Home · 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,224)Crash / fire / injury (78)Steering (832)Body & structure (436)Engine (224)Electrical system (160)Fuel system (153)Transmission & drivetrain (119)Suspension (79)Engine & cooling (67)Visibility & wipers (62)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (45)

832 of 2,224 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 22 of 34

Jul 11, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. PARADISE FORD (1360 W KING ST, COCOA, FL 32922, (888) 379-8533) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS FAULTY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PROVIDED A SECOND OPINION AND REACHED THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11231010

Jul 10, 2019Steering

SOMETIMES THE STEERING LOCKS UP EVEN WHEN MOVING HAVE TO SHUT DOWN ENGINE WAIT A MINUTE AND RESTART TO GET SOME POWER STEERING RE-ACTIVATED

NHTSA ODI 11230653

Jul 10, 2019Steering

WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN MY VEHICLE IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNK NOISE AND ALSO WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. I LOOKED UP ALL FORD EXPLORER RECALLS AND NOTICED ONE IN 2014 THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. HOW CAN I KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON THE RECALL LIST BEING SO LONG AGO AND CAN THIS BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL? I SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THIS SAME ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11230822

Jul 9, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO METRO FORD (LOCATED AT 9000 NW 7TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33150, (305) 751-9711) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED METRO FORD AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL PINES FORD (LOCATED AT 8655 PINES BLVD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33024, (954) 443-7000) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINES FORD, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI 11230351

Jul 8, 2019Steering

I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT BEGAN AS A LITTLE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEAR THE END OF AN 8 HOUR DRIVE. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW LIGHT CAME ON AT THAT POINT. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11230031

Jul 8, 2019Steering

MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE IN MOTION WHILE TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN A NEAR COLLISION. I RECEIVED NO INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNALS ALERTING ME TO AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11230192

Jul 5, 2019Steering

TWO ISSUES THE POWER ASSIST FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SECOND IS THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED IN 2013 MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IGNORED BY FORD AND NHTSA. DEALER REFUSED TO FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS RECALLS FOR THESE TWO ISSUES ALL BUT THE BASE MODELS AND FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE BOTH ISSUES COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11229623

Jul 5, 2019Steering

14V286000 THE EXPLORER EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AT LOW SPEEDS AND ONE TIME AT 55 MILES ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11229627

Jul 5, 2019SteeringSuspensionBody & structureLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE FUSE WAS REINSERTED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL FLICK FORD (737 NORTH FREEWAY SERVICE RD, HUNTSVILLE, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. FURTHERMORE, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING MESSAGE ERRONEOUSLY DISPLAYED, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11229629

Jul 5, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO D-PATRICK BOONVILLE FORD (LOCATED AT 3100 IN-62, BOONVILLE, IN 47601, (812) 897-5838) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11229652

Jul 3, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE "POWER STEERING SERVICE NOW" AND ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 14V2846000 BUT, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI 11229157

Jul 1, 2019SteeringSuspension

THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. TURNING WAS PARTICULAR;Y DIFFICULT. IT SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL ON THE TOE LINKS STATED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE KNUCKLES WERE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT IT HAPPENS TO EVERY 2013 FORD EXPLORER FOR SOME REASON.

NHTSA ODI 11228787

Jun 28, 2019Steering

VEHICLE HAS 74,200 MILES ON IT. POWER STEERING IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT UNDER MINOR STEERING MOVEMENTS (LANE CHANGES OR MINOR CURVATURE IN ROAD) I UNDERSTEER DUE TO INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND. WHEN POWER STEERING COMES BACK OVERSTEER AND END UP SWERVING VIGOROUSLY DUE TO ASSIST RETURNING. IT HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION MANY TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS CAN EASILY CREATE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT SPEED.

NHTSA ODI 11223118

Jun 27, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11222879

Jun 25, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE DROVE THE VEHICLE, USING MANUAL STEERING, TO ROWE FORD WESTBROOK (800-872-7693, LOCATED AT 91 MAIN ST, WESTBROOK, ME 04092). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN, BUT UNCOMMON, ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11222449

Jun 23, 2019Steering

CRANKED UP EXPLORER AND RECEIVED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON RECALL OR SEE WHAT THIS WAS ABOUT. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND BY TURNING THE EXPLORER OFF AND ON AGAIN USUALLY FIXES THE PROBLEM THIS DID AT THAT TIME. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER AND DID WHAT THEY SAID BECAUSE THEY TOLD US IT WAS NOT COMMUNICATING CORRECTLY. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN FOR A WHILE UNTIL TODAY WHEN TRYING TO DO THAT FIVE TIMES IT DID NOT COMMUNICATE BUT THIS TIME IT GAVE THE SAME POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND A SERVICE ADVANCETRAC MESSAGE. LUCKY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR. HAD TO HAUL THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARKING LOT TO MY HOUSE FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL I CAN GET AN ANSWER ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I DID SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE A WHILE BACK AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH. LUCKY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY EVERY TIME THESE ISSUES HAVE POPPED UP THE CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11222017

