2015 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 145
- 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 145 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 67 records
- steering wheel · 42 records
- steering assist · 19 records
- rack pinion · 17 records
- steering rack · 11 records
- steering gear · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 81 |
| 60–100k mi | 25 |
| 1–30k mi | 22 |
| 100–150k mi | 6 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
I have recently heard a popping sound when i turn the steering wheel. This happens when stationary and in motion. I have had a mechanic look at my vehicle and state that the rack system needs to be replaced and that there is a chance the steering can lock up while driving. I did research and found there are recalls on ford explorers for 2011 to 20014 but not 2015. Why? It is the same issue just a different year.
ODI 11307259
Steering
I left my 2015 explorer with just 31000 miles on it parked in the garage for 10 days. When i started it again, the 'check charging system ' light came on just for a moment and cleaned. I tried to pull the car out of the garage, but the steering wheel was locked. Eventually it unlocked. When i started driving it, a very loud grinding noise could be heard when the steering wheel was turned left or right. The vehicle…
ODI 11280416
Steering
Driving down a highway road approximately speed of 60 mph and warning lights on dash came on "steering assist failure" and a couple others. Lost total control of steering was unable to turn the wheel. Vehicle was diagnosed at fremont ford of fremont michigan said to of had a faulty steering rack as its electronic when it fails it fails. Well 2100$ later its repaired.
ODI 11277517
Steering
When turning on the car sometimes the " check charging system " light comes on. When it does the steering wheel locks and you cannot turn the car left or right. You have to turn off the car and restart the car and hope that the " check charging system" light does not come on. I it does not come on the steering will not lock. The steering locks only when you turn on the car and the " check charging system" light…
ODI 11268223
Steering
Steering fault warning light comes on then the car looses its steering like no power steering. This has happened 4 or 5 times now
ODI 11266965
Steering
Steering started making a grinding noise at 55k miles. Sound is most pronounced when turning at slow speeds. Dealership and local shop confirm steering rack and pinion need to be replaced. They advised this is a common problem with ford explorers. Dealership advised the warranty expired 1 month ago.
ODI 11266863
Steering
The rack and pinion locked up as we were pulling out of my driveway. I was 9m pregnant and my 4yr old was in the back. Cant help but think about what would have happened had it locked up going around a curve. The repair shop i took it to said this was really common in the ford explorers and they have 146 service records on this one issue.
ODI 11259001
Steering
Steering started making a "knocking" noise when moving the steering wheel. This occurs while in part or in motion. I was told by the repair shot and my 2015 explorer with 45k miles on it needs to have the rack and pinion replaced at a cost of $2100. Not covered under warranty and apparently no recall for this dangerous situation.
ODI 11302557
Steering
While i was driving 70mph on a freeway, power steering stopped working. Showing the warning messages on the gauge cluster. "power steering loss" "advance trac control fault" i was able to pull over to a side of the freeway safely as there was no traffic. This is an extremely dangerous problem and must be recalled. My explorer has about 53k miles.
ODI 11252905
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Steering assist error came on dash along with terrain control error while driving down road. Lost power steering ability. Luckily it was close to home when failed or could of happened when in traffic and a horrible accident could of happened. Took to mechanic and said new steering rack needed. This was a recall on the same car a few years older. Car is also being taken in next week for rear suspension recall.
ODI 11254493
Steering
The steering makes loud metal noises when turning at slow speeds (like parking or tight turns). It also makes grinding noises when turning primarily to the right. The steering has locked on us twice in the last few weeks! Dealer suggests that the electronic steering gear has gone bad. On google search, we see that hundreds of customers have the same problem. How can such a critical component and safety issue not be…
ODI 11246358
Steering
Takata recall i have a ford explorer 2015 mileage approximately 42,865 . I have had 2 occasions where the steering has failed. Last time was august 17,2019. I had no control over .the steering . I was traveling 30 miles per hour and was able to stop the car before having an accident . I contacted paramount automotive group in valdese nc august 20 2019 and spoke to the service person about this serious issue. The…
ODI 11245357
Steering
I purchased a 2015 ford explorer sport with 90k miles from a ford dealer in december.a week later i noticed that every time i turned right i would hear a clicking noise. I also heard a humming noise from the wheels. I immediately took it to the dealer and explained to them the issue. I told them that if they don't fix the issue i was gonna return the car back to them. They changed the wheel bearings and the humming…
ODI 11252142
Steering · Suspension
When steering left or right at a standstill, steering makes a popping or clicking noise. My guess is it is either rack and pinion assembly or suspension parts. In addition, rear end has a bad rattle even on smooth roads. There is about 59,500 miles on the suv and it was just state inspected. We are afraid to drive it. Checked complaint boards and there are many similar problems.
ODI 11243086
Exterior Lighting · Steering
Started car and put in reverse and noticed that the steering was not working normally and then noticed the power steering fault assist and service advance trac notification. Also at the same time, the turn signal would not stay engaged. I managed to drive 100 miles home with "manual steering" on the highway and needed to use one hand to change lanes. If this problem happened going 60 miles per hour, an accident or…
ODI 11242676
Steering
I have a 2015 ford explorer xlt and the steering rack and pinion needs replacing. It can stop at anytime causing an accident.
ODI 11259061
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
-failure of electronic steering gear- i have a 2015 ford explorer sport with 50,000 miles on it. 2 weeks ago i had a "steering fault assist" light come on while driving the vehicle on the interstate. I did not experience an issue steering at the time.
ODI 11234376
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While attempting to make a turn, the steering lost power and "steering fault assist needs service" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to vaughn ford lincoln [redacted], located at 835 highway 165 s, oakdale, la 71463) where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware…
ODI 11241281
Steering
50k only and the rack and pinion steering column is failing.
ODI 11230314
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
Noise when turning or backing up on drivers side. New shocks/struts have recently been put on the front.
ODI 11228855
Steering
As we were turning into a parking space there was a popping sound so i immediately took the car to the dealer. We were told that the rack and pinion was defective which is the second time this has happened in a ford around the 40,000 mile mark. If the rack had failed at high speed it could well have been fatal.
ODI 11233975
Steering
I bought the car used in april 2019, it only has 25,000 miles. I was driving with my toddler when all of the sudden i could not steer the vehicle easily and warning lights started going off after i lost power steering. The lights were power assist fault and something about advancetrack system in which i noticed that my four wheel drive capability was not working. I was on a city street so i was able to pull into a…
ODI 11230684
Steering
2015 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure. *ld the consumer stated while driving the steering service light illuminated and the power steering immediately went out. The vehicle was not included in the power steering recall. *js
ODI 11231293
Steering · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. The contact heard a squealing sound when turning the vehicle in either direction. The vehicle was taken to autofair ford in manchester (1475 s willow st, manchester, nh 03103, [redacted]). The contact took the vehicle to the same dealer six weeks before to have the driver's side wheel bearing replaced under a warranty. The dealer performed an 100 point inspection and…
ODI 11242843
Steering
Making slow right handed turns, clunking sound was detected in the front of the vehicle. The ford dealer investigation revealed that the power steering rack needs replacement. The vehicle has only 61000 miles on it and the cost will be $1950.
ODI 11219615