2015 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 347about this part
- Share
- 19%of 1,812 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 347 complaints about the steering of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 19% of the 1,812 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Loud popping, clunking noise coming from passenger front wheel. Steering becomes difficult to control. More dominant noise at low speed. I took the vehicle to a local ase certified mechanic. They inform me that the rack and pinion needs replaced. I only have 71,500 miles on the vehicle. Within further research, I have found hundreds of complaints with this same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11390278, filed 2021-01, 71,500 miles“95k miles. I stopped to use restroom and cane out started car to alarms that said 'steering assist failure service required. It had no power steering. After much research I have found this was recalled from one factory but it seems the issue is much wide spread. I was able to stop and restart and it cleared up only to go out while driving”
NHTSA complaint #11341402, filed 2020-07, 95,000 miles“Driving down the highway at 70 MPH I received a terrain management fault on the dash board and then a power steering fault and then I lost power steering. I pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Restarted and started to drive home had the same issue and lost power steering again. Restarted a second time and was able to make it home.”
NHTSA complaint #11365604, filed 2020-10, 99,400 miles“While driving down the road at 55mph the electronic power steering went out without warning. This caused me to go off the side of the road and into a fence. Very dangerous, as I have read several other stories online stating the same things and some at higher rates of speed on the interstate. Luckily I was alone and no one was harmed. It could have been alot worse.”
NHTSA complaint #11366916, filed 2020-10, 91,780 miles“Steering started making a knocking noise when moving the steering wheel. This occurs while in part or in motion. I was told by the repair shot and my 2015 Explorer with 45k miles on it needs to have the rack and pinion replaced at a cost of $2100. Not covered under warranty and apparently no recall for this dangerous situation.”
NHTSA complaint #11302557, filed 2020-01, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152466Nov 1, 20182013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid…
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing…
- 10059062Jul 1, 2015Ford: some vehicles and trucks are experiencing a malfunction with the heated steering wheel becoming inoperative and on demand test failure. Model 2014-15 fusion, 2011-15 mkx…
- 10058601Jul 1, 2015Lincoln/ford: once procedure for heated steering wheel module program completed, heated steering wheel fails to operate properly and passes network test but fails on demand self…
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 | 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 2015 Ford Explorer
411 complaintsOther or unknown
407 complaintsEngine
227 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
147 complaintsFuel system
94 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsAir bags
84 complaintsSuspension
83 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 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