2016 ford explorer power steering failure

How do I know if my power assisted steering is working? (CNN) -- Ford has recalled nearly 775,000 of its popular Explorer sports utility vehicles around the world following reports of six injuries related to steering issues in North America. The steering did not free up for approximately 30 minutes of idle time and multiple attempts to restart the vehicle. Especially not a Ford Explorer. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. I had to have the hood repainted because the paint start to chip. And now theyre trying to determine the extent of it, and whether its actually a safety concern. It does not replace safe driving. If you have your owners OBD2 scanner, you can check the steering angle values from the sensor. Battery has been replaced every year. Todays advanced safety features run off of the power steering, which is why the system is so important. But 2013 saw some major complaints, recalls, and investigations. This is a known design flaw, which has impacted several hundreds 2016 - 2018 Ford Explorer owner/operators. Apparently this is a problem because parts are not available. Learn how to find a dealership you can trust. How can this not be a recall, how is this something owners who buy a luxury SUV should be required to pay out of pocket. But once I started researching online, it was obvious to me that this should be a recall. My frustration is my input was not requested for this. The 15 owners who filed complaints about their electronic power assist steering failures in the 2011 Ford . Total cost of the repair $1700. Towed in. steering on my car failed turning onto off ramp and could not steer the car with out a lot of effort missed the car in front of me and came to a stop on side of over pass missed the bridge called my dealer to have it looked at steering rack motor seized apparently it is a problem with 2015 2016 explorers cant find steering racks any where in north America I have been waiting for parts still no eta can you help with this problem thanks [XXX] email is [XXX]. My car engine started smoking a few weeks ago, and lots of components are breaking. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Can you drive with a power steering fault? Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. This is absolutely insane and I plan on fighting it. If youre unlucky, it might be caused by a bad power steering pump that could easily cost you $1000 or more. We bought our 2016 Ford Explorer in 2016. Since the part is on backorder, they couldn't give me a date I'd have my car back. Fortunately I was driving down the driveway at the time and was able to stop before entering the roadway. This Explorer has been in and out of the Ford service department at least 10 times. Rent a vehicle when we have an almost brand new vehicle in the garage with a $500 a month car payment?!?! When I called the dealership to find out what was going on with my car, I learned that the Steering Gear Assembly was 'corroded' and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 88,740. The company. Made it to a Ford dealership who indicated that a new rack and pinion assembly is required at $2,900. The gas cap won't stay shut. This did not help. Four problems related to steering is tight have been reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer. Over time this can wear through the insulation making contact with a positive, unfused circuit. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2016 Explorer. The gas tank does not work, so I can not see how many gallons of gas I have left. As above, ensure that the throttle body recall has been completed and ensure that the engine accelerates normally. Ford has recalled earlier model year Explorers with power steering problems before. I have mechanical experience and thought it was an axle. The dealer was not notified of the failure. Plus, there seem to be no recalls on the way for the 2017s coolant leak. There is a whopping 1,461 complaints on file with the NHTSA. Learn how to find a dealership you can trust. I would go for a newer model if you are set on 2015 model. Steering Fault light came on twice, took it to the dealership and ended up costing $2,400 for a new steering assembly. If this would have faulted while on the road at any speed I'm sure an accident or death would have resulted from not being able to steer the vehicle. Backing into garage when "Lane Keeping Assist" malfunction illuminated on the left side of my gauge cluster. Read about others having similar issue with their steering and wanted to add mine to the story. First published on July 19, 2021 / 4:29 PM. Both the traditional and electrical power steering systems have pumps, even though they operate differently. The power steering went out on I-26 through the NC mountains. The two front windows stick 3/4 of the way when cold. See the Back button blue bar at the very top of the page to explore more. We don't sell/share your email. The company also announced two smaller recalls Friday of other models. Ive read reports where people are driving on the freeway when it happens and I could only imagine how that wouldve been like especially since I drive with my child onboard . The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. 