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
The power steering intermittently stopped working. The power steering needs a new steering wheel rack and pinion to properly operate at 65000 miles. There is a recall for this but ford will not honor my vin number even though it falls in the year of 2013. This problem makes it unsafe to drive even at low speeds it is hard to steer the wheel. To fix this problem it is $1,500, which will not honor the recall that has…
ODI 11022196
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Purchased a used 2013 ford explorer xlt with 127,158 miles on it. Drove it for 5 days without problems. On day 6, i drove the car on the freeway for 73-miles. At 127,400 miles i stopped at a burger joint for 35-minutes before resuming my drive to my destination, several warning messages appeared on the information screen when i started the car again. 1)service power steering now. 2) terrain management system…
ODI 11021013
Air Bags · Service Brakes · Steering
I was driving on a residential street approximately two minutes from my home to run an errand. I was using the hands-free device on my phone as per texas law. There is one way each way with a yellow double line divider and many people park on the side to check mail walk dogs etc. So i tend to drive so that i won't hit those individuals. The road is curvy and i noticed that i was starting to veer off into the grass…
Crash reported
ODI 11020996
Steering
Loss of steering with code showing advanced trac system fault. Cannot turn steering wheel and blinkers will not come on. It can happen with vehicle in motion or stopped and running. Problem happens randomly and causes the car to be uncontrollable.
ODI 11020199
Steering
Power steering failed while driving on a city street. Warning light came on. Dealership says the power steering assembly needs to be completely replaced. Low mileage...51,597 miles.
ODI 11019560
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. When the contact started the vehicle, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure previously occurred while accelerating after being parked. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it reset itself. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
ODI 11034047
Steering
I was parked came back to my car started it and started to back up to pull my car out of parking spot and steering wheel would not turn after backing up and pulling forward. A few seconds later a light came on and blinked power steering fault i shut car off and turned on again same thing. I looked it up and came across a recall for 2013 ford explorers but build date only runs through feb 2012 recall number 14s06 and…
ODI 11018895
Steering
When turning the wheel in either direction, there was a grinding noise. It was determined that the gear in the steering assist system needed to be replaced. This is a recall item for the same make, model and year, but i'm being told that my vin# is not included in the recall.
ODI 11019503
Steering
While driving on the freeway and changing lanes to the right, the steering locked up and caused the car to go off right side of freeway. Luckily i was heading in a realatively safe direction. I had the car towed to the nearest ford dealer and they said the electronic steering module had lost its position and failed. They also told me this is a known problem and ford may cover repair. However they did not. This vin…
ODI 11083316
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle's computer software was previously updated at blake utter ford…
ODI 11172970
Steering
Dashboard and center console severely vibrate when closing door with engine running and brake pedal depressed. . Diagnosed vehicle at all american ford in paramus nj. Tech advised that there is something loose in steering gear motor and it may fail at any time. Steering rack needed to be replaced at owners expense. After expensive repair no more vibration is present.
ODI 11003912
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The advance trac system and service power steering warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the auto plaza dealer where it was diagnosed that it needed a new steering column. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number:…
ODI 11003960
Steering
We (my husband, my 10year old, my 7year old and my almost 2 month old baby and i)were driving on the highway, (we were going to michigan for the weekend) when i started noticing that it required some effort to maintain the car in lane, after a while some lights went on "service power steering now" and "service advance track"..., so i got out of the highway with difficulty because it felt weird driving it, i couldn't…
ODI 11025500
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 75 mph, the power steering became loose, and the service advancetrac and service power steering warning indicators illuminated. The contact parked at a nearby restaurant. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (palm springs motors located at 69200 ca-111, cathedral city, ca 92234; [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel assembly needed to be…
ODI 11001689
Steering
I had the same power steering issue the other 150+ people have posted. Ford recall -14s06, nhtsa recall - 14v-286. Ford is 100% aware of this and their official stance is they will not take any action unless the nhtsb directs them to. My goal of reporting this information is to hopefully have an investigation opened. I truly hope it does not take a serious accident or death for this to get the proper attention it…
ODI 11090359
Steering
The service power assist and service advance trac warnings come on while driving on the highway. No problem if continue driving, however if turn off power it become impossible to steer when turned back on. The blinkers will also not work when this error happens. Bought brand new rack and pinion from ford dealership did not fixed the problem.
ODI 11006469
Steering
My 2013 explorer losses power steering due to mechanical malfunctioning while driving the car. It was discovered the electronic power steering system had failed due to overheating. According to the dealer, my vehicle was excluded from the recall 14v286000 which was noted may 29, 2014. I repaired the car at the cost $2,600.00. I continue to have issues with the power steering.
ODI 11231855
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the power steering seized. The vehicle was towed by ford motor company to quark and quincy located in quincy, massachusetts where it was determined that the rack and pinion was defective. The manufacturer stated that the contact's vin was not included in the steering rack assembly recall per nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The failure…
ODI 11000626
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving and making turns, the steering wheel seized and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The driver powered off the engine, restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive normally. The contact stated that the failure recurred numerous times. The contact called sam pack's five star ford carrollton at…
ODI 11114527
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. When the engine was started and the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the steering wheel became difficult to move. The power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. When the contact turned off the engine and restarted the vehicle, it returned to normal operation. When the warning indicator illuminated, the engine became difficult to start. The vehicle was not taken…
ODI 10994403
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 10 mph, the power steering failed without warning. While making a right turn, the steering wheel became unresponsive and would not steer left of right. The vehicle was taken to baytown ford of baytown, texas where the power steering control module software was updated. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000…
ODI 10995619
Steering
I lost power to the electric power steering while parked. It needed to be replaced at my own cost.
ODI 11014147
Steering
On two separate occasions while in park...thank goodness.. My steering wheel locked up where i could not turn the wheel right or left, or just slightly because the steering wheel was to hard to turn. The third occasion was while driving, vehicle in motion, and all of a sudden the steering locked up again...luckily i was able to pull over and restart the vehicle and that seem to fix the issue. To me this issue seems…
ODI 11061419
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While the vehicle was in reverse, it experienced a loss of steering function and required excessive force to turn. The power steering fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local bergstrom ford of oshkosh dealer ([redacted], oshkosh, wi) where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The…
ODI 11044891
Steering
It's making real loud noise. Trys to pull the car off the road. It's very dangerous, unsafe to drive.
ODI 10993126