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: fuel/propulsion system
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2016
GAS LEAK DRIVER SIDE FUEL TANK AT SEAM
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ACCELERATING OVER 65 MPH, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING AND POWER TERRAIN MESSAGES DISPLAYED BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2015
UNDER HARD ACCELERATION I GET A STING ODOR IN THE CABIN. IT IS LIKE AN EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. IT ALWAYS DOES IT ABOVE 3500 RPM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 30, 2015
I AM NOT CERTAIN WHERE TO FULLY POST THIS OR WHAT CAN HAPPEN FOR THIS CAR. I GAVE THIS CAR BACK TO WESTLIE FORD IN CAMAS, WA. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY A DOCTOR THAT 3 PEOPLE GOT SULFUR POISONING FROM THIS CAR. I SAW THIS CAR INSTANTLY BACK ON FORDS LOT EVEN THOUGH I HAD ADVISED THEM IT GAVE ME SULFUR POISON. WHEN MY FRIEND EMAILED INQUIRING ABOUT THE CAR THEY ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED BUT WAS A KEEPER. THEY CAR WAS A LEMON FROM THE START AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS OF THAT TIME PERIOD FOR DIFFERENT REPAIRS. WE ALSO INQUIRED ABOUT THAT WITH EVERYTHING ON THE CAR FAX REPORT. THEY CAME BACK THAT IT WAS JUST BASIC MAINTENANCE. 7 ISSUES IN 7 MONTHS WAS NOT BASIC FIXES. THE OTHER MAJOR THING BESIDE SULFUR POISON WAS THE CAR WAS LEAKING AND HAD MILDEW ISSUES BEFORE I FOUND THE LEAK. I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT THE NEXT FAMILY THAT GETS IN THIS CAR. IF IT HASN'T BEEN PROPERLY FIXED THE NEXT PERSON CAN HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MY FAMILY. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2014
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK THE GAS NOZZLE WOULD SHUT OFF. EVEN WHEN I WAS VERY SLOWLY PUMPING IN GAS , THE PUMP WOULD SHUT OFF VERY MUCH LIKE A TANK INDICATING IT WAS FULL WHICH I KNOW WAS NOT THE CASE. THEN GAS WOULD DRIP/STREAM (NUMEROUS DRIPS AND STREAMS)) UNDER THE VEHICLE CREATING A BASKETBALL SIZE GAS SPOT. UPON SERVICE AT THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE TANK VENT TUBE WAS BLOCKED BY COBWEBS. DRIVING FOR OVER 50 YEARS , I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2014
I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE THROTTLE BODY HAS RECENTLY GONE BAD AND IS STAYING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR IT TO GET STUCK WHEN GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OR EVEN A SLOWER RATE FOR THAT MATTER. THE THROTTLE BODIES WERE A BIG ISSUE FOR THE FORD ESCAPES IN THE PAST SO FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THEM, UNFORTUNATELY IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THE EXPLORER ALTHOUGH IT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ONLY A HALF OF A TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 7, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, WARNING COMES ON THE CONSOLE "AWD IS OFF" AND THE ENGINE IS DOWN TO IDLE SPEED (~800 RPM). PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR RESULTS IN NO SPEED INCREASE, FORCING ME TO MOVE ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH ONLY THE BRAKES WORKING (NO CONTROL OVER MY SPEED, OTHERWISE). PULLED OVER, STOPPED THE ENGINE, LOOKED AROUND AND COULD SEE NO EXTERNALLY VISIBLE PROBLEMS (FLUID LEAKS, ETC.). START THE CAR AND THERE ARE NO WARNINGS, SO I CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THIS TIME STAY IN THE RIGHT LANE AND KEEP THE SPEED TO AROUND 60. LESS THAN 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS. AT THIS POINT WE CALL FORD TO GET US A TOW. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS EVENT TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD THE EXPLORER FULL WITH MY FAMILY! TODAY THE SERVICING DEALER CALLED AND SAID IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. BEING THAT THIS IS THE 2ND TIME OUR 2011 EXPLORER HAS LEFT US STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT WAS TIME TO GO SEARCHING FOR OTHERS WITH THIS SAME THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. TURNS OUT THERE IS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTICE ALREADY BEING DONE BY FORD FOR SEVERAL OTHER 2011 VEHICLES, BUT THE EXPLORER HAS BEEN EXCLUDED. OUR SYMPTOMS AND PART FAILURE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THESE OTHER MODELS, SOME EVEN FROM THE SAME ASSEMBLY PLANT. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO EXTEND THE 13N03 PROGRAM TO INCLUDED THE EXPLORERS. THANK YOU. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2013
VEHICLE GAS TANK WAS FILLED. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 3/4 FULL - AFTER A BRIEF DRIVE (LESS THAN 20 MILES) VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND FUEL GAUGE SHOWED LESS THAN HALF A TANK. VEHICLE WAS PUT IN SHOP FOR REPAIR. ON 9/17 - IT WAS PICKED UP ON 9/20 - TRUCK WAS FILLED UP AGAIN ON 9/23 AND FUEL GAUGE AGAIN SHOWED 3/4 FULL.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 21, 2012
UPON MEDIUM TO HEAVY ACCELERATION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE CABIN IS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE ENGINE. THIS INJURES THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF THE PASSENGERS. FORD HAS FINALLY ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX (AFTER MY FAMILY HAS BEEN BREATHING POLLUTED AIR FOR ALMOST 1.5 YEARS). *TR