Would have been nice if they figured it out while still under bumper to bumper warranty. If you find any connectors or wiring that is frayed or damaged, its time to replace it. Inspect the fuse box and the wires leading up to the steering system. Today, I actually lost steering and almost crashed into sidewalk. Issue is worse at highway speeds, creating a dangerous condition that was getting progressively worse. Similar circumstances to the first instance: happened while driving, same errors, started working after restarting the car. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. So, the problem can be quite severe, and, until the investigation is concluded, may be reason enough to skip the 2011-2017 model years. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. Lets take a closer look at the system. Power Steering assist failed. It was as if the steering was completely locked up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have to have a diagnostic performed. If all recall work has been completed, its time to test drive the vehicle to ensure it is mechanically sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a steering module panel that needed to be replaced. Upon research, I found this issue with Ford Explorers is a very common one. Its really silly. The transmission always feels like it slipping. 18 problems related to steering noise have been reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer. I've had Fords my entire life and always had major issues with each of them. The 2014 Ford Explorer has 28 problems reported for power steering failure. Bringing my out of pocket to roughly $1k. He is a longtime contributor to Vehicle History and a member of the site's original content team when it launched. Ford Explorer Power Steering Lawsuit Investigation, Gender Discrimination against Transgender and Nonbinary People, Wells Fargo Mortgage Modification Lawsuit. 2016 Ford Explorer problems: most common reliability issues. Handles horrible on water or ice. And with the SUVs out of warranty, youll be footing the bill for any repairs. We love it so far but glad we bought it 2yrs old and almost half the price with 48k mi.on it. Make sure you run the HVAC system, play the stereo, adjust the seats etc., as these are all things that can cost you some serious money in the long run to repair. Recall on door trim. At 37,706 miles had to replace rack and pinion gear assembly. If the power steering assist fault message appears on your dashboard, there is a fault code stored that tells why the light is on. We are lucky the family was not traveling fast on a highway. The 2016 model year has over 325 complaints. If you have questions or concerns about whether your Ford Explorer is part of this recall you can contact your local Ford dealer, go to Fords recall announcement, or the NHTSAs website for further information and instructions. I would go for a newer model if you are set on 2015 model. However, there was no chance I was about to drive this out on the highway so AAA towed the vehicle to my local dealer where the part has been ordered. Ford said the recalled Explorers were built between 2012 and 2017 at plants in Chicago and Russia. The wheel would not move to either side, and I was forced to stop the vehicle before entering the roadway since this posed a serious safety risk. A drop in your power steering fluid level indicates a leak somewhere in the system. Not so good for Ford to have this reputation on a vehicle upwards of $46k. I inquired if there were any recalls or safety bulletins issued regarding premature failure of the power steering in which they indicated there wasn't. If youre unlucky, it might be caused by a bad power steering pump that could easily cost you $1000 or more. In the middle of the 20th century, you had to muscle the steering wheel of a car to get it to go where you wanted. Its important to know why the fluid is low so there arent any other issues down the road. I also had it aligned after putting new tires on it. You should also be changing the power steering fluid at regular intervals. Hard electronic power steering/Electronic failure module/motor Kilmar salmeron 266 subscribers Subscribe 413 134K views 3 years ago Hard power steering. nearly-new cars at significant discounts off MSRP, Here Are The Chevy Avalanche Years To Avoid, The Top 3 Least and Most Reliable Car Brands, The Most Common Problems with Used Ford Explorers (And Which Year Models to Avoid), Nissan Frontier Towing Capacity: What To Know. Towed in. In some models, this isnt that difficult to do. I was luckily able to get it off the road but had I been going any rate of speed it could have caused a major crash as you cannot steer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. My car engine started smoking a few weeks ago, and lots of components are breaking. Electric Power Assist Steering System problems, statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Explorer. Ask your Ford dealer. Its engine logged over 240 complaints at the NHTSA, with a growing number of owners reporting a failed water pump. Makes too much of an odd noise when driving. Steve represents consumers, employees, and whistleblowers harmed by corporate misconduct in a variety of complex litigation cases. Craftsman ship lacking. Against our better judgment, we took it from PA to FL, well almost. I used to be a ford fan but after this problem, I may rethink the "FORD TOUGH" slogan and go with a MORE WARRANTED AND RELIABLE VEHICLE. 