What 1,671 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

Bought the vehicle used from a dealership. The windshield wobbles at highways speeds. Noticed today that the trim on the left side of the vehicle is detached partially. Dealership will not do anything to resolve the issue. Serious safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11528139

Air bag light is illuminated even after being cleared at the dealership. They claim its in the backseat only and that my airbag will still deploy, which to my knowledge is untrue. They refuse to help solve the issue afte purchasing from them only two weeks ago

NHTSA ODI 11528140

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI 11527047

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the trim on the driver's side windshield detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526771

2014 Ford Explorer Limited: Power Steering Unit beginning to fail. Available for inspection upon request. Just received auto back from dealership (Crystal River Ford) after repair of yet ANOTHER recall for this auto and began hearing noise when turning wheel after only 2 brief drives with no noise heard. Took back to dealership and advised that it would require a new Power Steering Unit, that none available from Ford AND NO ETA and advised that a current customer waited 3 months to receive the unit. No warning lamp or message whatsoever, was prepared to take the vehicle long distance (~500 miles round trip) and could have been an extreme hazard should I not have had it investigated. Safety??? Look at message boards regarding this issue, NOT difficult to find. NOT new issue and NOT infrequent issue. This year auto is a hazard to be driven on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11525823

The power steering stopped working while driving. My safety was put at risk because I couldn’t control where my car was going. I was unable to pull into a safe spot. It stopped working while traveling at a high rate of speed without any warning

NHTSA ODI 11525897

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525630

The power steering intermittently stops working and the steering wheel gets stiff while driving. I see that there is a recall for the Explorers 2011-2013, but mine is a 2014 and is now having this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11525657

I was driving at about 55 mph coming back from Conway N.H. (which is a very curvy road) when I had messages come up stating "power steering assist has failed, service traction control, traction off, and engine on". After this the steering wheel became very hard to steer and I had to keep jerking it to try and slow down. I pulled over and waited about 10 minutes then restarted the vehicle but the messages remained on and the power steering was not working at all still. Attempted a restart 3 separate times and the power steering messages were still there. Losing your power steering while driving is extremely dangerous for people in the car and all others on the road. A recall for this issue was issued for 2011-2013 and 2015-2016 model years for Ford Explorer. This is obviously the same issue for the 2014 model that must also be recalled to keep all drivers safe.

NHTSA ODI 11525709

Traveling at high speed the vehicle will either stay in a locked position while making turns or will have a jerking motion. The cause is Power steering failed completely. Resolution is the entire system needs to be replaced rack and pinion and ecu needs to be flashed due to complete electric power steering.

NHTSA ODI 11525528

After driving several hours on a very busy interstate, I stopped to get gas. When pulling out of the gas station my steering became inoperable. The warning indicator came on after I started to drive. I never had any indication that I needed to get my vehicle serviced prior to losing power steering. I had to have the vehicle towed to our mechanic. We were told the steering rack and pinion needed replaced and the cost is $2500. After research, I found that the NHTSA had issued recall 14S06 for 2011-2013 Ford Explorers with the exact same issue I've reported. A quick Google search shows that Ford Explorers continue to have these same issues, yet another recall has not been issued. Had my steering wheel locked up on me on the 5-lane interstate I was on, I would have created a major accident hurting myself and many others. This particular interstate has over 2 million drivers daily and is the most dangerous interstate in the United States. It is unbelievable to me that Ford has not fixed this major failure in their vehicles. I've attached an article below that speaks to an additional recall and also mentions that the backup camera fails. Oddly enough my backup camera stopped working a couple weeks ago. It would be in Ford's best interest to issue additional recalls before more people lose their lives. Please see the additional sites I've included with other owners with the same issues. I am thankful I was in a safe place where I could get my vehicle pulled over. Please keep me updated with the status of my complaint. https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2020/11/04/ford-explorer-suvs-recall-steering-control/6158847002/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/explorer/2014/steering-problems.php https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2014/steering/power_steering_failure.shtml https://www.vehiclehistory.com/questions/does-the-2014-ford-explorer-have-an-electric-power-steering-recall-54585

NHTSA ODI 11525242

I was driving my car stopped at a gas station went to leave and had no power steering. Replaced the power steering angle sensor still didn't fix the problem had to have the rack and pinion replaced all in cost almost $3000. Now my car is leaking coolant from the motor where the water pump is located

NHTSA ODI 11525139

Rear backup camera is faulty on my 2014 Ford Explorer. It works intermittently or not at all. Sometimes the image on my display is flipped, meaning if I should see grass on the right side of my vehicle while backing up, the image is displaying grass on the left side. There is a recall for newer models of Ford Explorers related to the backup camera, but I believe there is an issue with older models as well.

NHTSA ODI 11524775

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA ODI 11524374

Power steering suddenly stopped working making it very difficult to steer. I was turning the corner at a stoplight and nearly ran into another vehicle in the next lane. 1) Power steering. Yes, available for inspection 2) Nearly crashed into another vehicle 3) Have not taken it to a mechanic yet 4) Has not been inspected by the dealer 5) No warning lights were on Looking on the internet, this is a widespread problem with this year of Ford Explorer. There should be a recall for this issue!