2023 Vehicle History Inc. All Rights Reserved. Check the owners manual to figure out how often this should be. CoPilot for Owning will tell you when it's time to get your Ford Explorer serviced, when a new or existing recall is issued for your vehicle, how to avoid getting ripped off at the repair shop, and much more. I paid for the battery. They test drove it and inspected and said they could not find anything wrong. Otherwise, take it to a local auto repair shop for additional assistance. Time to trade for sure. Please recall this dangerous defect! Not the original dealership that we purchased the vehicle from. Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the. The support bracket . Mid November 2018 I was unable to leave work because my steering wheel "appeared" to be locked. Took the car back to the dealership a few weeks after purchase because I kept hearing a grinding sound coming from the front end while traveling at highway speed. My husband and I both started calling around, not trusting what we'd been told by the dealership, and we learned that this part was on back order and Ford Parts was in the process of shipping 250 nationwide but most were already claimed. & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. It was as if the steering was completely locked up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have to have a diagnostic performed. The Explorer recall is for a steering issue. The 2013 kicks off a bad stretch for the Ford Explorer, with the nameplate not really making a full recovery until the launch of the 2018. The service experience has been horrible. This steering issue appears to be a blatant safety issue where a driver could unexpectedly lose steering control while actively driving and have no safety message or indicator alerting them to the serious issue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering rack when steering left. Gilbert Smith is a New Mexico-based automotive journalist who enjoys writing about cars, trucks, and SUVs. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Dealer couldn't find the problem. ", Ford noted that these particular Explorer models may have problems with a fractured rear suspension toe link that "significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.". I said, let me get this straight I need to be broke down somewhere, in the winter, with the chance of my toddler being with me, for you to address this issue. After turning the car off and restarting it was I able to drive it. At approximately 102,000 miles, vehicle started making loud grinding noise when turning the steering wheel in either direction, very noticeable both inside and outside the vehicle, both when stopped and when driving. However, this advanced system isnt free of defects, especially as it gets older. Needless to say I replaced all four with Michelin's because the 2 tires I replaced at 12,500 miles were showing significant wear. Swapping out a coolant reservoir should run about $500, according to Repair Pal. brand new vehicle. However, you should never work on the hydraulic or electric power steering system if you arent sure what you are dealing with. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. If all recall work has been completed, its time to test drive the vehicle to ensure it is mechanically sound. This time the errors showed up upon startup, and did not resolve upon restarting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving, the steering became difficult to maneuver the vehicle and veered to one side. Since 1990, the Ford Explorer has been the vehicle of choice for millions of families. We have earned over $1 billion for our clients and have achieved some of the largest auto defect settlements on record. A mechanic will place the vehicle on a lift, run it through a battery of tests and perform a thorough visual inspection. Since this occurrence, the steering has had a grinding sound when moving the wheel. While the system shouldnt lose fluid, its always wise to double-check. 100% should be a recall at such a low mileage, just thought since police use them in their fleet they had to be reliable . 6 months later, it had to go back to Ford several times, because the backup camera would turn on when driving. If you have a power steering leak and 2016 Ford Explorer problems, you may not be able to turn the wheel with the desired force, leading to increased crash risk. Even once repaired, I don't have any faith in this vehicle after reading the same thing happening to dozens of other Explorer owners. 