2014 Ford Explorer: Power steering failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2014 Explorer report: power steering failure. CarComplaints.com lists 30 owner complaints, average mileage 89,200 miles.
NHTSA has 499 owner complaints for the 2014 Explorer in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11771470 (filed 10/15/2026): “Power assist steering fails and becomes very difficult to turn the steering wheel, requiring much force to initiate a turn and requires just as much force to disengage/return the steering to a straight ahead direction. it cuts out unexpectedly and often. deale…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11766275 (filed 09/23/2026): “My 2014 ford explorer experienced a serious electric power steering failure. while driving, the vehicle displayed “power steering assist fault” and the steering became extremely difficult to turn due to loss of steering assistance. i was driving with my child …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace power steering (15 reports) circuit breaker (1 reports) replace power steering computer (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Electric power steering faults typically need module diagnosis with a scan tool and calibration. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,060 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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