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What 2,429 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer

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 (2,429)Crash / fire / injury (77)Body & structure (574)Steering (527)Engine (379)Transmission & drivetrain (213)Electrical system (124)Engine & cooling (114)Fuel system (110)Airbags (99)Speed control (76)Suspension (73)

527 of 2,429 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 20 of 22

Aug 30, 2018Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A BUSY PUBLIC STREET. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11123448

Aug 28, 2018Steering

THE PROBLEM STARTED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS A "STICKINESS" AT ABOUT 5 DEGREES OFF CENTER. THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE "CATCH" WHERE IT WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I WOULD HAVE TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO KEEP TURNING. THIS VERY DISTRACTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE, TO INCLUDE INTERMITTENT SHUDDERING, THAT FEELS LIKE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS, SQUEEKING AND CLICKING AT LOW SPEEDS, AND IF LOCKING THE STEERING OUT IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER THE WHEEL WILL "JUMP" BACK. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THIS SEEMS LINKED TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, WHICH THOUGH IT HASN'T FAILED COMPLETELY, IS DEFINITELY FAILING. AFTER READING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY THREE KIDS, AND AM NOT WILLING TO PAY THE $2,600 REPAIR PRICE FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 2 AND A HALF YEARS OLD. I AM NOW BACK TO DRIVING MY 12 YEAR OLD TRUCK, WHICH WHILE IT HAS IT'S OWN PROBLEMS, AT LEAST IT IS SAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11123136

Aug 14, 2018Steering

A WEEK AGO WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE "STEERING FAULT" ALARM CAME ON MY DASH, SO I STOPPED PUSHED THE OK BUTTON AND IT WENT AWAY. CONTINUED TO BACK OUT AND STEERING THE WAS FINE. THIS WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE AGAIN ALREADY. ONE TIME WAS WHEN I JUST STARTED THE CAR. I WONDERED WHAT COULD BE GONG SO I TRIED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WHILE STILL PARKED AND IT WAS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT AND I COULD HEAR A GRINDING TYPE NOISE. SO I THEN PUSHED THE OK BUTTON LIKE BEFORE AND THE STEERING STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY AGAIN. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING. I JUST TURNED ONTO A ROAD AND WAS ACCELERATING THEN THE "STEERING FAULT" ALARM WENT OFF AGAIN. AS I SLOWED BACK DOWN AND TURNED TOWARDS THE SHOULDER I COULD FEEL THAT GRINDING IN THE STEELING WHEEL. WHILE STILL ROLLING TO A STOP I PUSHED THE OK BUTTON AND THE ALARM WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT. I FIND IT A BIT RIDICULOUS THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT EACH TIME IT HAPPENS IT WILL GET WORSE UNTIL EVENTUALLY I HAVE NO STEERING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I ASSUME THAT MOST PEOPLE, LIKE ME, BOUGHT THE EXPLORER BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT FAMILY CAR THAT IS SAFE. NOW I FEEL THAT I HAVE BOUGHT A DEATH TRAP.

NHTSA ODI 11119861

Aug 10, 2018Steering

STEER FAULT ASSIST LIGHT CAKE ON GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHILE ON VACATION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE WILL BE REPAIRING THE STEERING. OUR VEHICLE IS A 2016WITH UNDER 40K MILES ON IT. RIDICULOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS!! WE ONLY OWNED FOREIGN VEHICLES IE. HONDA, TOYOTA AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A HEADACHE FROM THE START...WE LOVED THE LOOK AND FEATURES. HONESTLY, YOU CAN'T JUDGE A VEHICLE BUT IT'S LOOK WE SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER. ALSO, WE'VE OWNED HONDA'S AND THERE WERE RECALLS ALL THE TIME USUALLY SOMETHING SIMPLE AND EASY TO REPAIR BUT FORD MOTOR CO OBVIOUSLY HAS AN ISSUE WITH STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES AND THE ONLY RECALL WE HAVE IS SOMETHING WITH THE SEAT?!?! THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONING ON THE HIGHWAY IS A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN THAT. SO, WE WILL JUST IIGNORE AND LOSE CUSTOMERS TO FOREIGN VEHICLES. SMART FORD!!

