2010 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on interstate 295 just south of brunswick, maine my 2010 Ford Explorer lost all power and rapidly decelerated and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. I did manage to pull over to the side of the highway just before losing all power, but I could not restart my vehicle. I then had my vehicle towed to a Ford service center, and Ford indicated that the problem was caused by friction which had worn away the electrical tape and wire casing of the electrical node and the wiring harness around the fuel tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560865, filed 2014-01, 60,000 miles“While drive the rsc light came on. Immediately after that the anti skid came on locking the wheels. 4 wheel drive came on locking the wheels further and the breaks engaged. Car would not turn or move and pushing the gas petal only caused break system to lock up further.”
NHTSA complaint #11109537, filed 2018-07, 125,000 miles“When making a forward 90 degree turn either to the right or left, the steering wheel will not return so that the vehicle straightens out. The vehicle continues to turn until the steering wheel is straightened out manually. In reverse, the steering wheel will return and straighten out the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10403276, filed 2011-05, 19,000 miles“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when making a right or left turn, the steering wheel would tighten and the contact would have to utilize extreme force to re-center the steering wheel until reaching 15 MPH. The contact stated that the steering would then return to normal. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and had the steering column replaced but the failure was not corrected. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the vehicle was functioning as normal. The failure mileage was 19,000 and the current mileage was 31,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10455618, filed 2012-04, 19,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10148819Oct 2, 2018This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball…
Steering: 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 | 348 | 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 2010 Ford Explorer
28 complaintsSeats
20 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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