18.
Campaign 16V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Parking brakeJul 24, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
Campaign 15V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
345 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, May 4, 2018
AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED 80MPH MY POWER STEERING WAS LOST. I HAD TWO WARNINGS POP UP AS IT WENT OUT; STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK. THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING AT ALL. THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL POWER STEERING LOSS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH OLDER VEHICLES I HAVE HAD. I HAD TO PUT NEARLY MY FULL BODY WEIGHT OF 300 LBS INTO STEERING TO A SAFE PLACE. HAD THIS HAPPENED TO OTHERS THIS VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN A HIGH SPEED IMPACT INTO A WALL WITH THIS LOSS. I AM HAVING THIS VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER AFTER ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING IT TO SEE IF A RESET MAY BE NEEDED AS SOME CODES RESET THIS WAY.
Steering, Mar 14, 2018
SINCE AROUND 40000 MILES, POWER STEERING WILL HAVE A LOUD CLICK AND POP WITH ALL TURNS. SINCE 50000 MILES, DURING THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK AND THE DRIVER WILL HAVE TO PULL HARD TO CHANGE TURN RADIUS. TOOK IT TO FORD - ENTIRE EPAS (ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE AT 50000 MILES.
Steering, Mar 6, 2018
STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION RESULTING IN A CLOSE CALL WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTION HAVING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO INTERSTATE RAMP, EVIDENTLY A MAJOR SAFETY RISK, DUE TO ELECTRONIC STEERING RACK DESIGN ISSUE. ESTIMATE OF OVER $2,253.00 REPAIR WITH $1,343.00 PART AT LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP.---THANKS,
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Feb 13, 2018
2015 EXPLORER SPORT - HAVE A BINDING, POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. POPS BEFORE COMPLETING A FULL TURN AT FULL STOP AND WILL POP MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DOING A K-TURN OR RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. HAD THRUST WASHER, NUTS, AND OTHER ITEMS REPLACED NOV 2017 AT 34776 MILES, NOW AT 38000 AND ITS BACK AND OF COURSE TECHS CAN'T DUPLICATE. I ALSO WENT TO DEALER AND DROVE AFTER THEY ROTATED TIRES AND CHANGED THE OIL AND COULDN'T. NEXT MORNING IN DRIVING ITS DOING IT AGAIN, BUT ONE POP AT A TIME AT FULL STOP. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT BECUASE I HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM IN MY 2013 EXPLORER. MY WARRENTY IS UP AND I NEED THIS FIXED AS I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH CONFIDENCE.
Steering, Suspension, Feb 6, 2018
WHEN MY CAR IS IN ANY KIND OF TURN YOU HEAR A POPPING NOISE . NOT VERY LOUD BUT NOTICEABLE. ALSO WHEN ON A INCLINE OR DECLINE A CRUNCHING NOISE CAN BE HEARD. MY SON BORROWED MY CAR LAST WEEKEND AND NOTICED IT. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY OF COURSE CANNOT REPLICATE THIS NOISE. WITH ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE I AM APPALLED THAT FORD HAS NOT LOOKED INTO THIS. I GUESS NOT ENOUGH DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED YET FOR IT TO BE ON THEIR RADAR.
Steering, Jan 26, 2018
WITH 51,000 MILES AND JUST OVER 3 YEARS ON THE CAR, THE STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED WITH POPPING NOISE OCCURRING ANYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. GOT WORSE QUICKLY AND HAD TO GET IT FIXED. VERY EXPENSIVE BUT ALSO VERY SCARY FOR MY SAFETY. I ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF MY CARS AND KEEP THEM FOR 7-10 YEARS.
Steering, Jan 3, 2018
I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE TURNING I LOST STEERING ASSIST CONTROLS. NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I ALL MOST CRASHED IN MID TURN.
Steering, Suspension, Dec 28, 2017
STOPPED IN THE STREET TO DO A U-TURN, STARTED MY TURN AND LOST STEERING. DROVE INTO A CURB, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED IN HALF.
Steering, Nov 15, 2017
THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7-8 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THE WORST TIME WAS WHEN IT FAILED IN A SLOW, TIGHT TURN. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED THE STEERING SELF ALIGNED BACK TO STRAIGHT. THIS HAPPENED IN MY KID'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARKING LOT. IT EASILY COULD HAVE LED TO A BAD ACCIDENT OR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WENT IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION. THE ATTACHED PICTURE IS FROM ONE OF THE OTHER 7-8 TIMES THIS OCCURRED, THUS THE MISMATCH IN MILEAGE FROM THE PICTURE AND THAT LISTED IN THE COMPLAINT.
Steering, Nov 5, 2017
STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 14 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER (07/07/2016 AND 09/19/2017). FIRST TIME WAS AT 37,100 MILES, SECOND TIME WAS AT 59,853 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 70+MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN AS WELL AS A POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN LEFT AND FELT LIKE POWER STEERING WAS GOING OUT. POPPING CAN HAPPEN WHILE STATIONARY OR MOVING. EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. DEALERSHIP (FORD) CAN NOT DUPLICATE EITHER. PURCHASED NEW TIRES LAST YEAR AND SINCE THAT DAY, THE SUV HAS A CONSISTENT VIBRATION. THEY (DEALERSHIP) FORD CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD TODAY, THE EXHAUST FUMES ONLY RELATE TO THE POLICE SUV'S. I'VE REPORTED THIS SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR....
Steering, Oct 16, 2017
VEHICLE ONLY HAS 41000 MILES AND THE RACK AND PINION IS MAKING A CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS NOT FAIL AS GETTING THE STEERING LOCK BUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Sep 18, 2017
DRIVING ON SMALL HIGHWAY 55-60 MPH. DASH WARNINGS DING AND FLASH POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE, TERRAIN MANGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER STEERING AND FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURN INTO PARKING LOT. RESTARTED CAR HOPING IT WAS A GLITCH...I WAS LOW ON WIPER FLUID AND PRESSED OK. (SEEMED TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRESSING BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL). ALL WAS NORMAL AND DROVE HOME. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AFTER SEVERAL DAYS AND WOULD CORRECT ITSELF UPON RESTARTING CAR. I WAS LUCKY TO BE DRIVING IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. I HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS, I AM SUSPECTING THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Sep 17, 2017
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. NOTICED SUDDEN LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER. NUMEROUS WARNING AND MESSAGES APPEARED ON DASH ALONG WITH AUDIBLE ALARMS. THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND STOP. SEEMED TO BE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING.WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE HOME BUT VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. CODE REVEALED FAILED STEERING RACK. $1800 TO REPLACE STEERING RACK. VEHICLE HAD 51449 MILES. CONTACTED FORD CONSUMER RELATIONS-ASKED HER TO TRIGGER A RECALL. I TOLD HER, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A DISASTEROUS COLLISION. SHE STARTED A FILE AND WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH MY LOCAL DEALER, IN HOPES THAT THERE MAY BE A POSSIBLE "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE" SITUATION. SERVICE ADVISER AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE THE NUMBERS AREN'T THERE ON THIS MODEL YEAR TO CONSIDER IT DANGEROUS ENOUGH TO RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE, IN THIS SITUATION, FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS PUTTING PROFITS AHEAD OF SAFETY. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT FIX THE VEHICLE AND AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT THE STEERING RACK INSTALLED IS OF THE SAME CRAPPY QUALITY AS THE ONE THAT FAILED. AS OF 4 WEEKS LATER, I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM MY DEALER OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT ANY "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE". WHAT A JOKE. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THESE STEERING RACKS ARE FAILING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 14, 2017