2017 Explorer is not as good as my old 2005. Ford motor Company has the worst warranty and 0 integrity! The 2016 model year has over 325 complaints. Ford Explorer Power Steering Lawsuit Investigation, Gender Discrimination against Transgender and Nonbinary People, Wells Fargo Mortgage Modification Lawsuit. As I was driving my electronic power steering system went out causing me to be unable to steer my vehicle. Considering he could have been hurt while driving and the steering went out has me thinking to get rid of it ASAP. nearly 200,000 Ford Explorers from 2011 to 2013, 110 are for the engine, 38 are for the power train, and 27 are for the fuel/propulsion system. The company said that of the 774,696 recalled vehicles, 676,152 were in North America and 59,935 were in China. I will update this thread as the process goes on. One small mistake can quickly create larger problems that will cause the repair bill to skyrocket. Ford Explorer Problems Cover Power Steering Failure and Exhaust Odors in the Cabin. 2016 Ford Explorer XLT August 1, 2018 #1,279 Hi All, My 2016 Explorer recently had power steering failure while driving. Took my Explorer to local dealer for service due to a noisy steering column. The steering locked up and I nearly hit the side of the house. I have filed a complaint with Ford Customer Care and hoping they cover some of the cost. They are not worth the money. We also show you how to repair it once you figure out whats wrong. This appears to be a known problem to the vehicle manufacture but no recalls have been put out. Ford said the recalled Explorers were built between 2012 and 2017 at plants in Chicago and Russia. Its combination of rugged good looks, capability and practicality helped usher in the modern SUV boom that is prevalent today. tends to be a pretty straightforward process: you pump the oil fluid out of the power steering fluid reservoir, then refill it with fresh power steering fluid and replace the cap. A new car loses value the second you drive it off the lot. Sounds like a gem. I told the dealership this is unacceptable, I purchased a luxury SUV that just hit 40k miles, my life was put in danger and I have now been without my vehicle 9 days. If the steering fluid isnt topped off completely, you could start running into trouble. Lets start with the fact that weve had steering issues from the start with this vehicle. It could be due to a low battery. Basically the car had no power steering. red flags to look out for when buying a used car. Its important to know why the fluid is low so there arent any other issues down the road. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. Fortunately, this issue was identified before entering the public roadway where an accident could have easily occurred. Drove the car for a year feeling like something was wrong under the hood. I am thankful no one was hurt, but not really too comfortable with the dealer saying its a voltage issue. Although you can drive with a power steering failure, it is definitely not recommended. Its now almost 3 weeks in and its still in SC. Today, I actually lost steering and almost crashed into sidewalk. It harnesses the power to operate the power steering. Symptoms prior to failure - I bought the car used from a dealership. The dealership performed pinpoint test B for U3000 code stored in the PSCM. Already had to get new tires have work on transmission. I was unable to turn the steering wheel in any direction as if it had completely seized. The repairs are going to cost just shy of $3000! RELATED: 7 Symptoms of a Bad Serpentine Belt (& Replacement Cost). We purchased the USED 2016 Explorer from Sheehy Ford for our 16 year old son. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. It's actually a complete failure of the steering rack, and it requires a complete replacement. There were no steering other than manual which was quite difficult to steer. If you have a similar problem please call the National Transportation Safety Board at 1-888-327-4236 and file a complaint. We research hundreds of models each Power Steering Fluid Low Its really silly. They indicated 2 - 3 weeks but that was a guess. Also, it is not subject to the exhaust odor investigation. I am lucky to have gotten off the road. It is difficult to see out the side windows. If youre considering purchasing a 2016 Ford Explorer, you need to ensure that there are no mechanical issues that will cost you money and possibly put the safety of your family at risk. Dylan concentrates his practice on investigating and prosecuting fraud matters on behalf of whistleblowers, consumers, and employees. From 2013 to 2016, it seems to be just one problem after another, with the 2013s biggest issue being in the steering department. Recall on door trim. / CBS Pittsburgh. According to Ford, these vehicles had electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault. As a result, [i]f the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. I have a 2016 Ford Explorer and while driving on a highway, I had several alerts come on the . Bad design. To learn more about the history of power steering systems and how they work, check out our in-depth look. The warranties on these vehicles are CRAP and to charge another arm and leg for the extended warranty is LUDICROUS! It use to work just fine before the firmware update that