2012 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE ADVANCE TRACKING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *TR

ON DEC. 2, 2013 I WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A SLIGHT DECLINE AT A SCHOOL BUS STOP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (WHILE STILL ON) AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO RETRIEVE A FORGOTTEN ITEM FROM THE BACK FOR ONE OF THE CHILDREN (AS I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE WITHOUT INCIDENT). WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD (WHILE STILL IN PARK). IT ROLLED OFF OF THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, INTO A DITCH/RAVINE, CRASHED INTO A TREE AND ROLLED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, COMING TO REST AT AN APPROXIMATE 45 DEGREE ANGLE. MY 20-MONTH-OLD CHILD WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS SEATED ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND WHEN THE CAR CRASHED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE CHILD (PHYSICALLY UNHARMED) FROM THE CAR WITH HELP FROM A PASSERBY, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE PASSERBY AND I WENT DOWN TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEYS, AT WHICH POINT IT WAS VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS IN FACT STILL SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY ALSO VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN THEY ARRIVED. SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF IMPACT IS UNKNOWN, AS IT STARTED FROM A STOP AND INCREASED IN SPEED AS IT CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD AND DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. POST CRASH, THE 20-MONTH-OLD WAS PHYSICALLY FINE, BUT EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL ANXIETY WHEN BEING PLACED IN HIS OTHER CAR SEAT FOR SUBSEQUENT CAR RIDES. SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR DEPLOYED, FRONT DID NOT (PRESUMABLY BECAUSE NO ONE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE). ONCE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED, THE HORN BEGAN HONKING (PRESUMABLY A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE). ONCE REMOVED FROM THE CRASH SITE (TIME TO REMOVE: 2.5 HOURS USING 2 DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS), THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND AFTER 21 DAYS THE CAR WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMELY HARD AND STIFF TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NOT MAKE A TURN OF MORE THAN 10% AT ANY SPEED. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING 25MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT SO I WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BRINGING IT TO A FULL STOP. I TRIED RESETTING THE "ERROR CONDITION" BY RESTARTING THE CAR, BUT THE STEERING BECAME ONLY MARGINALLY BETTER. I WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR DOWN THE SIDE STREET AT 5-10MPH TO MY HOUSE WHICH WAS A FEW SHORT BLOCKS AWAY. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE, I HAD IT TOWED TO ALL AMERICAN FORD IN PARAMUS NJ, FOR SERVICE. WHERE THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY HAVE ONLY HEARD OF ONE OR TWO CASES SUCH AS MINE. I DIRECTED THEM TO THIS SITE TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR RESEARCH, WHICH THEY OF COURSE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A TURN MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT. WARNING LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL AND TERRAIN MONITOR CAME ON. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WAS CLEARED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND A MESSAGE APPEARED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED". VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER BUT I MANAGED TO TURN ON FLASHERS, REDUCE SPEED AND STEER SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. WHILE WAITING FOR HELP I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO TRY TO MANEUVER TO A SAFER ROADSIDE POSITION. AT THAT TIME THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING AGAIN SO I DROVE CAREFULLY HOME. I THEN VISITED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE NO ERROR CODES OR ERROR HISTORY WAS FOUND AND THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. *TR

THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE FORD EXPLORER FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 15 MPH TO 60 MPH ON LOCAL STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE UNIT IDENTIFIED IT AS A FAILED THROTTLE BODY. *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2013, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH WHEN A WRENCH SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING TO A STOP. THE GAS WOULD NOT WORK DURING THIS TIME AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT DID RESTART WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT DID IT AGAIN A LITTLE LATER. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE I LEASED THE CAR FROM. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT COULD NOT GET CODES BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES IN OCTOBER. BOTH TIMES WERE AT NIGHT OVER A WEEKEND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED. AGAIN, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT RESET THE "SYSTEM" AND I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THE NIGHT OF MAY 3, 2013. I WAS DRIVING OUTSIDE OF MCKINNEY, TX, WITH MY CRUISE SET AT 74 WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAD JUST COME OFF OF I-75 WHERE THEY ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION AND THERE ARE CONCRETE WALLS ON EITHER SIDE OF TWO LANES WITH NO SHOULDER! SINCE YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE SPEED, AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE CAR WORK IS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, THEN RESTART IT, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE (MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN) WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A VERY BUSY AREA WITH SPEEDS UP TO 75 MPH AND LOTS OF SEMI-TRUCKS. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND GM OF PARIS FORD WHO BOTH AGREED TO A LOANER CAR UNTIL MINE COULD BE FIXED, AND TOOK IT IN FOR THE THIRD TIME. APPARENTLY, THE ONLY LOANER CAR THEY HAD WAS UNAVAILABLE, SO I COULD TAKE MY CAR BACK AND DRIVE IT UNTIL THEY HAD A LOANER. WE DECIDED THAT WAS ENOUGH. I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE OF ANYTHING HAPPENING TO MYSELF OR OUR CHILDREN. WE TURNED IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER PAYING $251, IT IS NOW BACK WITH THEM. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! *TR