10. An exhaust odor investigation currently remains open on the 2013-2017 models. Typically, when the fluid is low, you will have to work harder to turn your vehicle. RELATED: 7 Symptoms of a Bad Serpentine Belt (& Replacement Cost). The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and then seized. You should also inspect the wiring and connectors making up the steering system. Since 1990, the Ford Explorer has been the vehicle of choice for millions of families. On July 27, 2019 at 46363 miles my steering decided to finally stop working all together. Steering creaks loudly while turning the wheels, accompanied by loose steering and steering lock intermittently. He shut off the vehicle and when he restarted it the message was gone. This was my 2nd and last time I buy Ford. My driver door arm rest is splitting. Didnt realize that all the quirks that it had were design flaws and actual defects. Ford needs to recall this now! brand new vehicle. Video documents Ford Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) failure and identifies cause in 2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost. The fix involves Ford dealership technicians inspecting the cross-axis ball joint. Hydraulic Power Steering - Differences, Pros & Cons. First published on July 19, 2021 / 4:29 PM. Requires replacement of eps steering. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they informed her that the electrical rack and pinion needed to be replaced, followed by an alignment. The contact stated that while turning in either direction, the steering wheel jerked with a rubbing sound coming from the steering column. Extremely dangerous situation. Based on my experience with this issue, I strongly recommend a safety bulletin and a recall be issued. Four problems related to steering is tight have been reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer. It becomes much more difficult to handle your car, and it can even result in an accident if you are not able to maneuver the car fast enough. Also radio screen tends to go blank and have to restart car to fix. Unsubscribe any time. Fortunately I purchased a extended warranty, with a "$0.00 deductible or as the service adviser said, it would be about a $2,000.00 out of my pocket repair. We paid $700 to fix or bandaid the problem last month. While driving down the highway the power steering suddenly went out, showing errors "steering assist fault, service required" , "hill start assist not available" , and "service advancetrac". The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. It takes a whole lot of effort to get it going at a decent speed sometimes. And to note, we do take very good care of our cars. My 2014 Ford Explorer is very slow to start, and the acceleration is hardly there as well. July 19, 2021 / 4:29 PM Power Steering Assist May Fail NHTSA Recall ID: 14V286000 This recall affected 179,027 potential units: Ford Explorers dated from 2011-2013 and built from May 17, 2010-February 28, 2012. (things to consider before ever buying a Ford again). CoPilot searches every car at every dealer, every day, and ranks them based on what matters to you. On top of that, Car Complaints says that the average cost to fix this issue was about $2,100. The Explorer recall is for a steering issue. Dealer couldn't find the problem. If you notice a dashboard warning light or you are having trouble controlling your vehicle, you want to know how to fix a power steering assist fault. 51 problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer. I had the truck towed to Quirk Ford in Quincy Ma. Ford recalled 34,939 of its 2020-2021 F-350 Super Duty trucks with a 6.7-liter engine and single rear wheel axle due to a weld issue. Already had to get new tires have work on transmission. Power steering is a modern marvel that many of us take for granted. I pulled over to research the lights in the Owner's Manual, which indicated an issue with the brakes. Making up 323 complaints out of 1,214 total, steering issues are the leading cause of concern for 2016 Ford Explorer drivers.Reading through the complaints you'll find the same story over and over again: the owner is driving on the highway when suddenly the wheel becomes very stiff. The vehicle would always go into drive but had no steering. As above, ensure that the throttle body recall has been completed and ensure that the engine accelerates normally. You may have to spend some money up front, but peace of mind truly has no price. This is completely unacceptable for a 6 year old car with just over 100,000 miles. My mechanic was required to have the vehicle towed to him. Wish it wasn't the case. Maybe they have it sort then. But 2013 saw some major complaints, recalls, and investigations. Went out to leave in Explorer. Several months ago I have had the tie rod ends and ball joints replaced. You need to call around. Otherwise, the same thing is going to happen, or you could even lose power steering completely. I brought it to a Ford dealership and the parts needed are on backorder with no lead time! Weve always been foreign car people. I had to call a tow truck to take the car to the local Ford dealership. If the light is on the dashboard, you can use your code scanner for hunting down the problem. If you arent sure what you are doing, its best to visit a professional before anything else gets messed up. It is usually on or near the engine, and can have a white or yellow reservoir. An exhaust odor investigation currently remains open on the 2013-2017 models. If theres a leak, you need to repair this problem before you refill the system. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 1 Steering Is Tight problem Failure Date: 02/13/2021 The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. Before you start troubleshooting anything electrical with your car, you should always read the fault codes with an OBD2 scanner. Maybe I should have given it 1 star. . Ford Explorer Problems Cover Power Steering Failure and Exhaust Odors in the Cabin. The 2021 Ford Explorer Isnt Recommended by Consumer Reports. Without it being fused there is potential for a short circuit which can lead to a fire. But once I started researching online, it was obvious to me that this should be a recall. 5 Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Alignment (Why you should fix it), 7 Symptoms of a Bad Serpentine Belt (& Replacement Cost), Service Brake Assist Meaning, Causes & Fixes, 6 Signs Of A Bad Power Steering Pump and Replacement Cost, 3 Types Of Power Steering Fluid And How to Change It, Steering Assist Is Reduced Drive With Care: Meaning, Causes & How To Fix, Electric vs. CSK&D is investigating reports that certain models of Ford Escape and Explorer models experience power steering issues. There is something else leaking but my husband cannot find it all these things happened to it right after the warranty was over. Ive read reports where people are driving on the freeway when it happens and I could only imagine how that wouldve been like especially since I drive with my child onboard . If you dont see any warning lights or messages on your dashboard related to the power steering and the steering wheel is easy to turn and operate, your power steering is most likely working fine. At approximately 102,000 miles, vehicle started making loud grinding noise when turning the steering wheel in either direction, very noticeable both inside and outside the vehicle, both when stopped and when driving. red flags to look out for when buying a used car. 3 weeks after I reported this happenings, I was driving in rush hour traffic, on a one lane road and lost all power steering. With a belt-driven system, you might need a replacement to fix the issue. Cost to Fix a Power Steering Assist Fault. Cold weather really makes it act up. We don't sell/share your email. See Owner's Manual for details and limitations. Loved it for so long but was being repaired constantly. No substantive data or actual evidence has been obtained to prove a link between crash allegations and carbon monoxide poisoning. When youre looking for a 2016 Ford Explorer or even another similar type of vehicle, CoPilot should be the first place you search. ", Ford noted that these particular Explorer models may have problems with a fractured rear suspension toe link that "significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.". of the Ford explorer. This came as a shock since the vehicle only has 63,000 miles on it. Most 2017 Explorers no longer carry a valid Ford-backed warranty. So, the issue seems to have finally gotten under control. Its combination of rugged good looks, capability and practicality helped usher in the modern SUV boom that is prevalent today. Older systems have a belt that connects to the engine to draw energy. But complaints continue to roll in. The steering failure light came on about 2 weeks ago. I had just begun to execute the turn and the steering wheel locked and would only go straight. I was able to pull off on to a side road, barely and throwing my back out in the process. In some cases, the problem could be something as simple as a blown fuse for the power steering pump or another power steering system. We don't sell/share your email. steering on my car failed turning onto off ramp and could not steer the car with out a lot of effort missed the car in front of me and came to a stop on side of over pass missed the bridge called my dealer to have it looked at steering rack motor seized apparently it is a problem with 2015 2016 explorers cant find steering racks any where in north America I have been waiting for parts still no eta can you help with this problem thanks [XXX] email is [XXX]. Nice Limited version. The way the crash happened, I'm lucky to be alive, but how is this not a recall" How is there not a safety feature to allow for manual control of the steering if the electrical system dies" Scariest moment driving by far, a roller coaster I wish to not be put on again. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. While there are a number of honest vendors out there, plenty of sellers are looking to pocket more of your money with unnecessary fees. No lights were present at the time of the failure, a Ford dealership had done an inspection on my Steering Rack back on 10/29/2021 that found no issues present. If you do be sure to have your vehicles VIN handy. More severe damage may require technicians to replace the compressor belt. The auto defect attorneys at Gibbs Law Group are investigating reports of power steering problems in 2016-2018 Ford Explorers. Otherwise, take it to a local auto repair shop for additional assistance. Second instance was in mid may 2021. If the selling party does not want this test done, time to look elsewhere. Gibbs Law Group is opening a class action lawsuit in this matter so clearly there are red flags that are being ignored. Please recall this dangerous defect! no - Answered by a verified Ford Mechanic. 00 dollars for a new rack and pinion on 8-13-21 was given a release date on part for 8-24-21 then 8-25-21 and now 9-3-21 this is an emergency order thru Ford they was quick to take my money but cant deliver part. Ford does not acknowledge this is a major and common safety failure. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. My frustration is my input was not requested for this. Again, should you have concerns contact your local Lincoln dealership, Fords recall website, or the NHTSA site. after I purchased my truck, I replace. I attempted to work with Ford directly to assist in this repair, as it was not covered under warranty, this happened at 40k miles. If you just want a reliable daily driver, consider the 2018 model. Also, it is not subject to the exhaust odor investigation. The vehicle had to be towed to the local Ford dealership. Ford just announced two recalls involving almost 775,000 Explorer SUVs and another for 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator SUVs. Shipping isn't a huge expense but finding the part may take time. You can't even get aftermarket parts! Rack and pinion power steering rack stopped working while my wife was driving back home with our two kids that are 4 years old and 9 months old. Even though there is a recall on this model for the power steering, the dealership told me it wasn't due to the recall and . Transmission issues, compute ecu issues, Power takeoff unit replaced. We are already having transmission issues with a 2.5 year old car. Unfortunately, in some car models, you will also need to program the new steering angle sensor, which can often only be done by the dealer. He was able to make it home. This investigation includes roughly 83,000 units from the 2011 model year Explorer. Since this occurrence, the steering has had a grinding sound when moving the wheel. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle without warning. I have never been so mistreated. RELATED: 4 Signs of a Bad Steering Angle Sensor. Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. In my own experience, I had just gotten off the Interstate and was on back roads traveling at a reduced speed, so I was VERY FORTUNATE the steering failed when it did. This problem may be covered under warranty. Ford has recalled earlier model year Explorers with power steering problems before. Street driving, hard acceleration, highway speeds - all of it. I called the dealership and long story short they told me there is nothing they can do until it happens again. What is the benefit of power assistant steering? The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Troubleshooting an electrical fault isnt always simple. The third instance was June 24th 2021. But there is data to suggest that carbon monoxide was elevated in certain driving scenarios.. The support bracket . The gas cap won't stay shut. statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2016 Explorer. 2016 Ford Explorer Front by Vauxford - CC BY. Since its first introduction, the power steering system has become more advanced. Last, the raised roof racks are flush as opposed to prior years where there is space between the rack and the roof. The failure mileage was 114,000. And now theyre trying to determine the extent of it, and whether its actually a safety concern. No warning lights was illuminated. Drove the truck to Ford (3 miles away) and they had the truck all day when they called to tell me they were unable to retrieve any error codes, but would like to keep it over night to do a little more to see if they would be able to find out the cause of my problem. It harnesses the power to operate the power steering. After bringing the car in for service, owners find out that the power steering system alone is not the issue. Everything is being disassemble in parts. Without strong upper body strength, you can easily have an accident. Looks like this is a huge problem Ford has with its Explorer rack and pinion failure I guess there waiting on somebody to get killed with faulty racks before they do anything. If your vehicle uses parallel parking assist, lane assist or other advanced technology, the EPAS system might play a role in the operation. The culprit of nearly every complaint is a faulty throttle body. We purchased the USED 2016 Explorer from Sheehy Ford for our 16 year old son. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle has not been inspected besides the dealer. I don't have another 1300 dollars to purchase. They also recommended not driving the vehicle in that the condition was unsafe. & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. LEMON DON'T BUY ONE terrible gas mileage very disappointed in 2017 Explorer, Horrible gas mileage any factory recalls its a LEMON. Also the navigation went out twice, still not working. I had my car in for service 9 days earlier and they swear they couldn't detect the issue because it wasn't visible until they opened the assembly and saw the corrosion. While driving to the nearest Ford dealer to have it checked out, if failed again. Why aren't they warning us of the potential safety issue and the probability of failure? Explorer. You can expect to pay between $0 and $1000 to fix the power steering assist fault, but there is no fixed cost. Bad o2 sensors. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering rack when steering left. A new car loses value the second you drive it off the lot. I had to have the hood repainted because the paint start to chip. "Steering Assist Fault" and Lane Keeping Sys. This is an expensive fix that owners claim happens at relatively low mileage. I've had other issues with the car, but I still like the Explorer. You dont want to drive with these problems. Last year it recalled the 2020 Explorer 10 times. Door keeps falling apart. I was handed a bill of $2.750 for a new rack install. 