Problems · by component
2014 Ford Explorer steering problems
500 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer cite steering, 30% of all 1,684 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
500
30% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
What owners say about the steering
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Power Assist Steering fails and becomes very difficult to turn the steering wheel, requiring much force to initiate a turn and requires just as much force to disengage/return the steering to a straight ahead direction. It cuts out unexpectedly and often. Dealer has examined and says cannot be repaired without replacing the whole steering shaft, gear and rack as well as the tie rods. Vehicle only has about 80,000 miles and steering rack and gears should not wear out this soon.”
“My 2014 Ford Explorer experienced a serious electric power steering failure. While driving, the vehicle displayed “Power Steering Assist Fault” and the steering became extremely difficult to turn due to loss of steering assistance. I was driving with my child in the vehicle when this occurred. I believe this created a potentially life-threatening situation. If I had needed to make an emergency maneuver or avoid another vehicle or obstacle, I may not have been able to control the vehicle normally. I could have been killed and my child could have been seriously injured or killed. The Power Steering Control Module was scanned and produced these DTCs: U3000-96 – Control Module: Component Internal Failure; U2011-49 – Motor: Internal Electronic Failure; U3000-49 – Control Module: Internal Electronic Failure. I replaced the battery with a brand-new battery and replaced a corroded EPAS fuse, but the steering remained extremely difficult and the problem continued. The vehicle is currently at Howell Ford in [XXX]. I have been given an estimated repair cost of approximately $2,700 plus tax. The repair has not yet been authorized. I previously contacted NHTSA and received…”
“Steering simply shutoff and locked up while driving. I seen there's a recall on 2013 Ford exploers but not for 2014 even though its the same problem. Now im without a vehicle and it will be a expensive repair.”
“Sudden and complete loss of power steering assist while vehicle was in operation. Vehicle became extremely difficult to steer, creating safety hazard for driver and child passenger. Inspection revealed 150A EPAS Mega Fuse, Part #L0114875AA, was melted due to electrical short in Power Steering Control Module. This is identical to the defect described in NHTSA Safety Recall 14V316000 / Ford 14S06. Fire risk confirmed by melted/burned fuse condition. Photos of failed component attached. Component is available for inspection. Ford Customer Service denied assistance under Recall 14S06 on 07/10/2026, claiming vehicle was not covered despite physical evidence of the exact defect described in the recall. Vehicle manufacture date is 06/2014. Ford Technical Service Bulletin 15-0082 acknowledges some 2014 vehicles may still have defective modules installed. Vehicle is currently inoperable. Owner has dependent child with medical therapy appointments requiring reliable transportation. Current mileage approximate as vehicle cannot be driven. Request immediate NHTSA investigation and enforcement under federal safety law 49 USC 30120.”
“While sitting at a stop light, waiting to turn, the steering wheel went stiff, then I was forced to make the turn without the power steering. it started working again but made a very loud grindy noise. the noise has not gone away. I took it to a shop, and they assesed everything, and stated the power steering rack has a fault code, and that the inner tie rods are loose, along with they can hear the power steering rack motor making a lot of noise. while going down the road the steering wheel shakes, and when making turns the steering wheel sticks and I have to yank the wheel back to unstick it. the vehicle is available to be inspected, at any time. I was almost in an accident multiple times due to the steering sticking and the wild vibration in the wheel. please help”
“My pillar are coming off to the point when it rains water get inside my car. It’s messed up my system in my car. I can’t close my sun roof and water comes down from my lights that’s above my head where you put your sunny sunglasses in. I been calling around and still haven’t got no where.”
Showing 6 of 500 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.