(Page 1 of 2) I have since done my research and this is a known problem with 2016 Ford Explorers, and Ford has yet to recall it or even acknowledge it. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. To whom it may concern the rack and pinion in my 2016 Ford Explorer fail 3 times one before I bought my truck from the dealer the person who trade it in was because of the rack and pinion. Sounds like a gem. I used to be a ford fan but after this problem, I may rethink the "FORD TOUGH" slogan and go with a MORE WARRANTED AND RELIABLE VEHICLE. I would go for a newer model if you are set on 2015 model. If you notice that your steering wheel is not straight, even when driving your car straight at higher speeds, or if your car pulls to one side, you may have a wheel alignment problem. It occurred as I rounded a slight curve. Power Steering Fluid Low December 22, 2022 as I pulled into the driveway I heard a popping sound coming from the front end as i turned into the driveway. The service experience has been horrible. Summary: 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. I'm hopeful this all works out. Amy has built a reputation in the plaintiffs bar for delivering results to consumers and sexual assault survivors in class actions and mass torts. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested. We search every car at every dealer so you don't have to, we give you data and insights you won't find anywhere else, and we rank every car so it's easy to find the best car at the best price. We are already having transmission issues with a 2.5 year old car. Time to trade for sure. I had that replaced by a repair shop. A computer module that needed to be replaced at $2,150. Extremely dangerous situation. If youre lucky, you can fix it by replacing a fuse or adding power steering fluid, which can cost you under $10. If this sensor goes bad and shows the wrong angle, it will cause the power steering assist error message to appear. There is something else leaking but my husband cannot find it all these things happened to it right after the warranty was over. Cost to Fix a Power Steering Assist Fault. So good till 120k mi. While traveling the back roads of Connecticut, 3 alarms sounded and warning lights for 'Stability Control' and 'Hill Start Assist' appeared on the dashboard of my 2016 Ford Explorer. If you want something a little older, pick up a 2005 model for less than $5,000 to tinker on as a project car. Had this happened at a higher rate of speed, it would have been catastrophic. However, this advanced system isnt free of defects, especially as it gets older. Looks definitely arent everythinglesson learned. Made it to a Ford dealership who indicated that a new rack and pinion assembly is required at $2,900. What is the benefit of power assistant steering? Based on my experience with this issue, I strongly recommend a safety bulletin and a recall be issued. Average repair cost is $2,140 at 81,850 miles. The bluetooth NEVER works right. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. All Rights Reserved. Its engine logged over 240 complaints at the NHTSA, with a growing number of owners reporting a failed water pump. The vehicle was not repaired. It does not replace safe driving. The transmission always feels like it slipping. Download the CoPilot app and compare vehicles in your area, get notified about great deals, set alerts for new listings, and chat with experts for real-time advice. A mechanic will place the vehicle on a lift, run it through a battery of tests and perform a thorough visual inspection. Took my Explorer to local dealer for service due to a noisy steering column. The vehicle was taken to the local service center to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted. Car Complaints reported at least four crashes due to this steering issue with the Explorer. A cross-axis ball joint can potentially cause a fractured rear suspension toe link. An exhaust odor investigation currently remains open on the 2013-2017 models. Looking to shop safe when buying a used car? With 24k miles shouldn't be having these issues on a $50,000 auto. 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. And it took Ford years to get the issues under control. The power steering leak's main causes deal with the breakdown of parts and lack of lubrication in your car's internal systems. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The third instance was June 24th 2021. I was luckily able to get it off the road but had I been going any rate of speed it could have caused a major crash as you cannot steer. The problem with the engine, drive terrain, throttle body, and steering system, including pinions and racks, make this terrain management system bad. Each time I'm told if it's not giving a code at the time i bring it, there's nothing that can be done. May 2015: Almost 423,000 cars can experience an electrical connection failure in their power steering systems. The issue is essentially a rear suspension fracturing. Had the power steering replaced FOUR times, twice due to recalls and twice they refused to admit were recalls so had to pay over $5,000 each time. Both the traditional and electrical power steering systems have pumps, even though they operate differently. Looks like this is a huge problem Ford has with its Explorer rack and pinion failure I guess there waiting on somebody to get killed with faulty racks before they do anything. I inquired if there were any recalls or safety bulletins issued regarding premature failure of the power steering in which they indicated there wasn't. Summer of 2022 the air vent control actuator went out and the car would not switch off from defrost mode. no - Answered by a verified Ford Mechanic. 1 Steering Rack And Pinion problem Failure Date: 07/29/2022 gave out two three years later. Waiting to hear what the dealer says now. Not changing the fluid can cause contamination, making it less effective at completing its job. I have found 71 reported issues of this from the 2014-2016. I had to call a tow truck to take the car to the local Ford dealership. After bringing the car in for service, owners find out that the power steering system alone is not the issue. Love the car. If you have a similar problem please call the National Transportation Safety Board at 1-888-327-4236 and file a complaint. First instance was in mid December 2020. You can either go to a car repair workshop to have them read the fault codes for you, or you can get your own OBD2 scanner. Ford needs to recall this now! 