2017 Explorer is not as good as my old 2005. Not enough room even though it seats 7. They recommended taking it to a dealership to be repaired. I initially tried to identify if the steering wheel locking mechanism was to blame, but this was ruled out since the vehicle was actively in "drive" and no other issues were noted with the steering wheel. Late the following morning I got a call saying they found the problem, failed "Power Steering Rack". I had that replaced by a repair shop. With all my might, I was able to direct the car to turn to the right a little so I could get into a convenience store parking lot where I lost all ability to move the wheel in either direction. It occurred as I rounded a slight curve. Ford says that most of the incidences of this happening are coming out of areas that cause high corrosion. Although mileage is 100K +, car has been well cared for. For it to be a 300$ core as well, sounds like its still a valuable part broken. This is in addition to 11 recalls for the 2016 model. Buyer please beware. After wrestling the car to a safe site I shut if off. Over time, your power steering assist system can fail. The reports are all over the place, but most of them point to a coolant leak. Rack and pinion making crackling noises My safety still at risk if I continue driving Yes the dealer ordered the part but is unavailable due to back order. There was a recall in 2014 for nearly 200,000 Ford Explorers from 2011 to 2013. Over time this can wear through the insulation making contact with a positive, unfused circuit. Some drivers are inquiring about a Ford Explorer Power Steering Lawsuit. Evidence is presented suggesting Ford has. They said unfortunately, yes. It use to work just fine before the firmware update that took 30 minutes. Bulky to drive, gets very bad gas mileage, has several blinds spots when looking back, the backup camera is a joke. They went back to Ford and Ford said this is final, we are doing no more. My 2013 Explorer was barely out of warranty when I went to them and they gave me no help at all. 1)Broken snap ring, 2) Part from snap ring repair put in backwards thus causing metal shavings and other parts to fail 3) Transmission housing gasket damaged thus causing fluid leak 4) All four tires (original equipment) 2 replaced with same as original equipment at 12,500 miles and the other 2 needing replacement at 28,350 miles. When I called the dealership to find out what was going on with my car, I learned that the Steering Gear Assembly was 'corroded' and needed to be replaced. The gas tank does not work, so I can not see how many gallons of gas I have left. Vehicle History's team of automotive experts brings you the most accurate and up-to-date used car information. The quality is not what I would expect for the price of the vehicle. Todays vehicles especially those that are hybrid have an electric pump instead that runs off of the battery. The remaining recalls took place in Europe, South America and other international markets. Each time I'm told if it's not giving a code at the time i bring it, there's nothing that can be done. Ford Explorer terrain management system faults include bugs in software, faulty sensors, and temperature fluctuations. They ended rotating the tires. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested. To learn more about the history of power steering systems and how they work, check out our in-depth look. Parts alone I was quoted $2,500 not including labor and programming costs. Backing into garage when "Lane Keeping Assist" malfunction illuminated on the left side of my gauge cluster. It has generated far fewer complaints and recalls than the 2017 model. Todays advanced safety features run off of the power steering, which is why the system is so important. They could never figure out what was wrong with it. My 2016 Explorer has been the biggest POS I've ever owned. If the fluid is full and you checked the other things, this would be your next step. All rights reserved. I started having steering problems at 16k miles. The support bracket for the . Car Complaints reported at least four crashes due to this steering issue with the Explorer. The "advance trac" light came on and hill assist and traction control. A cross-axis ball joint can potentially cause a fractured rear suspension toe link. Power Steering Fluid Low The repair cost to fix your power steering assist fault could be anywhere from $5 to $550 or more, depending on what the diagnosis shows. Total cost of the repair $1700. 2013 Ford Explorer overheats because the radiator is cracked and needs to be replaced. The initial investigation launched in 2016, and was closed in 2017, a couple months after the current investigation was launched the same year. The-CNN-Wire All is covered under the warranty but Ford is back ordered on these steering racks.The service mgr. After turning the car off and restarting it was I able to drive it. The steering wheel sticks in certain positions while driving, requiring extra force to maintain the vehicle's direction. Extended warranty is the only way to go buying a newer vehicle these days. Power Steering Failure Causes. So, drivers dealing with a coolant leak are going to have to cover the repairs out of pocket. The most recently reported issues are listed below. He has been working as a car mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced car diagnostics and troubleshooting. This is a known design flaw, which has impacted several hundreds 2016 - 2018 Ford Explorer owner/operators. Don't get a Ford Explorer. Power assistant steering, or power steering, is a system designed to make it easier for the driver to steer a car. This did not help. 100% should be a recall at such a low mileage, just thought since police use them in their fleet they had to be reliable . But they saw that my brake pads were getting thin and told me I needed to replace them which they did that day. We purchased the Explorer figuring it would be a good, safe, reliable vehicle. So it looks like places with high humidity and snow conditions that areas use road salt to minimize.