2011 Ford Explorer steering problems

Electric power steering assist cuts out suddenly while driving or at startup, then returns after turning the vehicle off and restarting. Owners report the steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn or locks completely, requiring manual steering effort. A 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message and/or dashboard warnings ('Service AdvanceTrac,' 'Terrain Management System Fault,' 'Traction Control Failure') appear on the dash when the failure occurs.

When: Occurs at any speed; reported at 15 MPH to 65 MPH. Can happen on startup, during highway driving, or in parking lots. Some owners report 20+ occurrences over time; others report isolated incidents.

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely hard to turn; 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message on dash; 'Service AdvanceTrac' warning light; 'Terrain Management System Fault' message; Traction control failure indicated; Loss of power steering functionality until vehicle is shut off and restarted; Beeping/chiming sound accompanying failure

Codes mentioned: C1B00-86, U3000-49, U3000-72, U3000-96

Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite Ford steering gear replacement costs ranging from $1,400 to $3,100. Labor runs $680–$1,200. Alignment post-repair: $170–$200. Some paid $1,372.73 for parts + $680 labor + $169.95 alignment. Parts mentioned: power steering rack, steering gear assembly, power steering control module (PSCM). One owner reported paying $1,800 for initial repair, then $2,100+ for a second failure within weeks.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14S06 (NHTSA 14V286000) issued June 2014 for 2011–2013 Explorers: recalls software update to Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). Supplement #1 (2015) introduced Customer Satisfaction Program 15N01 for one-time steering gear replacement if diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. Supplement #3 (2019) states repairs eligible for extended coverage if loss of assist occurs after reprogramming. However, owners report: (1) software update alone does not fix recurrent failures; (2) Ford denies coverage citing 10-year/150,000-mile expiration; (3) recall marked 'closed' in Ford systems even after original remedy fails; (4) owners who received software update told ineligible for gear replacement under 15N01; (5) recall notices not received by many owners who purchased vehicle used; (6) owners over 150k miles denied coverage despite Supplement #3 language. One owner found Ford's own Q&A acknowledging reprogramming may not prevent recurrence and further action may be needed, yet Ford denied extended coverage.

Ford's initial recall remedy (PSCM software update, Recall 14S06) does not permanently fix the power steering failure. Owners report the same failure recurring weeks, months, or years after the software update was performed at a dealer. Ford then denies coverage for the actual gear replacement (Remedy Option 2) because the vehicle 'already received' the software update, even though the original fault persists.

When: Failures reported 3 weeks to 3 months after software update completion at dealership. One owner reported failure on Thanksgiving (approx. 3 months post-update); another reported ongoing failures years after 2014 update.

Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure identical to pre-recall symptoms; 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message; Steering wheel locks or becomes very difficult to turn; Requires restart to restore steering

Codes mentioned: C1B00-86, U3000-49, U3000-72, Motor position sensor signal loss (original fault)

Repairs/costs cited: Owners left to pay full out-of-pocket replacement cost ($1,300–$2,500 for parts and labor). One owner paid $1,400 after software-only recall. Another paid $680 labor + $1,372.73 parts after software update failed.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14S06 closed after software update; no further warranty. Ford position: software update fulfills recall obligation. If failure recurs, owners must pay for gear replacement. Supplement #3 (2019) ostensibly allows extended coverage when loss of assist returns, but owners report Ford denies claims based on time/mileage limits and 'closed recall' status. One owner noted Ford's own bulletin acknowledged reprogramming alone may not prevent recurrence—yet Ford refuses to honor the stated extended remedy.

The electric power steering gear assembly or steering rack becomes mechanically defective and requires physical replacement. Failure can occur at low mileage on new vehicles or years after purchase. One owner reported gear replacement at ~9,400 miles; another at 129,000; another at 65,000. Defective replacement parts also reported (replaced part failed again within weeks).

When: Low to high mileage: reported at 9,400 miles, 36,400 miles, 40,000 miles, 65,000 miles, 75,000 miles, 129,000 miles, 200,000 miles. One owner had two steering gear failures within 14 months (first at ~10k miles, second 14 months later).

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely hard to turn; Power steering assistance lost; 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message; Recurring failures after previous repair; Defective replacement gear failures within weeks or months

Codes mentioned: Motor position sensor signal loss, U3000-49, U3000-72, U3000-96

Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear/rack replacement: $1,300–$2,400 (parts only). Labor: $680–$1,200. Alignment: $170–$200. Total out-of-pocket: $1,400–$2,600+. Some paid on extended warranty with $100 deductible. One owner had gear replaced twice (second replacement defective); another had multiple steering system repairs (sensor, software, then rack) within months with repeated failures.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford covers replacement under Recall 14S06 Supplement #1 (15N01 CSP) if DTCs present, but coverage expires at 10 years/150,000 miles from manufacture date. Owners purchasing used vehicles or exceeding mileage are denied coverage. Ford also reportedly denied coverage on defective replacement parts (replacement gear failed 14 months after installation; owner told to pay for second replacement). Ford's position: once software update done, recall is closed and further repairs are out-of-pocket.