POWER STEERING FAULT WITH ADVANCE TRAC AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULTS. POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT LOW, MEDIUM AND HIGH SPEEDS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED AND THE FAULTS WERE GONE AND POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN 24 HOURS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER RIGHT AWAY. I AM GLAD THAT MY 16 YEAR OLD DRIVER WAS NOT AT THE WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A ONE-YEAR OLD NEW CAR. SAFETY MUST COME FIRST. REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED AT $2200. PLEASE LOOK INTO A RECALL, AS I HAVE HEARD THIS IS VERY COMMON. PLEASE WORK WITH FORD TO REMEDY THIS OBVIOUS MECHANICAL FLAW. THANK YOU. *TR

I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER IN OCTOBER 2011. I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH BOUTS OF NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIZZINESS, WEAKNESS AND GENERAL INSTABILITY SINCE AUGUST 2013. I HAVE BEEN UNDER SEVERAL DOCTORS CARE WITH LITTLE IMPROVEMENT IN MY CONDITION. MOST RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH VESTIBULAR PROXSYSMIA. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT THESE SYMPTOMS COULD WELL HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY PERSISTENT CARBON MONIXIDE EXPOSURE. I WILL BE PURSUING THIS POSSIBILITY WITH THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED WITH MY CASE. I JUST RECENTLY TRADED IN THIS VEHICLE FOR A FORD ESCAPE SO NO LONGER OWN IT.

THE POWER STEERING PUMP QUIT WORKING 2 TIMES ON MY MOTHERS SUV. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD TWICE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FIX IT THE FIRST TIME. SAW RECALL BUT EXPLORER WAS NOT IN THE LIST. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON BOTH OCCURRENCES. IT IS MY ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS ISSUE. I ALSO WORK IN AUTOMOTIVE FIELD AND I KNOW THIS WAS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. I DO NOT WANT MY MOTHER OR ANY INDIVIDUAL HURT DUE TO LACK OF INVESTIGATION. I EXPECT A RESPONSE FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION. THE DEALERSHIP CAN PULL UP ALL INFO, A RENTAL WAS PROVIDED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANAGE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, A WEAKER DRIVER, PHYSICALLY, WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM REPORT ONE 8/10/13 19,000 MILES: POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE <15 MPH AND BACK CEILING LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OUT. FORD: 8/13/2013 SAID CEILING LIGHT SHORTENED OUT BATTERY AND CAUSED POWER STEERING TO GO OUT - ORDERED LIGHT BULB CAME BACK IN 3 DAYS TO REPLACE LIGHT BULB - THEY SAID POWER STEERING WAS FIXED. REPORT TWO 9/23/13 23,891 MILES: POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE PARKED. FORD: DID DIAGNOSTIC SAID THE ISSUE WAS MOST LIKELY WIRING AND SAID ISSUE WAS FIXED AND I LEFT WITH CAR REPORT THREE 10/02/13 24,280 MILES: POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 65 MPH, PULLED OFF HWY. REPORTED INCIDENT TO FORD. FORD: RAN DIAGNOSTIC, SAID ISSUE WAS MOTHERBOARD. ORDERED PART AND I RETURNED IN A FEW DAYS TO REPLACE COMPUTER BOARD. TOLD ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AND LEFT WITH MY CAR. REPORT FOUR 10/31/2013 25,295 MILES: POWER STEERING YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD AS I STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. POWER STEERING HAD NOT GONE OUT ONLY HAD WARNING LIGHT SHOWING. I DROVE A FEW MINUTES HOME WITHOUT THE STEERING GOING OUT. I STARTED CAR ABOUT AN HOUR LATER IN GARAGE AND POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY OUT. BRIGHT RED LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD. WARNING LIGHT SAID SOMETHING TO THE TUNE OF 'REPORT POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY". FORD: KEPT CAR FOR 4 FULL DAYS WHILE WE DROVE RENTAL AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION AND FORD REGIONAL'S ENGINEERS SUPPOSEDLY SAID 'THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THEY HAVE SEEN BEFORE' (EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE ALMOST 100 REPORTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE) AND TO REPORT IF HAPPENS AGAIN. REPORT FIVE 11/28/13 27,000 MILES: POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE STARTING VEHICLE IN GARAGE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP WITH RED WARNING SIGNS. HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER HOLIDAY TO REPORT TO SERVICE. *TR

