2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn
- 140owner reports
- 57,300median miles
- $2,200median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 6, 2025 · checked Sep 29, 2026
530 of the 2,453 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 140 of those describe steering noise.
Tick what matches of 140 reports
Steering noise on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear a click, pop, clunk, grind or squeal when they turn the steering wheel. Some say it started within weeks of buying the car. Others describe a knock that comes with a stiff or sticky wheel.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (92 reports) and the column or coupler (17 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Explorer
Electric power steering failure. Closed jun 12, 2014, led to recall 14V-286.
Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed aug 19, 2009.
Steering knuckle separations. Closed oct 29, 1999.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
50 of the 140 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $2,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 41,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 118 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
What owners wrote
“Rack and pinion binds. This suddenly started around 70,000 miles. It makes a grinding noise that seems to be in the steering column. While driving it catches and takes effort to move steering wheel past the catch.”
Filed May 8, 2024 · 70,000 miles
“The rack and pinion has gone up with only 60,000 miles on the car. Steering control was lost The problem has been confirmed by the dealer No warning lights went on the steering wheel started grinding and steering control was limited.”
Filed May 16, 2023 · 60,000 miles
“I had my ford explorer 2016 for only 2 years and the rack and pinion already failed. Luckily I wasnât on the free way when it failed on me and it would be a safety hazard. I heard clanking noise whenever I steer the steering wheel. My Dealership canât replace it due to a extended warranty not valid anymore”
Filed May 1, 2023
“Steering creaks loudly while turning the wheels, accompanied by loose steering and steering lock intermittently. The problem occurs at all speeds. Without great care at low speeds, we would have had an accident already. There have been no warning lights. This problem started after shipping our vehicle overseas.”
Filed Feb 8, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 140 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 373 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 249 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 248 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 160 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 141 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 110 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 99 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 81 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 73 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 72 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 65 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 54 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 53 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 50 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 48 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 36 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 27 reports