CONSOLE STARTED FLASHING "SERVICE STEERING ASSIST SOON" AND "TRACTION ASSIST FAILURE". WOULD CLEAR UP WHEN CAR RESTARTED. NEVER LOST STEERING DURING THIS 2 WEEK TIME. JULY 9TH, 2017, DRIVING 70 MPH ON 405 FREEWAY NEAR LONG BEACH, CA, FLASHED "STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" AND LOST POWER STEERING. TRACTION ASSIST FAILURE LIGHT AS WELL. GOT THOUGH TRAFFIC, SLOWED DOWN AND EXITED WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING, STOPPED AND RESTARTED AND ISSUE WENT AWAY. CALLED DEALER AND TOOK CAR IN THE NEXT MORNING. THEY RESET CODES AND SAID "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK IN." WHICH SCARED ME. 9 DAYS LATER LOST STEERING TURNING INTO WORK PARKING LOT THEN LOST STEERING 3 MORE TIMES WITHIN 24 HOURS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE EPAS RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FOR $1916.79. THE CAR HAD 46,7K MILES AND ONLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AS THEY DON'T CONSIDER THIS POWERTRAIN. HAD I BEEN IN A TURN OR EXIT RAMP OFF FREEWAY WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH FOR CERTAIN.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 EXPLORER ABOUT 55 MPH, COMING UP TO A DRIVEWAY I NEEDED TO TURN INTO A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY. SUDDENLY THE CAR LURCHED AND WARNING SIGNALS POPPED UP ON MY DASH. IT ALERTED ME MY COLLISION WARNING SENSORS FAILED AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND SLOW DOWN FOR MY TRIM AND REALIZED I HAD LOST POWER BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER STEERING IN MY ATTEMPT TO TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I NARROWLY MISSED HITTING A TREE WHILE MAKING THE TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I COASTED TO A STOP AND IMMEDIATELY RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS. IT SUGGEST I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO SEE IF THE CODES CLEARED. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON ALL WARNING WERE STILL DISPLAYED BUT BRAKES AND STEERING RETURNED. MY LOCAL FORD WAS FAIRLY CLOSE SO MY FATHER IN LAW ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT THERE AND SUDDENLY ALL CODES CLEARED OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2017
ON 08-12-17 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AN TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT.. I SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTD IT .IT HAD RESET IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO FORD ON 8-14-17 TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP AND FIX IT.
Steering, Aug 10, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON A BUSY HIGHWAY THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING ILLUMINATED AND MY VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SAFELY MOVE FROM ONE LANE TO THE NEXT. I WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND TURNED ON MY HAZARDS TO AVOID WRECKING INTO THE HIGHWAY BARRIER. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY A LARGE SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER AND A FEW OTHER VEHICLES AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET TO SAFETY. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS GOING TO BE STRUCK BY PASSING VEHICLES. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SAFETY, THE MESSAGES READ "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND THEN I SAW ANOTHER MESSAGE THAT READ A TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FUNCTION FAULT AS WELL. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY WIFE TO TELL HER I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF RT 280 IN WEST ORANGE, NJ. JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ME. I THE CALLED AAA TO REQUEST A TOW. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE MY VEHICLE TO A SAFER PLACE AND KEPT HEARING A WHINING NOISE AND THE STEERING WOULD GO IN AND OUT OF FAULTS. ONCE I WAS IN A SAFE PLACE I ADVISED AAA OF MY LOCATION AND AWAITED THEIR SERVICE. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN ISSUE TO FORD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. WE HAD THE EXPLORER TOWED TO BEYER FORD IN MORRISTOWN, NJ. I RECEIVED A CALL TODAY FROM THE FORD DEALER THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED THIS ISSUE UP ON-LINE AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE AND NOT JUST ON EXPLORERS, BUT OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND DIFFERENT YEARS. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT LITERALLY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH. THAT POSSIBILITY THAT I COULD HAVE HAD MY FAMILY INCLUDING MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE AND GIVING DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. WE ALSO OWN A 2011 FORD EXPLORER.