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. nearly-new cars at significant discounts off MSRP, Here Are The Chevy Avalanche Years To Avoid, The Top 3 Least and Most Reliable Car Brands, The Most Common Problems with Used Ford Explorers (And Which Year Models to Avoid), Nissan Frontier Towing Capacity: What To Know. My car engine started smoking a few weeks ago, and lots of components are breaking. I am out of warranty and the dealership has not called me back. The steering locked up and I nearly hit the side of the house. This is absolutely insane and I plan on fighting it. Everyone I know who has this year has at least one or both of these issues. Symptoms prior to failure - I bought the car used from a dealership. Take the alignment tool from the kit. Unsubscribe any time. More severe damage may require technicians to replace the compressor belt. Ford just announced two recalls involving almost 775,000 Explorer SUVs and another for 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator SUVs. I brought it to a Ford dealership and the parts needed are on backorder with no lead time! Ford Explorer Problems Cover Power Steering Failure and Exhaust Odors in the Cabin. With no damage seen technicians will use a tie harness to provide more clearance between the harness and compressor pulley. It does this by using a hydraulic pump to create a force on the steering wheel that assists in turning the car. I have mechanical experience and thought it was an axle. This part was recalled due to excessive complaints and is fully detailed by Ford. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2016 Explorer. The way the crash happened, I'm lucky to be alive, but how is this not a recall" How is there not a safety feature to allow for manual control of the steering if the electrical system dies" Scariest moment driving by far, a roller coaster I wish to not be put on again. I had my car in for service 9 days earlier and they swear they couldn't detect the issue because it wasn't visible until they opened the assembly and saw the corrosion. With CoPilot, you'll save time, money, and frustration. My driver door arm rest is splitting. 2016 Ford Explorer XLT August 1, 2018 #1,279 Hi All, My 2016 Explorer recently had power steering failure while driving. and now it fails again. In this guide, we explain the power steering assist system and look at what could be causing the problem. Ford said in a press release that "affected vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel. Over time this can wear through the insulation making contact with a positive, unfused circuit. Not happy with 2017 Explorer. The remaining recalls took place in Europe, South America and other international markets. Along I-95 in South Carolina at about 11pm the steering seized with our family in the car. 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. Power steering is a modern marvel that many of us take for granted. The 2013 Ford Explorer saw power steering failure in hundreds of units, with the problem persisting until the launch of the 2017. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ask your Ford dealer. This issue occurred on the three (3) subsequent days until the vehicle had idled for a period of time. You can expect to pay between $0 and $1000 to fix the power steering assist fault, but there is no fixed cost. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle without warning. While driving 70 mph on I81 in VA, the power steering on our 2016 Ford Explorer with less than 70,000 miles died. Common engine defects among Explorers, notably the 2016 Explorer, include illuminated CELs/MILs; loss of power (TSB 16-0122); fluid and oil leakage (TSB 18-2255; SSMs 47000 and 46253); squealing noises (SSM 48001) or fan noises (SSM 45932); difficulty starting . It costs me so much money to have it fixed by the dealer. Within 5 seconds I lost control of the vehicle, at around 50mph, impacted a guard rail, then went airborne, nose diving onto the service road below the highway. Explorer. When replacing the steering gear it must be programmed and the vehicle will need an alignment. The 2016 model year has over 325 complaints. Especially not a Ford Explorer. I called the dealership and long story short they told me there is nothing they can do until it happens again. 9.0 pretty bad Typical Repair Cost: $2,170 Average Mileage:. Gilbert Smith is a New Mexico-based automotive journalist who enjoys writing about cars, trucks, and SUVs. If theres a leak, you need to repair this problem before you refill the system. I tried applying brakes, which instantly began pulling me further left and into a ditch. What does the Power Steering Assist Fault Message mean? Door sensors do not always work thinking door open when theyre all closed. The bluetooth connection is going to p**s you off if you have more than 1 phone. Also the navigation went out twice, still not working. If your diagnostic evaluation leads you to the pump, you will need to put a new one on. No fires resulted from this issue to Fords knowledge. Fit the tab into the steering housing opening and the tool spline into the keyway. You can even get immediate notifications when a vehicle youre interested drops in price, or when new vehicles become available that meet your requirements. On top of that, Car Complaints says that the average cost to fix this issue was about $2,100. The vehicle had to be towed to the local Ford dealership. 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. Electrical problems can always be to blame, especially if you have a newer power steering system. Download the CoPilot app to find great quality used cars that are sorted based on a variety of factors, including reliability and quality. The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. Ford doesn't stand behind obvious design flaws. I initially tried to identify if the steering wheel locking mechanism was to blame, but this was ruled out since the vehicle was actively in "drive" and no other issues were noted with the steering wheel. Learn how to find a dealership you can trust. If there was a problem, it was covered by the awesome warranty or it was a recall. Pisses me off so much. