2015 Ford Explorer: Popping noise when turning
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2015 Explorer report: popping noise when turning. CarComplaints.com lists 20 owner complaints, average mileage 44,150 miles.
NHTSA has 347 owner complaints for the 2015 Explorer in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767992 (filed 09/30/2026): “The contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. the contact stated that while driving into a parking lot at approximately 20-25 mph, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. the message "power steering assist fault" was displayed after the failure. the con…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767702 (filed 09/29/2026): “Intermittent locking of steering wheel while driving for about 8 months. now it has complete loss of power steering. [xxx] says service advance trac and complete steering loss pull over safely. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (…”
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: repaired steering (6 reports) replace rack and pinion (6 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 $1,910 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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