NHTSA ODI 11119266

Aug 7, 2018Steering

AFTER REACHING 43,000 MILES. THE EPAS LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER SAFELY. 6 HRS FROM HOME. CURRENTLY GETTING REPAIRED TOTAL BILL IS $2000. I WAS DRIVING , PULLED OVER TO GET GAS, KILLED THE ENGINE, GOT THE FUEL, STARTED IT BACK UP AND THATS WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS MULTIPLE ISSUES ONLINE ABOUT THIS HAPPENED. A RECALL WAS CREATED ON EARLIER YEAR MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. WHY???

NHTSA ODI 11118347

Aug 1, 2018Steering

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MY EXPLORER. WAS DOING 70 ON THE HIGHWAY. 65,000 MILES ON VEHICLE ONLY HAVE HAD THE SUV FOR 2 YEARS. 2300 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE WERE DRIVING WHEN WE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE (WIFE AND 3 KIDS UNDER 12)

NHTSA ODI 11115064

Aug 1, 2018SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE "STEERING FAULT" AND "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" MESSAGES DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TOMS FORD, 200 HWY 35, KEY PORT, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11115150

Jul 26, 2018SteeringElectrical system

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (75 MPH), SEVERAL ALERTS POPPED UP OUT OF NOWHERE - HILL ASSIST ERROR, STEERING CONTROL ERROR, TERRAIN ASSIST ERROR, STABILITY ERROR. IT TOLD ME TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. ONCE I STOPPED MY CAR AND RESTARTED IT, MY POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW - BOTH TIMES ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE STEERING GO OUT - I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC STEERING COMPONENT FOR $2,000. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THE STEERING COMPONENT WOULD ALREADY NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI 11113953

Jul 26, 2018SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70MPH) POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WENT OUT. DIAGNOSTICS FLASHED ONTO THE DASHBOARD - "STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT SERVICE ADVANCETRAC HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE OFFLINE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOUSE FIVE MILES AWAY, BUT AM UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF IT'S PARKING SPOT.

NHTSA ODI 11113990

Jul 25, 2018Steering

NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN ABOUT 30 DAYS AGO. JUST IGNORED IT UNTIL THE STEERING STARTED TO STICK. GETTING READY FOR A ROAD TRIP AND DECIDED IT WAS TOO MUCH OF A SAFETY ISSUE TO IGNORE. FORD DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING RACK AN PINION WITH A REPAIR COST OF $2100. IT HAS TO BE FIXED SO THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE ONCE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11113654

Jul 20, 2018Steering

MY WIFE WAS BACKING HER 2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN WARNINGS REGARDING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY SHE WAS BASICALLY STATIONARY AT THE TIME. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE, AND UNLIKE OTHER REPORTS I HAVE READ, RESTARTING THE VEHICLE DID NOTHING TO RESTORE THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE EPAS ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM. WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS TYPE ON A MAJOR SYSTEM WAS UNUSUAL IN A 21/2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD SEEN BEFORE AND NOT THAT UNUSUAL. THIS IS A MAJOR AND VERY COSTLY REPAIR, AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE REPAIR COST IS THE SAFETY CONCERN. READING OTHER REPORTS OF PEOPLE LOOSING CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS SYSTEM FAILS MAKES ME WONDER IF I SHOULD LET MY WIFE CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR. THE SERVICE PERSONS AT THE DEALERSHIP ECHOED MY CONCERNS AND GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CONTACT FORD. IT APPEARS THERE IS NO UPDATE TO THE EPAS SYSTEM AND THE REPLACEMENT IS THE SAME AS THE OLD FAULTY ASSEMBLY. WE HAVE OWNED 3 FORD/MERCURY VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE AND IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED. IT APPEARS FROM REPORTS THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OTHER VEHICLES FROM OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR EPAS ISSUES AND FAILURE. UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL AND AN UPDATE TO THE STEERING SYSTEM I MUST CONSIDER REPLACING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11112569

Jul 19, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING FAULT SERVICE, SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK, AND HILLSIDE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO A CIRCULAR RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AN HOUR LATER AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (VARSITY FORD, 3480 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR, MI 48106, (734) 996-2300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11112337

