Ford Explorer Steering Problems
Owners have filed 4,059 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford Explorer across 32 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (835). The words owners use most often: “steering assist” (20% of reports).
- 4,059steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 139mention a crash
- 66mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $2,750typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering assist: mentioned in 816 of 4,059 complaints (20%)
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 412 of 4,059 complaints (10%)
- Difficult turn: mentioned in 230 of 4,059 complaints (6%)
- Wheel seized: mentioned in 207 of 4,059 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Ford Explorer at $2,750, and half of them between $2,350 and $3,200.
Based on 330 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 2,698 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 4,059 complaints, 139 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 66 an injury.
Ford Explorer steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2025 Explorer | 9 | 9% | — |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 10% | 3,600 |
| 2023 Explorer | 12 | 11% | 3,000 |
| 2022 Explorer | 9 | 3% | 108,500 |
| 2021 Explorer | 6 | 1% | 11,510 |
| 2020 Explorer | 28 | 2% | 17,000 |
| 2019 Explorer | 9 | 3% | 56,000 |
| 2018 Explorer | 20 | 3% | 35,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 76 | 4% | 42,917 |
| 2016 Explorer | 532 | 22% | 58,000 |
| 2015 Explorer | 347 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Explorer | 498 | 30% | 90,000 |
| 2013 Explorer | 835 | 37% | 95,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 360 | 43% | 97,282 |
| 2011 Explorer | 742 | 62% | 68,000 |
| 2010 Explorer | 4 | 3% | 39,500 |
| 2009 Explorer | 1 | 3% | 76,000 |
| 2008 Explorer | 13 | 9% | 91,621 |
| 2007 Explorer | 10 | 5% | 80,729 |
| 2006 Explorer | 9 | 1% | 97,500 |
| 2005 Explorer | 12 | 2% | 70,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 41 | 3% | 88,386 |
| 2003 Explorer | 27 | 2% | 99,250 |
| 2002 Explorer | 155 | 5% | 92,150 |
| 2001 Explorer | 21 | 6% | 109,400 |
| 2000 Explorer | 40 | 4% | 89,000 |
| 1999 Explorer | 38 | 3% | 86,500 |
| 1998 Explorer | 70 | 4% | 119,493 |
| 1997 Explorer | 33 | 2% | 196,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 47 | 3% | 97,940 |
| 1995 Explorer | 52 | 6% | 160,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Suspension:front:macpherson strut; steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm
Model years: 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
Risk: A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S04.
Steering
Model years: 2017
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
Risk: If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Steering
Model years: 2007
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the two bolts that attach the steering gear assembly to the frame may have been over-tightened. This condition could result in one or both of the bolts fracturing, causing the steering gear to become loose.
Risk: This condition could cause "clunking" noise when steering as well as decreased steering effectiveness potentially resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both the steering gear assembly mounting bolts and nuts free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Model years: 1995
Problem: The inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds.
Risk: This condition can cause the wheel on the side with the broken tie rod to tuck inward or outward and slide resulting in an increased potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the inner tie rods and replace the suspect tie rods.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Power steering doesnot work , steering was hard also antilock brake failure
on the highway it was raining heavily, and my [XXX] old was in car back seat. Suddenly wipers stopped working, Steering wheel wasn't working, indicator was not working, I was getting multiple warnings on my screen. We would have ended up in a major accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Yes: While driving on [XXX] at highway speed, my vehicle suddenly began to swerve, causing a significant loss of steering control and…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving into a parking lot at approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed after the failure. The contact was able to continue driving and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Explorers have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 4,059 owner complaints about steering for the Ford Explorer. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Explorer steering?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Ford Explorer?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,750 (half paid between $2,350 and $3,200), from 330 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “steering assist”, in 816 of 4,059 complaints, followed by “rack pinion” (412).
Other Ford Explorer problems
- Power Train problems (5,091)
- Structure problems (4,912)
- Tires problems (2,965)
- Engine problems (2,057)
- Electrical System problems (2,036)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,752)
- Suspension problems (1,690)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,672)
See all Ford Explorer problems.