How to Fix a Power Steering Assist Fault in a Ford Explorer

Did a Power Steering Assist Fault message appear on the dashboard of your Ford Explorer? Like most other messages that might pop up on your dashboard, this isn’t something you’ll want to ignore. Your Ford Explorer has a power steering system in it that’s designed to help you steer it in the direction you want to go. If this message shows up on your dashboard, it means something is going wrong with this system, meaning you could lose the ability to steer your SUV with ease sometime soon. This could put your safety at risk.

So, what should you do if you see the Power Steering Assist Fault message appear? There are several steps you can take to try to remedy this situation. Learn more about them below so this message can disappear once and for all.

Add Power Steering Fluid

When did you last replace the power steering fluid in your Ford Explorer? Generally speaking, you’ll want to do this every 50,000 miles or so. If you don’t replace it, you may start to see power assisted steering problems and your power steering fluid may fail to work as effectively as it should. This can lead to the Power Steering Assist Fault message appearing.

You’ll also want to look out for dramatically dropping power steering fluid. This may happen if you leak into your power steering system. You’ll need a mechanic to look at your Ford Explorer if you suspect you might have a power steering fluid leak. They’ll be able to fix the problem so that the Power Steering Assist Fault service required message in your Explorer goes off and, more importantly so that your power steering system starts working like it’s supposed to again.

Replace a Bad Steering Angle Sensor

You’ll find a steering angle sensor behind your Ford Explorer’s steering wheel. It’s in charge of keeping tabs on when you’re turning your steering wheel and how much you’re turning it. There’s a chance this sensor might go bad at some point and cause major issues with your power steering system. This will result in the Power Steering Assist Fault message appearing in your Ford Explorer.

Outside of causing steering troubles, a bad steering angle sensor can also lead to traction issues in your Ford Explorer. For this reason, you’ll want to replace a bad steering angle sensor in your Explorer immediately.

Schedule a Wheel Alignment

When you see the Power Steering Assist Fault message in your Ford Explorer, you might not immediately worry about your wheels and whether they’re properly aligned. But if your vehicle is constantly pulling to the right or left when your steering wheel is straight, it likely means you have an alignment problem on your hands. This can cause the Power Steering Assist Fault message to appear because your vehicle thinks there’s something wrong with your power steering system when, in reality, it’s your wheels that are the problem.

Get Rid Of a Blown Fuse

There are fuses in your Ford Explorer’s fuse box responsible for your power steering pump and other components in your power steering system. If one of these fuses ever goes bad, it could lead to the Power Steering Assist Fault message lighting up on your Explorer’s dashboard. Replacing a blown fuse is one of the cheapest fixes for this problem. You’ll be lucky if it’s the only thing you need to do to get your Power Steering Assist Fault message off.

Fix an Electrical System Fault

Your Ford Explorer has a complex electrical system to power all the electrical components. You might find that your Explorer’s electrical system shows wear and tear as your SUV ages. If everything else with your power steering system appears to be working properly, you might want to have a professional inspect the electrical system. It won’t always be easy to diagnose a problem related to your power steering system in your electrical system, but it could uncover what’s wrong with it.

It’s worth noting that a bad battery could also be to blame for electrical problems in your Ford Explorer. Replacing it could work wonders for your SUV’s power steering system and other systems.

Swap Out a Bad Belt

Many power assisted steering systems include belts connecting them to Ford Explorers’ engines. If you hear strange sounds when you turn your vehicle, it could indicate that this belt is going bad. It could also lead to the Power Steering Assist Fault message in your Explorer turning on. In this case, you’ll need to repair your power steering system by replacing a bad belt with a brand-new one.

Install a New Power Steering Pump

The power steering pumps in power steering systems are durable and shouldn’t present too many problems over time. But suppose a power steering pump ever goes bad. In that case, it’ll make it impossible for your power steering fluid to circulate, resulting in the Power Steering Assist Fault message appearing on your dashboard. Replacing a power steering pump isn’t a job you’ll be able to do yourself. You should drive your Explorer to a trusted Ford service center for assistance.

Do You Need Help With a Power Steering Assist Fault?

If your Ford Explorer’s Power Steering Assist Fault message has come on, but you’ve had no luck troubleshooting the problem, Brewster Ford in Brewster, New York, would love to provide you with the help you need. Bring your vehicle down to our service center. We’ll give your Ford Explorer a thorough check-up and find out the cause of the power assisted steering problems so that we can make the proper repairs and get the Power Steering Assist Fault message to turn off. Be sure to keep an eye on your Ford Explorer service schedule and contact us or call us at (845)205-7019 today to make a service appointment for your Ford Explorer.

Photo Credit: Ford Fusion steering wheel by Yahya S. is licensed with CC BY 2.0

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