My power steering has been making a snapping noise and I'm afraid of catostrofic failure. I no longer trust driving the vehicle, it has only 36,000 miles.
2016 Ford Explorer steering problems
moderate 524 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
524
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
10crashes
7injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 524 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 524 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.
Among the 19 model years of Ford Explorer in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The steering wheel at times when even making a slight turn pops back and shakes. Restricting the turn the wipers have now multiple times in rain stopped in the upright positions causing a grave driving hazard
I first noticed the problem last winter, when we would drive our explorer in the snow the car would pull in random directions, it got to the point where I was scared to drive the car in feet I would be pulled into on coming traffic. I took it to a mechanic and they couldn't find anything wrong other than my rear shocks were bad, so I replaced them. Then over the summer I noticed when I turn going…
With less than 30,000 miles, my steering began to bind when turned fully to the left or right. This was only noticeable at low speeds, but due to my concerns about the safety hazards of steering failures I took it to dealer for an evaluation. They reported that the steering module had failed and it would cost >$2300 to repair. My warranty expired due to time (42 months) so unless Ford offers a…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and turning to the right following a bend in the highway, the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel back to center and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the steering…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 524 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 339 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 42,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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/2016/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.