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
Had problems with power steering not working over several years (very intermittent, maybe 1-2 times/yr). Restarting the vehicle typically fixed the problem. Power steering went out again permanently at 125k miles (after going out twice the day before). This problem only occurred on vehicle startup (ie. Never happened while the vehicle was in motion). Saw issues with other ford explorers having the same issue;…
ODI 11128682
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving highway speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to control. The contact stated that all power steering ability was lost. The driver was able to control the steering wheel with force and coasted the vehicle to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to crossroads ford ([redacted], cary, north carolina, 27518, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed…
ODI 11129282
Steering
Loss of power steering at lower speeds, requires me to work harder to turn the vehicle.
ODI 11161874
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 10 mph, the power steering seized intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the control module was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the…
ODI 11122841
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the electric power steering failed and the steering wheel seized while attempting to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Krapohl ford & lincoln ([redacted], mount pleasant, michigan 48858, [redacted]) was made aware of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number:…
ODI 11144943
Steering
Loss of power steering both when in moton on a street (twice)and when first turning on ignition in driveway. Occured three times in one week.
ODI 11131698
Steering
Loss of power steering. While driving on the highway the service power steering and traction control lights came on at the same time. The steering wheel locked up and manual steering was not possible. The car had to be towed to the dealership. I believe this should fall under the power steering recall.
ODI 11121187
Steering
I started the vehicle, put it in reverse, i did not move the vehicle only engaged the transmission to reverse at that time a chime went off and the vehicle notified me that there was a power steering assist default.i turned off the vehicle. Went inside to look on internet to see possibly what the problem was. There is a recall from ford for this exact problem, however my vehicles vin number does not match the…
ODI 11121016
Electronic Stability Control · Steering · Suspension
Issue already reported.see nhtsa ld.number 11174395.vehicle is awd. Clunking noise coming from front axil area only. Current milage86644.
ODI 11176017
Steering
I was driving on a toll road, started to notice my steering wheel becoming tight, my service power steering assist light came on. I proceeded to exit and when i turned my wheel locked up and my vehicle shut down and had to be towed to ford service center. I was unable to turn the steering wheel it was locked up. I am waiting for diagnostic but dealer hs already stated my vin is not covered under the steering column…
ODI 11119420
Steering
I was driving one day in 8/2018 and i began hearing this clicking sound and then my steering wheel became hard to turn if i was at a low rate or speed. I tried backing out of my drive way and my steering wheel just locked. I was able to get the dealership to have a diagnostic done that cost $130.00 to be told that my car need a power steering rack and my estimate was for $2500.00. My total came to $2424.05 after i…
ODI 11128701
Steering
I was driving my wife's vehicle when the power steering stopped working. I was driving on a [redacted] headed towards the thruway. Luckily i had time to avoid the on-ramp and pull into a parking lot. Called my local mechanic and had to drive 15 min so he could scan for codes, it was a long list. He cleared them and i drove it home,it seemed ok. My 2013 explorer is not on the recall list at this time.
ODI 11118167
Steering
While driving down the road on the highway and my warning lights came on saying "service power steering now" i lost complete control of the power steering and it became very difficult to control. I was told by ford that there was a recall for these cars with the same exact issue but my car was 3 months outside of the recall dates
ODI 11118311
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While the contact's wife was driving 5 mph, the steering seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: cas15367203. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. *tt updated 12/18/18*jb
ODI 11131167
Steering
While driving at highway speed, the vehicle lost power steering control resulting in having to manually steer the vehicle. Warning lights for service power steering now, service advance trac, service stability control all came on at the same time. Vehicle was taken to a ford dealer, diagnosed as epas steering rack as it is an integrated system. Was informed the vehicle was not covered under a recall which results in…
ODI 11114434
Steering
Takata recall my name is [xxx], i own a 2013 ford explorer. The power steering assist light showed up on the message board resulting in loss of power steering. I researched recalls and found there was a problem with this in 2011- 2013. I took it to dealer and they wouldn't fix it free of charge under recall. My complaint is if ford knew there was a problem with this then why weren't they all fixed. I brought mine…
ODI 11114055
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel was unable to turn in either direction. The dealer (fairway ford, 1350 e yorba linda blvd, placentia, ca 92870, [redacted]) was unable to duplicate the failure or produce a diagnostic trouble code. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was…
ODI 11131936
Body · Steering
I purchased this vehicle new from the ford dealer in 2013. First issue, front edge of hood the paint has been bubbling and coming off. Rust is underneath. Ford refused to do anything about it. Second issue and most important, we have been losing the power steering function while driving, this has caused erratic steering as the electric power steering seems to turn on and off. The steering will bind and when you try…
ODI 11111301
Steering
My power steering went out . Luckily i was in a parking lot. Otherwise it could have been trajic.
ODI 11112104
Steering
While driving on the highway at 70 mph the warning lights came on and the power steering failed, causing the driver to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. We limped the vehicle to the nearest exit. We are being told by the ford dealership that this is a "common occurrence" however, our vin is not part of any recall "yet". This was a very dangerous situation and to now know that it is a known issue that ford is…
ODI 11109591
Steering
While vehicle was in motion (parking), error power steering assist fault and service advancetrac error illuminated on the dashboard. No longer able to steer car, the car did not default into manual steering mode. The car will only go straight. The car was towed to the dealer. The dealer reported that the module in the steering gear lost communication and that the entire steering gear needs to be replaced as a…
ODI 11109617
Steering
Electric power steering failure. While drive the power steering failed and was almost impossible to control.i was driving 45 miles per hour when my steering wheel locked up causing me to steer off the road.the manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist.
ODI 11109488
Steering
My 2013 ford explorer lost the power steering as i was driving down the interstate. The steering started feeling inconsistent and then the warning light to service power steering came on along with traction control warning. I took it to the ford dealership after talking to ford customer service. This is what they recommended. The dealership said my vehicle is not part of the recall and that i would have to pay…
ODI 11105338
Steering
Takata recall. My car started making an awful growling sound. Shortly after, i was having trouble steering. It doesn't turn well. My mechanic told me that my steering rack needs to be replaced. I have done a lot of research and was told this was a common problem for this vehicle. The cost is around $1700 to be replaced by ford. I am also still making payments on my vehicle. This has been recalled in other explorers,…
ODI 11113162
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and made an abnormal grinding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The contact called a local dealer (auffenberg ford o'fallon, 115 regency park, o'fallon, il 62269,…
ODI 11111139