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
After 44k miles the steering rack is completely broken and requires a full replacement. This is greater than $2500 cost for a new car car makes a loud mechanical clunking sound when turning right. Had it reviewed by local ford dealer and they said bearings on the rack and pinion assembly are going. This is a safety issue where a new car with such low miles has a steering system that requires full replacement.…
ODI 11202806
Steering
Randomly, car began making a grinding noise when turning one day. Took care into shop and discovered that steering rack needs to be replaced. Car only has 70k miles and will cost $2,300 to repair.
ODI 11182551
Engine · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Takata recall was driving slowly making turn and suddenly could not move steering wheel but vehicle was still moving a bit .. Could not stop it ... Could not go forward ... No backward ....thanks god that was in the alley with no people otherwise somebody would get hit... Just cars around but i did not hit any ...thanks god ...horible experience ...
ODI 11182333
Power Train · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle steering became stiff while driving in a parking lot, with multiple errors. Cannot drive vehicle safely. Happened without warning. -hill start assist not available -service advancetrac -terrain management system fault
ODI 11180650
Steering
While driving on a major highway the power steering went out with eps failure error messages: "steering assist fault service required" and "service advancetrac" could not steer the vehicle effectively and needed to pull off the road. There were no warning signs or previous issues. No restart, battery disconnect or fix was/is available. Took it to the dealership who recognized full steering rack/pinion failure at…
ODI 11180260
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving, the steering wheel seized without warning and became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure was ongoing. The vehicle was taken to arroway ford (located at 519 n bedford rd, bedford hills, ny 10507) where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 11180251
Steering
My wife, daughter and i were driving form nyc to baltimore in my 2016 ford explorer. In the last 10 minutes of the trip i was on the highway traveling at approximately 65mph. I received a warning message on my vehicle stating that power steering has malfunctioned and to service now. I slowed the vehicle down and traveled another 8 miles to my destination. After consulting my owner's manual, i restarted the vehicle…
ODI 11175212
Steering
While driving, dashboard alerts started with: advance trac/terrain management fault. Steering loss/stop safely. Power steering seized up and only able to drive for 5 minutes but could feel power steering tightening up. Parked and turned off vehicle; then could not turn steering wheel.
ODI 11174924
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving approximately 20 mph, the steering lost power and the power steering, brake assist, and other unknown indicators illuminated. The contact managed to drive the vehicle to his residence where the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to quirk ford of augusta [redacted], located at [redacted], hallowell, me 04347) where it was diagnosed that the electronic…
ODI 11182372
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel failed to operate. The contact was unable to control the vehicle while driving. Also, the traction control and power assist warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to red rock ford of dickinson (2585 i-94bl, dickinson, nd 58601, [redacted]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The…
ODI 11179846
Steering
Vehicle was stationary thankfully and the steering wheel was locked and does not move .
ODI 11173474
Steering
Started hearing noise and feeling vibration when steering to the right while driving and parking; got more pronounced over several days. Took vehicle to ford where they diagnosed need to replace steering gear/rack & pinion assembly. Repair cost $2125. Vehicle had 51k miles. Seems unusual to have major part fail after 3 years of driving.
ODI 11180726
Steering
Steering wheel not moving, not able to control it.milage on car 42,000. Car towed to a dealer. They found, that the rack and pinion is completely locked and needs to be replaced. Estimate repair at 2,400. Warranty does not cover it. A case was open with ford.
ODI 11173293
Steering
Power steering goes out while driving causing uncontrolled steering.
ODI 11173134
Steering
I have 28,452 miles on my car and the power steering went out. I get a warning which says steering assist fault service required, terrain management system fault, and service advance trac errors upon starting my vehicle. In researching these errors, it seems to be a very common problem with ford explorers and a costly one to fix. I believe this to be a manufacture defect, due to the sheer number of similar…
ODI 11171324
Steering
STEERING NOISE IS A WHEN TURNING.
ODI 11170411
Steering
At approximately 35000 the steering started to slip and become periodically unresponsive. At 35975 miles it failed completely while driving almost leading to an accident. It was taken to a ford dealership where they said the entire steering system would need to be replaced and quoted $3000 for the repair.
ODI 11166364
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering fault service and service advance track warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to century ford of mt. Airy ([redacted], mt airy, md 21771, [redacted]) where the contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
ODI 11166216
Steering
With less than 30,000 miles, my steering began to bind when turned fully to the left or right. This was only noticeable at low speeds, but due to my concerns about the safety hazards of steering failures i took it to dealer for an evaluation. They reported that the steering module had failed and it would cost >$2300 to repair. My warranty expired due to time (42 months) so unless ford offers a warranty extension i…
ODI 11164031
Steering
2016 ford explorer limited 40k miles, identified my steering was locked up 3 weeks ago, i attributed it to severe cold temperatures. I contacted the dealership and they advised they cannot troubleshoot until it happens again. Friday night 12/7/18 while driving in rush hour traffic on a one way slush covered road, i lost the ability to steer my vehicle. I had to manually steer my vehicle to safety, it was incredibly…
ODI 11157239
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford explorer. While driving 70 mph, the steering column seized and the steering column warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the highway, pressed the "ok" option on the message board, and was able to resume normal driving. Also, while driving 55 mph and hauling a trailer, the "hill start assist not available" warning indicator illuminated. The…
ODI 11269208
Steering
My power steering has been making a snapping noise and i'm afraid of catostrofic failure. I no longer trust driving the vehicle, it has only 36,000 miles.
ODI 11164274
Steering
Popping noise when turning right. Primarily when it is cold. Needs a steering rack with only 50k mi and 2 yrs old. Dealer would not let us drive it until part came in. They put us in a rental at their expense and we have had a full size quad cab truck. Steering rack is on back order with ford and we have been waiting for 16 days and nothing is in sight. Dealer in bedford va. Has taken good care of us.
ODI 11170877
Steering
Began hearing a knocking noise when turning right. Only have 38k miles (2k out of warranty) and it is going to cost me $2,000 to fix this steering problem.. This is totally disappointing on a car with this low mileage.
ODI 11151275
Steering
While driving the steering started to make noises when turning left or right. While turning the wheel, there was a complete different feeling with a small like bump and then the wheel would turn very freely with the car wheels not turning. Drove straight to ford dealership and they said i cannot drive it because the steering shaft had to be replaced from failure. They determined this with a very short test drive in…
ODI 11145289