Ford Explorer Steering Recall1995, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2017 · Free Repair
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.
Is Your Explorer Included?
Enter your 17-character VIN — we query NHTSA in real time and show whether 17V-530000 (and any other open campaign) applies to your exact vehicle.
What Happened — and How It's Fixed
NHTSA 17V-530000 · 2017 · STEERING
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.
If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.
Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 17V-530000 on NHTSA.gov
NHTSA 14E-001000 · 2011–2012 · STEERING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.
Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 14E-001000 on NHTSA.gov
NHTSA 07V-181000 · 2007 · STEERING
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS DECREASED STEERING EFFECTIVENESS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 07V-181000 on NHTSA.gov
NHTSA 95V-053000 · 1995 · STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE WITH THE BROKEN TIE ROD TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD AND SLIDE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.
Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 95V-053000 on NHTSA.gov
What To Do
Run your VIN
Confirm 17V-530000 applies to your exact Explorer using the checker above.
Schedule the free repair
Book online or call .
Free, by law
Recall parts and labor are free regardless of age, mileage, or where you bought it.
Keep the paperwork
We provide written proof of completion — useful at resale.
Steering Recall FAQs
Is it safe to drive my Explorer before the steering recall repair?⌄
NHTSA issued no park-outside or do-not-drive advisory for any of the 4 campaigns on this page. Schedule the free repair promptly — until it is completed, the defects described above are still present on affected Explorer vehicles.
Which vehicles are affected?⌄
Campaign 17V-530000 covers certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles. Model year alone does not settle it — run your VIN in the checker above, which is the definitive answer for your exact vehicle.
What does the repair cost?⌄
Nothing. By federal law, safety recall repairs are free — parts and labor — at any authorized Ford dealer, regardless of the vehicle’s age, mileage, or where it was bought.
I’m buying a used Explorer. Should I check this recall?⌄
Yes — run the VIN before you buy. If campaign 17V-530000 is still open on that vehicle, any authorized Ford dealer (including us) completes the repair free of charge, no matter where the vehicle was purchased.
