2020 Ford Explorer steering problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 25 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Power steering failures and faults are the dominant complaint in 2020 Explorer steering narratives, ranging from complete loss of assist at highway speeds to intermittent warning messages and steering instability—some occurring as early as 900 miles. Multiple owners report repeated dealership visits without resolution, and one owner totaled the vehicle when steering failed during a curve; get a thorough pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic and verify the vehicle's recall status, especially for campaign 24V493000.
Owners of 2020 Ford Explorers describe a range of steering problems, with power steering failures being the most severe. Several report complete loss of power steering at highway speeds (65–75 mph), sometimes accompanied by simultaneous failures of braking, traction control, and pre-collision systems. One owner experienced three total power steering failures and totaled the vehicle when steering failed during a curve; another nearly caused a major accident when steering lost assist while driving down a 6% grade at 70 mph.
Early-mileage failures are common—one car failed at 900 miles with loss of steering assist and inability to access transmission options. Many report warning messages like "steering loss stop safely" and "power steering fault service required," though these messages sometimes disappear within seconds. Dealers have replaced power steering control modules and reprogrammed steering systems, with mixed results. Some owners report the issue reoccurred after repairs; in at least one case, Ford paid only 50% of the repair cost.
Steering vibration and shaking at speeds between 35–75 mph appear in multiple reports, occasionally accompanied by steering column noise (creaking, cracking, screeching). CV axle boots leaking grease and loose steering wheel bolts also emerge as steering-related failures. One owner reports hard steering or complete lock-up in temperatures below –5°F. Throughout narratives, owners cite frustration with dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose root causes, and manufacturer transparency concerns regarding recall applicability and VIN exclusions.
Same Ford Explorer steering reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering System Failure
Complete or partial loss of power steering assist while driving, often accompanied by warning messages and requiring dealership repair or replacement of steering control modules.
When: Occurs at various mileages from 900 miles to 118,000 miles; some as early as within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering cuts out entirely while driving; Steering becomes very difficult or impossible to control; Warning messages: 'power steering fault service required', 'steering loss stop safely', 'steering assist fault service required'; Sudden loss of power steering at highway speeds (65-75 mph); Power steering loss coinciding with other system failures (brakes, traction control, pre-collision assist)
Codes mentioned: P0505, C0631, C0632
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering control module replacement; battery replacement and system reprogramming attempted; dealer reported difficulty diagnosing root cause in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V493000 for steering; manufacturer covered 50% of repair cost in one case; offered no assistance in other cases; Some owners report recalls may be excluding certain VINs; TSB 22-2144 referenced
Steering Wheel Vibration and Shaking
Steering wheel vibrates or shakes during acceleration, at specific speeds, or intermittently during normal driving, sometimes accompanied by noises from the steering column.
When: Reported at various mileages; some at low mileage (6,000 miles); temperature-dependent in at least one case
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibrates during or after acceleration; Vibration felt in floorboard and steering wheel at 55-75 mph; Shaking at speeds between 35-45 mph; Steering column creaking, cracking, and screeching noises when adjusting steering wheel; Vibration and shaking worse in hot summer temperatures; Engine sounds like it may stall during steering vibration events
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed software updates; some dealers found no failure; one owner replaced backup camera; one dealer performed alignment check and found it acceptable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 22-2144 exists for steering column noise; manufacturer offered no assistance in some cases; one software update resolved issue temporarily but failure reoccurred after second update
Steering Wheel Loose/Mechanical Failure
Steering wheel bolt becomes loose and can nearly fall off, or steering wheel feels loose and disconnected from vehicle control.
When: Reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel bolt found loose, almost to the point of falling off; Steering wheel feels loose or has slack; Vehicle wanders all over the road at highway speeds (65 mph and above), like there is slack in the rack and pinion
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel bolt tightened by dealer; Recall on steering bolt mentioned for another 2020 Explorer in fleet
Hard Steering and Steering Lock-Up in Cold Weather
Steering becomes very hard to turn or locks up entirely at low speeds when outside temperature is below minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
When: Occurs during cold weather conditions (below -5°F)
Symptoms owners cite: Hard steering at slow speeds in cold temperatures; Steering locks up completely when outside temp is below -5°F, requiring jerking to regain control; Normal steering response above 60 mph even in cold; Lock-up occurs at parking lot speeds
Steering Instability from Front Axle/CV Axle Issues
CV axle boots fail and leak grease, or CV axle develops leaks, causing steering instability and potential powertrain failure.
When: Reported at 54,000 miles and other undisclosed mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Steering instability; Vehicle swerves or sways to left and right over slight road deformations; Electronic Stability Control warning light illuminates; Possible powertrain failure risk
Repairs/costs cited: CV axle boot replacement cost $475 at dealer; Driver's side CV axle identified as needing replacement at 54,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA Hotline; one owner reports this is a widespread issue affecting thousands of 2020 Explorers that manufacturer should fix free of charge
Steering Fault After Battery Service
Power steering failures and faults develop after battery replacement, suggesting electrical system integration or software synchronization issues.
When: Occurs following battery replacement service
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent power steering failure while driving; Warning messages: 'service advance trac', 'steering assist fault service required', 'pre-collision assist not available'; Described as very dangerous and scary
Repairs/costs cited: Battery settings reset at two different Ford dealerships; issue persisted after attempted fixes at both locations
Steering Control Module/Electrical Malfunction
Steering control module or related electrical components fail, sometimes in conjunction with multiple warning system activations.
When: Varies; reported at 34,000 miles and 67,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel forcefully turned in opposite direction when attempting left turn; Message 'power steering fault, service required' displays; Multiple warning lights illuminate and system resets; Pre-collision assist, hill start assist, reverse brake assist, advance trac fail simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering control module replacement performed; 12-volt battery found faulty and steering system reprogrammed; repair cost covered 50% by manufacturer in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer agreed to cover 50% of repair cost in one documented case; recall 24V493000 addresses steering issues
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 7,731 and 37,000 miles, with the median around 17,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,731; a quarter make it past 37,000. 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.