AFTER HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING FAILING WHILE DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER, THE POWER STEERING FINALLY GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS NO POWER STEERING AND IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE. THIS HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, SO THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE. FORD NEEDS TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND SOME IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE WINDOW GUARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW GUARD PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON THE THIRD OCCASION BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/16/2015 *JS

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WENT STIFF AND SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND STRUGGLED TO STEER THE VEHICLE OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I CALLED THE DEALER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE NEW EXPLORERS AND THAT IF I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT WOULD RESET THE SYSTEM AND TO BRING IT TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER (AFTER IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME) WHERE THEY INFORMED I WOULD NEED A NEW RACK AND PINION. I DON'T MIND PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART BUT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF I HAD BEEN GOING THROUGH A TURN AT THOSE SPEEDS, MY KIDS AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IF THE DEALER AND FORD KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

POWER ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. DISABLES POWER STEERING AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND VERY DANGEROUS. HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. ...UPDATED 08-08-13 *BF

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING - SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC & TERRAIN MGMT SYSTEM FAULT WARNINGS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. PROBLEM CLEARS AFTER RESTARTING CAR. WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF MY WIFE OR KIDS WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK ON JUNE 25, 2013 (20,420 MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WHEN A "POWER STEERING ASSIST" FAULT CODE POPPED ONTO THE SCREEN AND WITH VERY LIMITED STEERING CAPABILITIES WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE FOR 10 MINUTES AND THE ERROR CORRECTED ITSELF. ON MAY 9, 2014 (30,513 MILES), AFTER COMING OFF A WINDING ROAD TURNED ONTO A STRAIGHT LANE, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CODE POPPED UP AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. ON MAY 23, 2014 (31,002 MILES), GOT INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE TURNED ON ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CODE POPPED UP AND I WASN'T ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT AGAIN. WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JUNE 25, I CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INSTRUCTED "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, BRING IN YOUR VEHICLE." FOR THE SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE SHOWING AT THAT TIME, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND WAS TOLD "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, DON'T TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE AND DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN RETRIEVE THE CODES." MY MAIN CONCERN IS NOT BEING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING GARAGE AND THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING SYSTEMS BECAME DISABLED. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE ONCE THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING APPEARED TO BE BACK BUT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONTINUED TO SHOW AN ERROR. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TODAY. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE - I HOPE FORD IS ADDRESSING APPROPRIATELY. *TR

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE "SERVICE TRAK SYSTEM" ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED. SHE WAS ON A MAJOR FREEWAY AND HAD TO MANUALLY PULL OFF THE FREEWAY TO SAFETY, WHICH WAS VERY DIFFICULT WITH OUT THE POWER STEERING. ONCE SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, THE ERROR WENT AWAY AND POWER STEERING WAS NORMAL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING ON A MAJOR FREEWAY AT OR ABOVE 55 MPH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING MAKING PULLING OVER AND STOPPING VERY DIFFICULT FOR A MATURE MALE DRIVER. I FIND IT DIFFICULT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS THIS COULD BE FOR MY WIFE OR ANY SMALLER OR LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING REGULAR DRIVING ON FAIRLY SMOOTH SURFACE NORMAL CONDITIONS. *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND SERVICE TRAC SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED. VEHICLE WENT INTO MANUAL STEERING, WHICH WAS SO STIFF, MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. AFTER CYCLING THE IGNITION, THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS CONCERNS ME AS THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WAS AT STAKE. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2011 AND UP EXPLORERS. FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES, AS THEY POSE A SAFETY RISK. *TR

