2000 Ford Explorer Steering Problems

WHEN TURNING THE CAR STEERING WHEEL TURNS POPS AND CLICKS WITHOUT TIRES OR STEERING COLLUM TURNING LIKE IT'S BROKE OFF OF THE COLLUM AS WELL THE CAR COME OUT OF PARK AND ROLLS OFF WILE CAR IS OFF AND IN PARK WITH KEYS OUT SHIFTERS ALSO VERY LOOSE AS THE STEERING GOES IT FIRST HAPPEND GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE JUST STARTED DRIFTING IN AND OUT IF LANES WITH LITTLE CONTROL HAPPENS WHEN CARS OFF ON MOVING OR NOT NOTHING CHANGES DOES SEEM TO IMPROVE WHEN IT'S IN 4WD

NHTSA ID

11277708

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS MY CAR WON'T ACCELERATE. I TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT FIXES IT TEMPORARILY

NHTSA ID

10871951

Incident

May 31, 2016

Mileage

114,000 mi

SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE MY TURN SIGNAL ON SMOKE WILL COME OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE EMERGENCY SIGNAL BUTTON IS ON TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYTIME I USE IT BUT IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639460

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

Mileage

102,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,603.

NHTSA ID

10422995

Incident

Dec 1, 2010

Mileage

142,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FLAMES MELTED THE SIDING OF THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE COULD POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10366839

Incident

Nov 12, 2010

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WHEN WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH COULD POTENTIALLY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10362675

Incident

Oct 27, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SPEED CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL REMEDY. TWO WEEKS LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN SMOKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO BEGIN SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE TAKEN APART FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,065.

NHTSA ID

10253575

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

119,000 mi

DURING AN UP-HILL LEFT HAND TURN AT SPEED LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR THE DRIVER'S SIDE SWAY BAR LINK FAILED AND BROKE WITH A LOUD BANG. A SWAY BAR LINK KIT WAS PURCHASED FROM NAPA AND REPLACED BY THE OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225337

Incident

Apr 2, 2008

Mileage

133,700 mi

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTERS 2000 FORD EXPLORER ON TEXAS 183 IN AUSTIN TEXAS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME VERY ERRATIC AND TURNED TO THE LEFT OVER TWO LANES INTO THE CENTER CONCRETE BARRIER. SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED THE VEHICLE ANTI-SKID COMPUTER TOOK CONTROL OF THE WHEELS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10211816

Incident

Dec 12, 2007

Mileage

80,000 mi

1.SHIFT LEVER WOULD STICK ON OCCASIONS HAD TO JIGGLE SHIFTER TO PUT IT IN GEAR. 2.WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE, SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF, LOCKING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. 3. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN WAS TOLD BY DEALER MAINTENANCE THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD ONE THIS YEAR FOR THAT PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10208991

Incident

Jun 29, 2007

Mileage

88,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE AND HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ONCE HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, HE WAS DENIED SERVICE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED FROM THAT PARTICULAR DEALER. HE STATED THAT SMOKE WAS RISING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HIS LOCAL MECHANIC. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10200666

Incident

Aug 24, 2007

Mileage

89,000 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING FAILURE ON HIS 2000 FORD EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AFTER THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOSE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FORD SENT SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE , AND THEN TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER READ IN THE NEWS PAPER THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2000 EXPLORER FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIS ATTORNEY. THE VEHICLE IS BEING STORED AT THE FAMILY HOME IN CASE SOMEONE MAY NEED TO INSPECT IT. EVERY TIME THAT CONSUMER SPEAKS TO FORD, THEY KEEP TELLING HIM THAT HE WERE NOT GETTING ANY MONEY.*AK WHEN THE CNOSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, HE SWERVED AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10136778

Incident

Jul 13, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ASKED IF THERE WAS A COVERING TO PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THERE WAS NOT. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER DID PUT AN AFTER MARKET STEERING WHEEL COVER, BUT DID NOT HELP, IT WOULD ABSORB THROUGH THE COVER. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE WHEEL WAS GRIPPED. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10131675

Incident

Jan 2, 2005

ON A CLEAR, SUNNY MORNING IN PHOENIX I WAS MAKING A TURN ON THE AIRPORT EXIT RAMP LEADING TO THE 143 AT 35-45MPH. SUDDENLY I FEEL A CLUNK IN THE FRONT STEERING/SUSPENSION AND MY 4 DR, 4X4 2000 EXPLORER OVERSTEERS. I STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE EXPLORER STRAIGHT AND NOT ROLL OVER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING MECHANISM FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I REGAIN TOTAL CONTROL. I STOP IN A EMERGENCY LANE AND VISUALLY INSPECT EXPLORER FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING. I NOTICE FROM THAT POINT FORWARD THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH RESISTENCE WHEN I STEER AND THAT IT STEERS TOO EASILY. I BRING THE CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALER ON JUNE 16, 2005 AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE DEALER ADVISES ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT IT IS COMMON ON THE EXPLORER TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE THE EXPLORER WEARS THEM OUT QUICKLY. MY EXPLORER ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD IT FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET SINCE THIS INCIDENT THAT FORD EXPLORERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BALL JOINTS, THAT THEY COME WITHOUT A LUBRICATION NIPPLE AND THAT THEY TEND TO DRY OUT AND DETERIORATE!!! I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED DUE TO THESE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. I AM AN EXCELLENT DRIVER AND I KEEP MY EXPLORER IN TIP-TOP CONDITION. PLEASE ACT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES LOSE CONTROL AND ROLLS OVER. I AM GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE AS SOON AS I CAN.

