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
Electric assist steering has started to fail. This causes periodic, sudden loss of steering assist. Without assist, the steering in very difficult to manage and represents a safety issue. There is a recall, but ford claims all problems associated with the recall were fixed a few months prior to our build date. Apparently not. Now they want 10% of the value of the car for repair.
ODI 11064495
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the steering column required excessive effort to operate normally and the power steering assist fault warning indicator illuminated. Barton ford (1600 n main st, suffolk, va) diagnosed that the power steering rack failed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000(steering) due to the manufactured date of…
ODI 11064347
Steering
Power steering to this vehicle suddenly stopped. Dashboard lit up with a car and squiggly line signal, indicating "service advance track". Problem is, if i were driving any faster, i clearly would have been in an accident! Thankfully, i just pulled onto my street so my mph was 10. Additionally, i had the vehicle towed to midas (my local servicer), only to receive a call that my vehicle could only be serviced by ford…
ODI 11063059
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the eps failed to function without warning and caused the steering wheel to tighten and become difficult to turn in either direction. Three dealers (belk ford, [redacted]), (hallmark ford, [redacted]), and (metro ford, [redacted]) were called and stated that the vehicle was excluded from a manufacturer recall for the eps. The manufacturer also…
ODI 11062991
Steering
Deadly consequence involving power steering in ford explorers. This is a "known issue" that ford continues to have issues with. The steering goes out unexpectedly, makes awful noises and makes it hard to turn. Ford had a recall on this but many folks continue to have issues with power steering going out which could lead to serious events and/or tragedy on highways. Ford customer service is trained to tell customers…
ODI 11065947
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel jerked and became difficult to maneuver. The advancetrac warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto center where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called future ford of sacramento at [redacted] ([redacted], sacramento, ca 95841) where…
ODI 11062407
Steering
After normal startup of the vehicle, power steering assist fault and service advance trac messages appeared on the info center on the left of the instrument cluster. Traction control light and traction control off light were both illuminated. The vehicle had no power steering. It was very difficult to steer however the parking lot was snow covered making it somewhat easier. Driver was very strong and athletically…
ODI 11063947
Steering
After turning on my 2013 ford explorer after being stationary the power steering assist fault warning light came on making the car hard to steer. After bringing it to my local ford dealer, they informed me that my vehicle was not under the specific recall as the other 2013 ford explorers from 2014, although it is experiencing the same issue.
ODI 11061550
Steering
On dec 27, 2017, i started my car & received the power steering assist fault message on my dashboard & was unable to move my car. I was parked in my work parking lot. I had my car towed to lithia ford in grand forks, nd & was told by my ford service department the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. They stated it is part of the steering column and the steering column would not work…
ODI 11058567
Steering
Power steering randomly goes out locking steering wheel. Has happened several times in the past year, each time has been when i've started the suv and attempted to turn the steering wheel, it locks and displays indication light. Turning off the vehicle and restarting allows it to work properly again. Last time in dec. 2017 it locked as i was backing up. Usually has only occurred while vehicle is parked and i haven't…
ODI 11062016
Steering
Power steering assist fault! Ford has recalled some of these for this reason but refuse to accept mine in their recall . It makes it virtually impossible to steer when it fails.luckily i was in a department store parking lot. I have a 2013 with 66,000 miles on it.
ODI 11055082
Steering
Power steering went out several times while driving vehicle. All incidences happened while the vehicle was in motion. First went out while in reverse in nov of 2017. Could not steer car. Brakes applied to prevent hitting a stationary obstacle. Was in a parking lot. Turned off. Power steering once again resumed. Later date of december 2017 vehicle lost steering in two more incidents. Brake before hitting other…
ODI 11061471
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (bondy's ford lincoln, 3615 ross clark cir, dothan, al 36303, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that a nut became disconnected. The dealer replaced the part and inspected the steering area. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa action number: pe12017 (steering) and…
ODI 11080344
Steering
Steering rack failed. Signaled power steering warning light, advance trac fail, reverse camera on while going forward. Took to ford dealer who said steering rack needs replaced for $1935.26 plus tax.
ODI 11048207
Steering
With no warning at all, our power steering completely went out while driving the vehicle. This is similar to the recall of other 2013 ford explorers for the identical issue of sudden loss of power steering . Our vehicle does not fall under the recall according to ford however this is a huge safety issue for power steering to go out with no warning or indication.
ODI 11046006
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized without warning. Prior to the failure, the steering wheel seized on other occasions. The vehicle was towed to packey webb ford ([redacted], downers grove, il 60515, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
ODI 11110364
Steering
The power steering warning light would come on when starting and first backing up. Would turn car off and it would reset. The other day it did it again but this time did not reset. Towed to dealer and said i need new steering gear. Saw a recall for exact same problem in 2013 explorers but since my car was manufactured in 12/12 and not 2/12 it was not under recall and repair is coming out of my pocket. It was even…
ODI 11043758
Steering
Power steering assist fault , power steering failed when started in motion from parked. Twice oct 17 2017 and oct 23 2017 both times shut car off , then restarted everything worked normal. Took car to planet ford spring texas, oct 24 ,25,26,27.dealer replaced steering gear cost ,$1734.12. Ford has had steering problems 2010 to 2015. Contacted ford ,no recall for my vin number. Ford case number case number…
ODI 11041860
Steering
My vehicle (2013 ford explorer) lost it's power steering, which based on the owner's manual is electric power steering and does not have a mechanical unit with fluid. I did some research online and a recall of 1.1 million vehicles for power steering units exists which includes the same make model and year as my vehicle. I brought my vehicle to my dealership and they informed me that although there is a recall on the…
ODI 11104881
Electrical System · Steering
While driving, my car's power steering and advance service trac will go out and i will have to drive without power steering until i can park and restart the vehicle. This has left me very at risk for an accident when driving due to the sudden jerk of the wheel when cornering or just going straight even.
ODI 11029939
Electronic Stability Control · Steering · Wheels
When traveling on the interstate the vehicle started pulling my steering to the right or left when not driving straight. The steering wheel would pop to one side or the other making it difficult to maintain my lane on the interstate. Dashboard lights appeared indicating trac control and trac system maintanence. After exiting the highway the vehicle made a loud popping and screeching noise when making a sharp turn,…
ODI 11024987
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering and advanced track warning indicators illuminated. The policed pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to towne ford (1601 el camino real, redwood city, ca 94063, phone number: [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the power steering system failed and needed to…
ODI 11025453
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Steering wheel assist fault. The steering just can't turn. It seems to me that manufacture defect. I almost get involved in a terrible accident while driving in hwy. Traction is off
ODI 11023890
Steering
Vehicle power steering randomly goes out. Ford has open recall on very issue having with vehicle. Recall includes my vehicle model, make and year. Local dealership confirmed issue is same as recall issue. Ford states vin is not included on recall so refuses to fix. Filed case number with ford explaining such but still refuse to fix under recall.
ODI 11044831
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving unknown speeds, the steering wheel failed to move and the default steering warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,157.
ODI 11079679