2017 Ford Explorer steering problems
76 of the 1,703 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the steering
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 76 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 17 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 5
Half of the 43 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 30,000 and 65,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,703 complaints in all about the 2017 Ford Explorer, 5 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Steering” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer steering problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
At around 35,800 miles, I noticed a slight jerk of the steering wheel when going around curves. I was going 70mph on the highway for a quick afternoon trip out of town. On the way home (36,000 miles) it was doing this even when driving straight.
Rear suspension toe link recall: driving approximately 50 miles/hr with my husband behind the wheel and myself and our 3 children in this family vehicle, this rear suspension broke. We live in rural saline county and drive gravel daily. The incident happened while entering a bridge on a highway.
Driving one day in the neighborhood and power steering locked up briefly intermittently, with the error message. Turned car off and on again and was fine, later on in the day power steering locked up for good and the error message is always there
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While driving, the steering seized and the "steering assist fault, service required" indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall; however, the contact was offered a discount of $1,082 towards the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired.
While driving 60 MPH my steering wheel seized completely, a bell started ringing, and an indicator light on my dashboard started flashing that steering failed. Please park safely. There was no warning and my car had been working perfectly before this happened. This caused serious threat of collision and grave bodily damage/death
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 17V530000 HighAug 28, 2017 · 253 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 663 complaints
- engine problems 315 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 126 complaints
- electrical problems 94 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 76 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (4% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the steering on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 17V530000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 43,833 miles; half of them between 30,000 and 65,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.