Home · 2014 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

What 1,671 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 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 (1,671)Crash / fire / injury (50)Steering (496)Body & structure (274)Engine (196)Suspension (102)Electrical system (100)Transmission & drivetrain (79)Fuel system (71)Engine & cooling (67)Visibility & wipers (53)Airbags (47)

496 of 1,671 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 19 of 20

Sep 25, 2017SteeringSuspensionBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK AND THEN LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BUT NO CRASH OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FRANK FLETCHER FORD LINCOLN (3015 TURKEY CREEK RD, JOPLIN MO 64801, PHONE NUMBER: (417) 623-5660) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM DETACHED DUE TO THE CONTACT HITTING SOMETHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11025407

Sep 5, 2017Steering

BEGAN HEARING WHIRRING AND SCREECHING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES. FORD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A STEERING GEAR FAILURE. VEHICLE HAD 20 THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND WAS ABOUT 5 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. FORD REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR AND CHARGED 1570.00 TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11021406

Aug 14, 2017Steering

STEERING WENT OUT CANT TURN WHEEL NO POWER STEERING

NHTSA ODI 11015018

Aug 13, 2017Steering

ON JULY 20, 2017, WHILE PULLING THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A WARNING LIGHT ABOUT TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. THINKING THE TRACTION CONTROL HAD INADVERTENTLY BEEN PRESSED, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AT THAT POINT. ON SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2017, AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH ME AND 3 OF OUR CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ABOUT TRACTION CONTROL BEING TURNED OFF AND POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDING SERVICE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON ONCE AGAIN SEEMED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. I CALLED AUTOFAIR FORD OF HAVERHILL, MA THE NEXT DAY AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN THAT AFTERNOON. ON THE WAY TO AUTOFAIR FORD, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. AUTOFAIR DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAILED STEERING RACK AND REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND PROGRAM SYSTEM FOR A TOTAL OF $1721.90. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT THE 2011, 2012, AND 2013 FORD EXPLORERS HAD THE SAME OR VERY SIMILAR ISSUE AND THERE WAS A RECALL. IN ADDITION, I FOUND MESSAGE THREADS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES OF 2014 FORD EXPLORERS HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES AS WE DID. LUCKILY, WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY VEHICLE, WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR; HOWEVER, IF SUDDEN SHARP STEERING WOULD HAVE BEEN NEEDED, THERE LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE. IN ADDITION, A FAILURE SUCH AS THIS ONE SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A VEHICLE THAT IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 48,450 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD ALL REGULAR RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCES PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AT AUTOFAIR FORD, FORMALLY REGAN FORD, FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE AS A NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11014892

Aug 4, 2017SteeringBody & structure

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK HAS FAILED ON OUR VEHICLE. THIS I HAVE SEEN IS A PROBLEM FORD HAS HAD IN THE PAST AND HAS STILL NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS ARE $2500.00 . THE STEERING IS UNSAFE AND IS ALLOVER THE ROAD. FURTHER TO THIS THE POWER SEAT MOTOR FAILED AND THEY WANT $2500 TO REPAIR IT . THIS I FEEL IS VERY UNFAIR AND GOUGING.

NHTSA ODI 11012753

Aug 3, 2017Steering

WE HAVE OWNED THIS EXPLORER FOR 2 MONTHS WITH 44,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING STARTED GRINDING AND LOCKING UP . THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER PRIOR YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. DEALER WANTS $1500 TO FIX IT. THIS CAR WAS MUCH TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THESE LOW MILES. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND FIX OUR VEHICLE FOR US . WE ASKED THE DEALER TO PAY FOR THIS BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY WORD THAT THEY WILL. MANY OTHERS ARE THIS WEBSITE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE SO IT IS OBVIOUSLY A LARGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER EXPLORERS. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ODI 11012682

Aug 2, 2017Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENTLY I GOT TWO WARNINGS DISPLAYED ON MY PANEL THAT SAID "STEERING FAULT / SERVICE NOW" "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC." ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THE STEERING BEGAN TO FEEL A LITTLE HARDER TO MOVE, BUT I MADE IT HOME O.K. THE NEXT DAY, THOUGH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANUEVER.

NHTSA ODI 11012341

Aug 2, 2017SteeringTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE STEERING AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD HIXSON MAZDA LOCATED ON 2506 MACARTHUR DR, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71301 AND SPOKE WITH GREG WHO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 8/3/17. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000(SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11012369

Aug 2, 2017Steering

STEERING FAULT ASSIST AND GEAR ASSEMBLY WENT OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR EARLIER MODELS, I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED IT FOR LATER MODELS AS WELL. THE REPAIR COST WAS $1652.00 PLUS TOWING, HOTEL STAY AND RENTAL CAR FEES WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED. FORD SENT A DEFECTIVE PART TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WILL NOT PAY FOR THE EXTRA DAYS I WAS WITHOUT A CAR AND RENTAL FEES.

