2020 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 25 steering complaints for the 2020 Ford Explorer, 2% of its 1,218 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 12,650. One crash and three injuries are linked to this area, and no related recalls are on file.
- Steering complaints
- 25
- 2% of 1,218
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 12,650 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden power steering loss or a "steering fault, service now" warning appearing while driving at highway speed.
- Some describe the steering locking up or becoming very hard to turn at parking-lot speeds in cold weather, then returning to normal above 60 mph.
- Several complaints mention the vehicle swerving or wandering across lanes at 55-75 mph along with floorboard vibration.
- One owner found the steering wheel bolt had loosened almost to the point of detaching.
- A few reports describe the steering wheel forcefully turning against driver input while accelerating through a turn, paired with a power steering fault message.
- Multiple owners say the steering failure repeated over months despite dealer repairs, and in one case led to a crash.
When 2020 Ford Explorer steering complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 2, 2020, latest May 20, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Steering complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many steering complaints does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 25 steering complaints for the 2020 Explorer, which is 2% of the 1,218 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for 2020 Ford Explorer steering problems?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this steering complaint category on the 2020 Explorer.
- At what mileage do steering problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure among these steering complaints is 12,650 miles.
- Did the 2020 Explorer steering issue cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data links this complaint category to 1 crash and 3 injuries, with no fires reported.
- How does 2020 compare to other Explorer years for steering complaints?
- The 2020 Explorer's 25 steering complaints and 2% share are much lower than earlier years like 2011 (62% share) and 2013 (37% share), based on NHTSA data.