2000 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 4%of 952 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 952 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sometimes when I have my turn signal on smoke will come out from the steering wheel where the emergency signal button is on top of the steering wheel. It doesn't happen everytime I use it but it happens quite often.”
NHTSA complaint #10639460, filed 2014-09, 102,000 miles“My wife was driving my daughters 2000 Ford Explorer on texas 183 in austin texas when the steering wheel become very erratic and turned to the left over two lanes into the center concrete barrier. She had no control over the steering to straighten the vehicle. It seemed the vehicle anti-skid computer took control of the wheels.”
NHTSA complaint #10211816, filed 2007-12, 80,000 miles“The power steering randomly goes out while driving and when that happens my car won't accelerate. I turn my car off and back on and it fixes it temporarily”
NHTSA complaint #10871951, filed 2016-06, 114,000 miles“In march of 2004, I took my 2000 Ford Explorer xlt for general service, the mechanic found that the front pinion seal, and torque converter seals leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. Thank the lord that I took out and extended warranty on the vehicle when I purchased it sept, 2002. The repairs where completed, I also took it back to my mechanic to check and make sure the work was done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110421, filed 2005-02, 37,126 miles“My wife & I experienced a severe wheel vibration (oscillation) in the front end of our 2000 Ford Explorer on two separate occasions. The severity of the vibration almost made the truck uncontrollable. When the truck was taken to the service department and the service technician quoted its a design flaw; you have air in the rack & pinion steering . The air apparently enters through the housing seals when the truck was being serviced after a fan belt tensioner ruptured and the truck had to be manually steered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10033183, filed 2003-08, 38,875 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% |
| 2015 | 347 | 19% |
| 2014 | 500 | 30% |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 2% |
| 1992 | 25 | 4% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2000 Ford Explorer
217 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 complaintsVehicle speed control
113 complaintsEngine cooling
90 complaintsElectrical system
78 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsSuspension
62 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
46 complaintsSeats
39 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
29 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology