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: electrical system
95 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2013
TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED THE WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE POWER STEERING QUIT. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR IT APPEARED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, THE SAME WARNING CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE POWER STEERING QUIT. I WAS TRAVELING AT 35MPH. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT APPEARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AGAIN. WHEN I PREVIOUSLY TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND RESET THE SYSTEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE KEY NOT DETECTED WARNING MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE SHE RECEIVED DIRECTIONS FROM THE DEALER OVER THE PHONE IN HOW TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSTALLED WITH A NO MECHANICAL KEY START SYSTEM. THE IA KEY FAILED, WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE NO KEY DETECTED ALERT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE KEY WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE ERROR MESSAGE REMAINED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED.
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Aug 6, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A WARNING BING SOUND AND SAW THE POWER STEERING FAULT AND ALL TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILURE WARNINGS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. LOST TOTAL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY LIGHTS, STOP ON SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON (HOPING THAT IT WOULD RESET AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE) AND DOING THIS CLEARED THE WARNINGS AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND BEFORE STARTING TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ONCE AGAIN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN RESET THE WARNING AND REGAINED STEERING ABILITY AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 17, 2013
VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM MONTH 3 OF PURCHASE. COOLING FANS BLEW, SUNROOF RATTLES, BUT THE WORST WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A POP. THE STEERING WHEEL BOLT HAD BROKE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS TO FIX IT. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CORPORATE AND NEVER RECEIVED CALL OR EMAIL BACK FROM THEM. THEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER SEEMED STRAIGHT. IT ALWAYS TURNED TO THE LEFT. IT WENT BACK IN THE SHOP ON 06/12/2013 TO BE FIXED. THEY STATED IT NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT FACT IS IT WAS NEVER FIXED CORRECTLY AS THEY NEVER SAW THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THEN ON 06/15/2013 DRIVNG VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO GET IT PULLED OVER AFTER BEING IN A TOTAL PANIC AS I WAS 1/2 MILE FROM A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT A FASTER SPEED. MY DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME AND SHE WAS COMPLETELY IN PANIC AS SHE DRIVES THE VEHICLE AND SAYS WHAT IF IT HAPPENED WHEN SHE IS DRIVING IT. SHE WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE AS SHE IS SCARED TO DEATH. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP AT THE PRESENT TIME. WE WILL SEE WHAT THE "REASONING" IS THIS TIME. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 28, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE GAVE ME A WARNING, BUT ONLY AFTER THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO TRY AND GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. TURNING THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON APPEARS TO RESET THE ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A ROAD. BECAUSE THE CHANGE WAS SO UNEXPECTED THE CAR COULDN'T BE TURNED IN TIME TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR, THEN TURN IT BACK ON WHILE BLOCKING TWO LANES OF FRONTAGE ROAD BECAUSE IT BECAME NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. TWO INCIDENTS. THE FIRST OCCURRED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A FRONTAGE ROAD (05/03/13). THE SECOND WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD GOING ABOUT ~25MPH (05/27/13). I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE GOING 50, 60, 65 ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I CAN'T REASONABLY EXPECT MY FAMILY TO TRAVEL IN A CAR THIS UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE BEST REMEDY MIGHT BE, BUT OTHERS NEED TO BE WARNED BEFORE PURCHASING THIS CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Dec 3, 2012
2011 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SYNC MALFUNCTION IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED, THE SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE RADIO AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. THE SYNC HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY THE DEALERSHIP 13 TIMES.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2012