Jul 17, 2018Steering

SECOND STEERING FAILURE INCIDENT. REF CPMPLAINT 11111323 INCHING UP TO STOP SIGN WHEN WHEEL FROZE. DASH ERROR AS FOLLOWS: "STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW(THIS WAS IN RED) "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAK" (THIS WAS IN YELLOW) PUT CAR IN PARK.TURNED ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THEN REGAINED POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11112030

Jul 14, 2018Steering

MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL "FROZE" I WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS THE OLD MANUAL STEERING SYSTEMS. HE WAS DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO A CURVE WHEN IT HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A LARGE GRAVEL LOT AHEAD FOR HIM TO STEER STRAIGHT INTO. I DON,T BUY FORDS' CLAIM THAT THE STEERING FUNCTIONS AND ONLY DIFFICULT. TELL THAT TO A FRIGHTENED YOUNG DRIVER OR AN ELDERLY PERSON. THE ERROR DISPLAYED BELOW IS WHAT WAS DISPLAYED ON DASH AND WHAT IS FOUND NUMEROUS TIMES FROM OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS. THE CONTINUED HISTORY OF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! WHILE I HAVE NOT FOUND AN FATAL INCIDENT RELATED TO THE ISSUE, I DO NOT MY FAMILY TO BE THE FIRST. PLEASE REVIEW THIS OCCURRENCE NATIONALLY AND I IMPLORE YOU TO ISSUE A RECALL. I AM OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE PINTO FUEL TANK, THE FIRESTONE 50 TIRES AND OF COURSE THE AIR BAG FIASCO. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU [XXX] 1. TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT 2. SERVICE ADVANCE TRAK 3. HILL ASSIST ERROR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11111323

Jul 13, 2018Steering

I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE SHOP ON WEDNESDAY AND DROPPED IT OFF DUE TO NUMEROUS LIGHTS COMING ON WHEN DRIVING. THE LIGHT WOULD READ "STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND HILL START ASSIST NOT AVALABLE". I TOOK PICTURES OF THE LIGHTS WHEN THEY WOULD COME ON AND HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THAT. WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON, I ALSO LOSE POWER STEERING AND AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT! WALDORF FORD JUST CALLED ME TO TELL ME I NEED A NEW STEERING GEAR AND THAT MY EPAS SYSTEM HAS GONE BAD AND THIS IS GOING TO COST ME $2100.00 TO FIX. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, I HAVE MAINTAINED ALL SERVICE AS NEEDED SINCE OWNING, IT ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT THE FORUMS AND SEE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY EXPLORERS AND NOT JUST MINE. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!!!! THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX THAT TO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR WHEN IT IS OCCURRING SO OFTEN. PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND PUT OUT A RECALL ON NOT ONLY THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER BUT THE OTHER FORDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11111187

Jul 12, 2018Steering

STEERING GEAR FAILED CAUSING THE CAR TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11110998

Jul 9, 2018SteeringElectrical system

ORIGINALLY I HAD A LIGHT COMING ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SAYING "STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW" IT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF OR OCCASIONALLY I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART MY TRUCK TO RESET. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I STARTED HAVING MULTIPLE LINES COME ON AT ONE TIME FLASHING AT ME WHILE DRIVING SAYING "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW". WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE AND I'M UNABLE TO STEER AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT OTHER THAN THAT I SEE NO RHYME OR REASON OR OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE THE SAME WHEN THE LIGHTS HAVE CAME ON. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC TO LOOK AT AND HE FOUND ONLINE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE MANY PEOPLE ARE BLOGGING ABOUT AND COMPLAINING ABOUT. HE HOOKED MY TRUCK UP TO THE COMPUTER BUT COULD NOT GET ANY TYPE OF ERROR CODE TO COME BACK AND SUGGESTED I FOLLOW UP WITH FORD TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT BUT ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT SOMEONE TO SEE IF THIS HAS SOME TYPE OF RECALL BECAUSE IN HIS WORDS "THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE". I HAVE CHECKED BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF NOW BUT DID SEE THERE WAS A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE 2011-2013 EXPLORERS AND A RECALL WAS MADE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS WEEK FOR MY TRUCK TO GO TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT BUT FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED NOW ON THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE 2 YOUNG DRIVERS THAT OCCASIONALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE, IF ONE OF THEM WERE TO DRIVE IT WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT, I DON'T WANT TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS TO SERIOUS TO IGNORE AND I SEE TO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ONLY I AM GOING THROUGH. PLEASE RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND HAVE THIS CHECKED.

