The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·14V286000·Announced 2014-05-29

Ford Recalls 2011-2013 Explorers for Electric Power Steering Defect

Ford is recalling 2011-2013 Explorers because an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear can cause a loss of power steering assist, increasing crash risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect in the steering system that increases the risk of a vehicle crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured between May 17, 2010, and February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear. This issue can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal, resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, which increases the risk of a vehicle crash. The recall affects approximately 179,027 vehicles.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FORD EXPLORER
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — Steering System
Hazard
Affected units
179,027

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • EXPLORER

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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