MountainGal81

Hey there- thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond. I am in fact over the 36,000 miles. My odometer currently reads 37559. So major bummer on that. I did buy an extended warranty (5year/60,000 miles) but it only covers Powertrain. So, lesson learned. I will reach out to the dealership regarding repair support. Didn’t know that was an option. So thank you for that very helpful piece of advice! Thanks again! :)

Im new to the forum but an old Explorer fan. I've owned a 1990, 1994, 2005, 2009, and now have a 2017. The 2017 was my first lease - the rest I bought outright and loved for the duration of ownership. I love the 2017 also. Never been happier with a vehicle actually. Except, one little thing. Last Thursday I was driving 60 down the highway (with my children in tow!) when (without any notice) my steering wheel froze, a bell started dinging, and my dashboard started flashing: "STEERING FAILED. PARK SAFELY." I don't just mean the power steering went out and you could still drive even though it was more difficult. I mean the steering wheel FROZE COMPLETELY and could not be moved from its locked position. Through my lease I had coverage for towing and a rental car. The dealership sent out a tow truck and they hauled me and my sad car in. They sent me home in a loaner car, no questions asked. Saturday they called to tell me it was a failed EPAS and would cost me $2850 to fix. I am pretty frustrated. I have googled Ford Explorer EPAS failure and see where it was known issue in 2011-2013 Explorers. Ford claims to have fixed it. But clearly in my case there is still some sort of issue. I love my Explorer. But this annoyed me. I don't think this is not a wear and tear issue. The car has been babied, it was been serviced at every step, it is very well cared for and should NOT have had an issue like this. (Of course, I acknowledge I may just be annoyed and indignant at the moment - haha - and there is a chance Im just being a cry baby.) Has anyone else heard of this or experienced it? Does it seem "normal" for this to happen?