NHTSA ID

10125573

Incident

Jun 14, 2005

Mileage

52,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, SPARKS AND SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AREA AFTER USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY BUTTON RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WERE THE SMOKE CAME IN. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10112867

Incident

Dec 1, 2004

Mileage

99,000 mi

IN MARCH OF 2004, I TOOK MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT FOR GENERAL SERVICE, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FRONT PINION SEAL, AND TORQUE CONVERTER SEALS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THANK THE LORD THAT I TOOK OUT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT SEPT, 2002. THE REPAIRS WHERE COMPLETED, I ALSO TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE THE WORK WAS DONE. ON 10/26/04 I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AGAIN FOR WORK TO BE DONE AND THE MECHANIC AGAIN FOUND THE FRONT PINION TO BE LEAKING, ALSO FOUND THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NEEDED AND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS CHATTERING. JUST SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION: THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY OWNED BY MY SISTER, WHEN I PURCHASED THE VECHICLE, SHE WAS TURNING IN HER 2 YEAR LEASE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE OVER IT ONLY HAD 11,681 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST REPAIRS WERE AT 37126 MILES, SECOND TIME MILES WERE 45721 MILES. I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL AREA'S ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAVE RUST. I CAN REMEBER A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THE 3 MAJOR CAR COMPANIES TALKED ABOUT RUST NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. ONE OF THE PLACES WITH RUST IS ON THE RADIATOR SUPPORT. I JUST WONDER HOW FORD OR ANY OF OUR OTHER US CAR COMPANIES CAN EXPECT US TO KEEP BUYING INFERIOR PRODUCTS AND PAY ALOT MORE MONEY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10110421

Incident

Apr 7, 2004

Mileage

37,126 mi

MY 2000 V8 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERABILTY, WHICH LED TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND INABILITY TO TURN A CORNER - AND VEHICLE RAN ACROSS TRAFFIC INTO FIELD ON OTHER SIDE OF ROADWAY. THE POWER STEERING HOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME UNFASTENED DUE TO EVERYDAY VIBRATION, AND MOVED INTO A POSITION WHERE IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST ONE OF THE BELT PULLEYS (THE ONE NEAREST THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR). THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO RUPTURE, WITH IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I FEEL FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY WIFE STILL ALIVE AFTER THIS EPISODE OF POOR DESIGN. IF NOT FOR A SMALL BREAK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SHE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A RIGHT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. SINCE THIS OCCURRED TODAY, I HAVE NOT YET HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

10097990

Incident

Oct 29, 2004

Mileage

81,451 mi

DEALER SERVICE STATES LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. EXPERIENCE CLUNKING OVER BUMPS. DEALER SERVICE ALREADY REPLACED STEERING RACK DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY, SOMEHOW ARE PROBABLY RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT PLAY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10046009

Incident

Nov 11, 2003

Mileage

45,800 mi

DISAPPOINTMENT OVER A RECENTLY PURCHASED 2000 FORD EXPLORER. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *CB

NHTSA ID

10044185

Incident

Sep 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WHEEL VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE SEVERITY OF THE OF THE VIBRATION ALMOST MADE THE TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. *AK THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD SERVICE DEALER AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS AIR IN THE RACK & PINION STEERING WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. THE AIR APPARENTLY ENTERED THROUGH THE HOUSING SEALS WHEN THE TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED AFTER THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER FAILED AND THE TRUCK HAD TO BE MANUALLY STEERED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ONLY WAY FOR THE AIR TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSING, WAS TO RUN THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL THE AIR CIRCULATED WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND ESCAPED AT THE RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10034278

Incident

Aug 20, 2003

MY WIFE & I EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WHEEL VIBRATION (OSCILLATION) IN THE FRONT END OF OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE SEVERITY OF THE VIBRATION ALMOST MADE THE TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN QUOTED ITS A DESIGN FLAW; YOU HAVE AIR IN THE RACK & PINION STEERING. THE AIR APPARENTLY ENTERS THROUGH THE HOUSING SEALS WHEN THE TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED AFTER A FAN BELT TENSIONER RUPTURED AND THE TRUCK HAD TO BE MANUALLY STEERED. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE AIR FROM THE HOUSING WAS TO RUN THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL THE AIR CIRCULATES WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND ESCAPES AT THE RESERVOIR. THIS DESIGN FLAW KNOWN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. NOT ONLY DO MY WIFE AND I FEAR FOR OUR LIVES NOW WHEN WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, BUT MY KIDS ARE TERRIFIED TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS PRE-CERTIFIED FORD EXPLORER IN FEBRUARY OF 2003 AT PARKWAY EAST FORD IN PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA. I TRULY BELIEVE WITH MY YEARS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BACKGROUND THAT THIS KNOWN DESIGN FLAW MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE RECENT ROLL-OVER FATALITIES OF THE FORD EXPLORER IN CERTAIN CASES. THE EXCESSIVE NORMAL LOAD STRESS AND SHEAR STRESS FORCES ENDURED FROM THE WHEEL OSCILLATION WOULD DEFINITELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. THE P255-75R16 TIRE HAS A MAXIMUM LOAD OF 2271 LBS. THANK YOU, CONCERNED CONSUMERS DAVID & JULIA WEBER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10033183

Incident

Aug 18, 2003

Mileage

38,875 mi

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TOP HINGE OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID

10031477

Incident

May 5, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10027264

Incident

Jul 10, 2003

Mileage

22,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10017222

Incident

May 21, 2001

Mileage

15,000 mi

STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING 25MPH VEHICLE LOSS STEERING CONTROL AND HIT A TREE . DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ID

8022419

Incident

Sep 28, 2002