What 2,224 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

I was driving this 2013 Ford Explorer and suddenly the steering wheel became very difficult to steer and turn. Some warning lights appear on the dashboard stating POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC and TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. The experience a loss of power and require extra effort to steer the vehicle. This potentially may increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident or crash and place motorist safety at risk. I urge FORD to address this concern immediately. This seems to be a trend and complain from numerous other motorist who operate and drive the 2013 Ford Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11423349

I kept getting the power steering assist failed. I got it repaired and then I found out that there was a recall previously on my car. How do I go about getting reimbursement about me fixing the recalled part.

NHTSA ODI 11422328

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and regained normal steering functionality. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the battery, alternator, and transmission needed to be replaced. The battery and alternator were replaced. The dealer also performed three recall repairs for the door, rear toe link, and exhaust. and the battery and alternator were replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for transmission repair. The vehicle remained at the mechanic's. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11422346

I was driving when all of a sudden the power steering gave out. My wheel locked tight and I was unable to move the wheel easy. The light on the dash first stated drivers assist disabled and then "service power steering". I almost ran off the road due to loss of control of the wheel. It was taken to Gates Toyota where a Certified Ford Technician stated it was the power steering module. Upon looking this was an issue in Ford Explorer's in the past with a recall on it. Mine was not covered in this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11421966

On, June 19, 2021 I was driving back home from a Father's Day fishing excursion in Morehead City , NC, about 4 hours in my 5 hours and 40 minutes drive back home, my power steering light lite up on my dashboard, I felt my steering wheel starting to get a little tighter on my turns, so I found the nearest Auto Zone, looking to buy some power steering fluid , but before going inside, I lifted up my hood, to look for my power steering tank, I could not find one, so I went to my Ford manual book and found out, it was an electric power steering system. Since I was 1 hours and 40 minutes from being home, after I drop my brother in law off at his home in Arlington, Va. He had gotten sea sick on the boat and was in bad shape, so I left my truck running, then I made it home to my girlfriend house in White Plains, MD, I got up on June 20th, 2021, and started my truck up, and I could not turn my steering wheel at all, so I called my Travelers roadside assistance, for a tow truck, and they delivered my truck to Ford Dealership in Waldorf, MD. I waiting on them to call me back today, they was busy yesterday.

NHTSA ODI 11421781

I was driving this said Ford motor vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to steer and maneuver. Immediately a warning light appear on the dashboard stating POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. This said Ford SUV experience a loss of power and require extra effort to steer the vehicle. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash and place my safety and the safety of other motorist and/or pedestrians at risk. I hope this concern can be addressed in a timely manner. Thanks in advance.

NHTSA ODI 11419867

As I was driving down the interstate the steering got hard to control. It was hard keeping the car in my lane. The warning light came on and told be to check power steering. I had to drive on the side of the interstate for 2 miles to the next exit. Then had to wait 8 hours for someone to come get my family. There are some recalls on this but not on my car. Dealer told me the part is over 1500 dollars. I don't understand why mine is not on recall list. I have lost all trust in Ford products.

NHTSA ODI 11419839

Power Steering Assist Fault message appears randomly at start up. Generally restarting the vehicle will clear the fault. Recalls were issued for the model year of my vehicle, but it seems my vin falls outside of the recall, but this very serious safety issue is still effecting it.

NHTSA ODI 11419297

The contact owns a 2013 FORD Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel ceased. The contact stated while taking the vehicle to the dealer, about 5 to 6 miles later the power steering warning light disappeared. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,920

NHTSA ODI 11418654

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding sound was coming from the steering wheel while turning in either direction, without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering gearbox was defective and that if not replaced, the power steering would fail to operate. Months later, while driving 55 mph, the "service power steering" message appeared on the instrument panel. Upon leaving a bank, the contact started her vehicle, and the "service power steering now" and "lane-keeping system, services required" messages appeared on the instrument panel. Due to the complete loss of power steering, the vehicle was towed to her home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (steering) and referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418457

Loss of power steering. Hard to turn. Took it to dealer. Dealer couldn't find the problem. It worked fine for a month then went out again while trying to turn. No warning lights have ever came on.