NHTSA ODI 11110267

Jun 22, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALDEMAN FORD (2443 LEHIGH ST, ALLENTOWN, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,910. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11103409

Jun 14, 2018Steering

MY 2016 LIMITED FORD EXPLORER WITH ABOUT 38000 MILES BEGAN MAKING A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE STEERING WAS JERKY AND WOULD HANG. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND THEY REPLACE THE RIGHT TIE ROD END AT A COST OF $200+. THE EXPLORER CONTINUED TO MAKE A NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. WIFE SAID THAT THE STEERING WAS JERKY WHEN SHE DROVE IT. TOOK IT BACK TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A NUT HAD COME OFF IN THE STEERING BOX AND IT NEEDED A COMPLETE STEERING RACK. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT WAS SO AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT. COST THIS TIME WAS $1685.67. THE EXPLORER HAD 40634MILES ON IT WHEN THIS WAS DONE. GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE STEERING IS A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD EXPLORERS.

NHTSA ODI 11101878

Jun 14, 2018Steering

2016 FORD EXPLORER STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE STEERING BECAME JERKY AND DIDN'T WANT TO STEER. THIS WAS AT SOMEWHERE AROUND 38000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHEN I GOT HOME AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A RIGHT TIE ROD END. THE TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $200+. THE FORD EXPLORER CONTINUED MAKING A NOISE AT A LOW SPEED AND WIFE STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS JERKY WHEN SHE DROVE IT. TOOK IT BACK TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A NUT HAD CAME OFF IN THE STEERING BOX AND THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT WAS SO AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT 40634 MILES. SO FAR THIS APPEARS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11101888

Jun 6, 2018Steering

THE STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT AT 38,000 MILES. THE MOTOR IS DEAD AND ENTIRE THING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11100129

May 25, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JPS FORD (224 GAP FARMS RD, ARCADIA, LA 71001, (318) 263-2084) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 11097907

May 4, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FAIRWAY FORD OF EVANS, 4333 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809, (706) 854-9200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL FAULT ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,442.

NHTSA ODI 11091700

May 4, 2018Steering

STEERING IS MAKING GRINDING NOISE AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, AT TIMES WHEN ENTERING CURVES OR DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK WHEN YOU HAVE TO FIRMLY GRASP IT AND IT THEN JERKS YOU EITHER DIRECTION. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, IT'S LOSING STEERING CONTROL. GOING TO JERK ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR PULL ME OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE CHILDREN AND THIS IS OUR PRIMARY CAR TO DRIVE AND WE ARE AFRAID OF THE STEERING. IT HAPPENS ALSO JUST BACKING IN AND OUT . VERY STIFF TO CONTROL. SAFETY ISSUE IN ALL WAYS. I'VE TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A INTERNAL FAULT IN THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. ESTIMATED COST $2100, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, IF ANYTHING THEY GET PLAY IN STEERING NOT FAILED OR BREAK, MAYBE IF CAR WAS OLD AND HAD 200K MILES. FORD HAS HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING ASSEMBLY ON EXPLORERS SINCE 2011 -2015 AND CLEARLY HAVE NOT FIXED THERE PROBLEMS. PROBLEM WITH STEERING IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION AND ON HIGHWAYS AND TURNING. HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. NEVER KNOWING WHEN IT MAY DECIDE TO STOP WORKING AND LOCK UP ON ME.

NHTSA ODI 11091703

May 2, 2018Steering

THE ELETRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. AND WOULD FAIL AND THEN BE OK AFTER RESTARTS BUT WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL SPEEDS, OFTEN LOCKING ITSELF DURING A TURN AND REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO CORRECT. OFTEN DANGEROUSLY HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I NOTICED THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES...

NHTSA ODI 11091391

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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 2016 Ford Explorer verdict →