Jun 21, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ALLAN VIGIL FORD OF FAYETTEVILLE (275 GLYNN ST N, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214, (770) 461-1151) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11221638

Jun 19, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION AND THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. SCOTT FORD (17812 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY, KINGWOOD, WV 26537, (304) 329-3673) WAS URGENTLY NOTIFIED, BUT FAILED TO PROVIDE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT ORDERED A STEERING RACK AND HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACE THE PART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED AN UPDATE TO THE CONTROL MODULE. WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS, THE EPS INDICATOR FLASHED AGAIN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. ASTORG FORD LINCOLN OF PARKERSBURG (2028 7TH ST, PARKERSBURG, WV 26101, 304-485-8585) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT HAD NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11221295

Jun 18, 2019Steering

OUR POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON OUR 2013 FORD EXPLORER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY HE DIDN'T CRASH THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT IMMEDIATELY MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO USE HIS STEERING. THE STEERING IS COMPLETELY OUT AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I CHECKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND HIS CAR IS JUST OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURE DATE FOR THE RECALL THAT WAS DONE IN 2014 ON 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORERS. WE ARE NOW OUT OF POCKET OVER $2000 BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION. ALSO, WHEN I CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS PROBLEM I WAS TOLD IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PART IN THE FUTURE I WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED AND SHOULD WAIT TO HAVE IT FIXED UNTIL THERE IS A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11220977

Jun 13, 2019Steering

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED MAKING MY CAR VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11219739

Jun 8, 2019Steering

THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS STARTING TO TURN. I WAS LETTING OFF THE BRAKE AND BARELY PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND AS I STARTED TO TURN THE WHEEL, A WARNING MESSAGE POPPED UP STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD FAILED. I COULD STILL TURN THE WHEEL (WITH QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT) , SO I COMPLETED MY TURN VERY SLOWLY AND MOVED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. AFTER THAT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED 5 TIMES WHILE I WAS BACKING UP. EACH TIME I TURNED ON THE CAR, PUT IT IN REVERSE, THEN AS I WOULD LET OFF THE BRAKE AND JUST TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL AND START TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE UP AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE NOTICE WOULD POP UP. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11218661

Jun 7, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCAFFIDI AUTO (3733 STANLEY ST, STEVENS POINT, WI 54481, (715) 344-4100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE WARRANTY PROVIDED COVERAGE UP TO 150,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,246.

NHTSA ODI 11218446

Jun 6, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE POWER STEELING AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A WARNING. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A CITY STREET AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING.

NHTSA ODI 11218338

Jun 4, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED AND REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET. "POWER STEERING FAULT" MESSAGE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CENTER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION, ALTHOUGH IT WAS QUITE DIFFICULT. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE THESE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HARD FOR HER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. ALSO, WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN ON-BOARD WHICH MAKES THIS ISSUE ALL THE MORE CONCERNING, SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS MAINLY USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. AFTER DRIVING TO A PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE POWER STEERING RE-ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ISSUES. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER SCANNED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FOR CODES AND FOUND A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE THAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. TOTAL COST FOR PARTS AND LABOR WAS $2,000. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 74,500 MILES. I WAS INFORMED BY FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T PART OF ANY RECALL AND THERE WERE NO OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. PER MY ONLINE RESEARCH, THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE, BUT IT APPEARS MY BUILD DATE IS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IT MAKES NO SENSE WHY CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED, WHEN THE ISSUE HAS CLEARLY BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED IN OTHER VEHICLES BUILT IN THE SAME YEAR. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE DESCRIBED ABOVE AND ISSUE ADDITIONAL RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI 11217711

May 29, 2019Steering

2013 FORD EXPLORER PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR ONE HOUR AFTER BEING DRIVEN 2 MILES AT 9:30 A.M. ON FIRST START ON A 95-DEGREE DAY. ON STARTING ONE HOUR LATER, 10:30 A.M., THE CAR STARTED, IT WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, BUT ON HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A SLIGHT TURN WHILE BACKING UP FROM THE PARKING SPACE TO LEAVE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY FROZEN AND WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND LET THE CAR DRIFT BACK FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPOT. STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY FROZEN, WOULD NOT MOVE. SHIFTED THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR AGAIN MOVED A LITTLE, BUT I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. THIS ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH: POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. TURNED OFF ENGINE, LEFT IT OFF 5 SECONDS, RESTARTED, AND POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE CODE DID NOT COME ONE. I DROVE THE 2 MILES HOME, PRAYING THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT GO OUT AND FREEZE UP AGAIN WHILE BEING DRIVE. 3 HOURS LATER THE CAR IS OPERATING NORMALLY SO FAR, BUT A COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS LIFE THREATENING AND COULD REOCCUR IN THIS VEHICLE AT ANY TIME, RESULTING IN INJURY, DEATH, AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM IN 2011 FORD EXPLORERS AND ISSUED A RECALL. AS MY 2013 EXPLORER HAS THE SAME EPAS PROBLEM, FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF OWNERS HAVING THE POWER STEERING FAIL DURING TURNS, RESULTING IN INJURIES. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI 11210656

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →