2011 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,196 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 30 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearSep 22, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Campaign 21V746000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, doorMar 24, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
Campaign 15V171000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Campaign 14V286000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJan 6, 2014
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.
Campaign 14E001000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsFeb 2, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 11V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the air bag warning light being illuminated and the dealer diagnosed that the front passenger’s side air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was ordered; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted regarding NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); in February 2024 and the contact was informed there were no parts available for the recall repair. In July 2024 the contact received a letter stating that parts were available, and an appointment was scheduled for October 2024. At the time of the appointment, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Oct 22, 2024
Pursuant to the attached pdf file this relates to component parts of the air bag system. When these connections fail or have an issue it disables all of the safety features in the vehicle related to the air bag system and will prevent airbag deployment or any operation in a crash. This has been an issue since we purchased the car used with around 35,000 miles on it. Multiple repair attempts have failed. At 61,000 mile I was told that they would have to replace the connections but since it was more than 60,000 miles the cost of that repair would be out of my pocket as they would no longer honor any warranty coverage. Ford customer service in Dearborn agreed with that assessment. The cost estimate at that time was given at a minimum of $3000.00 dollars. This issue remains unresolved to this day and time as I have tried to appeal that decision and while I have tried to find an independent repair shop that would do this work. To date no independent shop will do this as it effects a safety system. At a 100,000+ miles now I am transporting my grandchildren in this car without the benefit of an operating airbag system due to Ford's continued failures.
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 21, 2024
The airbag warning light keeps coming on after continued checks and fixes. The dealership zip tied connector c211 and the light went off for a bit then came back on, the seat belt has been replaced but the light came back on, and all other components have been checked but no matter what the fix the light stays on. This is an issue many people have and Ford should be responsible for fixing it.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Mar 2, 2024
Driver side window panel flew off during my drive on the interstate directly after I noticed it being loose for the first time. 3rd row seatbelts leak when it rains on both sides. Rear backup camera is opposite/flipped and goes in and out. Trunk will close on you after opening it up with the car not running. It will not sense movement when the car is off and continues to shut resulting in harm.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, May 22, 2023
The dash lights go off then it's says starting rebot. Air bag lights stay on. Check engine light on says miss firng. All Carfax report was forged. Dealer said needs new engine but was not told by seller. No one will fix it they say not worth the price for car. I over paid big time. Got lied too.
Air bags, Oct 25, 2022, crash
2011 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATED THAT DURING A COLLISION THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Air bags, Apr 7, 2022
Airbag fault
Steering, Air bags, Mar 11, 2022
Airbag light stays on after have completed all the fixes as stated in the official TSB 12-5-11 05/29/12. The steering has become extremely difficult to turn at low speeds or moving for a complete stop. It is freezing up and get harder as time goes by. The recall is expired, but the symptoms are the exact same as the recall stated.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 3, 2020
MY AIR BAG CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON 3 YEARS, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP A D THEY DISCOVERED THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER HAD SHORTED OUT. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THE SAME LIGHT IS BACK ON FOR WHAT I IMAGINE IS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AGAIN! THE LIGHT STAYS ON FROM THE TIME THE CAR IS STARTED TILL IT'S TURNED OFF.
Air bags, Oct 10, 2019
AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY. NO CORRELATION TO TEMPERATURE OR HUMIDITY. NO CORRELATION TO BEING IN MOTION OR STOPPED. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME (I.E. MONTHS). BASED ON RESEARCH I'VE DONE, IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE AIRBAG INDICATOR IS LIT, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH OF IT BEING ON STEADILY, I HAD IT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP, FRANKLIN FORD, IN FRANKLIN, MA. THEY FIXED IT THROUGH A TSB WHERE CONNECTORS WERE CLEANED AND RE-GREASED WITH DIELECTRIC GREASE. THIS FIX LASTED ABOUT 1 YEAR. AFTER THIS TIME PERIOD THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON, AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY. AGAIN, AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH OF STEADILY ON, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED USING THE SAME TSB METHOD. THIS LEADS TO A LOGICAL ASSUMPTION THAT THIS FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY AND I WILL CONTINUOUSLY NEED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I'VE READ ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF SEVERAL OTHER USERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 16, 2019
DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN,.CALL DEALER FORD AL PIEMONTE AND MAKE AND APPOINTMENT BUT THEY SAY IS NOT A RECALL ,THEY DIDN'T REPAIRED AS YET.( WHAT CAN I DO?) IN MELROSE PARK ILLINOIS. I TOOK THIS TRUCK FOR A RECALL IN 2017 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND AT THAT TIME THEY FIX IT NOT THIS TME.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 24, 2019
NUMEROUS REPAIRS TO AIRBAG SYSTEM. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND PREVIOUS REPAIRS INCLUDE, SEATBELT TENSIONER, SEVRERAL JUMPERS AROUND THE CONNECTION UNDERNEATH DRIVERS SEAT, AS WELL AS SOME KIND OF PROGRAMMING IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. IVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR AIIRBAG ISSUES. PLEASE DO A FULL INSPECTION OF THE AIRBAG SYTEM INCLUDING FAULTY WIRING HARNESS!!!
Air bags, Dec 4, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF.
Air bags, Oct 25, 2018
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT IS ON ALL THE TIME WILL NOT SHUT OFF
Air bags, Aug 24, 2018
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND STAYING ON FOR NO REASON . I FEEL THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE AIR BAGS WONT INFLATE IF LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MATTER AND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS WHO OWN THIS VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 25, 2018
THE "SYNC" TOUCHSCREEN STOPPED WORKING. ONCE THIS HAPPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SETS TO "OFF" ALL THE TIME. THE FORD DEALER REPORTS IT REQUIRES A NEW APIN, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR 5 YEARS FROM DATE OF NEW PURCHASE.
Air bags, Jun 6, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON , POSSIBLE AIR BAG FAIL
Steering, Air bags, Nov 16, 2017
MY CAR HAS ABOUT 95K MILES. CURRENTLY IT IS IN THE SHOP GETTING 2 THINGS DONE. A PART IS ORDERED FOR AIR BAG. I'VE HAD SEVERAL AIRBAG ISSUES NEEDED SERVICE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE POWER STEERING UNIT. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM DIBLASIO IN 2012 W/ ABOUT 7K MILES ON IT. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM FORD. SEPT 2016 THE ORIGINAL POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. 14 MONTHS LATER THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOW FAILED AND IS BEING REPLACED! THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK GOD!!!!! THE POWER ASSIST DID NOT FAIL OR SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT TIME THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. I NO LONGER TRUST THIS CAR. THE PS UNIT IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ONCE, YET TWICE. WITH THE SECOND TIME TAKING ONLY 14 MONTHS TO FAIL. I CALL FORD CORPORATE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THAT I NO LONGER TRUST THE CAR. LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE ARTICLES ABOUT A PS UNIT RECALL IN THE 2014S. I DON'T RECALL EVER RECEIVING A NOTICE ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND ONLY BROUGHT IT IN WHEN IT STARTED ACTING ODD IN 2016. FORD ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED THEM TO DO. AT THIS POINT I SAID I NO LONGER WANT THE CAR AND DO NOT WANT TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE WITH WHAT I KNOW AND FEAR. I THOUGHT FORD SHOULD BUY IT BACK FROM ME AT A REASONABLE PRICE AND I WILL GET A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR SHOW AND THE PERSON CAME BACK AND SAID THEY WERE SORRY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THAT ANY TIME THERE IS A PROBLEM I SHOULD BRING IT TO THE DEALER. I AM DISGUSTED WITH FORD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. I NEED HELP PLEASE. I FEAR ANYONE DRIVING THIS CAR ONCE I GET IT BACK TOMORROW.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2017
BOUGHT USED-AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME-- KIRK FORD FIXED IT AT DEALER COST FROM BARKSDALE CADILLAC WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED.. AIR BAG LIGHT STILL COMES ON AND WHEN I TALKED TO THEM THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE CAUSING IT. . HUSBAND FIGHTIN G CANCER AND I COULD NO GET THR RECALL ON DOOR HANDLE FIXED. HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AND I DONT HAVE FUNDS TO GET AIRBAG LIGHT FIXED..I DONT KNOW THE BRAND OF AIR BAG.SO I DONT KNOW IF IT IS TAKATA
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2017
2011 FORD EXPLORER THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 03/2011 AND THAT HAS AN ISSUE ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON AND OFF AT THE VERY FIRST MONTH OF THE CAR PURCHASE IT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY CHECKED AND FIXED FOR FREE WITHIN THE TIME WARRANTY. THEN I HAVE TO COME AND PAY ALMOST EVERY YEAR TO FIX THE AIRBAG LIGHT.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2017
DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATOR FOR AIRBAGS. I DON'T RECALL WHEN/CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH IT FIRST CAME ON.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 26, 2017
RESTRAINTS INDICATOR LAMP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SETUP THIS FRIDAY WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, BUT WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, I FOUND THAT A TON OF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. A MAJORITY WERE RESOLVED BY FIXING A CONNECTION UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.
Air bags, Apr 25, 2017
PURCHASED USED VEHICLE JANUARY 2017. MARCH 2017 AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY AT START, WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE, OR TRAVELING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS. APRIL 2017 AIRBAG LIGHT NOW ILLUMINATES 95% OF TIME AT START AND REMAINS ON THROUGHOUT OPERATION. FORD DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED AIRBAG CODE B1212, ADVISING HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN GEAR SHIFTER REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AS WILL NOT INDICATE TO VEHICLE SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM THAT VEHICLE IS IN PROPER GEAR AND THEREFOR PASS FAULT DETECTING SYSTEM. REPAIR/REPLACEMENT APPROXIMATELY $515.00. TSB-12-5-11 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CODE, WAS APPLIED WITH NO RESOLVE. FAULT DISABLES CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM, IS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IS OWNER'S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THERE IS AN ENORMOUS CONSUMER REPORTING TREND FOR THIS DEFECT IN MAKE/MODEL. RECOMMEND RECALL INVESTIGATION AS COMMON TREND THAT DISABLES CRITICAL VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURE IDENTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER IN TSB-12-5-11. INTERNET RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER SUBSTANTIATES MULTIPLE AND REPEATED OWNER/MANUFACTURER HISTORICAL DATA SUPPORTING CLAIM.
Air bags, Apr 23, 2017
RANDOMLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND REMAIN ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS RESET, INDICATING THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE SRS SYSTEM. HAPPENS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, DURING THE INITIAL TESTING OF COMPONENTS. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE, THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A BIT OF PEOPLE WITH EXPLORERS BETWEEN 2011-2015 WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Mar 2, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES OFF & ON WHEN DRIVING. WHEN LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG WILL NOT OPERATE IN A CRASH.