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
This will be the second time in a couple of years that my steering on my car has just quit while i was driving it. I was, luckily, sitting in a parking lot, parked. When i put my car in drive and turned my wheel my steering ability was suddenly was gone and i had the "hill assist disabled" light to come on, "advance trac control light" flashed, and the steering loss light came on. I had no capability to turn my…
ODI 11230587
Electrical System · Steering
The steering failure light came on about 2 weeks ago and i brought to dealer. They said it was not the steering but the battery putting out the wrong voltage and caused the sensor to come on. Today i actually lost steering on the vehicle while driving about 30 miles on a local street. The street curved and i could not turn the wheel. The steering fault light came on and car said that the terrain assist and hill…
ODI 11230441
Steering
Wife was driving vehicle and started to hear grinding noise when turning. She thought it was out of power steering fluid. She did research and found out there is not power steering that it is electronic control. Ford knowing there is issues with earlier years that they had recalls on 2011-2013 model years. Before it completely went out. Drove it to our mechanic to repair.
ODI 11230753
Steering
I took it to ford for a recall on a suspension issue and they found that the steering rack needed replaced as well as it was making a clunking noise. I do recall a clunking noise was made sporadically when turning into parking spaces prior to taking it to ford. I find it odd that a vehicle that is 3 years old is having such an issue.
ODI 11229318
Steering
Steering fault alarm 3 times over 2 weeks, dealer service sees error code c200d, could not say whats wrong, advised to replace steering rack. Steering fault happened while driving on highway twice and once backing in driveway. Many complaints of this online, ford should be doing a recall to fix. 67886 miles on my vehicle. Cost to replace steering rack around $2000.00.
ODI 11223131
Steering · Suspension
I was driving back to work from my break when i was about to park my car the power steering got locked suddenly. Thanks to god i was not in full motion otherwise i would have been messed up every ways. This car is just driving me crazy everyday i notice some kind a stupid noise. I bought this vehicle not too long ago. The dealer knowingly gave me faulty car right next day i took it back to fix the carbonmonoaxide…
ODI 11221932
Steering
The explorer had 39,000 miles on it and the rack and pinion needs to be replaced. This car had a 36,000 mile warranty. I contacted ford customer service, asked for an extension of the warranty and for them to cover some or part of this repair, because it is highly unusual for these parts to fail at such a low milage. They said they have no responsibility outside of the 36,000 warrenty. But after i get it fixed i can…
ODI 11228396
Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension
Vehicle is experiencing popping noises when turning the steering wheel left or right also happens while braking the popping is significant enough to feel in the steering wheel as well as in the floor boards on both front passenger and driver. The steering wheel has exhibited extreme vibration enough to make the outside driver review mirror shake. The steering wheel has also been stuck in the left turning position…
ODI 11220329
Steering
Steering fault warning came on three times. The third time, steering also froze up and the traction control warning lights came on; i turned off the motor and then back on and the steering worked again. I took it to the dealer and they did an software update. The next day, the warning light came on again. The mechanic read the code for the warning and it is c200d-49.
ODI 11219360
Steering
Brought truck in for diagnosis, problem with power steering. We were told the steering column or rack is failing as well as the gearbox. The truck is only two and half years old should not be happening it only has under 108k miles on it. The repair would cost nearly $2,200. Unacceptable! I already have a rebuilt transmission.
ODI 11220209
Steering
The steering has become very difficult and a noise of a 'grating' sound is occurring. This morning i had trouble keeping it straight. The vehicle has less than 50k miles - owned it for about 6 months
ODI 11218435
Steering
While driving, i noticed some 'sticking' or 'jerking' in the steering. Also, a grinding sound when turning the wheel, while sitting still or while driving. Being memorial day weekend, we headed to ford dealership to drop off for service, on the way to the dealership, the dash warnings started flashing. Service advance trac, no hill assist, and service steering assist now. We made it to the dealership, after a scary…
ODI 11210769
Steering
I was driving down the highway going approx 50 mph when my steering wheel locked up and automatically pulled me towards oncoming traffic. I had to forcefully pull off of the road. We took it to the dealership and they said the epas is bad. From doing research i have learned this is actually a common issue. It was terrifying for me, especially because my 2 yo and 3 month old children were in the vehicle with me when…
ODI 11217071
Steering
I have had this used car 2 months and it only has 25k on it, the steering column is grinding and feels very tight when driving, almost like your driving on a flat .dealership offered to fix it for $2000.00 '.are you kidding? Should be a recall like older years are.
ODI 11209241
Steering
Making a right turn at 20mph on a city street and steering wheel started locking up. Found it unerving and difficult to come out of the turn. This caused me to make a dangerous stop in a active intersection.
ODI 11233828
Hub · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving out of a parking lot, a whining sound was heard from the front driver's side wheel. In addition, the steering column made a popping noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Furthermore, while driving and making left turns, the whining and popping noise occurred. The vehicle was taken to viva ford (located at 5550 n desert blvd, el paso, tx 79912,…
ODI 11205847
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel jerked slightly while turning in either direction. The message "steering failure" suddenly displayed and the power steering malfunctioned, which caused the steering wheel to become extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to walls ford ([redacted], salisbury, ma) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack…
ODI 11205504
Steering
While driving received a warning light stating, "loss of steering-service advance track". Immediately after the warning the steering locked up and would not steer. Towed to dealer and advised that this happens frequently and replaced the rack and pinion and electronic steering control. Steering immediately locked up.
ODI 11210593
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
LOSS OFF POWER STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL
ODI 11203629
Steering
While stopped and attempting to turn my steering wheel to the right or left to maneuver out of a parking space, backing into my driveway or simply making a right or left turn, i would hear a popping noise coming from the steering mechanism. The noise did not happen all the time and i could go a month or so without hearing it at all. I took the vehicle into the dealership for an oil change and asked ford to do a…
ODI 11203599
Steering · Suspension
Takata recall. Whenever i maneuver slowly when i park horizontally, i can hear crackling sound and this was fixed twice by ford dealer. Recently, the dashboard had warning that steering is not working. The steering became stiff right away and stiffer that have to drive slowly and turn on my hazard light the next 3 miles to reach home. I could hardly turn the wheel that have to avoid roads where i have to turn. It…
ODI 11203123
Steering
My steering rack/pinion has gone completely out. At first the steering wheel would make noises when turning, however now it is completely impossible to drive. I have researched and previous model explorers have had the exact same issues and multiple 2016 models are experiencing the same problem. I can't find a part, i can't drive my vehicle. What is needed for a recall to happen on this model?
ODI 11204775
Steering · Unknown Or Other
I brought my 2016 ford explorer sport into lhm draper on april 29th with some service concerns. The most important problem was a clunking/knocking/buckling noise in the front end when turning the wheel. After leaving the car for 12 days i discovered they did not fix anything. For the next 9 days as i drove the car i noticed that the clunking noise was still very much present and happening every single day. There…
ODI 11222511
Steering
Had the rack and pinion steering fail at 30,000 miles ,when i turned the steering wheel even slightly it sounded like metal was grinding.
ODI 11220469
Steering
Started hearing grinding noise when turning left or right. Rack and pinion went bad at 78000 miles.
ODI 11193295