OWN 2012 FORD EXPLORER,BOUGHT NEW AND A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THAT IT HAD TOW PKG. ON IT. HAD OCCASION TO USE THE TOW AND CHECKED LOCAL U-HAUL AND THEY REFUSED TO RENT A TRAILER TO ME. WAS TOLD CO. POLICY FORBID RENTAL TO ANYONE DRIVING AN EXPLORER. I WAS TOTALLY SPEECHLESS AND EVEN CALLED TWO OTHER RENTALS AND WAS REFUSED. SAID TOO MANY ACCIDENTS WITH SWAY AND ROLL-OVER. AFTER RESEARCH ON LINE I HAVE FOUND IT IS TRUE..SO NOW I OWN A VEHICLE WITH TOW ON IT,AND UNLESS I AM WILLING TO SPEND SEVERAL THOUSAND TO BUY MY OWN TRAILER, IT IS TOTALLY USELESS!WONDERING HOW FORD MOTORS IS ALLOWED TO SELL THESE VEHICLES WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED THEM AND GOT NOWHERE. SO GUESS I'M STUCK,HOWEVER, COME NEW VEHICLE TIME THERE WILL NOT BE AN EXPLORER IN MY DRIVE. SHAME ON YOU FORD. *TR

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO FORD FOR SERVICE. I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD WAS BUBBLING. I SHOWED IT TO THE SERVICE WRITER. HE REPORTED IT TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR IT. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY 2012, AND HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. RECENTLY, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING STARTED COMING ON. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RE-STARTING THE ENGINE, THE WARNING WENT AWAY AND I REGAINED POWER STEERING. ABOUT 6 DAYS AGO, I DROVE 15 MILES TO WORK, AND THE SAME "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING CAME ON AND STAYED ON - EVEN AFTER RECYCLING THE ENGINE. THE "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING ALSO STAYED ON AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE "POWER-STEERING GEAR BOX", AND THE PART IS TWO DAYS AWAY. I SAW SOMEONE POSTED THAT FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN STILL STEER IT. IF I HAVE TROUBLE STEERING IT, I HATE TO THINK WHAT MY WIFE OR DAUGHTERS WOULD EXPERIENCE. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T LIKE A REGULAR FULL SIZE CAR OR TRUCK, I AM 6'2" AND WEIGH ABOUT 270, AND WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, I COULD NOT STEER IT TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ANY SPEED UNDER 5MPH. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED, A PERSON COULD LOSE CONTROL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A MINOR FIX ON A NEW CAR. LOOKING AT THE POSTS, FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT THIS REPAIR WOULD COST IF IT WEREN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS. IF HE IS CORRECT, THAT IS RIDICULOUS ON A 18 MONTH VEHICLE. I DIDN'T BUY THIS TO BE A MONEY PIT. *TR

MAY 2013 (13490 MILES) WAS DRIVING 30 35 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON, I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. ALL WAS OK. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK DECEMBER 23,2013, (21173 MILES) WAS DRIVING 40 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON. WOULD NOT RESET BY TURNING ON AND OFF. DROVE TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING AND DEALER RESET COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. JANUARY 17,2014 (21808 MILES) WAS DRIVING 35 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION LIGHT WENT ON WOULD NOT RESET BY TURNING ON AND OFF. DROVE TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING. DEALER RESET COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED. THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY BECAME VERY HARD TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE STEERING JERKED. THE LIGHTS SAID "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" AND "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT". I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND JUST TRYING TO MAKE TO LEFT TURNS TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TOOK ALL THE STRENGTH I HAD IN BOTH ARMS. MY TURN SIGNALS WOULD ALSO NOT WORK. I EVEN TRIED TURNING THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE KNOB, AS I NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ON THAT AS WELL AND NOTHING WOULD LIGHT UP OR SHOW UP ON THE DASH SCREEN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR WHILE I PULLED OUT MY OWNERS MANUAL TO LOOK UP INFORMATION ON THESE INDICATORS. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE STILL THERE. I CALLED FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. I ALSO WAS PUT IN A RENTAL CAR. THEN TODAY THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR HAD 47, 627 MILES ON IT THAT THIS PROBLEM WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME ONLY IF IT HAPPENED IN FIRST 36,000 MILES. THEY ALSO SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1865 FOR A NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING OR THEY WOULD CLEAR THE CODE AND I COULD CHANCE IT TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THEY SAID IT WAS COMMON AND MOST TIMES YOU JUST NEED TO LET THE CAR COOL DOWN AND RESTART IT. THIS IS VERY UPSETTING- THEY KNEW THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEN I INVESTIGATED THIS FURTHER ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUES. SOME IN JUST THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO ME WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE FAN NOT WORKING CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. LATER I GOT A RECALL ON IT. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING- I HAVE A CAR THAT IS 18 MONTHS OLD AND I HAVE TO PUT $1865 INTO IT TO FIX A COMMON PROBLEM/DEFECT. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT! *TR