Steering, Aug 9, 2017
DRIVING 45MPH DOWN ON A MAJOR ROAD MY STEERING WENT OUT. THE DASH READ AN ERROR "STEERING FAULT" AND I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE CAR. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. STEERING WAS RESTORED. IT APPEARS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR MODEL YEARS PRIOR TO MINE (HTTP://WWW.THECARCONNECTION.COM/NEWS/1092388_FORD-RECALLS-914000-ESCAPE-EXPLORER-SUVS-FOR-POWER-STEERING-ISSUE). I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS AND I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT LOOKED AT. I THEN CALLED FORD CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND THAT IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY DID NOT CARE. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE!
Steering, Jul 29, 2017
THIS PAST WINTER MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT A POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING OUR 2015 FORD EXPLORER SPORT INTO THE GARAGE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BECOME INTERMITTENT AND OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADWAY.
Steering, Jul 24, 2017
POWER STEERING FAILED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.
Steering, Jul 3, 2017
MULTIPLE TIMES STEERING FAULTS WHILE DRIVING. LOCKED STEERING RENDERING CAR NOT ABLE TO STEER, CAR IN MOTION. MOST RECENT INCIDENT ON 6/26 ALSO HAPPENED PRIOR. BODY DAMAGE TO CAR DUE TO LACK OF STEERING. NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED. NO PHYSICAL INJURY. "CRASH" ON NEXT QUESTION IS OVERSTATING ALTHOUGH OBJECT WAS HIT CAUSING DAMAGE
Steering, Apr 28, 2017
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON TO A RESIDENTIAL STREET THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP FROM RUNNING UP ON THE SIDEWALK. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MOST LIKELY RESULTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE ALERT APPEARED ON DASH READ OUT. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, RE-STARTED, NO CHANGE. SHUT OFF A SECOND TIME, RESTARTED AND ALERT DISAPPEARED AND THE STEERING WAS FUNCTIONING. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME, CALLED FORD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE NEXT DAY IN ROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP, A HEAVY CLUNK SOUND WAS HEARD. I WENT THROUGH THE SAME MOTIONS AGAIN BUT COULD NOT REPEAT THE CLUNK NOISE. DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR WHICH IS THE ENTIRE RACK. I ASKED AN ADVISER IF THEY KNEW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND OR IF THE NEW PART BEING INSTALLED IS THE SAME AS WHAT WAS REMOVED OR IF THERE WAS AN UPGRADED VERSION. THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY ANY UPGRADES RELATING TO THE FAILURE WHICH HAS ME WORRIED SINCE MY WIFE ALSO DRIVES THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FAILURE WON'T OCCUR AGAIN. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE MAJORITY OF THE COSTS.I PAID A $100. DEDUCTIBLE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I'M CONVINCED THAT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT DUE TO OTHER YEAR AND MODEL FORDS DISPLAYING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALSO WANT IT DOCUMENTED IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. COPY OF REPAIR ORDER ATTACHED.
Steering, Apr 18, 2017
A POWER STEERING WARNING CAME UP, THEN LATER THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT LATER RETURNED. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY HAS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ASSEMBLY. ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER 4-17-17 WARNING COMES ON AGAIN. TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY NOW SAY IT IS PROBABLY POWER STEERING MOTOR WITH A COST OF $2000+. WHEN MY WIFE ORIGINALLY FELT THE LOSS OF STEERING SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING DOWN THE ROAD, NOT TURNING. SHE FELT IT TIGHTEN UP.
Steering, Mar 29, 2017
CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. NO LIGHTS OR CODES SHOWING IN THE DASH, BUT STEERING HAS A LOT OF PLAY. DEALERSHIP SEEMS NOT TO SEE A PROBLEM. JUST HAD AN O2 SENSOR REPLACED AND THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSIONER. THIS VEHICLE IS MORE TROUBLE THAN ITS WORTH....