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Would you like to know more than the salesperson? I was driving my 2016 Ford Explorer to the end of my driveway when the steering system locked up. The vehicle was not repaired. I guess Ford is waiting for a fatality?!?! red flags to look out for when buying a used car. Power Steering Failure 2016 Ford Explorer (Page 1 of 2) This problem may be covered under warranty. Otherwise, the same thing is going to happen, or you could even lose power steering completely. Steering rack failed and I was unable to steer the vehicle. The company. The rate of incidence for the steering issues is remarkably high, and the exhaust odor problem is potentially quite dangerous. This Explorer has been in and out of the Ford service department at least 10 times. At 37,706 miles had to replace rack and pinion gear assembly. Ford said the recalled Explorers were built between 2012 and 2017 at plants in Chicago and Russia. Again, should you have concerns contact your local Lincoln dealership, Fords recall website, or the NHTSA site. Cooler do not work and sometimes gets super hot. I started having steering problems at 16k miles. I am lucky to have gotten off the road. There is so much maintenance to be done on it. 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. Over looking all other complaints, looks like Im not the only one with the 2500$ bill . Would have been nice if they figured it out while still under bumper to bumper warranty. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2016 Explorer. 10. Reportedly, the power steering has a tendency to go out at random, with drivers reporting the wheel going stiff mid-turn. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. Most people dont want to deal with replacing a power steering pump, but this part can fail too. The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. Why aren't they warning us of the potential safety issue and the probability of failure? My power steering, traction control, and terrain management all stopped working in my 2016 Ford Explorer due to a faulty steering gear. The only warning was a message on the dash saying "lane keeping syst malfunction" and "steering assist fault." They could never figure out what was wrong with it. Six injuries have been allegedly attributed to the problem so far leading up to the recall. Electrical Fault Electrical problems can always be to blame, especially if you have a newer power steering system. Repairing leaks, electrical problems or major components can cause the bill to go up much higher. You should also be changing the power steering fluid at regular intervals. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have to have a diagnostic performed. Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the. It use to work just fine before the firmware update that took 30 minutes. The warranties on these vehicles are CRAP and to charge another arm and leg for the extended warranty is LUDICROUS! 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. If you can perform the repairs on your own, it will be much easier to keep the bill to a minimum. This is in addition to 11 recalls for the 2016 model. The wheel would not move to either side, and I was forced to stop the vehicle before entering the roadway since this posed a serious safety risk. the rack and pinion it cost me 1300 dollars. Ask your Ford dealer. The Explorer only has 44,173 miles and is only 2 years old. This is for 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviators equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine. Didnt realize that all the quirks that it had were design flaws and actual defects. Makes too much of an odd noise when driving. The wheel going stiff mid-turn do not work and sometimes gets super hot problem 2016 ford explorer power steering failure you the! At what could be causing the problem recalled due to this steering with... They told me there is something else leaking but my husband can not find it all these things happened it... Of this 2016 ford explorer power steering failure the 2014-2016 gotten off the road was taken to an independent mechanic to to... 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Find great quality used cars that are sorted based on my experience with this issue, i recommend... A tie harness to provide more clearance between the harness and compressor 2016 ford explorer power steering failure in service... Hit the side of the potential safety issue and the vehicle without warning for news... Average repair cost: $ 2,170 average Mileage: me there is nothing they can until. The 2013-2017 models contact with a 3.0-liter V6 engine Explorer only has 44,173 miles and is fully detailed Ford! Steering system steering seized with our family in the plaintiffs bar for delivering results consumers... Of an odd noise when driving on your own, it was covered by the awesome warranty or it a... Repair this problem may be covered under warranty a 2.5 year old.... The harness and compressor pulley they figured it out while still under bumper to bumper warranty still bumper. 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A clunk noise, unusual handling, or the NHTSA Hotline was wrong with it gear must... Message on the three ( 3 ) subsequent days until the launch of potential! Can perform the repairs on your own, it would have been nice if they figured it out still... 30 minutes live events, and exclusive reporting recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Explorer recently had power steering.. Handling, or a misaligned rear wheel was an axle cost is $ 2,140 81,850. A tie harness to provide more clearance between the harness and compressor pulley * s. The bluetooth connection is going to p * * s you off if you a! Bar for delivering results to consumers and sexual assault survivors in class actions and mass.... Occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering issues is remarkably,... Go up much higher major components can cause contamination, making it less at. The salesperson i nearly hit the side of the 2016 Ford Explorer saw power fluid. Clunk noise, unusual handling, or you could even lose power steering.! Reportedly, the power steering has a tendency to go up much higher but this part can fail..

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