MY WIFE WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY WITH LEFT BLINKER ON TO MERGE LANES AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN THE POWER STEERING QUIT. MY WIFE WITH A FULLY LOADED CAR WITH KIDS ON BOARD WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO SLOWLY MUSCLE THE CAR ON TO THE SHOULDER. SHE THEN POWERED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY THIS INCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN ON CURVY ROAD OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. FORD, PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM. WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE GET HURT AND THE EXPLORER NAME DAMAGED ALL OVER AGAIN DUE TO ANOTHER VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN IT TURNED OFF AND I RECEIVED A POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING. I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I GOOGLED THIS AND NOTED THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT: THIS IS FROM THE HUFFINGTON POST: FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATORS ARE INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS THAT THE POWER STEERING CAN FAIL ON 2011 AND 2012 FORD EXPLORER SUVS. FIFTEEN DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE POPULAR EXPLORER CAN SUDDENLY LOSE ITS POWER STEERING ASSIST, MAKING IT HARDER TO STEER THE SUVS. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. FORD REFUSES TO COVER IT BECAUSE IT HAS NOT OFFICIALLY BEEN RECALLED. I AM LUCKY I DIDNT GET KILLED. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON ROUTE 322 IN PA. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE, THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FAIL LIGHT CAME ON ALSO THE SYSTEMTRAC ERROR LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD NO STEERING. I HAD TO PULL IN FRONT OF A SEMI IN ORDER TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST GOT KILLED. IT IS CURRENTLY AT SLOAN FORD IN COLUMBIA TN. THEY SAY IT IS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THE CAR IS 1 YEAR AND 6 MONTHS OLD. HOW DOES THE STEERING TO SO SOON? THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 1900. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY FORD EXPLORERS FROM 2011 AND 2012 WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. WHY HASN'T IT BEEN DONE YET? *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED V6 WITH ECOBOOST SYSTEM UP A HILL I HAD TO STOPPED BEHIND A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS. I TRIED TO GIVE THE VEHICLE A LITTLE GAS TO EDGE UP THE HILL AND THE TRUCK CUT OFF. SINCE I WAS IN DRIVE THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL I PUSHED THE BRAKE. I WAS IN SHOCK. LUCKILY THERE WEREN'T ANY VEHICLES BEHIND ME BUT IT SCARED MY KIDS. WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE I FLIPPED IT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. I THEN CALLED AND SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR THE NEXT DAY. I WAS FULLY COVERED UNDER MY MAINTENANCE PLAN BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT CAUSED THIS ISSUE BUT I AM TERRIFIED IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND NOW MY KIDS ARE TERRIFIED AS WELL. *TR

LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. TWO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON-TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. POWER STEERING RETURNED AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OF AND RESTARTING. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND TWO WARNING CODES ON THE COMPUTER, BUT FORD SAID PROBLEM HAD TO BE REVERIFIED BEFORE THEY COULD REPAIR IT. *TR

POWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT. MUST SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART TO RECOVER POWER STEERING. HAPPENS OFTEN. TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND SOURCE OF PROBLEM WAS NOT ISOLATED OR FIXED. *TR

