2014 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 140
- 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 140 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 80 records
- steering wheel · 48 records
- steering assist · 20 records
- steering gear · 14 records
- traction control · 13 records
- assist fault · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 62 |
| 30–60k mi | 34 |
| 100–150k mi | 17 |
| 1–30k mi | 16 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
While driving on the highway, the vehicle's power steering system failed without warning. The steering took much more muscle to maneuver, and was a lot less responsive. There was no indication on the dash that anything occurred. In the days following the power steering system intermittently kicked in and back out, making it hard to steer consistently and requiring much more attention. The vehicle has still never…
ODI 11192097
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power assist failure warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the road and managed to drive home. Courtesy ford (6393 us-98 w, hattiesburg, ms 39402, [redacted]) was contacted to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made…
ODI 11183146
Steering
2014 ford explorer steering wheel locked up, i thought it was the steering wheel lock motor but bad "electronic" noise if you turn wheel either way. Every once in a while it will start up and steer normally, but then manual steering, then locked up again. No code. Wife was on highway when it went out, says she wont drive it again. I found out now that the electronic steering gears have been an ongoing issue,...…
ODI 11182695
Steering
Vehicle became difficult to steer when driving on several occasions. Especially when trying to turn left. Vehicle was taken to a mechanic who scanned the steering control system and test drove the vehicle. The code showed rack internal failure and it was recommended to replace the power steering rack. Total quoted cost is $1942 + tax. It was suggested that this had been the topic of a recall, however the years…
ODI 11182049
Steering
Started loosing power steering then lost all assist completely very unsafe to operate had to return home i couldn't control the vehicle i have to get the vehicle towed
ODI 11176131
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 15 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn. Also, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but was unable to drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle…
ODI 11176238
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel would sporadically tighten and the "steering assist fault" and "check charging system" indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic referred the contact to brandon ford (9090 e adamo dr, tampa, fl 33619, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that a new alternator was needed. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent…
ODI 11219977
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. When the steering wheel was turned in either direction, a clunking noise was heard coming from the steering column and the steering wheel became more difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to banner ford ([redacted], mandeville, la) where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified.…
ODI 11186720
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While pulling into a parking space, the power steering suddenly failed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to bryden ford ([redacted], durand, il) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 11173268
Steering
While driving our 2014 ford explorer, the service steering assist warning light came on, then the acs fault warning light came on. At that time, the power steering went out and the turn signals quit working properly. The vehicle could still be steered manually by a physically stronger person, but not by the average person. The vehicle was taken to the local ford dealership, where we were informed that a new rack and…
ODI 11174354
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle started to make a clunking sound and the steering seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, which was still pending. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 11171438
Steering
Steering goes out while driving. Therefore, the power steering show power steering assist fault and traction control comes on. So while driving it goes out it is hard to dri e and can cause a major accident.
ODI 11171226
Steering
Lost power steering while driving down the highway doing over 55mph. Took to a ford dealership for repair, they fixed it, they replaced the power steering rack... Worked for 3 weeks and now it is not working again. Again while driving the car on the road the power steering went out.
ODI 11171025
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
I was driving my 2014 ford explorer along the freeway doing about 70 mph and started smelling an odor when all of a sudden the steering wheel started violently shaking and a bell stated beeping. A message on the left blinked on steering failed park safely and steering traction lights came on . The car was hard to steer. I had to find a place to pull over quickly. I managed to get the car off the freeway. We sat…
ODI 11161418
Steering
Whining, squeaking noise from steering column upon turning or moving the wheel at any speed, left or right. Dealer says the entire steering assembly and computer has to be replaced to prevent steering failure in the future, at the cost of $1900. I see other recalls for the same problem in years 2011-2013 and 2015-2017. I have also read a lot of online complaints about this same problem in other 2014 explorers.
ODI 11160742
Steering
Noticed loud grinding noise while turning right driving less than 10mph. No lights have come on yet. Took it to mechanic and he told me that the steering rack is failing and will need to be replaced. I noticed that the 2011,12,13 recalled but doesn't cover the same problem that 2014's are having.
ODI 11151218
Steering
Car did not feel right after about 10 miles of highway driving but i didn't know what was happening. It was difficult to steer. A few miles after several warnings came on telling me there is a steering failure and to stop and get immediate service. I pulled off the highway and had the car towed and it's at the dealer now.
ODI 11149866
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
The electrical system periodically goes out, the dash lights blink off and on, alrms go off with messages that state there is a failure of terrain, management, abs system and power steering, then the power steering goes out immediately , dash is black. This is very dangerous , it seems to be a known issue with ford when researching the issue. Someone can wreck and die with this electrical failure
ODI 11144969
Steering
Noticed loud grinding noise while turning either left or right while traveling around 40mph. No lights have come on yet. Took it to mechanic and he told me that the steering rack is failing and will need to be replaced. Ford quoted me roughly $1500 for the rack and labor, this is crazy that the 2011,12,13 recall doesn't cover the same problem that 2014's are having.
ODI 11145333
Steering
While i was driving it home i felt on the highway i felt the steering wanting to bind, when i turned it felt at an intersection like it was stuck and could not get it to turn. I came home and stopped the vehicle, when i turned it off and started again the steering was locked. The display showed steering problems place in park. Also track control was displayed.
ODI 11130825
Steering
Steering became heavy and stiff without warning. Traction control and stability controls failed to work causing trouble lights to come on. Turn signals will not stay activated. Steering fault indicator also illuminated. Vehicle was being driven at normal speeds on a leveled city road.
ODI 11124158
Steering
Ford explorer looses power steering. 2014 ford explorer looses power steering while driving. Several codes are generated. These codes match the codes and problems with the 2011-2013 ford steering modules. I had it happen while driving on the highway with sagnificant loss of steering control. I contacted ford and they said there is nothing they can do. Iv attached a picture of the diagnostics screen from ford.
ODI 11123165
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 25 mph, the steering seized when making a turn. The vehicle was able to be driven home and was later taken to norris ford ([redacted], baltimore, md 21222, [redacted]). The dealer stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired but the parts replaced were unknown. The manufacturer was called and stated that there was noting they…
ODI 11139402
Steering
My wife drove our explorer to ft. Wayne in.(aprrox.20 mi.) to go shopping. When she got back into the vehicle to leave parking lot she was unable to steer it. She said that the vehicle was making noises when she would turn the steering wheel. Message came up as traction control failure and to pull of the road immediately. I had to drive over in another vehicle to bring the vehicle home. It took every effort i had to…
ODI 11123546
Steering
The whole steering column and power steering locked down driving about 55 mph without warning. I had to muscle it off the road and out of harms way. I had it fixed by ford and now it is messing up a second time.
ODI 11204800