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 ford explorer comes with electronic power steering. Mine is working intermittently and quits right in the middle of slow turns. I checked online and this is a known problem for these vehicles and there has been a recall...however, my vin is not one them... And there are thousands of the same complaint. Ford needs to expand its recall.
ODI 11206042
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to sterling mccall ford (6445 southwest fwy, houston tx 77074, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack assembly failed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,246.
ODI 11203327
Steering
On 18 april 2019 filed complaint number: 11197130. Power steering was just becoming difficult to turn. Called ford for existing recall on power steering (nhtsa campaign number 14v286000). Ford stated that this vehicle vin was not part of the recall. On 20 april 2019 the power steering failed at approximately 10:30pm in newburyport ma. Wife was driving. Almost crashed into pol. Stopped at the last second. This…
ODI 11203059
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Driving on straightaway doing about 45mph and coming to a stop. Service lights & bells popped on and power steering stopped working.
ODI 11202573
Steering
Steering gearbox faulty and can fail in motion, based on internet searches, this is a common issue and there are recalls for some 2013-2014 vehicles. Likely should be extended. Gearbox issues are occuring now, will probably replace before there is a catastrophic failure.
ODI 11205733
Steering
While driving the car, the steering intermittently locks up for about a second. Afraid this will cause an accident if steering locks for extended period of time while young driver (daughter) is behind the wheel. Sometimes wheel locks when attempting to remove key from ignition. Ford says this particular vehicle is not covered under "loss of power steering assist" recall. This is a very expensive repair and a safety…
ODI 11197130
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving low speeds, the steering seized. The vehicle was placed in park and then restarted. The power assist fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,285.
ODI 11196691
Steering
Last year my power steering on my 2013 ford explorer failed. It was parked and when i went to turn it on it said power steering failure. When i inquired about a recall i was told my car did not fall under the specifications, so i had to pay to get the power steering replaced (roughly $1,400). Nine months later my power steering failed again, this time it happened while i was driving.
ODI 11196230
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, whether in reverse or driving forward, the power steering warning indicator suddenly illuminated. When the power steering failed, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact had to turn off the vehicle and wait a few minutes before they were able to start the vehicle. Once the vehicle was restarted, the power steering returned to normal.…
ODI 11268826
Steering · Suspension
The vehicle felt as if the alignment was bad. It was very difficult to steer. Turning was particular;y difficult. It sounds very similar to exactly what the recall on the toe links stated. The dealership said the knuckles were bad and needed replaced and that it happens to every 2013 ford explorer for some reason.
ODI 11228787
Steering
The steering wheel locks on starting and gives error message (steering assist fault) the vehicle is 76k miles
ODI 11192552
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that odor came from the electric power assist mechanism. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). Darling's…
Fire reported
ODI 11196630
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While the contact was reversing from a parking space, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled back into the parking space and towed to marshall ford lincoln (4200 east end boulevard, marshall, tx 75672, [redacted]). The dealer diagnosed that the steering rack failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 11191819
Steering
I was driving down aurora road and my power steering went out which caused me to lose control
Crash reported
ODI 11194276
Steering
Power steering went out when i was trying to make a left hand turn. Steering wheel was really hard to turn. The car slowed down also. Almost got hit by a car. The dash display said 'powering steering fault'. Drove to dealer like this and paid $2279 to get fixed. Was told there were no recalls. Also, called ford corporate and was told the same thing. They told me there was nothing they could do for me after i told…
ODI 11190016
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Power steering down. Warning massage said 'power steering assist fault' 'service advance trac' 'terrain management system fault'. It is too hard to steer. Control module internal failure, codes u3000-49, u3000-96, u3000-71.
ODI 11190264
Steering
When i start my vehicle i get a warning that says, "power steering assist fault" and i can not turn my steering wheel whatsoever. This is not the first time this has happened although this time the vehicle is not able to turn at all anymore. The first time this happened i was turning into a parking spot and the wheels locked up and after 3-5 attempts of starting and stopping the engine the issue was resolved. The…
ODI 11189996
Steering
Failure of steering gear. Steering becomes difficult and attempts to hang after a turn. There was a recall on 2013 explorers for similar reasons, but only certain vin numbers. There are numerous on line complaints about this issue. Obviously ford did not correct the problem and has refused to extend the recall. Repair cost $1850.
ODI 11189880
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Paint bubbling on aluminum surfaces hood and door skins, referred back to dealer who repaints and reoccurs until out of warrantee. Steering failure intermittent accutrac control requiring towing and computer reset. Can fail while driving resulting in no or difficult steering. Multiple times reset no charge. Estimate to repair $2500
ODI 11271351
Steering
Power steering became very intermittent no lights come on no warning then no power steering still have to manually pull wheel to turn all while driving down interstate
ODI 11189846
Steering
Rack and pinon in these model vechiles as well as inner and outer tire rods are faulty. The rack and pinion can sieze making the steering wheel in operable.
ODI 11186062
Steering · Unknown Or Other
I purchased my car brand new in 2012. I have a 2013 ford explorer. There was a recall #14s06 in 2014 that did not include my car, which was manufactured in the same year. The cars steering issue is a mechanical manufacturing defect. I am told that "because my car was not listed within the dates listed within the year 2012 that the recall was issued". Despite notices, there is still a manufacturer's defect that i was…
ODI 11185467
Steering
Steering sticks as your turning, in any direction or speed including stationary. This problem does not allow the vehicle to steer smoothly and frequently causes it to cross the centerline and off road! Not safe!
ODI 11190166
Steering
My vehicle has the same symptoms of a recall (recall # 14s06) for other 2013 ford explorers that were manufactured 5 months earlier. At low speeds and while turning, the vehicles steering sticks and is now making a roaring sound that's coming from the steering gear assembly.
ODI 11184783
Steering
Power steering assist. Steering wheel locks up while driving. Making this an extremely dangerous situation, not only for me but other drivers also. There was a recall for this issue just not my vin. Please expand the recall to include my car before something bad happens. Thanks.
ODI 11182054