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.
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Began experiencing some light binding in steering while driving highway speed. Exercised the steering back a forth a little. Advancetrac stability control was turned off by the vehicle control system and steering service warning appeared on the dash. Vehicle became difficult to steer. Vehicles from my model year were recalled for steering gear failure (14s06), but my vehicle was manufactured after the relevant date.…
ODI 10992878
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While making left or right turns, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer was notified and scheduled an appointment to inspect and diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
ODI 10983122
Steering
Driving 80 mph on the turnpike and steering becomes very difficult to manuveur. If the steering would've froze, it could've resulted in a fatal crash going 80 mph. Take to dealership and it needs a new power steering rack which costs $1,800. It appears certain vins for my year, make, model were recalled for the same issue but my was not and is not eligible but is having the same issues. This is a major safety issue…
ODI 10983109
Steering
The vehicle began making rubbing/grinding noises when steered (both directions) in normal operation. This was accompanied by sluggish steering. At one point the warning lights indicated that the steering system required service "now!". Upon pulling over and stopping, the steering locked up, making the vehicle unable to drive. My ford service tech advised that the steering gear box was "bad". They replaced the…
ODI 10984291
Electrical System · Steering
I was driving my 2013 ford explorer when i went to make a turn and the wheel froze without warning. The electronic power steering failed and i was told i needed to replace the steering rack and it was not covered under warranty.
ODI 10978827
Steering
The power steering went out and the suv was hard to steer. This happened when i first started the vehicle. The ford dealer said that it was the rack and pinion and will need to be replaced in the near future. I have seen a recall for this problem on a lot of 2013 ford explorers but the dealer said that mine was not one on recall. I believe it needs to be because this is a safety hazard and evidently a common problem…
ODI 10971719
Steering
While on the highway driving home, i got a yellow caution message to service the power steering soon. I exited the highway to make a rest stop and when i started the vehicle again, the same message popped up, followed immediately by a red warning message to service power steering now. Vehicle had no power steering on the remaining drive home.
ODI 10971478
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving, the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 06/13/17 *bf *as
ODI 10979599
Steering
Vehicle has become hard to steer & takes extra effort. Was diagnosed by ford dealer as having a faulty electrical component in the steering rack. Ford service manager stated the steering can completely lock up while vehicle is moving if steering rack not replaced. Steering rack must be replaced at approx. Cost of $1500.
ODI 10968718
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact restarted the vehicle in order to use the steering wheel. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin…
ODI 10958935
Steering
Total lose of steering in 2013 ford explorer 2/26/17 while driving down road at 55 mph, no warning lights. Engine stayed on but vehicle veered to the left (yes we went into the median) vehicle was making noise (sitting while turning steering wheel) a few days before. Vehicle was towed to ford dealer. I looked up the recalls on this vehicle for the electronic steering, there were none listed.
ODI 10957138
Steering
Power steering fault message and complete loss of steering, while backing out of driveway. Vehicle has approx 46,800 miles on it. Vehicle extremely hard to steer, and left on street overnight. Went to start next day and error message gone. My vehicle was not part of the recall involving the power steering problem. I think this needs to be looked into further. To lose your steering on a highway would be catastrophic.
ODI 10954939
Steering
The vehicle was traveling approximately 15mph and started to make a turn when the power steering failed. The car jumped the curb and came to stop. Vehicle dashboard said 'power steering failure' the vehicles ignition was turned off by the driver and then was re-started. The power steering then came back and was functioning.
ODI 10949742
Electronic Stability Control · Fuel System, Gasoline · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving down a city street my vehicle lurched and the terrain management system fault light and orange wrench light came on. It wouldn't accelerate and i lost my power steering. I was able to coast to side of the road. I shut it off and waiter for about a minute then restarted it. It idled rough for a few seconds then smoothed out and i was able to make it home. *tr
ODI 10947320
Steering
I had no prior issues with steering and i purchased this vehicle september 29, 2016. I parked my vehicle at home overnight and when i started it the next morning, the power steering fail warning popped up on my dash and it was almost impossible to turn the steering wheel.
ODI 10945606
Steering
My 2013 ford explorer has had its power steering assist stop working 3 times in the last month. Happened when driving on a mild turn on a 2 lane blacktop winding road - could have resulted in an accident. This was a recalled item for these cars from 2011 through 2013 but based on my vin number ford is saying that it is not covered. My car obviously has the same problem as the recalled vins on file. Ford want me to…
ODI 10944275
Steering
Unable to turn steering wheel. Happened when reversing out of parking space. No warnings issued.
ODI 10944008
Steering
Few months ago , as i was backing up in the driveway, the power steering assist fault light came on, couldn't move. I turned engine off and on light cleared and working fine. This happened few times past 4 months,. 2 days ago i was backing up light came on , 46800 miles . Couldn't move steering locked up , , turning engine on and off. 2 hourd later same thing panicked i was at a store parking lot.. Had to leave it…
ODI 10938891
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving approximately 2 mph and exiting the driveway, the power steering failed and "power steering assist fault" displayed across the instrument panel. The vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
ODI 10936219
Steering
Lost power steering while driving. Traction control fault and terrain control fault came on. The steering box now needs to be replaced. I have codes c1b00-62, u2001, u0415, and the same issue that meets the requirements of recall 14s06, but my vin is not in the data base for this. The recall specifically calls out vehicles from the chicago plant. 11th letter in my vin shows it came from the chicago plant. Ford and…
ODI 10934842
Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Ford exhaust i am getting a strong rotten egg smell and a burning smell everytime i drive my car which is a 2013 ford explorer limited 4wd it has been getting progressively worse. This happens when i am on the highway and when i am just driving down the street. I am not sure if it gets progressively worse when the car is going faster because it smells all the time. I just had the car toed to dealership because it…
ODI 11011573
Steering
Vehicle parked overnight. Started vehicle to leave garage. Power steering assist fault came onto screen. Steering wheel would not turn, locked up. This has occurred twice in 3 weeks. This is a known steering gear problem.
ODI 10924872
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the internal components related to the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000…
ODI 10918567
Steering
Power steering assist not working properly. Recall doesnt cover my vehicle with the exact same problem as the recall vehicles.
ODI 10923918
Steering
Power steering goes out while driving. 2013 ford explorer, 86,000 miles. My wife was driving around a curve, going about 45 miles per hour on a highway, when it first went out. The steering wheel jerked itself back to the center and my wife had to slam on the brakes and force the wheel to steer safely to the side of the road. The screen shows atc needs to be serviced. Codes shown are : c1b00-steering angle sensor…
ODI 10924963