2013 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 375
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 375 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 140 records
- steering wheel · 36 records
- steering assist · 28 records
- steering failed · 16 records
- power assist · 12 records
- steering failure · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 159 |
| 100–150k mi | 86 |
| 30–60k mi | 59 |
| 1–30k mi | 36 |
| 150–400k mi | 12 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that upon starting his vehicle and backing out the driveway, his power steering ceased to operate. The advanced track warning light illuminated simultaneously as the failure occurred. The contact attempted several maneuvers, such as restating the vehicle and resetting the battery, but to no avail. The dealer had not been notified of the failure. The…
ODI 11307456
Steering
Getting off ramp turning to my right the car was hard to true steer lost control
ODI 11309579
Electronic Stability Control · Power Train · Steering
Steering become hard cant move the wheel or make any turn... And the light of service power steering and service advance trac came on. I almost have a accident do to this problem.
ODI 11307585
Steering
Vehicle while driving can lose signal to the electric gear box for the power steering. Causing a loss of power steering. Car display reads "power steering fault".
ODI 11308725
Steering
My wife was driving and somehow the car stop steering. Very hard to turn in curves and while driving slow. Message came up on dash board about steering default.
ODI 11306652
Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering · Suspension
I have received carbon monoxide poisoning from driving my 2013 ford explorer. I also have had the front end looked at and repaired had to pay most of the costs (extended warranty paid for some) for the front end popping sounds while turning. The sound is still there and on both sides now. So money wasted towards ford!! The vehicle isnt drivable at this point and that leaves me without a vehicle.
ODI 11307079
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
On 2 separate occasions the truck loses power while driving. This effects the engine, power steering basically anything that uses power. This has happened while driving 65mph and 35-40mph. One time it happened on a street, the other time was while driving on the highway. This is very dangerous.
ODI 11301803
Exterior Lighting · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Complained of faulty power steering error message coming on when starting vehicle for 1.5 years to ford dealership with no exact response regarding the issue. They said they reset the system and it should work fine afterwards. The next day i still had the issue. I then complained again about it but it was in the shop for numerous issues and that was overlooked/ignored. My power steering has now gone out completely…
ODI 11306642
Steering
On the 14th of january 2020, while driving on the freeway, my truck began to sway as if my alignment was off. A short while later, the service power steering warning light came on and as i struggled to steer the vehicle to a stop in a nearby parking lot, the warning changed to service power steering now! This was very dangerous because steering became extremely difficult and i almost side swiped a couple of cars.…
ODI 11307343
Steering
Power steering gear failed as a result of corrosion due to poor coating
ODI 11298076
Steering
Steering assist faulted while driving nearly causing an accident.
ODI 11296752
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. When the engine was started, the power steering assist indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was…
ODI 11296667
Steering
While driving 70mph with my kids in the car the power assist light came on. I lost all control of the power steering. Luckily i was able to drive to a safe spot using much strength to do so. 2013 ford explorer 74,700 miles.
ODI 11291747
Steering
I am experiencing the same steering problems as the explorers in the recall, yet my 2013 explorer is not part of the recall. The recall is- nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000. I believe the population of the recall should be expanded.
ODI 11300413
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
About two months ago the steering was getting tough with little noise like clunking, took the explorer to a ford dealer was told my front struts needed changed. Had that done, did not fix my steering problem. Said my vin was outside of the recall ford had on the steering rack. Now just yesterday i start my car and my steering wheel is stuck no movement. Turned it off and back on and got movement but no power…
ODI 11309539
Steering
Steering went out while driving making a right turn. Power assist light came up when power steering gave out.
ODI 11289025
Air Bags · Power Train · Steering
Received a message on my dashboard " power assist fault", the steering was stiff and could not turn. Turn off the car for 10 minutes and the steering was functioning ok. Later in the afternoon, i was about to hit the gas pump as my steering went stiff again. Now am scared that this may cause accident
ODI 11288788
Steering
Just today i viewed online to check for any recalls due to my passenger side heat not working....by viewing online i was notified of a recall that should have been fixed on my vehicle that i was not notified about, and was wanting to get this issue fixed as soon as possible. The issue is it states the last date to fix was in august.
ODI 11288665
Steering
Occasionally the power steering assist failure light would come on. I could kill the engine and restart it and it would return to working. However now the warning light is on and won't go off. The power steering will not work at all.
ODI 11282833
Steering
Steering wheel locked up twice in 2 days when started and displayed a warning "power steering assist default". The car had to be restarted. This is a serious problem that ford refuses to fix on our vin.
ODI 11282417
Steering
Failure of electronic power steering system. I had turned my car on and the fault happened immediately. Previously when this would occur i would restart my car and the error would resolve. This time this did not clear the error.
ODI 11281682
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive home and associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics who stated that the steering control module and the rack and pinion unit needed to be…
ODI 11286920
Steering
Steering recall 14s06 ,my car, was manufactured 14 march 2012,,, there is a recall that included the exact same issue including the advancetrac and service power steering soon problem on explorers manufactured at the same plant until 28 february 2012,,,,, i get there has to be a line but they are unwilling to accomodate a faitful customer. Looking through the rest of nhsta there are extensions of the electric assist…
ODI 11288415
Steering
Steering locks up while driving have to slowly put on brakes to stop shut motor off and restart vehicle. Sometimes when you get in and start vehicle,steering will not unlock when vehicle is started but will move forward and backwards with steering locked have to turn key off and restart vehicle to unlock steering. Sometimes steering unlocked up in cold weather and have to turn on engine and floor heat for 45 minutes…
ODI 11279860
Steering
The power steering in my car stopped functioning while i was driving. The dash said there was a power steering fault. I was able to pull the car to the side of the road, and turning it on and off seemed to reset it, and i was able to continue on. By research, this is common in 2013 explorers, and was a recall, but not on my vin. It is going in for repair within the week. It appears the recall needs to be expanded to…
ODI 11279347