NHTSA ODI 11012346

Jul 27, 2017Steering

THE POWER STEERING IS FAILING. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED.

NHTSA ODI 11010958

Jul 25, 2017Steering

STEERING GEAR BOX WENT OUT OF MY VEHICLE WITH ONLY 29,000 MILES ON IT, HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE GEAR. I ONLY DRIVE 600 MILES OR LESS A MONTH I SPLIT MY TIME BETWEEN 2 VEHICLES. JUST BOUGHT A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI 11010460

Jun 22, 2017SteeringSuspension

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JULY 2014, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SULPHUR LIKE SMELL IN THE CABIN AREA OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I ACCELERATE. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU FEEL NAUSEOUS AND LIGHT HEADED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON ONE VISIT THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD INSTALLED ADDITIONAL VENTS TO ELIMINATE THE FUMES. THE SECOND TIME, THE EXHAUST WAS REPORTEDLY REPLACED. NEITHER REPAIR CREATED ANY IMPROVEMENT IN REGARD TO THE SMELL. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING AREA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE(S). THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND THAT EMANATES FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AREA WHEN MAKING A LOW SPEED TURN. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS REPORTEDLY A LOOSE "BOOT COVER". THE SECOND REPAIR CONSISTED OF THE INSTALLATION OF A "SHIM" TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. NEITHER FIX TOOK CARE OF THE ISSUE LONG TERM.

NHTSA ODI 11000598

Jun 22, 2017SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

ON 19 JUNE, 2017 I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER ON I-95 SOUTH, I INITIALLY HEARD A SINGLE POP COME FROM THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, I THOUGHT I HAD HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD, BUT NOTHING WAS VISIBLE IN THE ROAD, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH NO PROBLEMS. ON 20 JUNE, I WAS DRIVING AGAIN ON I-95 NORTH BOUND AND MY STEERING SYSTEM BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION WITH A LITTLE TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING, THE VEHICLE STILL EASILY TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS, SUDDENLY A WARNING FLASHED AND SHOWED A STABILITY WARNING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT CONTROL MY VEHICLE AT ALL. I WAS NEARLY KILLED ALONG WITH SIX MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY WHEN MY VEHICLE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED (FROZE/LOCKED) AND TWO TRACTOR TRAILERS SWERVED TO KEEP FROM HITTING MY VEHICLE. I COULD NO LONGER CONTROL MY VEHICLE STEERING. MY VEHICLE HAS 68,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED WITH NO KNOWN ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11000742

Jun 15, 2017Steering

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IN A TURN, THE STEERING ASSIST HAD A FAULT. A MESSAGE SHOWED ON THE SCREEN STATING THAT THERE WAS A STEERING ASSIST FAULT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, THE ISSUE DID NOT GO AWAY. STEERING THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FIGHTING AGAINST ME (RATHER THAN SIMPLY A POWER STEERING LOSS). I WAS TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNKNOWN BUT SOMEWHERE IN THE STEERING COLUMN SO REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 10995391

May 16, 2017SteeringAirbags

OUR 2014 FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS SUDDENLY LOST ITS POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND HAS A TENDENCY TO JERK THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN DRIVING. THIS I'M TOLD IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1800 TO FIX. I BELIEVE THE THREE YEARS PRIOR TO MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WERE RECALLED. THE EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND HAS 73K MILES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO CAME ON WHEN THE STEERING ISSUE STARTED HOWEVER THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS UNRELATED AND THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER EXPENSE AFTER THE STEERING WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 10986043

May 15, 2017Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE "STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY" AND "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY (POWER STEERING RACK) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-12267703. THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE 36 MONTH OR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,988.....UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF UPDATED 09/15/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10985837

May 9, 2017SteeringLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK PROPERLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVE A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH RENDERED THE SAME RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE AN AUTO SHOP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOME. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12284176. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 10984517

Apr 29, 2017Steering

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2014 WITH A LITTLE OVER 500 MILES. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 33,900 MILES. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED EITHER WAY WHILE MOVING AND WHILE NOT MOVING. I CALLED ON 4-25 FOR APPOINTMENT ON 4-27. THE VEHICLE WAS LOOKED OVER AND I RECEIVED A CALL ON 4-28 STATING THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS BAD AND NEED REPLACED. I WAS THEN TOLD MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON 4-17 AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE BILL OF $1738. I DID RESEARCH AND THERE WERE SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE AS WELL AS RECALLS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE 2011-2013. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE FORD HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE AND SHOULD COVER THESE RIDICULOUS COSTS TO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THESE TYPES OF THINGS ON SUCH A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. FORD WILL PROBABLY BE LOSING OUR CONTINUED BUSINESS.

