2014 Ford Explorer Steering
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
WHILE MY WIFE IS DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE KID AND SUDDENLY FIND THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. EVEN FOR ME I HAD TO ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH JUST TO TURN THE CORNER. AFTER I SEARCH THE WEBSITE AND I FOUND FORD HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE RECALL FOR 2011~2013 MODEL. MY CAR IS 2014 MODEL AND I THINK THEY DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD COVER THIS DEFECT ALSO.
At approximately 75,000 miles the steering on my 2014 Ford Explorer became sluggish and unresponsive making the vehicle difficult and unsafe to drive. This problem occurred at all speeds whether stopping at a stop sign or driving on the highway. The vehicle was brought to an authorized Ford dealer/service center at which time it was confirmed the power steering rack, electric pump and shaft assembly were defective and needed to be replaced at great expense to owner. There were never any warning lamps, signals or messages generated by the vehicle. The vehicle was serviced on 4/19/21 (and again on 5/17/21) with symptoms commencing approximately 4 days prior. Upon researching, owner determined there had previously been a Ford safety recall for same issue on similar model(s) but only for years 2010-2013.
The car drove fine - no prior issues. Went to leave for a wedding and the dash board lit up with the following errors: Steering Assist Fault Service Required, Service AdvanceTrac, and Terrain System Fault. The vehicle was nearly impossible to steer. It took all my strength to even move the wheel slightly to be able to pull back into the driveway and off the road. I researched this online and found there are 100's of other people that have had the same issue, yet ford refuses to do anything. They have issues recalls for 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 explorers for the same issue but not 2014. We did the diagnostics and had to order a new rack and pinion however the part is not in stock and on backorder because so many people are having this issue. This should be an obvious sign to Ford that something is wrong. I am including links to other sites showing other people have had the same issue. I know others have also filed a report with you. I tried talking to ford and opened a case with them but they aren't taking any responsibility. The only thing I am thankful for is that unlike some of the others who weren't so lucky, I wasn't on a major highway or going 60+mph when the steering went out. This is a huge safety concern and it is unfortunate that it appears it will take someone losing their life before Ford decides to admit their at fault. These are just a few of the sites showing similar reports - all with 2014 Ford Explorers. https://m.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2014/steering/power_steering_failure.shtml https://robinettelaw.com/blog/2014/08/ford-explorer-recall-for-power-steering-defect/
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the steering wheel was firm making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering intermittently failed to perform as designed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 139,000.
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME HARD TO TURN. CHECKED ON RATHER WEB AND FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING AND IN SOME CASES FREEZES THE STEERING WHEEL KEEPING IT FROM TURNING. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2013 EXPLORER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT DOES NOT COVER THE 2014 UNIT. SHOULD THE STEERING GEAR FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTEERABLE. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RESEARCHED ON THE WEB BY LOOKING UNDER FORD RACK AND PINION FAILURE.
AT APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES; THE POWER STEERING FAILED ABRUPTLY - CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S STEERING TO LOCK WHILE IN A TURN. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND EXTREME FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING TO CORRECT, THE STEERING "POPPED" AND WAS ABLE TO BE CORRECTED. THE STEERING EXUDES A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE COLUMN. THERE IS NO ASSOCIATED WARNING OR CAUTION LIGHTS. THERE WAS NO MAINTENANCE PERFORMED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS ON THE MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
MY CAR STEERS HARD TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THERE IS NO PLACE TO REFILL FLUIDS AND THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED IT IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL FUSE ISSUE.
Recently started experiencing a weird noise coming from the front end near the wheel area. The noise was also physical since I could feel it through the steering wheel. I did take it to a manufacturer locally they could not duplicate the issue. I explained to them that they needed to keep it longer than a couple hours in order to duplicate the problem. I did feel like the dealer did not inspect my vehicle long enough by keeping it and driving it.
STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TOO STEER. THEN IT BECAME VERY LOOSE AND NOT RESPONSIVE. NOW IT ALTERNATES BETWEEN STIFF AND LOOSE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STARTED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, HEADING TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MANUALLY STEERED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LEFT AND CENTER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING BACK TO THE RESIDENCE WITH NO FURTHER FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED A SMALL GRINDING NOISE WHEN I WOULD BE PARKED OR WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS LIKE THIS FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW WHEN DRIVING HOME IT LOCKED COMPLETELY ON ME AND I LOST STEERING ABILITY AND HAD TO FORCEFULLY PARK IT AND HAD A TOW TRUCK TAKE IT HOME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORER AND THE STEERING RACK. I HAVE A MECHANIC COMING OUT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AND WE NEED A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.
MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER, WHICH ONLY HAS 83,000/MILES, STARTED EXPERIENCING TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH, THESE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, WHICH RESULTS IN A $1,700.00-TO-$2,000.00 REPAIR BILL. THE SECOND CONCERN IS THE STEERING FAILURE NOTED BY SOME COMPLAINTS, WHICH ENDANGERS EVERYONE WITHIN THE VICINITY TIME THE POINT OF FAILURE. IF IT IS SO COMMON, AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, WHY IS THIS NOT BEING RECALLED?
Power steering. Experienced a loss of power steering. It required me to use extra steering effort. Was traveling on the highway was able to pull over to breakdown lane.
WHILE DRIVING EITHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON CITY STREETS WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR A CURVE THE STEERING CATCHES AND MAKES ME SWERVE THE CAR. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WENT OUT SO THE GEARS ARE CATCHING AND I'M LUCKY I DIDN'T CRASH THE CAR!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FRIEND WHO USED A MACHINE THAT SHOWED AN INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AUTONATION FORD WHITE BEAR LAKE (1493 CO RD E EAST, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
FRONT STEERING NOISE POPPING SAME AS THE RECALL FOR 2011-13. 2014 NEEDS TO BE ADDED. FRONT RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACED AFFECTS STEERING. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.
Power steering stopped while driving
Passenger side tierod end broke off at rack and pinion assembly.
DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY GOING AT LEAST 60MPH WHEN STEERING WILL LOCKED AND COULD NOT STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. I BELIEVE EVERY LIGHT FLASHED ON THAT THE VEHICLE HAS.JUST HAD TOE LINK RECALL REPLACED EXACTLY ONE WEEK AGO.
I HAVE A 2014 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH A STEERING ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. THE STEERING JARS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55 OR SO ON CURVES. IF A CAR IS EVER COMING TOWARDS ME I HOPE TO GOD MY EXPLORER DOESN'T DECIDE TO MAR TO THE LEFT AT THAT POINT. ALSO, THE GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE RACK IS A FAULTY PART THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL AT THIS POINT AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE FORD SHOULD LOOK AT. THE SOUND IS NOTICEABLE AT A COMPLETE STOP BUT DRIVING IT IS STILL PRESENT.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER SPORT ON THE PARKWAY AND AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, MY DASHBOARD LIT UP INDICATING "STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY" & "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC". I AM BEYOND FURIOUS! LUCKILY I WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE I COULD SAY THE SAME IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THIS IS A DEATH SENTENCE TO A DRIVER. I SHOULD NOT BEAR THE BURDEN OF A NEARLY $3,000 REPAIR DUE TO FORD'S POOR ENGINEERING. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL AS THE PREVIOUS MODELS ARE. I AM FUMING!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO ALL AMERICAN FORD IN POINT PLEASANT (3306 BRIDGE AVE, POINT PLEASANT, NJ 08742) WHERE HE LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT HIS STEERING RACK MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AND NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END, IT WAS VERY LOUD, AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE CARS STEERING; ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT AT LOWER SPEEDS AND ON SHARP TURNS. (THE WHEELS DO NOT STRAIGHTEN OUT OR RETURN TO CENTER WHEN EXITING A TURN AND WILL THEN OVER COMPENSATE AND VEER TO THE RIGHT AFTER HAVING TO MANUALLY TURN THE WHEEL BACK.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT.
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Quick Summary
The 2014 Ford Explorer has 413 Steering complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.