The 2013 Ford Explorer has a critical electric power steering system that fails without warning. Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming locked, requiring extreme force to turn, or losing all assist capability—sometimes while driving at highway speeds. The "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning appears on the instrument cluster, often accompanied by traction control and terrain management faults.
Failures typically occur between 40,000 and 90,000 miles, though some have happened as early as 6,000 miles and as late as 177,000 miles. Many owners report the power steering restarts after turning the engine off and back on, only to fail again unpredictably. This intermittent behavior is particularly dangerous because drivers cannot rely on the system working.
Ford issued recall 14S06 (NHTSA 14V286000) for 2011–2013 Explorers built through February 28, 2012, offering free software updates or steering gear replacement. However, a large subset of 2013 model year vehicles built after that cutoff date report the exact same failures but are rejected for recall coverage. Owners are told their VINs don't qualify, despite the vehicle year, model, and problem matching the recall exactly.
Repair costs range from $1,600 to over $2,400. Dealerships report steering gear parts are chronically on national backorder. Some owners report paying for repairs only to have the problem recur. One owner spent $4,200 over six months for three separate incidents. Ford denies responsibility for out-of-recall vehicles, and many dealerships will not help owners pursue recalls or extended coverage.
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering (EPAS) Control Module Failure – Loss of Power Steering Assist
The electric power steering system loses assist capability, either completely or intermittently, requiring the driver to steer manually. This occurs due to an intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear or a motor position sensor signal loss that shuts down the power steering assist.
When: Typically between 40,000 and 90,000 miles; some cases reported as early as 6,050 miles or as late as 177,000 miles. Failures range from early 2013 model year to later 2013 model year builds.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden or gradual loss of power steering assist requiring manual steering force; 'Power Steering Assist Fault' or 'Service Power Steering' warning message on instrument cluster; Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn or completely locked in place; Intermittent failures that temporarily resolve after engine restart; Popping or grinding sounds from steering system before complete failure; Associated warning lights: 'Service Advance Trac', 'Terrain Management System Fault', 'Lane Keeping System Malfunction', traction control warnings
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Control Module fault codes, Motor position sensor signal loss, Steering gear connection fault, NHTSA Campaign 14V286000, Ford Recall 14S06
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report steering gear replacement ($1,600–$2,430 parts and labor), power steering control module replacement ($2,000–$2,161), or power steering motor and rack replacement. Parts frequently on national backorder. Some owners report the repair does not permanently resolve the issue and failures recur. One owner replaced parts totaling over $3,000 including towing and rental car costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Recall 14S06 (NHTSA 14V286000) for 2011–2013 Explorers built May 2010 through February 28, 2012, offering free software update to the power steering control module or steering gear replacement. However, many 2013 model year vehicles built after February 28, 2012 (March, April, June, July, or December 2012) report the same failure symptoms but are excluded from the recall scope. Ford denies coverage for out-of-recall VINs. Customer Service Programs exist but are reported as time-limited (10 years/150,000 miles). Dealers note steering gear parts are in chronic national backorder. One owner reports Ford authorized partial coverage (50%) after complaint.
Steering Rack and Pinion Binding and Seizure
The steering rack and pinion develops severe binding, where the steering wheel locks or becomes extremely difficult to turn. An experienced technician reported rotating the steering wheel with the engine off revealed the wheel coming to repeated binding stops that required two hands to overcome.
When: 150,507 miles; failure intervals range from intermittent (weekly, then daily) to complete seizure over weeks.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked in center position (12 o'clock) and difficult to move beyond binding points; Audible noise (popping, grinding, clicking) while turning steering wheel lock to lock; Severe binding that stops steering wheel rotation completely, requiring significant force to overcome; Binding worsens over repeated use; may resolve temporarily with restart; 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message
Codes mentioned: Steering rack mechanical fault (inferred from mechanic diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of rack and pinion assembly required. Parts in very limited availability; owners report inability to source replacement racks anywhere in the US market at time of diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford denies this is a recall issue. One owner—a 30-year automotive technician—researched Ford Technical Service Bulletins and found the issue documented as common, yet no TSB or recall issued. Another owner reports Ford dealership stated 'no recalls on file' despite the binding issue matching earlier recall descriptions.
Steering Wheel Rotation Sensor Failure
The steering wheel rotation sensor (part number Ford BB5Z-3F818-A) fails, causing intermittent ABS activation and severe traction control pull to the right. This sensor is located in the Restraint Control Module (RCM).
When: Issue began early 2022; diagnosed and repaired May 25, 2023 (over one year after symptom onset).
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent, momentary ABS activation (right front) causing vehicle to severely pull right; Traction control warning lamp flashes intermittently; Vehicle behavior unpredictable; difficult to diagnose due to intermittency; Multiple repair attempts across Ford and non-Ford shops yielded no resolution until root cause identified
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic trouble codes recorded initially despite repeated dealer visits, Yaw sensor faults (red herring; replaced but did not resolve), ABS Control Module codes (led to replacement; did not resolve)
Repairs/costs cited: Steering Wheel Rotation Sensor (Ford part BB5Z-3F818-A) replacement and reprogramming. This part covers 25 fitments (2011–2016 models) and was on national backorder at time of repair. Only 7 dealers nationwide held inventory of this part. Multiple visits to Ford and independent shops; total diagnostic and repair cost unknown but included ABS module, electronic steering rack, yaw sensor, struts, and cruise control module cleaning/calibration before correct part identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall issued despite owner documentation of widespread dealer experience (many dealers awaiting this part for similar complaints for over one year). Owner believes this is a 'known' issue for Ford but disclosed only informally among dealers.
Outer Tie Rod Disconnection and Thread Stripping
The outer tie rod disconnects from the tie rod connector due to stripped male threads on the tie rod end. The metal threads work loose and slide freely without rotation, allowing the tie rod to separate under driving conditions.
When: 40,000 miles; vehicle in excellent condition with regular maintenance history. Another case at ~90,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Right wheel suddenly turns 45 degrees right without driver input while driving at 30 mph; Vehicle unexpectedly veers toward curb and pedestrian walkway; Visible disconnection of outer tie rod from tie rod connector on post-failure inspection
Codes mentioned: No fault codes; mechanical failure only
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of inner and outer tie rods and tie rod ends on both sides (preventative); repair cost exceeded $750 including labor. One case report noted mechanic found axle center bracket broken as well.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford customer service response: 'Vehicle is out of warranty.' No interest in technical details or connection to defective OEM equipment. Dealer/Ford did not offer assistance.
Intermittent Power Steering Faults Unresolved by Recall Software Update
Vehicle enrolled in the 14S06 recall and received the power steering control module software download at a Ford dealer (Tri County Ford, 2014). However, the vehicle continues to experience intermittent loss of steering assist despite the recall repair.
When: Multiple incidents post-recall repair; owner purchased vehicle from Enterprise rental in 2014 after recall was performed.
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent loss of power steering assist on multiple occasions after recall software update; Unable to connect to steering gear via diagnostic computer; Loss of steering assist is unpredictable and dangerous
Codes mentioned: Unable to generate diagnostic trouble codes; steering gear replacement recommended per recall protocol
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership states recall has already been performed (software download) and no DTC codes were present at time of recall, so steering gear replacement was not done. Ford now refusing to cover steering gear replacement under the recall despite recommended repair being part of recall protocol. Owner reports Ford offered to cover 50% of repair cost after complaint; full cost unknown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Recall 14S06 documented but already performed via software update. Ford refuses additional coverage, claiming software should have fixed the issue. States if codes had been present during original recall service, steering gear would have been replaced. Partial coverage (50%) offered only after owner escalation.
Steering Wheel Vibration and Severe Binding in Cold/Winter Conditions
In snow and winter driving conditions, the steering wheel becomes very stiff and binding increases. Separate issue from the EPAS failures but reported by one owner as creating cumulative steering difficulty.
When: Winter/snow driving conditions; not mileage-dependent.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration during or after snow storms; Vehicle cannot be driven over 35 mph in wet heavy snow on road; Both axles vibrate violently due to ice accumulation in wheel wells; Steering becomes difficult due to ice buildup around tires
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually removes ice from wheel wells every 8–15 miles (40 minutes labor); no manufacturer fix available. Local Ford dealer routinely chops ice out at no charge but does not file work order history.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford knows about the design defect, sees 6–10 complaints per day at one dealer, but will not sponsor a solution. Defect exists on multiple Ford vehicle makes but no recall or engineering resolution offered.
Synthesized from 829 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.