When driving the 2014 explorer, coking over a hill and began braking. Car lost braking capability and began to speed down the hill, and crashed into a tree. One middle occupant on 2nd row came unbuckled and didn't survive. This has been an ongoing trial for 3 years and recently informed that no investigation has been performed on the vehicle other than the edr/cdr. No post vehicle inspection…
2014 Ford Explorer steering problems
critical 495 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
495
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
10crashes
1fire
6injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 495 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 495 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 30% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The steering began to make a rubbing sound and then turning became difficult. I also received a traction control failure warning. When the vehicle was taken to the Ford dealership where it was purchased I was told that it’s a common failure of the steering rack (over $2,000 repair) and that there were complaints but no recall. I have since taken the vehicle home and parked it until I decide…
Hello, yes my vehicle is available upon inspection request. Bell Ford(recall performed) and another shop has inspected the vehicle for the power steering issue. *I had a toe link recall completed at Bell Ford in May, 2022. Since then my vehicle has not been driving as smoothly. Please add this recall back to my vehicle. *The radio/ climate control screen updates and sometimes just goes black…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford explorer. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact managed to drive home at low speeds. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, but it did not return to normal. Dave smith Ford, llc (4045 transit rd, williamsville, ny 14221, (716) 634-2000) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was…
Steering gear failure. Ford dealer estimate $2,900 to replace the entire steering gear. A new part is not available, and there is no ETA on re-manufactured parts. The vehicle is unsafe to drive, and therefore unusable. There are recalls on 2011-2013 and 2015-2019 electronic assist steering gear systems for the same exact issue, why was 2014 was excluded, why does the vehicle require the entire…
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…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering gear was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the power steering gear and reset the computer. The…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
It's a serious issue. 495 complaints have been filed, including 10 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 306 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 63,000 and 119,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,000; a quarter make it past 119,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.