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
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle for it to operate normally. The failure recurred while the trac control malfunction warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to premier ford inc ([redacted], brooklyn, ny 11234, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the steering column and…
ODI 11170508
Steering
My 2013 ford explorer started making a scrubbing sound while turning, it slap felt 'sticky' while steering left or right. The next day an alert badge came on to 'service power steering.' my husband stopped at the gas station and after cranking the car back up the steering is locked down and will not turn either way. I checked my vin on this website and it says it is not part of the recall.
ODI 11101672
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became stiff while turning and remained in the position of the turn. Hall ford lincoln in newport news, virginia was made aware of the failure and stated that the rack and pinion and the steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…
ODI 11098498
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Power steering does not work at times on start up. Could go out at high rate of speed and cause an accident. Should be a recall
ODI 11097205
Steering
I picked up my car from the local dealership, who had just replaced brakes and rotors, done a alignment, and replaced a circuit breaker on 5/16/2018. I then took said car on a road trip down the east coast. When i first got onto the highway, i felt my car pulling ever so slightly to the right. I assumed the alignment was off and didn't think anymore of it until i tried to go across the george washington bridge,…
ODI 11098837
Steering
I bought the 2013 ford explorer in may 2013. I experienced my first power steering loss about 6 months back. Almost wrecked it with family in my car. It was pretty scary. I turned the car off and back on and it started working again. When i took the explorer to ford for an oil change i mentioned the issue with them and they said nothing was wrong, i even called for to let them know the issue but did nothing. Also,…
ODI 11102853
Service Brakes · Steering · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel seized. As a result, the vehicle drove over a pothole and into some bushes. The contact stated that two unknown warning indicators and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The dealer (al piemonte ford, 2500 w north ave, melrose park, il 60160) stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000…
ODI 11101500
Steering
The rack and pinion steering gear failed. I was not driving at the time. There is a recall on 2011 to 2013 ford explorers for this issue, however the recall was for 2011-2013 models build through 2/28/12. Clearly this issue was not resolved in future models. My vehicle's steering failed at 43,000 miles.
ODI 11090408
Steering
Electric power steering (epas) completely failed again. This time i drove through deep water over the roadway (16" deep). A day later a noise (like an un-lubricated roller bearing turning) could be heard every time the steering wheel was turned substantially (like when parking). After 4-days the steering system, accutrak, and steering failure messages came on the information screen while driving, but i was still…
ODI 11089708
Steering
Steering column is supposedly damaged by "environmental factors" according to dealer service. I am not sure how the environment gets in there but they won't cover it even with the ford premium care warranty package. The vehicle is only 5 years old 59,000 miles. Can't turn steering wheel easily, it skips sometimes. They say there is rust and corrosion in there and almost $1000 to replace after paying over $2600 for…
ODI 11090416
Steering
Steering hard with grinding noise. Parked vehicle. Upon next attempt to drive power steering did not work until heavy force to turn wheel. Was able to drive vehicle which had loud grinding noise when turning low speed but after stop no power assist worked.
ODI 11084807
Steering
Electric power steering failure . While drive the power steering failed and was almost impossible to control
ODI 11081047
Body · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The steering ability returned to normal the next day. Four days later, the steering wheel became difficult to turn again. On another occasion, while the vehicle was idling, the contact exited the vehicle and the door locks malfunctioned. The contact became locked…
ODI 11080868
Steering
Steering got really hard while driving, could barely turn the wheel. Felt like i didn't have power steering. Did it several times on way home trying to turn. Next morning steering wheel was completely locked. Called a tow truck and delivered to ford dealer. They said the steering rack (power assisted) is defective and will need to be replaced. I told dealer this was extremely dangerous, and that i wanted the…
ODI 11078403
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. It was unknown if there were any warning indicators illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dave littleton ford dealer (1098 us-169, smithville, mo 64089) where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
ODI 11081785
Steering
After starting i noticed the steering very hard to turn. Almost like it had lost power steering. When turning, at first it is hard to turn, then becomes easy and then goes back to being hard to turn. Call my local dealership and wa stood some 2013 model years are covered and some not. If not covered, the cost to replace the electronic module would $1,800.00. Very very dangerous to drive. How can some model year 2013…
ODI 11076018
Steering
While driving on the highway my steering started to stiffen. I had trouble turning and correcting my steering. There is a recall specifically for this issue but my truck is not covered. This is a very dangerous issue that needs to be resolved immediately.
ODI 11076568
Steering
Shortly after merging onto the highway i started to feel resistance in the steering wheel. The steering wheel was "sticking". When i attempted to make slight adjustments to the steering wheel is felt as if it stick, then break free. It felt like i lost fine control of my steering. I got off the highway and while driving at slower speed i felt the same sensation. I could also hear what sounded like grinding noise…
ODI 11075700
Steering
Same problem that hundreds of other ford owners have complained about, the power steering stops working, steering wheel locks up, the warning power steering fault light comes on. Had checked at clasic ford in smithfield, nc said there were 99 faulk codes listing that there was a loss of motor position sensor signal, which ment that the steering rack assembly had to be replaced. The very same problem that the 14s06…
ODI 11078251
Steering
Takata recall my power steering system error has popped up 2 times now to where i am unable to steer my car. This took place right after i turned my car on and started driving away. I was luckily in a parking lot when it took place so i stopped put my car in park turned my car off and back on again. I have talked to an auto mechanic and he has informed me that it is the sensor that is malfunctioning. This is so…
ODI 11073594
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked or while driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the power steering and trac warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed, but no failure codes were found. The contact called tomball ford (22702 tomball pkwy, tomball, tx 77375,…
ODI 11072964
Electrical System · Steering
So, it was -17 degrees the other day in minnesota and we packed our car to leave town. Went to start the vehicle and the power steering assist fault light came on. Along with service adv. Trac failure and terrain management system fault. This is not the first time it has happened, it has happened three or four times. Except usually we can shut the car off and then restart it and "walla" it works fine. Except this…
ODI 11072764
Steering
2013 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure. *ld *tr
ODI 11075932
Fuel/Propulsion System · Seats · Steering
Door panels out of line. Rpms drop to 0 while sitting, carbon monoxide, front end noise, seat broke, back vents poured water in, transmission slipping blinker switch replaced, modular replaced, back up camera system replaced. Front end worked on more than 7 times.
ODI 11074639
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. When the contact started the vehicle, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle had to be turned off to reset the warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (park rapids ford, [redacted] s, park rapids, mn 56470) where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign…
ODI 11072326