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST INTO VEHICLE CABIN, LOOKED AT FORUMS, & FOUND 62 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS BY EXPLORER OWNERS, ON WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM, CALLED DEALER, TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR 2 DAYS, UNDER TSB-128-12-12-4, SERVICE WORK, STILL HAVE SAME ISSUE MONTHS LATER, STILL WAITING FOR FORD TO CORRECT PROBLEM. AT PRESENT TIME A LAW SUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN FLORIDA, ARTICLE FOUND IN SUN SENNTIAL NEWSPAPER, AT WWW.SUN-SENNTIAL.COM VIDEO SHOWS CO AT 139 ACCEPTABLE LEVEL SHOULD BE 100. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE EXHAUST WHILE FUMES CONSUMED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FOR YEARS. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY PROVIDED NO ODOR TESTING AS WELL AS NO SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEALER FOR A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

SLUSH ON THE WINDSHIELD PULLED THE WIPER FROM THE WIPER ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAKING ME PULL OVER ON A BUSY STREET. THE MANUFACTURED ARM IS THE CHEAPEST AND MOST UNRELIABLE ARM I'VE EVER SEEN. I CHECKED WITH OTHER 2012 FORD EXPLORERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ARM. THE 2013 AND 2014 HAVE DIFFERENT STYLE ARMS THAT HOLD THE WIPER ON SECURELY. I'M GOING BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN PUT DIFFERENT ARMS ON BUT THIS DEFINITELY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. JUST BY RAISING THE WIPER ARM UP AND GRABBING THE BOTTOM OF THE BLADE THE WIPER SNAPS OFF. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE ON THE INTERSTATE HWY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH FAILED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE RACK AND PINION WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. ... UPDATED 02/27/13 *BF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/04/13

I AM EXPERIENCING AN ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CAR. I LIVE IN EL SALVADOR CENTRAL AMERICA AND HAVE FOUND IN THE INTERNET THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THE AGENCY IN MY COUNTRY DOES NOT RESPONSABILIZE ON THIS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND WE CANT BE SMELLING THIS EXHAUST FUMENS AND STRANGE ODORS INSIDE OUR CAR. *TR

SINCE WE PURCHASED THE SUV WE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. IT ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING, LIKE WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, AND THE SMELL STARTS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE MY 2 KIDS ARE. WE HAVE HAD ALL 3 REVISIONS DONE AND STILL THE ODOR PERSIST. WE ARE OBLIGATED TO LOWER THE WINDOWS EACH TIME TO NOT FEEL NAUSEOUS AND AVOID THE STRONG HEADACHES THAT USUALLY FOLLOW. MY 9 YEAR OLD SON HAS ASTHMA AND SUFFERS GREATLY FROM IT AND CONSTANTLY COMPLAINS OF DIZZINESS AS WE ARE DAILY HIGHWAY DRIVERS. MY 4 YEAR OLD HAS HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN VOMITING WHILE IN THE CAR, DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES. I TOO HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE FUMES AND FEELING FAINT. I CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS ISSUED A CASE # YET FORD RESPONDED WITH NO SOLUTION. THEY STATE THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE AVAILABLE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED AND THEY HAVE NO FURTHER SOLUTION. I ASKED FOR A BUY BACK AND APPARENTLY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT EITHER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MULTIPLE YEARLY VISITS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING HOW SINCE THE YEAR OF PURCHASE WE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE FUMES ODOR ISSUE AND THEY HAD EITHER NO REPAIR OR PRETENDED I WAS MAKING IT UP. I'M GLAD THIS ISSUE HAS SURFACED IN THE MEDIA AS I OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT MAKING IT UP, AND IT'S A REAL PROBLEM. I WORRY MORE THAN ANYTHING ABOUT THE HEALTH OF MY CHILDREN AND THEIR SAFETY. WE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE LONG BEFORE MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS EVEN APPEARED, AND WE'VE HAD TO OUT OF POCKET PAY FOR MANY OF THE REPAIRS. PLEASE HELP.

