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SteeringPart report

2021 Ford Explorer Steering Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
1%of 448 total for the year
Median mileage
11,510miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 448 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,510 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.

“The wheel wells of the vehicle collect large amounts of snow and ice. This build up constricts the wheels of the vehicle contacting the tires restricting rotation and steering. This is an extremely dangerous potentially deadly situation. We have contacted Ford motor company and the dealership. No remedy to this situation has been offered. Please investigate and any assistance is appreciated. I believe this is a wide spread problem Ford is unwilling to deal with. This condition occurs in cold weather and snowy icy conditions. The build up hazard happens even driving short highway distances.”

NHTSA complaint #11404027, filed 2021-03, 20 miles

“The front tires chewed to pieces, one blew, and the dealer initially felt it was an alignment issue from the factory. Up one further inspection, they found an aluminum toe rod with a 45 degree bend. I believe this was a factory issue as we hit nothing on the highway. It seems from an FMEA point of view, it is likely the blown tire and momentum of the car bent the tie rod and that the tire damage was caused by a part failure or some other issue with the car. It is a 3 month old car with 9,400 miles. The car struck Nothing on the highway.”

NHTSA complaint #11422181, filed 2021-06

“Queja por reparación defectuosa de recall en mi Ford Explorer Estimados Señores: Por medio de la presente, me dirijo a ustedes para expresar mi profunda insatisfacción con el servicio recibido en su concesionario relacionado con un problema de recall en mi Ford Explorer [indicar modelo y año del vehículo], cuya reparación, realizada bajo su supervisión, no ha sido adecuada. …”

NHTSA complaint #11635565, filed 2025-01

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that prior to the failure she observed a transmission code warning that flashed twice but did not illuminate again. The contact pulled off the roadway and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and regained power steering functionality. Additionally, the instrument cluster failed to operate as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11543443, filed 2023-09, 23,000 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 2021 Ford Explorer

Transmission and drivetrain
127 complaints
Other or unknown
90 complaints
Engine
50 complaints
Electrical system
48 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
36 complaints
Fuel system
27 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
19 complaints
Seats
17 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 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