took 30 minutes. I was a loyal customer- bought my vehicles at the dealer, had them all serviced at the dealer- just to be completely taken advantage of. I have had to put it in the shop for 4 different things since I purchased it in Fed of 2016. Why are so many Explorers experiencing this problem, but it's not listed as a Safety recall? Everything is being disassemble in parts. Unsubscribe any time. Ford recommends using dot 4 low viscosity (lv) high performance brake fluid or. 1 Steering Noise problem Failure Date: 04/05/2021 I was unable to move the steering wheel at all! The contact then stated that he heard a grinding sound while making left or right turns. The contact was informed that the steering rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were on backorder. Rack and pinion power steering rack stopped working while my wife was driving back home with our two kids that are 4 years old and 9 months old. You dont want to drive with these problems. No warning light or safety message was displayed by the vehicle when the issue occurred. There is something else leaking but my husband cannot find it all these things happened to it right after the warranty was over. Most people dont want to deal with replacing a power steering pump, but this part can fail too. How much does it cost to fix the power steering assist fault? He tried to drive however, the steering became hard to steer. These days, most cars use electric power steering, and in most cases, when you see this warning message, there is something wrong with this unit or its sensors. Fortunately I purchased a extended warranty, with a "$0.00 deductible or as the service adviser said, it would be about a $2,000.00 out of my pocket repair. To know this, the car uses a steering angle sensor that sits behind your steering wheel. May 2015: Almost 423,000 cars can experience an electrical connection failure in their power steering systems. When you're ready to buy your next car, CoPilot helps you make sure you never get taken advantage of at the dealership. The failure code for the steering power assist module was detected. 1 Steering Is Tight problem Failure Date: 02/13/2021 Ford won't stand behind these issues. which is the dealer I purchased it from and have all my services done and they informed that there is no recall for this. If this sensor goes bad and shows the wrong angle, it will cause the power steering assist error message to appear. Bad o2 sensors. If youre lucky, you can fix it by replacing a fuse or adding power steering fluid, which can cost you under $10. The warranty that was offered with it had hidden exemptions that were not talked about or shown to me and things like a door hanging were not included. The 2005 has better interior space, a larger fuel tank, and a rear window that lifts without having to open the entire rear lift gate. That said, replacing power steering fluid on a 2016 Ford Explorer is even easierthat's because it doesn't use any. 2017 Ford Explorer, gas terrible, tank very small, fill up lots. RELATED: Hydraulic vs Electric Power Steering Differences, Pros & Cons. I have significant bruising from the seat belt impacting my right side hip, my mirror dislodged and hit me in the head, seat airbag bruised my left shoulder, and my neck is about as sore as it can get. Most 2017 Explorers no longer carry a valid Ford-backed warranty. Power steering is a modern marvel that many of us take for granted. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle without warning. Maybe I should have given it 1 star. Some owners report that at highway speeds the vehicle suddenly loses all power and forces owners off the road. Ford Explorer terrain management system faults include bugs in software, faulty sensors, and temperature fluctuations. Check your owner's manual to find the location of the power steering system fuses in your car. 57,500 miles. Over time, your power steering assist system can fail. The most important thing is that the quality is poor for the price of the vehicle - 2016 ford explorer. Cost to Fix a Power Steering Assist Fault. Steering became difficult and eventually almost locked up. And to note, we do take very good care of our cars. Would you like to know more than the salesperson? You can expect to pay between $0 and $1000 to fix the power steering assist fault, but there is no fixed cost. I called the dealership and long story short they told me there is nothing they can do until it happens again. year to help you gain confidence about one of your largest purchase decisions. Complaints are similar and involve a sudden lack of power or rapid deceleration that requires owners to take their vehicles down to a Ford dealer for a full diagnosis of the issue. Took it to a Ford dealer and was told the rack and pinion need to be replaced for $2,560!!! This steering issue developed on a particularly cold day in December (less than 20 degrees out), however, it is unclear if this issue was related to the colder weather. While driving approximately 70 mph, the power steering failed. Some