(MY WIFE AS ON HER WAY TO OUR DAUGHTER'S ONE MONTH DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. SHE HAD JUST BEGAN MOVING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER (FOUND TO BE STABILI-TRAC ERRORS AND FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING). SHE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT HARM. AFTER READING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, SHE FOUND THAT WITH THIS ISSUE, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON MAY "CLEAR" THE ISSUE. IT DID TAKE CARE OF THE STEERING ISSUE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DOCTORS. FORD LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND HAS ORDERED ANOTHER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE SAME FAULT HAS HAPPENED AN ADDITIONAL FOUR TIMES SINCE THE FIRST DAY. THAT IS A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS ONLY BEEN ABLE TO TELL US THAT THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER BECAUSE FORD ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON A REVISED PART TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE SHE HAD BOTH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THANKFULLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STAY IN AN EXTENDED SHOULDER AFTER THE MERGE LANE ENDED. TURNING THE VEHICLE HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE EVERY TIME SO FAR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 5, 2012
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE ADVANCTRAK AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE "SERVICE ADVANCTRAK" WARNING APPEARED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK, AND THE "POWER STEERING FAULT" WARNING APPEARED. THE TURN SIGNALS ALSO STOPPED WORKING DURING THESE EPISODES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, ALL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING YESTERDAY. IN ALL CASES, I HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE - UPON RESTARTING, THE WARNINGS DISAPPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW, WITH NO ISSUES FOUND. I HAVE A 3RD APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TODAY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY PARENTS AND MY TODDLER DAUGHTER BACK FROM VISTING A SIBLING (APPROX. 5 HOUR DRIVE) WHEN WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO TAKE A BREAK ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN, I RECEIVED WARNINGS RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURE. THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THERE APPEARED TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BLINKERS AS WELL. ON TUESDAY, FOLLOWING LABOR DAY) I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT FOR REPAIR. MORE THAN A WEEK LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER WITH FORD UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST AND THAT THERE WAS A WAITING LIST TO GET THE PART AND THERE WERE ALMOST 1000 PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST AHEAD OF ME. I'M GREATFUL THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER, EVEN UNDER THE WARRANTY THEY ONLY HAVE TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR 10 DAYS. I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND KEEP ME IN A CAR UNTIL SOMETIME IN HOPEFULLY OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER WHEN THEY CAN REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND IS BOTH A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS POSSIBLY A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 5, 2012
THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AROUND 10 MPH PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION. THE SCREEN SAID IT WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT WENT AWAY, HOWEVER IT HAPPENED ONCE MORE LATER AROUND 5 MPH. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 27, 2012
THE MANAGEMENT TERRAIN AND POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED 3 TIMES AND AT A DEAD STOP 3 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESET BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTING. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2012
FORD "MYFORDTOUCH" SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT HAS FROZEN, LOCKED UP, AND CONTINUOUSLY REBOOTED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, YOU LOSE ALL FUNCTIONALITY AND ABILITY TO CHANGE RADIO STATIONS, ADJUST CLIMATE CONTROL, USE NAVIGATION, HANDS FREE FUNCTIONS, ETC. WHILE THERE IS SOME MANUAL CONTROLS FOR BASIC OPERATIONS, IT DOES NOT ALLOW FULL CONTROL OF TALL SYSTEMS. FOR INSTANCE, WHEN THE MFT SYSTEM FAILS, YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO TURN ON OR ADJUST THE REAR CLIMATE CONTROLS FOR REAR PASSENGERS. DEALER HAS TRIED UPGRADING SOFTWARE, RESETTING SOFTWARE, REINSTALLING SOFTWARE, AND REPLACING HARDWARE. WHILE THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS BAD AS IT HAS BEEN, IT CONTINUES WITH NO RESOLVE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2012
THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 4 OCCASIONS IN MY BRAND NEW XLT. THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME (THREE TOTAL) THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RETURNED IT TO ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING, WARNING CHIMES AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC", "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHTS GLOWING WHILE IN MOTION. ALMOST CRASHED THE VEHICLE EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY GAS PEDAL POSITION NEVER CHANGED. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE 4TH TIME, I ALMOST WAS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER AND REALIZED FORD MOTOR CORPORATION IS NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR ADDRESSING THIS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE ALL LATE MODEL EXPLORER OWNERS ARE FACED WITH. FORD CLAIMED THEY KNOW NOTHING BUT SAME ISSUE ALL OVER INTERNET. THEY CLAIMED THE FIX WAS THEY REPLACED AN ANGLE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ANOTHER TIME IT WAS THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REFRESHED AND ANOTHER SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD IN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, NOTHING TO FIX. AS I AM NOT AN EXPERT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY BECAUSE THE SYNC AND NAVIGATION NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. WAS THERE A CRASH? WAS THERE AN INJURY OR FATALITY? I BELIEVE IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, IT WILL. THE HEAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGER TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS "CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU", OR "CALL AN ATTORNEY". I WILL BE DOING BOTH. