2007 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
10 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Steering Recalls (1)
STEERING
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Owner Complaints (10)
While driving at 60-62 mph with four occupants, the front passenger side of your Explorer suddenly collapsed and dropped to the ground. The driver lost steering control, the vehicle rolled over three times, and the airbags failed to deploy. The crash resulted in serious injuries to all four occupants, including a broken neck and paralysis for one passenger. This appears related to a known steering issue (NHTSA Campaign 07V181000). A suspension or structural failure likely caused the collapse, and the airbag system's failure to deploy is also a critical safety concern that would require investigation by a qualified mechanic and the manufacturer.
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Your steering wheel became difficult or impossible to turn while trying to leave a parking lot. When you checked under the hood, you discovered the power steering belt had come loose and fallen off. A mechanic found that the entire power steering unit had dropped down because a mounting bolt had broken. The repair will likely involve replacing the broken bolt and reattaching the power steering unit.
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After starting your vehicle, the airbag warning light may come on and your seat may move to the ignition-off position—though this doesn't happen every time. Turning the engine off and restarting sometimes fixes both issues, but not consistently; you may need to restart several times before the airbag light and seat position stay in their correct positions. This intermittent electrical issue affects your airbag system and power seat, and will likely require diagnostic testing and electrical repairs.
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THE TRUCK SWERVES AND MANEUVERS TO EACH OTHER SIDE ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS HAS ALMOST LET ME TO NUMEROUS CAR ACCIDENTS ON THE EXPRESSWAY ITS DRIVES AND SLIDES WHICHEVER WAY IT WANTS AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE NUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH DIFFERENT ISSUES ALL WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT REPLACED BECAUSE IT CRACKED, THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND RE CALIBRATED, REPLACED THE SHIFT SOLENOID PACK BECAUSE TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND SHIFTED HARD. FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO POWER STEERING LEAK AND THE SWAY BAR LINK REPAIRED BECAUSE IT CAME LOOSE. FUEL FILTER REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT CODE INDICATED ISSUES. TRUCK ONLY HAS 81000 MILES AND NOW GETTING READY TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT IS MAKING A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN MAKING ONLY LEFT TURNS. ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN AFTER THEY RESET IT WITH EVERY REPAIR THAT HAS BEEN DONE.
VEHICLE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHEN THE CAR WOULD HIT A BUMP. PROBLEM WOULD BE TEMPORARY RESOLVED BY JINGLING THE KEYS. AT ONE POINT DURING THIS, CAR SHUT OFF AFTER HITTING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT IN AND THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AS SEEN WITH THE RECENT CHEVY RECALLS). REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE. *TR
DRIVING HOME AFTER PICKING UP DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE STEERING JUST GAVE OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,800. *TR
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST RESULTING IN NEAR CRASH THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN ON MARCH 15 2013 AT 55 MPH AND IS CONTINUING. I AM NO LONGER FEELING SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR