Steering Rack and Pinion for the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer

What 2020–2025 Explorer owners report about the steering

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, the US federal vehicle-safety regulator, that mention the steering rack or the power steering on the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer, and 63 filed under its steering. Those 16, by model year, as of September 18, 2026:

• 2020 Explorer: 8 complaints
• 2021 Explorer: 4 complaints
• 2022 Explorer: 2 complaints
• 2023 Explorer: none
• 2024 Explorer: none
• 2025 Explorer: 2 complaints

NHTSA publishes complaints as owners wrote them and does not verify them, so read them as a pattern rather than a diagnosis.

A 2020 Explorer owner, NHTSA complaint 11670672: "Experiencing issues with power steering after battery replacement. Taken to two Ford dealerships (Fayetteville, GA & Morrow, GA) . One unable to diagnose (Fayetteville) and the other reset battery settings (Morrow). Issue still persistent with intermittent power steering failure while driving. Very dangerous and scary!"

A 2022 Explorer owner, NHTSA complaint 11656111: "Driver assist warning light comes on and I lose power steering on my ford. I took the vehicle in last month for repair. Dealer said it was a software issue. Rest the software. This did not fix issue. I was driving on highway at 65 miles when steering assist message popped up and I lost my power steering."

Recalls that cover the steering rack on the 2020–2025 Explorer

As of September 18, 2026, NHTSA lists no recall on the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer whose defect is in the steering rack. If your car has a warning light or a symptom that a recall could explain, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls anyway — it takes a minute.

Which steering rack a 2020–2025 Explorer takes

Racks differ by steering ratio, by whether the assist motor is on the rack, and on sport trims by the rack itself. The 2020–2025 Ford Explorer came with several powertrains, among them 2.3L I4 Automatic 4WD and 3.0L V6 Automatic 4WD. That is why we ask for the VIN, or the year, engine and trim, and confirm the part against it before you pay rather than after it arrives.

What we source it from

5 steering racks from Atlantic, BBB Industries, Cardone, Detroit Axle and Maval, new and remanufactured, $309.99 to $509.99, with flat $30 shipping anywhere in the US. If a part we confirmed as a fit does not fit your vehicle, we cover the return and the replacement.