2016 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 163
- 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 163 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 57 records
- power steering · 52 records
- rack pinion · 21 records
- steering rack · 18 records
- steering assist · 13 records
- turn steering · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 88 |
| 60–100k mi | 39 |
| 1–30k mi | 25 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
The steering makes popping and grinding noise when turning left or right. Had vehicle inspected at a trusted garage i use, they said that the rack and pinion was shot. The vehicle has approximately 53165 miles on it. The majority is highway miles.
ODI 11308744
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph, making a left turn the steering wheel ceased with the remote hill start assist not available service advance trac, power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact veer to the shoulder of the road placed the vehicle in park turned the vehicle off and back on which failed to resume normal operation. The vehicle was…
ODI 11309183
Steering
Loss of ease of steering driving in frigid wind chill night time north dakota weather. My wife was strong enough to strong arm steer and drive the vehicle the 40 plus miles home. A definite safety issue- an internet search revealed numerous complaints and complete steering failure on the electronic steering apparatus installed on this make and model. The repair costs could amount to $3000. The fact that these…
ODI 11300121
Steering
While driving 70 mph on i81 in va the power steering on our 2016 ford explorer with less than 70,000 miles died. The only warning was a message on the dash saying "lane keeping syst malfunction" and "steering assist fault." after wrestling the car to a safe site i shut if off. Upon restarting the car the steering returned to normal. While driving to the nearest ford dealer to have it checked out if failed again. The…
ODI 11301610
Steering
I purchased this 2016 for explorer limited in august of 2016 with 18,000 miles on it. Now at just below 60,000 miles in january of 2020, i had the experience of my steering gear going out which in turn cost me $2200.00. Who would of thought that after only 3 years, the steering gear would go bad in a practically brand new vehicle? While driving the vehicle, the steering wheel would lock up and i would have to…
ODI 11301758
Steering
When turning the steering wheel to the right there is a distinct clunking sound. I have read multiple blogs where many similar stories are being told and it seems there's a defect in the steering gear expierencing internal failure prematurly. Owners are saying their vehicles will drift in the lane and the steering becomes loose and uncontrollable. Ford dealers are charging $2,500 to replace the parts causing this…
ODI 11291569
Steering
While operating the vehicle, approximately 45mph, the car started to jar, then the power steering was lost, moments later the dash lit up with a slew of traction and steering warnings.less than a mile from home i wrestled it home. No leaks observed, my husband started it, and tried to turn the wheel, seized completely. Towed it to northhampton ford in massachusetts the following morning. After diagnosis the steering…
ODI 11289816
Steering
When turning the steering wheel to the right there is a distinct clunking sound. I have read multiple blogs where many similar stories are being told and it seems there's a defect in the rack and pinion. Owners are saying their vehicles will drift in the lane and the steering becomes loose and uncontrollable. Ford dealers are charging at least $2000.00 to replace the parts causing this extreme safety issue. I know…
ODI 11289234
Steering
When turning the steering wheel to the right there is a distinct clunking sound. I have read multiple blogs where many similar stories are being told and it seems there's a defect in the rack and pinion. Owners are saying their vehicles will drift in the lane and the steering becomes loose and uncontrollable. Ford dealers are charging at least $2000.00 to replace the parts causing this extreme safety issue. I know…
ODI 11290222
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
I was driving down the highway and i got errors saying my advace trac system needed to be serviced. Also that my power steering failed and i needed to pull the vehicle over safely. I was going about 65mph and my power steering went out!. I had to take an offramp shortly after (i was on my way to work) and it was difficult to steer the vehicle. Very dangerous!
ODI 11287518
Steering
The power steering was inoperative when stationary and the vehicle was parked overnight in my garage and temp was below freezing. The steering was locked up and you could not turn the steering wheel. After the vehicle was running for about 20 to 30 minutes (trying to move steering wheel back & forth) it would let you then to turn the steering wheel. It did this 3 times and i had a ford dealer check it out. They…
ODI 11280215
Steering
Steering locked up while driving, was able to slow down safely but could have been really bad if going at higher speed or around a curve. Was able to stop and really force wheel to turn a bit. Dealer stated i needed to replace rack and pinion. $2500, but more of a safety issue to me
ODI 11279994
Steering
Loud knocking in the front end when making turns. Assumed it was the sway bar bushing needing replacement based on searches, however after having the vehicle a week the dealership has determined that it is a faulty steering gear. I'm submitting this complaint so that there are more of these documented out there. My vehicle was still operational when i took it in, however reading similar stories and problems of other…
ODI 11277996
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving 60 mph, the steering seized for approximately 20 minutes and the traction control and steering assist fault warning indicators illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, it did not resume normal operation. The vehicle was towed by an independent towing company to the contact's residence.…
ODI 11270703
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
My car was completely totaled in an accident on 10/21/19. I received very serious multiple brain bleeds, facial lac, facial & head fx's & a severe tbi. My mom rec a concussion, facial lac concussion & a fx clavicle. We stopped at the stop sign & moved to the center between the 4 lanes & stopped again & we were hit by a large roll on roll off rock carrying dump truck in the middle of the lanes. The car was completely…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 11307049
Steering
At around 75k miles the steering began to making popping/grinding noises. The sound resolved within the same trip and stopped. It's been two months and the grinding sound returned while driving this weekend on a winding road with my two year in the back seat. While driving around a corner at moderate speed (35-40 mph), the steering wheel briefly stuck and brought my vehicle to the edge of the pavement before i…
ODI 11269916
Steering
The first time my steering wheel got stiff was on 09/13/2019 while trying to make a left turn on a city street. In the process of making the left turn the steering wheel got stiff, and the steering fault hill start and trac lights went on. I was unable to control the wheel which cause me to get onto of the side walk almost hitting a tree. I had to hit my breaks in order to avoid the accident. My kids body jerk back…
ODI 11269930
Steering
Within the past 2 weeks, on 2 separate occasions, the power steering has gone out while driving. Ford has stated that there is no recall. The ford dealership in phoenixville, pa stated on 9/25/19 that the issue is with c200d code for motor rotation angle sensor. They gave an estimate that the part is 1500 and labor 500.
ODI 11265780
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion motor was seizing. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
ODI 11259022
Steering
My 2016 explorer just reached 85,000 miles when i started to hear a popping sound from the front end of my vehicle, while i was parking, the next day as i was turning onto a city street the steering wheel locked for a second followed by a loud pop. I took the car to sanderson ford dealership and they advised me, my rack and pinion needs replaced. ($2,500) repair cost
ODI 11258165
Steering
My vehicle intermittently displayed 'steering fault. Service now' message on my dashboard. Unfortunately at first, i didn't think much of it since it happened so infrequently and the steering wasn't too noticeable. Had i known then what i know now, i would have recorded it the first time it occurred. It wasn't until i hit around 25,000 miles that the steering was slightly difficult. I was driving through my town and…
ODI 11266463
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. When making left or right turns or slightly turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact had to jerk the steering wheel in order for it to turn. On another occasion, while driving, the contact had to depress the brake pedal quickly because the vehicle pulled to the left, the steering wheel seized, and the engine turned off. The vehicle…
ODI 11257945
Steering
2016 ford explorer xlt. Electric power steering gear failure. Has 82,000 kms on it. $1900 for part. Total repair quoted at $2700 + tax in canada.
ODI 11258810
Steering
At just 36,300 miles the electronic steering rack has failed. A simple google search shows numerous ford vehicles with this electronic steering system having issues with as many or less miles. Of course it is out of the bumper to bumper coverage at this point. The steering mechanism felt as though it was a manual steering system when it failed as i was on my way home from work on a very busy highway. The wheel…
ODI 11256742
Steering
2016 ford explorer xlt, 86000 miles. Steering sticking while turning left/right while traveling at all speeds. There is also a popping noise when turning right at low speeds. After investigation i have found the is a rack & pinion problem that ford refuses to recall. Many instances of steering wheels locking while driving which could potentially be fatal. Repair costs for replacement are $2000-$3000. This should not…
ODI 11255899