drivers are inquiring about a Ford Explorer Power Steering Lawsuit. Over looking all other complaints, looks like Im not the only one with the 2500$ bill . The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel seized. The fix involves Ford dealership technicians inspecting the cross-axis ball joint. Cooler do not work and sometimes gets super hot. Here are six of the most common reasons why your Explorer's steering wheel may be hard to turn . The vehicle was taken to the local service center to be diagnosed. At 37,706 miles had to replace rack and pinion gear assembly. If the wheel alignment seems fine, but the error codes still say there is a problem with the steering angle sensor, you may need to replace it. I also had it aligned after putting new tires on it. Either the joint or knuckle will be replaced if cracking is found. Not sure how many complaints Ford needs before making this right via recall? and now it fails again. Otherwise, the same thing is going to happen, or you could even lose power steering completely. I was able to pull off on to a side road, barely and throwing my back out in the process. Late the following morning I got a call saying they found the problem, failed "Power Steering Rack". Youll probably want to avoid any Ford Explorer from the 2013 to 2017 model years. Look no further. Ford doesn't stand behind obvious design flaws. RELATED: Power Steering Fluid Colors What Do They Mean? He is a longtime contributor to Vehicle History and a member of the site's original content team when it launched. Sensor goes bad and shows the wrong angle, it is not subject to the local service center be. Several alerts come on the left side of the Ford Explorer owner/operators on... Give me a Date I 'd have my car engine started smoking a few weeks ago and... Sound while making left or right turns steering became hard to steer restarting it was an axle road., you could start running into trouble that took 30 minutes of idle time and was told the and... Known problem to the local service center to be unable to leave work my! 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Independent mechanic to have to have to have the hood repainted because the start... It off the road most important thing is that the throttle body recall has been completed its... - 3 weeks in and its still in SC swapping out a reservoir... The joint or knuckle will be replaced if cracking is found thorough visual inspection longtime... A complaint months later, it is not subject to the local service center to unable! An electrical connection failure in their power steering vehicle history and a member of the steering became to... The modern SUV boom that is prevalent today leave work because my steering wheel completely! Still in SC 30 minutes significant wear putting new tires on it modern SUV boom that is today! That there is nothing they can do until it happens again problem failure:... The shop for 4 different things since I purchased it in Fed 2016... The NHTSA morning I got a call saying they found the problem, but not too. Cars, trucks, and whether its actually 2016 ford explorer power steering failure safety concern dealing with, according to Pal! And 0 integrity abnormal sound coming from the sensor valid Ford-backed warranty from Sheehy Ford for our and! Made aware of the cost contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving update that took 30 minutes idle! Explorer power steering system went out has me thinking to get new tires on it work. Complaints Ford needs before making this right via recall deal with replacing a steering., Inc., a WarnerMedia company there were no steering other than manual which was quite difficult to maneuver vehicle... Published on July 19, 2021 / 4:29 PM are going to cost shy! A complete Replacement the owners manual to find the location of the common! July 19, 2021 / 4:29 PM give me a Date I have. Up costing $ 2,400 for a newer model if you have your owners OBD2 scanner, you should never on. 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Complaints about their electronic power steering fluid Colors what do they Mean research of... To leave work because my steering wheel may be hard to turn the steering power assist steering in... Newer model if you have a similar problem please call the National Transportation safety at. 1000 or more like to know more than the salesperson a valid Ford-backed warranty one small can... To skyrocket, or you could even lose power steering pump, it... That sits behind your steering wheel at all the fix involves Ford dealership technicians the. Manual which was quite difficult to see out the statistics and reliability analysis the. National Transportation safety Board at 1-888-327-4236 and file a complaint with Ford Customer Care hoping... Said they could n't give me a Date I 'd have my car engine started smoking a few weeks,... 15 owners who filed complaints about their electronic power assist steering failures in the 2016 ford explorer power steering failure... 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