2013 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 17, 2026OKSteering

   The steering rack limiter on the passenger side dislodged itself and got caught on the rack and pinion teeth causing my wheel to get stuck

   NHTSA complaint #11764872 · source
2. Filed Aug 5, 2026TXElectrical SystemSteering

   This is a 2013 Ford Explorer experiencing the exact catastrophic power steering failure described in Recall 14S06 / 15S18. The rack has failed twice, creating an immediate crash hazard. The current recall parameters are inadequate as they exclude my VIN despite identical component failure. Not only is this an immediate crash hazard, it is difficult to find any mechanic or dealership to remedy this problem because it is a major part with heavy labor. I have been sidelined and…

   NHTSA complaint #11754999 · source
3. Filed Jul 29, 2026ILSteering

   I was driving and the steering locked. I could not move steering wheel either way. Towed to ford repair… they replaced steering rack. Four times it was replaced..4 times it locked.

   NHTSA complaint #11753414 · source
4. Filed Jul 17, 2026TXSteering

   Same issue as in recall 14S06. However, I do not see this recall under my VIN, nor has this vehicle been repaired in the past for this issue. I was hoping that possibly the recall doesn't show up because it was established in 2014. I just want to get it corrected, as the electric power steering is disabled.

   NHTSA complaint #11751091 · source
5. Filed Jun 28, 2026WASteering

   I was driving at about 25 mph when the steering completely locked upon me going around a corner. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to it locking up. If another car would have been in the other lane I would have crashed. I would have been unable to avoid wrecking into anyone or anything that was in the way because I had zero control of my steering. There was nothing I could do to turn. It has not been inspected.

   NHTSA complaint #11746989 · source
6. Filed Jun 24, 2026MISteeringSuspension

   After getting my vehicle from the dealership my steering wheel was hard to turn , took it in and they replaced the struts (The old struts were binding). 6/7 Days later the same thing happened with the steering wheel. They had said it was a switch in the power steering and there was a safety recall and i would have to take it into a ford dealership. When i had called to make my appointment there wasn’t a recall and i called the ford company and they said the same thing.

   NHTSA complaint #11746332 · source
7. Filed Jun 11, 2026MOSteering

   As I was backing my 2013 Ford Explorer Base model out of my garage I heard a pop and then my steering started making a grinding/dragging noise. When I pulled onto the street I noticed that my steering wheel would "stick". I went a short distance further down the road and it seemed to stop sticking. When I went around a curve towards the left, my steering stuck again and it was harder to get it to "unstick". I returned it back to my home and parked it back in the garage. I…

   NHTSA complaint #11743397 · source
8. Filed Jun 11, 2026FLSteering

   Power steering message popped up on dash in a flash and disappeared while I was driving. Same message popped up a couple miles down (I pulled into a parking lot to check message.) Steering wheel locked and left me stranded in need of a tow truck to move car to mechanic and get home. Message pops up and disappears quickly not leaving much time to read or react.

   NHTSA complaint #11743394 · source
9. Filed May 15, 2026FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   Power steering assist fault while driving with total loss of power steering. Caused difficult steering, particularly at low speed and made for a dangerous driving situation with what seemed like complete loss of steering ability. Power steering fault and lane keeping assist failure warnings lit on display at the same time. Vehicle was towed to dealership and problem was isolated to steering module/gear failure after paying for battery replacement to verify that it was not a…

   NHTSA complaint #11738002 · source
10. Filed Apr 16, 2026168,000 miMISteering

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving at slow speeds, the contact stated that while turning the steering wheel there was a lack of resistance, and there was a pulsating sensation in the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11731684 · source
11. Filed Apr 13, 2026250,000 miVASteering

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle several times to reset the power steering assist feature; however, the steering wheel was still difficult to turn. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11730813 · source
12. Filed Mar 22, 2026TXElectrical SystemSteeringWheels & Tires

    While driving a 2013 Ford Explorer, the vehicle experienced an electrical issue that caused the power steering system to malfunction. The power steering assist suddenly failed, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. The failure occurred suddenly and at the time of the incident the vehicle was traveling 2 miles and I parked it immediately.This created a serious safety hazard, especially when attempting to turn or maneuver the vehicle. A warning message stating…

    NHTSA complaint #11726189 · 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