Ford Recall 14S06 (and associated CSP 15N01) carry a 10-year/150,000-mile limit from manufacture date. Owners report that Ford denies coverage based on expiration date, even though the vehicle is still experiencing the same safety defect identified in the recall. This affects owners who purchased used vehicles (and did not receive recall notice), owners exceeding mileage limit, and owners with vehicles past the 10-year mark. Ford refuses to honor coverage claiming the recall is 'closed.'

When: Expiration applied when vehicles reach 10 years from manufacture or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Affects vehicles sold used after recall period; owners report denials for vehicles at 167,000 miles, 173,000 miles, 190,000 miles, etc.

Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure occurs; Dealership or Ford initially indicates recall coverage; Ford later denies coverage citing expiration date; Owner told to pay full repair cost despite known safety defect

Codes mentioned: C1B00-86, U3000-49, U3000-72

Repairs/costs cited: Owners facing repair bills of $2,100–$2,700 after denials. One owner: $1,372.73 parts + $680 labor + $169.95 alignment = $2,222.68 (denied). Another: quoted $3,100. Another: quoted $2,900. One owner forced to pay $1,400 out-of-pocket after software-only recall.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford's stated policy: Recall 14S06 and CSP 15N01 coverage expires 10 years or 150,000 miles from manufacture. Owners and dealers report Ford customer service denying claims after expiration, despite Supplement #3 language suggesting extended eligibility if DTCs present. One owner cited Ford's own bulletin (RCMN-14V286-7022) showing repairs should be approved via SSSC request if DTCs present, regardless of time/mileage—yet Ford denied the claim. Owners report being told 'recall is closed' in Ford's internal system, making further remedy unavailable.

Owners report dealerships unable to reproduce steering failures during diagnostic visits, or unable to pinpoint the exact problem. Parts (steering gear, PSCM modules) placed on national backorder for weeks or months, leaving vehicles undrivable and owners in rental cars. One vehicle sat for nearly 2 months without resolution; another waited 4 months for a part never to arrive.

When: Delays reported in 2013–2016 period and beyond. Backorder waits: 2 weeks national backorder, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months reported.

Symptoms owners cite: Dealership unable to recreate failure during testing; No diagnostic trouble codes appear when dealer scans; Dealership tells owner 'nothing wrong' with vehicle

Repairs/costs cited: Owners incurred rental car costs while waiting; one dealership covered rental, others did not. No clear resolution offered while parts were on order.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific Ford response documented regarding parts shortages or diagnostic failures. Dealers reported telling owners to monitor situation or leave vehicle running at failure to allow dealer pickup. One dealer told owner no recall existed but parts supply issue suggested otherwise.

When power steering fails, other vehicle systems also malfunction or trigger warnings: Advance Trac (stability control) disables, traction control fails, terrain management shuts down, and turn signal function becomes sluggish (requires constant pressure). One owner post-recall experienced spontaneous traction control intervention affecting power distribution to axles and braking, steering position sensor errors, and rear-view camera display issues.

When: Reported coincident with or immediately following power steering failures. Post-recall failures (after EPAS replacement) also documented.

Symptoms owners cite: 'Service AdvanceTrac' warning; 'Terrain Management System Fault' message; Traction control disables or intervenes without driver input; Electronic stability control malfunction; Turn signal sustain fails (requires continuous pressure on signal arm); ABS control interventions; Steering position sensor at fault (recalibration needed); Rear-view camera display intermittent

Codes mentioned: Steering position sensor codes, Multiple DTCs (one owner reported 'nearly a page and a half' of codes), C1B00-86, U3000-49, U3000-72

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cleared DTCs and recalibrated steering equipment post-replacement. One owner's vehicle required multiple trips to dealership for code clearing and diagnostics after EPAS replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response documented. Dealers cleared codes and performed recalibration as troubleshooting steps.

One owner claims a recall for toe links and bushings was misapplied (dealer said vehicle 'did not qualify' due to front-wheel-drive config), resulting in severe rear suspension deterioration, extreme camber misalignment (42°), and repeated ditch incidents. Owner reports 38 tire replacements in 2 years and $1,400+ in parts plus ECU/ground-wire damage from repeated shock damage.

When: Onset began after initial recall denial; progressive worsening over 2-year period with 22+ ditch incidents.

Symptoms owners cite: Extreme rear suspension sagging; Tires tilted 42° (extreme camber); Steering freezes while driving; Vehicle pulls into ditch after hitting potholes; Rapid tire wear/failure (38 tires in 2 years); ECU/ground-wire damage from shock impacts (boot catching fire)

Repairs/costs cited: Estimated $1,400+ in suspension parts and labor. ECU replacement costs ~$90 per unit; multiple ECUs failed/caught fire. Owner unable to complete front-end alignment due to rear suspension failure severity.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Dealer initially denied recall eligibility based on drivetrain config; owner forced to pay out-of-pocket for suspension repairs that may have been recall-eligible.