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO HELP ME IN THIS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE DEALER LEVEL THROUGH THE TOLL FREE CORPORATE HOTLINE WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING. SEARCH ONLINE FOR OTHERS UNREPORTED HERE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2011 FORD EXPLORER WHILE TRAVELING IN NEIGHBORHOOD. STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH REMOTE START TO COOL VEHICLE IN HOT, HUMID HOUSTON, TEXAS ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES BEFORE ENTERING IT. WE DROVE 1.2 MILES TO AN ACQUAINTANCE'S RESIDENCE TO CO-SIGN A CHECK FOR NON-PROFIT PAYMENT. LEFT VEHICLE RUNNING FOR +/- 3 MINUTES IN HIS DRIVEWAY. BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AND DROVE 1/2 MILE WHEN LOST POWER STEERING AND NOTICED TWO MESSAGES ON THE DASH. ONE SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND OTHER "SERVICE AUTO TRACKING". STOPPED ON THE STREET, SHUT OFF ENGINE, AND RESTARTED THE CAR. NO MESSAGE. DROVE 1/4 AND THE EVENT RECURRED AS DESCRIBED. RETURNED HOME AND PARKED CAR AT OUR PERSONAL RESIDENCE. CALLED RUSSELL & SMITH FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 5:03PM AND LEFT MESSAGE. SUSPECT IT IS AFTER HOURS AND WILL NOT HEAR FROM THEM UNTIL MORNING OF JULY 26, 2012. THE MESSAGE IS NOT IN OWNER'S MANUAL. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND NOTICED NHTSA INVESTIGATION AND CHOSE TO CONTRIBUTE AND PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 11, 2012
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" AS WELL AS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". THIS WAS THE SCARIEST FEELING I HAVE EVER HAD. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES.. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR. I WAS TOLD TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. I ADVISED MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 30, 2012 (40197 MILES) AND I MENTION THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR REPAIR. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THIS CAR, WE TRAVEL ALOT AND I AM REFUSING TO DRIVE IT. I WAS AFRAID OF PURCHASING AN AMERICAN CAR BUT LOVED THE NEW FORD EXPLORER LOOK AND BODY. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AND I WILL TRADE THIS CAR ASAP........ *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 7, 2012
WHILE IN OPERATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL " LIGHT ARE DISPLAYED. SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TEMPORARILY CLEARED THE FAILURE. FAILED MORE THAN ONCE. *JS
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REGAINED STEERING AND BRAKE POWER AFTER RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2012
THE FORD SYNC SYSTEM DECIDED TO DO AN UPGRADE AND DISABLED ALL RELATED FEATURES FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THIS INCLUDED AUDIO, CELL PHONE LINK, RADIO, HEATER AND THE REAR VIEW CAMERA! IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN AND APPEARS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WHICH IS WHEN THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS VERY LIKELY TO BE NEEDED. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2011
MORE LIKE ADAPTIVE 'CURSE' CONTROL. MY 2011 EXPLORER LIMITED 4X4 WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE ALWAYS CATCHES THE REAR OF SEMI TRUCKS IN OTHER LANES, CAUSING IT TO APPLY FULL BRAKES AND PEOPLE BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASH INTO ME. MY 2011 LIMITED IS TOTALLY FACTORY ORIGINAL, NO TOW BARS. HERE IN CALIFORNIA THE SEMI TRUCK SPEED IS 55 WHILE AUTOS CAN GO 65-70MPH (AND IN MOST CASES EVERYONE GOES 80+). SO WHEN I'M GOING ALONG AT 65-70 WITH NO VEHICLES HEAD OF ME IN MY LANE AND THE THING GOES 100% BRAKES I ALMOST CRASH. I ALSO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY DISABLED BECAUSE OF AN ERROR IN THE SYNC MODULES. THE SYNC COMPUTER MODULES CONTROL THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE, STABILITY CONTROL, BACK UP DETECTION SYSTEM, AUTO WIPERS, AUTO PARKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC, ETC. I FEAR THAT THE SRS IS ALSO TIED INTO THESE SAME SYNC COMPUTER MODULES. FORD CLAIMS THE SYNC SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY RESETS/REBOOTS ITSELF EVERY 24 HOURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OFF TO AVOID SYSTEM OUTAGES. WHAT HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME IS THE SYSTEM WILL RUN (EVEN THOUGH THE SCREEN IS OFF) FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL, WHILE DRIVING, THE SYNC COMPUTER CRASHES JUST LIKE HOME COMPUTERS & CELL PHONES DO IF LEFT ON CONTINUOUSLY. WHILE THIS CRASH IS TAKING PLACE THE TOUCH SCREEN FREEZES, MUSIC PLAYING WILL STOP, OR CHANGE VOLUME, OR CHANGE TRACK, OR CHANGE SOURCE; WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING, CRUISE CONTROL WILL SHUT OFF, BACKUP CAMERA SYSTEM GOES DOWN OR SCREEN FREEZES WHILE BACKING UP, 4X4 IS DISABLED, CENTER DISPLAYS WILL GO BLANK. MY 2011 EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN THE FORD SERVICE DEPT FOR SYNC MODULE REPLACEMENT AND REPROGRAMMING 4 TIMES NOW SINCE JAN 2011. STILL NO FIX. *KB