NHTSA Complaint #11091703 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

STEERING IS MAKING GRINDING NOISE AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, AT TIMES WHEN ENTERING CURVES OR DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK WHEN YOU HAVE TO FIRMLY GRASP IT AND IT THEN JERKS YOU EITHER DIRECTION. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, IT'S LOSING STEERING CONTROL. GOING TO JERK ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR PULL ME OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE CHILDREN AND THIS IS OUR PRIMARY CAR TO DRIVE AND WE ARE AFRAID OF THE STEERING. IT HAPPENS ALSO JUST BACKING IN AND OUT . VERY STIFF TO CONTROL. SAFETY ISSUE IN ALL WAYS. I'VE TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A INTERNAL FAULT IN THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. ESTIMATED COST $2100, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, IF ANYTHING THEY GET PLAY IN STEERING NOT FAILED OR BREAK, MAYBE IF CAR WAS OLD AND HAD 200K MILES. FORD HAS HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING ASSEMBLY ON EXPLORERS SINCE 2011 -2015 AND CLEARLY HAVE NOT FIXED THERE PROBLEMS. PROBLEM WITH STEERING IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION AND ON HIGHWAYS AND TURNING. HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. NEVER KNOWING WHEN IT MAY DECIDE TO STOP WORKING AND LOCK UP ON ME.