NHTSA ODI 11417997

I was driving down the road and the electric power steering failed and almost resulted in an accident

NHTSA ODI 11417937

STEERING STARTED FEELING LIKE IT WAS GETTING STUCK WHEN TURNING LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT COME BACK TO CENTER THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL I FELT IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT ANY LONGER AND TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 11416100

OUTSTANDING RECALL SINCE 2019 NOT FIXED. VEHICLE MIGHT HAVE A FRACTURED REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK.

NHTSA ODI 11414768

DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND ALMOST CAUSED US TO CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 11414025

I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR END. WITHIN 30 SECONDS I LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING. MY CAR BEGAN FISHTAILING AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SQUAWKING. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE WAS TO TURN WHEEL COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT. I WAS DOING 35 MPH AND DROPPED DOWN TO 15 MPH UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER TO SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI 11408437

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY CEASED. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO RESET AND REGAIN POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MOSTLY OCCURRED AT START-UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BLUEBONNET FORD (351 IH 35 S, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78130, (833)505-0245) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11407013

THIS VEHICLE HAD ONLY 50,216 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING STARTED TO FAIL. ON THE HIGHWAY. FIRST THERE WAS A GRADUAL LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH ULTIMATELY GOT WORSE. MANAGED TO GET IT HOME SINCE I WASN'T FAR AWAY AT WHICH TIME POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A FAILED STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. REPLACEMENT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND IN FACT APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON. I CONSIDER THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS ASSEMBLY A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. IT APPEARS THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR THIS APPLYING TO OTHER YEARS/VIN/MANUFACTURING LOCATIONS. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION IT TOOK A MONTH TO GET REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY WHICH TELLS ME FORD CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND. THANKYOU.

NHTSA ODI 11407026

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL FORD LOCATED AT 2401 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11406103

WHILE IN MOTION, THE POWER STEERING QUIT OPERATING. I WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD NEAR MY HOUSE. NO ACCIDENTS BUT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A DEADLY CRASH IF FAILED IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION. TURNS OUT THERE WAS A RECALL, 14S06 ON THE FORD EXPLORER BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. $2700 IN REPAIRS BY FORD DEALER. OBVIOUSLY, THE SCOPE OF VEHICLES THAT FAIL WAS UNDERESTIMATED FOR THIS ISSUE OF STEERING FAILURE. FURTHERMORE, IN READING THE OWNERS MANUAL, IT REFERENCES THE FAILURE IN THE MANUAL AND HOW TO RESET IT BY CYCLING ENGINE POWER. THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS UNDERSTOOD BY FORD AS AN ISSUE FROM THE BEGINNING.

NHTSA ODI 11405801

VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY PSCM ALONG WITH THE POWER ASSIST STEERING RACK. CAR SHOP RECOMMEND I FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN THE SAME ISSUE IN THESE SAME EXACT VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11404996

FAULTY POWER STEERING ASSIST

NHTSA ODI 11403363

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER BILL FICK FORD (737 I-45, HUNTSVILLE, TX 77340, (800) 559-4295) WHO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

NHTSA ODI 11398906

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHNSON BROTHERS FORD (7455 S. GENERAL BRUCE DR, TEMPLE, TX 76502) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. *BF

NHTSA ODI 11397600

IT APPEARS THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES AND RECALLS ON THE EXPLORER WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT IT COMPLETELY GOES OUT. I HAVE CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIPS AND FORD BOTH AGREE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN MILLIONS OF RECALLS ON THIS BUT THEY WANT ME TO PAY $2500 TO FIX THE ISSUE. VEHICLE UNABLE TO MAKE TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. NOW I AM STUCK IN GA WITH NO MONEY AND A BROKE CAR 4 HRS FROM HOME.

NHTSA ODI 11397441