NHTSA ODI 11523685

When backing up the screen will go black. When I place the car in drive again and back in reverse, it will work for a short period of time then go black again. A warning pops up stating the camera is unavailable and to contact the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11522731

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering assist had failed with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where several software updates were performed, and the braking system was repaired. The contact was later informed that the repairs that were performed would resolve the issue with the power steering. Despite the repairs, the power steering failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair of the power steering. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522421

Ford built the motor with a water pump when it leaks leaks right into the crank case where the oil is so the motor seizes up and that’s what happened to my car now my car is shot

NHTSA ODI 11522079

We were driving down the road with our kids in the car when the steering completely went out with absolutely no warning mind you we were on the Thruway doing about 70 which is our speed limit where we live thank God my husband was able to keep the vehicle under control even though it threw us into the other lane and almost made a side swipe another vehicle doing further research on this stupid electric rack and pinion that y'all decided to put in instead of a regular power steering system has so many bad reviews hundreds of hundreds of complaints of accidents caused without warning to the driver something so dangerous and something that could take your lives or the lives of your children within a split second without no warning at all should definitely have a recall on it especially when it's happened to hundreds and hundreds of people if you can put a recall on the toe links because the suspension and that's considered dangerous this is a lot more dangerous than that and should be at the top of the recall list but I did my research there is no recall on it especially for a 2014 my family could have almost died because of a crappy part and people that have replaced the part has had it go out on them again so how safe are your vehicles really how can you stand behind a vehicle that can lock up all steering on you at a moment's notice with no warning and cause potentially a deadly accident do y'all even care about your customers or is it just the money signs you're concerned about.

NHTSA ODI 11521643

I purchased the Explorer used in November 2022 and almost immediately began having problems with the Air Bag light coming on intermittently. I contacted the dealership and had it in for repairs multiple times but was told if the light isn't currently illuminated they could not determine the issue. Last time I took it to the dealership the light was on when I dropped it off but they said it was not on when they inspected the vehicle. I picked it up and on the way home the light came on and has now been on constantly for two weeks. I went back to the dealership but they are unable to look at it until next week. I've been told if I were to be in an accident my airbags would not deploy. After some research, I've found this to be an extremely common issue that affects the safety of numerous individuals driving this model vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11521486

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11521163

My 16 year old grandson was driving my car home from school when the traction control light came on and POWER STEERING went out completely. Not only did power steering go out and traction control wasn't working the turn signals were also not working properly making this situation even more dangerous. My grandson had a very difficult time getting the vehicle off the road with no power steering. We were very lucky he didn't have an accident. There was no warning lights prior to power steering/traction control going out as he was driving. I've done some research and it appears this has been a problem with Ford Explorers since 2011 (Safety Recall Notice 145061 NHT5A Recall 14V-286) for some reason 2014 was not included in the recall. I was surprised to find there have been many 2014 ford explorer owners that have experienced the same issues and filed complaints. I have contacted Ford customer service and filed a complaint with them; complaint # (42667416). I'm further angered/disappointed by the recall on 2011-2013 Explorers. WHY WAS 2014 EXCLUDED???!!! This problem has obviously not been corrected. This is a DEADLY situation!!!! My explorer is currently in a Ford shop and the problem was reproduced and diagnosed. They have ordered parts to have repairs completed which is costing approximately $2300 and my vehicle has been out of commission for 2 weeks by the time repairs are completed. I am very disappointed with Ford overlooking this issue which may cause major injury or death. Once I receive the vehicle back I will have invoice with description of repairs and parts that were replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11520643

I am writing to complain about the windshield pillar trim. I just had my left trim fly off while doing 80mph down the interstate. This already happened to my right side last year. This is a safety issue. It could have possibly hit a windshield of a car behind me and caused an accident. I have seen other complaints about this same issue. Can you please do something? I can't afford to keep buying aftermarket replacement trim for the rest of my life. That's like 60 dollars a pop. Also the aftermarket part cracks and doesn't fit snug like an OEM part. Please help. Please help others with this same issue. Thank you for your time. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11519844

April 17, '23 traveling down Mountains in WV to VA the STEERING on 2014 Ford Explorer lost PowerSteering VERY difficult control vehicle descending 9 degree grade on 2 lane highway no place to pull over right then. Had to fight the STEERING down the mountain until I was able to pull off in an Emergency stop area. No dash warning lights, under the hood P/S fluid was good all seemed normal, looked under the car no leak. Rack & Pinion Steering system t no signs of damage. Started car turned Steering wheel back/ forth a few times, heard a GRINDING noise each time I turned the wheel, like metal pieces binding. Since It scared the Wheaties out of me I called for a tow. Quote $400.00 to shop. I called my Husband to get a trailer, get this car as I'm not risking going down a mountain, injuring or killing anyone. 2 -1/2 hrs & 135 miles my husband arrives I finally felt safe. We took it to our mechanic he confirmed RACK and PINION Steering component needs replacing. Suggested to check for SAFETY RECALL seen many fail/break MY 2012-2017. Cost $2K/Part $1200. CERTAINLY a SAFETY HAZARD with little to no control over a 4000lb deadly weapon. Driver cannot manipulate 2nd MOST IMPORTANT (BRAKES being #1) FUNCTION - STEERING- whichever direction or get out of harms way. 2014 EXPLORER NHSTA reports of 1171 total complaints, 2 largest complaints: #1 STEERING(loss of steering control) 374 reported; #2 Suspension-86 reported. See NHTSA ID#11518075-Suspension 2014 Ford Explorer while driving vehicle made abnormal sounds, vibration, no steering. Dealer replaced Steering Rack & Bushings. NHTSA issues 3 Suspension Recalls :Ball Joint Knuckle Campaign# 19V435000 & 20V692000 & 21V537000 = Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture: 1)Toe links may fracture due stress rear suspension. 2)Rear toe link fracture can cause loss of steering control & crash. 3)Fractured rear toe link cause sudden change in handling, crash risk. 86 complaints=3recalls 374 Steering Complaints=0recalls WHY?PLS RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11519193

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and was vibrating abnormally. Additionally, the tires experienced a loss of traction while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the CV joints twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the steering rack and bushings were replaced, and an alignment was performed. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the CV joints needed to be replaced for the third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the VIN was not included in an unknown TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11518075