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AS USUAL, HAD JUST TURNED LEFT OFF MY STREET ONTO A TWO LANE ROAD, AND APPROXIMATELY 0.25MILES LATER I LOST POWER STEERING. AS I WAS ACCELERATING FROM MY TURN, GOING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERK A LITTLE. IMMEDIATELY I HAD AN ALERT ON MY DASH "POWER STEERING FAULT." I ATTEMPTED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO SUCCESS AND THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SAFEST PARKING LOT (APPROX. 1 MILE). I SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND RESTARTED BUT I STILL DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING HOWEVER I REGAINED BRAKES. I DROVE THE DEALERSHIP (3MILES AWAY). THEY SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN THEN RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE OPERATING CORRECTLY. LATER AFTER SEVERAL TEST DRIVES THE FORD MECHANIC HAD MY VEHICLE RE-INACT MY SAME EVENTS FOR HIM. *TR

MY FORD EXPLORER 2012 HAS BEEN GETTING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALL I GET IS A RUN AROUND. THUS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME ONE DIES FROM THE FUMES.

THE SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. SAW THIS INTHE RECENT NATIONAL NEWS. EXACTLY WHAT I EXPERIENCED AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY VECHICLE BUT KEEP JUST BEING DISREGARDED AS NOTHING. ALL MY ISSUES WERE NEVER RESOVED NO LETTER EVER ANSWERED. SENT A RECENT EMAIL TO FORD, UNANSWERED, CALL LOCAL DEALSHIP AND LADY IS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID SHE DIDNT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECENT INVESTIGATIONS AND TO WAIT FOR A LETTER/RECALL. THIS RECORDS ARE FROM BACK WHEN I GOT MY CAR, I HAVE LEARNED TO ADAPT TO THE SMELL AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TILL IT HAS GONE.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY OCTOBER 18, 2012 WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER, THE POWER STEERING UNIT QUIT WORKING AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. I ALMOST HIT A GATE POST AND HAD TO BACKUP WITH A TEN CAR LINE BEHIND ME. THE STEERING CONTINUED POWERLESS FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP HOME, ABOUT TEN MILES OR 15 MINUTES. AFTER PARKING OVERNIGHT IN MY DRIVE, I STARTED THE SUV TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE POWER ASSIST STEERING WORKED AS NORMAL. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF TURNING A SHARP CURVE AND GOING INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC OR TRAVELING AROUND ONE OF THE MOUNTAINOUS CURVES WE ENCOUNTERED THIS SUMMER, WITH NO GUARDRAIL AND A HUNDRED FOOT DROP INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN ROCKS OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST. IF AN ACCIDENT DID OCCUR THE EXPLORER WOULD CHECK OUT TO BE MECHANICALLY TROUBLE FEE AND THE CAUSE WOULD BE LISTED AS OPERATOR ERROR. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH A UNIQUE BRAKING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENGAGE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A SECOND VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM ENGAGED DESPITE THERE NOT BEING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT?S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. ...UPDATED 12-24-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED FINE WHEN HE WAS FOLLOWING A VEHICLE IN HIS LANE. HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS IN A SEPARATE LANE, PASSING A LARGE SEMI WITH LARGE BRIGHT ALUMINUM OR LIGHT COLORED SIDES, ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY WITHOUT CURVES, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AS IF HE WERE FOLLOWING IN THE SAME LANE AS THE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE RADAR SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE REFLECTING FROM THE LARGE BRIGHT SIDES ON SOME TRUCKS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS

DRIVING ON RT 495 WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND A WARNING CAME ON IN THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYING "SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK." I STARTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED MY POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. AFTER I PULLED OVER I STOPPED THE CAR I LOOKED IN THE MESSAGE CENTER I SAW THAT THE ADVANCE TRACK WASN'T SELECTED. I TRIED TO SELECT IT BUT WASN'T ABLE TO. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON A COUPLE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CLEARED. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO WANT TO HELP BECAUSE "TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON FIXED THE PROBLEM." I PUSHED THEM TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, THEY CALLED ME SAYING THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROADWAY WHEN WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURE. LOST POWER STEERING, ADVANCE TRAC, BLINKERS, ETC. SHUTTING VEHICLE DOWN AND RESTARTING CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME WAS APPROX. TWO MONTHS PRIOR WHILE IN REVERSE. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED THE SAME WAY AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL THE SECOND INCIDENT. DEALER SAID RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER & MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE OCTOBER 2012. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR