PROBLEMS
2015 Ford Explorer Power Steering Problems
Understand steering-assist warnings, suddenly heavy steering, electrical checks and safe next steps.
Confirm the vehicle's engine, trim, drivetrain, market and equipment. The exact procedure may differ, even within the same model year.
What the driver may notice
Electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) can feel substantially heavier when assistance is reduced or lost. Owners may report a steering-assist fault message, a sudden change in effort while parking, intermittent assistance or warning lights. A vehicle that can still be steered may nevertheless be difficult to control, especially at low speeds.
What to do if steering becomes heavy
Keep a firm grip, slow down, signal and pull over somewhere safe. Avoid continuing to drive through traffic with unpredictable steering effort. Arrange recovery or professional inspection if assistance is missing or steering binds. Do not repeatedly restart the vehicle in traffic hoping the message will clear.
Start with the exact warning
Photograph the cluster warning and note whether it appeared at startup, while turning, after driving through water or together with a low-voltage message. A scan tool capable of reading power-steering and body modules can provide more useful information than an engine-only OBD-II reader. Record all codes before clearing anything.
Electrical supply and connection checks
Battery condition, charging voltage, grounds, connectors and relevant power distribution components can contribute to module complaints. A weak battery is not proof that an EPAS unit is healthy or faulty; it is simply a sensible preliminary check. Have the system diagnosed rather than replacing the steering rack based on a dashboard message alone.
Separate steering faults from suspension noises
Clunks over bumps, tire pull, a humming wheel bearing and stiff steering are different symptoms. Low tire pressure, poor alignment or binding steering components can alter feel even without an electronic fault. A technician should examine the mechanical and electronic systems together.
Are recalls involved?
Do not assume an Explorer is covered by a steering recall merely because another Ford model had one. Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) to check official Ford and NHTSA recall records, including completed campaigns, and ask the dealer to check any relevant service instructions.
Questions to ask the repair shop
Ask for the exact module fault codes, battery and ground test findings, whether the fault could be reproduced, any applicable Ford diagnostic procedures, and whether calibration or programming is required after a repair. Request an estimate that distinguishes diagnosis from replacement.
Preventing avoidable repeat visits
Write down the mileage, temperature and driving conditions when the symptom occurred. If warning messages recur after service, return with the same notes and ask whether the original codes have returned. A steering safety concern deserves a proper roadworthiness decision, not an assumption that an intermittent fault has gone away.
What to do if steering assist disappears
An electronic steering-assist warning can make steering effort increase sharply, particularly when parking or making low-speed turns. If steering becomes difficult, move to a safe location and arrange inspection rather than assuming restarting the engine has repaired the problem.
A battery fault can complicate diagnosis
Low system voltage, charging problems, poor connections and network faults may create multiple warnings at once. Ask for a full scan of relevant modules, not only generic engine codes, and document battery voltage and any associated ABS or stability-control messages before authorizing steering component replacement.
Exact dashboard messages to record
The 2015 manual includes messages such as “Service Power Steering”, “Service Power Steering Now” and “Power Steering Assist Fault”. Write down the exact wording, whether assist returns after restarting, battery-related symptoms and the driving conditions. A message describing disabled assist is different from an ordinary alignment or tire-pull concern.
A practical first diagnostic sequence
Safely stop if steering effort suddenly rises. Confirm tire pressure and inspect for obvious physical damage without treating that as a replacement for fault-code diagnostics. A workshop should scan the steering module, check supply voltage and relevant wiring/grounds, and determine whether a control, sensor or mechanical issue is present. Do not repeatedly test-drive a vehicle with intermittent loss of steering assist.
Use the correct model-year manual and current service information. Stop if instructions or safety precautions are unclear, and use a qualified technician for work you cannot verify.
References and further reading
This independent guide is not endorsed by the vehicle manufacturer. Let us know if you spot an error.