2016 Ford Explorer: Power steering failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Explorer report: power steering failure. CarComplaints.com lists 30 owner complaints, average mileage 57,700 miles.
NHTSA has 531 owner complaints for the 2016 Explorer in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768397 (filed 10/01/2026): “What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? yes how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? yes: while driving on [xxx] at highway speed, my vehicle suddenly began to swerve, causing a signif…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767630 (filed 09/29/2026): “1. what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the exterior b-pillar trim on the side of the vehicle became detached while the vehicle was being driven. after the trim became loose and was temporarily sec…”
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 steering rack (10 reports) replace power steering assembly (7 reports) replace steering gear assembly (5 reports) vehicles requires a new steering assembly (2 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 $2,050 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto