NHTSA Complaint #11269916 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

AT AROUND 75K MILES THE STEERING BEGAN TO MAKING POPPING/GRINDING NOISES. THE SOUND RESOLVED WITHIN THE SAME TRIP AND STOPPED. IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THE GRINDING SOUND RETURNED WHILE DRIVING THIS WEEKEND ON A WINDING ROAD WITH MY TWO YEAR IN THE BACK SEAT. WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AT MODERATE SPEED (35-40 MPH), THE STEERING WHEEL BRIEFLY STUCK AND BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT BEFORE I GAINED CONTROL AGAIN. THE STICKING PERSISTED AROUND CORNERS AND WHILE TURNING BOTH DIRECTIONS. ONCE UNSTUCK, THE STEERING FELT LOOSE AND NEAR UNPREDICTABLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO CONFIRMED IT'S A RESULT OF RACK AND PINION FAILURE AND QUOTED AROUND $2500 TO REPAIR. THEY CONFIRMED THIS IS COMMON IN EXPLORERS. MY RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS HUNDREDS OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS EXACTLY AS MINE, OFTEN IN FRIGHTENING AND LIFE THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE IS SERIOUS POTENTIAL FOR FATAL OUTCOMES WITH THE NATURE AND FREQUENCY OF THIS MALFUNCTION.