Some 2017-2019 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit various noise concerns while turning. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-02 Power Steering > Diagnosis and Testing has been updated with improved information to aid with accurate noise diagnosis. Replacing the steering gear may not necessarily eliminate the noise concern. Use Chassis Ears on all suspected components to accurately diagnose noise concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Ford Explorer steering problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Ford Explorer have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Explorer | 342 |
| 2016 Explorer | 526 |
| 2017 Explorer | 74 |
| 2018 Explorer | 20 |
| 2019 Explorer (this page) | 9 |
| 2020 Explorer | 25 |
| 2021 Explorer | 5 |
| 2022 Explorer | 9 |
| 2023 Explorer | 12 |
1crash
2injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2017-2019 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit various noise concerns while turning. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-02 Power Steering > Diagnosis and Testing is in the process of being updated with improved information to aid with accurate noise diagnosis. Replacing the steering gear may not necessarily eliminate the noise concern. Use Chassis Ears on all suspected components to accurately diagnose noise concerns. Monitor OASIS for updates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid input from the LKS. The LKS system detects unintentional drifting toward the outside of the lane and alerts and/or aids vehicle to stay in the lane. Be sure the customer understands how the lane departure warning feature settings work for Alert (steering wheel vibration) and Aid (steering input toward lane center). Further information on the LKS can be found in the owners manual. If the customers concern is due to the LKS functioning as intended, do not attempt to repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 68,406 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2019/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.