Vehicle Data Hub

2016 Ford Explorer steering problems

538 complaints about steering have been filed for the 2016 Ford Explorer, which is 18% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
538 18% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
58,000 miles 349 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
10 and 0
Injuries and deaths
7 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When steering problems show up

Steering complaints by mileage, 2016 Ford Explorer Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 58,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 19 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 51 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 114 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 73 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 38 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 26 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 14 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 9 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 3 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 58,000 miles
Based on 349 complaints that include mileage. 53% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles19
20k to 40k miles51
40k to 60k miles114
60k to 80k miles73
80k to 100k miles38
100k to 120k miles26
120k to 140k miles14
140k to 160k miles9
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles3
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 349 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 58,000 miles, and 53% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 10 crashes, 7 injuries.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 ford explorer. While driving approximately 70 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. After the noise was heard, the vehicle lost steering and brake functionality. As a result, the contact was involved in a side impact collision with the median wall and the vehicle overturned. The side air bags deployed prior to the crash. The failure occurred without warning. The contact and her daughter suffered moderate bruising that required medical attention.

Reported at 58,064 miles, February 2018 CrashInjury

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The service stability track, traction control, and the loss of power steering warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he used physical strength to steer the vehicle after the power steering assist failure to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the angle sensor was defective and there was a loss of communication.

Reported at 69,000 miles, February 2024

Other problems reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer

Steering problems in other years

Steering problems across all Ford models