NHTSA ODI 10981368

Feb 25, 2017SteeringSuspension

TAKATA RECALL CUANDO LO MANEJO SE MUEVE MUCHO ES DIFCIL DE CONTROLAR A 60 MILLAS PARESE UN BOTE 🚣 SE MUEVE DE LADO A LADO COMO SI PATINARA MAS EN EL FREEWAY ES MUY RIESGOSO

NHTSA ODI 10956953

Feb 23, 2017Steering

AFTER A KNOCK WAS DISCOVERED WHILE TURNING I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO FORD ASSUMING I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY IDENTIFIED A CODE (NOT AVAILABLE) AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE WITH THE "STEERING GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY", SPECIFICALLY THE RACK AND PINION. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF SIMILAR MISHAPS, SOME RESULTING IN LOCK UP OF THE STEERING COMPONENT. FORD INFORMED ME THAT WE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE PORTION OF THE WARRANTY BUT NOT THE YEARS (VEHICLE IS 2 1/2 YEARS OLD). THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE, THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIRS AND QUOTED $2200 IN REPAIRS. $1500 FOR PARTS AND THE REST FOR LABOR. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL TO LOCK UP THE STEERING RESULTING IN COLLISION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE REPAIR AND CAN OBTAIN THE SAME PART NUMBER FOR APPROX. $650 AND LABOR AROUND $700. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED RECALLS ON FORD EXPLORERS UP TO 2013, BUT FOR SOME REASON 2014 IS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA ODI 10956527

Jan 30, 2017Steering

A MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM OFF TURNED ON ON THE WARNING INDICATOR DASHBOARD. THIS CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST ON MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS GOING UP TO BIG BEAR ON HIGHWAY 330. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL MAKING IT A VERY UNSAFE AND DANGERS DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS GOING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED DO TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD OF HAPPEN IF I WAS GOING AT THE SPEED LIMIT POSTED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2011,2012,AND 2013 REGARDING THIS ISSUE "SUSPENSION & STEERING, MAY 29, 2014" THE FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 14S06. MY CAR IS STILL IN BIG BEAR UNABLE TO DRIVE ANYMORE STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK NOW THAT I PARKED IT.

NHTSA ODI 10948463

Nov 22, 2016Steering

I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH MY FORD EXPLORER NOT TURNING WELL, MAKING NOISES WITH THE TURN, AND HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE SHOP WHO HAVE SAID IT'S A COMMON ISSUE. THIS IS A DANGER. MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL 16V-245) AND HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE REPAIR AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO USE THE PARTS/TIME TO DO THE FIX! I HAVE CALLED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY STATE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO THE REPAIR. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A POTENTIAL DANGER WITH MY CAR AND FORD SENDS A LETTER TO COVER THEMSELVES WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND I'M LEFT IN THE LURCH. THE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN TO BE INEFFECTIVE AND I'M HOPING THAT MY MESSAGE WILL BE HEARD BY SOMEONE.

NHTSA ODI 10927439

Oct 27, 2016Steering

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. IT WOULD ONLY MOVE 1/4 OF AN INCH IN EITHER DIRECTIONS. I COULD DRIVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD HOWEVER IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY DRIVE AS YOU CANNOT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. ON THE OTHER OCCASIONS THIS OCCURRED IT WAS AFTER HAVING DRIVEN THE VEHICLE PARKING AND THEN RETURNING A SHORT WHILE LATER AND ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID WAS A STEERING GEAR WHICH WAS REPLACED THEN SAID CODES NEED TO BE CLEARED THEN SAID WAS A MODULE AND THEN SAID WAS ANOTHER MODULE AND AS OF TODAY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919370

Oct 4, 2016SteeringSuspension

IN JUNE 2016, I RECEIVED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL LETTER FOR A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. RECALL NUMBER: 16S18. INDICATING THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK(S) MAY FRACTURE DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELD. RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, A DIFFICULT STEERING CONDITION, OR REAR SUSPENSION NOISE WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH. IT STATED THAT WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, FORD WILL SEND A LETTER TO INFORM US TO CONTACT OUR DEALER TO SCHEDULE REPAIR. FOUR MONTHS HAVE GONE BY WITH NO WORD FROM FORD. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE TIMING ON THIS PARTICULAR RECALL. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT PARTS TO FACILITATE REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY ANTICIPATE A LETTER TO BE SENT OUT IN JANUARY OF 2017. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT 4 TO POSSIBLY 6 MONTHS OR MORE IS NOT A TIMELY COMPLETION OF WORK ASSOCIATED WITH A RECALL THAT INVOLVES SAFETY ISSUES AS SERIOUS AS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. SINCE THE RECALL REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN TIMELY, MY SAFETY OFFICER FOR THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY ASSIGNED VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THIS HAS CAUSED A MAJOR HEADACHE IN DEALING WITH THE LOGISTICS OF MY JOB AND THE NEED TO USE THAT VEHICLE FOR MY FIELD-RELATED WORK, WHERE NO OTHER VEHICLE IS READILY AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10913815

Sep 23, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 10909394

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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 2014 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →