# Ford Explorer power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 498 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (231) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 498 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Ford Explorer (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (231). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Ford Explorer power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 206 | 1814 | 11% | | 2016 | 231 | 2464 | 9% | | 2017 | 29 | 1713 | 2% | | 2018 | 12 | 733 | 2% | | 2019 | 1 | 302 | 0% | | 2020 | 12 | 1248 | 1% | | 2021 | 5 | 452 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 271 | 0% | | 2025 | 1 | 107 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Ford Explorer recalls related to the power steering warning light **[17V530000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V530000)** (2017 models, reported 2017-08-28): If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Ford Explorer owners report - "Driver assist warning light comes on and I lose power steering on my ford. I took the vehicle in last month for repair. Dealer said it was a software issue. Rest the software. This did not fix issue. I was driving on highway at 65 miles when steering assist message popped up and I lost my power steering. This a..." -- owner of a 2022 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2025 - "Vehicle available for inspection at South Bay Ford (BAR #XXX; captive 93 days).RISK: On XXX short circuits caused complete power steering assist dropout mid-transit. Steering locked during a turn, causing a crash into gate posts, endangering my minor children inside. Cabin chemical vapor inhalation caused..." -- owner of a 2021 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2026 - "My 2020 ford explorer st power steering went out while the vehicle was driving in traffic on a freeway doing 70 mph going down a 6% grade at 6,000 ft. (cajon pass) while my wife was driving nearly causing a major accident." -- owner of a 2020 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2020 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ford Explorer power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (17V530000) covering 2017 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Ford Explorer years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Explorer model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 231 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ford Explorer with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Ford Explorer has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ford Explorer warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ford-explorer): 33 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-explorer): 15 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ford-explorer): 62 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-explorer): 314 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-explorer): 222 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/ford-explorer): 11 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/ford-explorer): 23 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/gmc-sierra): 212 complaints ## Ford Explorer - [Ford Explorer specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ford-explorer) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.