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SteeringPart report

2019 Ford Explorer Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
3%of 300 total for the year
Median mileage
56,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2019 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 300 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“On march 2nd 2019 Ford Explorer sport with 1,800 miles was towed to thomassen Ford in charles town wv leaving owner stranded. Complained of strong fuel/gasoline odor inside the vehicle. Fuel/gasoline was leaking badly out of the vehicle onto the exhaust pipe. On march 4th notification was provided from service writer that none of the fuel lines or clamps were attached properly from the factory. Vehicle sat at thomassen Ford until march 27th when repairs were complete. April 9th 2019 some form of fluid leaked out of the parked vehicle for 8 hours after a 7 minute drive. …”

NHTSA complaint #11208940, filed 2019-05, 1,800 miles

“While my granddaughter was driving our 2019 Ford Explorer, the steering effort suddenly increased without warning, as if the electric power steering assist stopped functioning. She was traveling at approximately 45 mph on a public road and was unable to steer normally. The sudden loss of assist caused her to nearly leave her lane and almost resulted in a collision. This vehicle uses an electric‑assist rack‑and‑pinion steering system. There were no warning lights or messages before or during the event. Road conditions were dry. …”

NHTSA complaint #11740477, filed 2026-05

“I was traveling on the interstate (~75 mph) when the rear of my vehicle suddenly jerked to one side with enough force to cause a loss of control. There were no lights or warning sounds to indicate that there was anything wrong with the vehicle in that moment or leading up to it. I was fortunate enough that no contact was made with any other vehicles as my car crossed all three lanes; from the center lane to the far right and then back across all three lanes to the far left. The car skidded off the highway and slid onto a sloped embankment before it stopped. …”

NHTSA complaint #11579983, filed 2024-03

“When I took a left hand turn coming from a stop-sign the control arm on my front right passenger side busted. I did not hit anything or cause the damange instead this was in part of failure of the product. I was traveling approximately 3 mph on a flat surface with no traffic exiting an industrial park. Because the control arm broke, it caused significant other damage to my vehicle due to the inability to steer my vehicle and the wheel to no longer be controlled by the steering wheel. There were no warning signs and nothing to signal to me that my car was in fact having issues. …”

NHTSA complaint #11493991, filed 2022-11

“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the steering wheel was abnormally loose, and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The brake pedal was depressed several times, and the vehicle stopped. No warning lights were illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11750269, filed 2026-07, 147,419 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202612%
202598%
2024210%
20231211%
202293%
202161%
2020282%
201993%
2018213%
2017764%
201653222%
201534719%
201450030%
201383637%
201236043%
201174262%
201043%
200913%
2008139%
2007105%
200691%
2005122%
2004413%
2003272%
20021555%
2001216%
2000404%
1999383%
1998704%
1997332%
1996473%
1995526%
1994242%
1993192%
1992254%
1991102%

Other parts of the 2019 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
150 complaints
Other or unknown
48 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
35 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Fuel system
17 complaints
Suspension
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Engine cooling
6 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Seats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2019 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