2012 Ford Explorer steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V286000May 29, 2014179,027 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.

  Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 30, 2026110,000 miFLTowedBrakesSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering wheel had seized due to the electric power steering failure. The contact was informed that the electric power…

   NHTSA complaint #11768099 · source
2. Filed Sep 29, 2026138,000 miALSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, with the power steering fault message displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving at slow speeds. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11767698 · source
3. Filed Aug 31, 2026197,000 miNJSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making turns, the steering wheel made loud grinding sounds and was loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11760880 · source
4. Filed Jul 21, 2026OHSteering

   Loss of power steering assist . Yes it is available for inspection on request. I can't steer it . It has not been confirmed by anybody yet. It has not been inspected by anybody yet. There are no warning lights on dash .

   NHTSA complaint #11751715 · source
5. Filed Jun 26, 2026237,000 miILDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the "Service Power Steering" message was displayed. The contact pulled into a parking lot, turned off and then restarted the vehicle. The failure persisted, and the power steering feature failed to operate as needed. While in reverse, the back over prevention camera display the "Service Camera - Take to Dealer" message on the screen. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that…

   NHTSA complaint #11746616 · source
6. Filed May 13, 2026200,063 miWISteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The failed power steering warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, however the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an…

   NHTSA complaint #11737559 · source
7. Filed Apr 21, 2026SCOther / UnknownSteering

   Hi! I brought my car in to the Ford dealership in Lexington, SC to get a recalled A Frame Pillar repaired. They took the part off and didn’t repair it because they didn’t have the parts in. When I called corporate to check on the status of that part, I found out they had marked the recall as “complete” which was not the case. Corporate opened the case again for me, so it should’ve read incomplete in their system. (Therefore, maybe they would call me to let me know the part…

   NHTSA complaint #11732810 · source
8. Filed Apr 13, 2026FLSteering

   My car gave a “power steering fault” message on the dash while my son was driving on I-95 on April 12. The steering wheel locked up making turning impossible and could have been fatal. He had pull over and have the vehicle towed home.

   NHTSA complaint #11730731 · source
9. Filed Apr 7, 2026MSSteering

   The steering went out on the car and I was unable to steer. Almost causing me to have a accident. I had to have a tow truck come and pick it up off the road. Thank God I was alone and my whole family was not in the car. There needs to be a recall on this there has already been so many accidents. If it has not already happen there is going to end up causing a fatality. What is it going to take a child to loose their life before Ford does something about this?? WAKE UP FORD…

   NHTSA complaint #11729579 · source
10. Filed Jan 27, 2026TNSteering

    Started the Explorer in a parking lot. When backing out the steering wheel was impossible to turn. A Power Steering failure light came on. Pulled the Explorer back into the parking spot and turned off the vehicle. Restarted the vehicle and steering became functional again. This appears to be a common ford problem and the recall should be reopened. It would be dangerous if this happened on a the road while driving.

    NHTSA complaint #11713792 · source
11. Filed Jan 14, 202680,000 miFLSteering

    The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and struck another unoccupied parked vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear of the vehicle had sustained scratches. There was no injury sustained. No Police report was filed. The contact stated that the power steering failure was initially intermittent, but the failure had become a constant failure. The vehicle was taken…

    NHTSA complaint #11710962 · source
12. Filed Dec 11, 2025138,239 miINSteering

    The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering and advanced traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was very difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an electronic power steering module failure. The contact was informed that the electronic…

    NHTSA complaint #11704528 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology