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: steering
742 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jul 27, 2017
OUR ELECTRICIAL POWER ASSIST STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSE AND ACCIDENT HAS BEEN SEEN 2 TIMES TO BE FIXED AND KEEPS DOING IT
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2017
MY STEERING WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY RADIO AND SCREEN GOES OUT SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 19, 2017
I'VE REPORTED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, AN ALARM ALERT SOUNDS AND I GET A WARNING LIGHT THAT SAYS, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND I CAN'T MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO RE-START MY CAR 1-5 TIMES FOR IT TO START WORKING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A LIABILITY. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T PULL A CODE. HOWEVER LITERALLY AN HOUR AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR, I GOT THE WARNING AGAIN AND I TOOK A PICTURE OF IT WITH MILEAGE SHOWING TO SHOW IT HAPPENED AFTER. THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO BE TOLD MY CAR IS FINE. IT IS NOT. SINCE TAKING IT IN, MY REAR VIEW CAMERA WILL NOW NOT WORK. I HAVE MADE FORD AWARE OF THIS STEERING ISSUE AND WANT IT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. CLEARLY THE RECALL DID NOT ACCURATELY HIT ALL VIN NUMBERS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN PAST 6-8 MONTHS.
Steering, Jun 16, 2017
I WAA DRIVING TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED TO SERVICE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF TURNING THE WHEEL AND MY TURNING SIGNALS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO SHOP AND NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR. VERY STRESSFUL AS I NEED A CAR TO MOVE AROUND.
Steering, Jun 14, 2017
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE EPAS STEERING . WILL GET A WARNING THAT THAT SAYS "ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST FAILURE". THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND THE DEALER DI A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THOUGHT IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO NOTICE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING GOES IN MANUAL MODE AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE. IT ALMOST CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO TURN ON TO ANOTHER ROAD, ALMOST HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT FORD IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ON OTHER VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering, May 31, 2017
14S06 REPLACE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY! UPDATE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) SOFTWARE! MY FAMILY WAS IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING FAILED. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY! NEWS: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES; POWER STEERING GEAR REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAY 29, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 COMPONENT(S): POWER STEERING GEAR POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 179,027 JUNE 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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY JULY 25, 2014. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-392-3673. FORD'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 14S06. FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES; POWER STEERING GEAR REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAY 29, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 COMPONENT(S): POWER STEERING GEAR FORD DOES NOT HAVE ALL VIN NUMBERS IMPACTED BY THIS RECALL LISTED. I HAD TO DEMAND THE DEALER TO CHECK AGAIN. PLEASE GET WORD OUT SO THAT THERE IS NO INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO THIS STEERING ISSUE!!!!!!!
Steering, May 4, 2017
TURNING FROM HIGHWAY TO SUBDIVISION, POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHICH CAUSED ME TO ALMOST RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK'S MAKE AND MODEL AND PERHAPS THE ISSUE WAS LARGER THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT SINCE CLEARLY THIS ISSUE EFFECTS ME AND IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, May 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED. HOWEVER, WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE STEERING FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/17*LJ
Steering, May 1, 2017
APRIL 30, 2017, WHEN STARTING MY EXPLORER I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE ONBOARD NOTIFICATION SYSTEM THAT THE STEERING POWER ASSIST HAD FAILED. NEXT MESSAGE STATED THE ADVANCE TRACK SYSTEM HAD ALSO FAILED. SURE ENOUGH THE POWER STEERING WAS NONEXISTENT. DROVE IT HOME AND FOUND THE CARE UNDRIVEABLE FOR MOST PEOPLE DUE TO THE FORCE REQUIRED AT THE WHEEL TO NEGOTIATE A TYPICAL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AT 20 MPH.....!!!!! THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ACCORDING TO THE FORD HOUSE IN 2014 SO THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSUME ANYMORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIX. THIS IS PROBLEMATIC DUE TO THE WIDESPREAD EXPERIENCE OF FORD OWNERS ACROSS AMERICA WHO NOW FACE RIDICULOUS COSTS ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WILL COME AGAIN IN 3-4 YEARS ($1700+). THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS THE SYSTEM MIGHT JUST FAIL AT JUST THE WRONG TIME AND SEND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY OVER THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ROAD OR ACROSS THE LANE INTO THAT EMBANKMENT! SUPER. TIME FOR FORD TO STEP UP!
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 1, 2017
I FIRST BEGAN EXPERIENCING BRAKING AND BATTERY ISSUES 3 TO 4 WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING OF THE BRAKING AND BATTERY ISSUES. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I SHOULD RETURN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME, I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS LEAKAGE FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP ADDRESSES SOME BUT NOT ALL ISSUES RELATED TO THE VEHICLE. NEXT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICING. I MADE AN APPT. THE NEXT DAY, THE LOW BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED DEALERSHIP, NO RESPONSE. ONE AND A HALF WEEKS LATER, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. CALLED TRIPLE A. BATTERY HAD BATTERY ACID AND CORROSION EVERYWHERE. A RED SOLUTION WAS SPRAYED ON THE BATTERY TO PREVENT LEAKAGE. BUT IT DIDN'T WORK THAT WELL. INFORMED DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF SERVICE, THAT THE POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT HAD COME ON. FIVE DAYS LATER, I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. BOTH SERVICE ADVISORS STATED THAT VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLACED ON LOT FOR SALE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. AS I HAVE TWO MINOR CHILDREN. THE DATE OF ONSET WOULD'VE BEEN 04/08/2016. THERE IS ANOTHER PHOTO, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO INCLUDE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 1, 2017
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2016. I FIRST HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HEARD SCREECHING AND WHIRRING AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE. NEXT, I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY, BATTERY ACID LEAKED ALL OVER THE BATTERY, CORROSION BUILT UP ON THE BATTERY. MOST RECENTLY, AFTER SERVICING MY VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE COMPUTER READ THAT THERE WAS POWER STEERING FAULT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE OFF THE DEALERSHIP LOT WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT THE VEHICLE HAD.
Steering, Mar 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND OPERATED AS NORMAL AFTER BEING RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14E001000 (STEERING) OR 14V286000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Steering, Power train, Feb 6, 2017
MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER HAD A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE, WHICH SET ME BACK $2000.00. THE ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN MY FRONT END WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD EXPERIENCE HESITATION WHEN INCREASING SPEEDS, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. WHILE GOING IN REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THE GEAR WOULD LOCK. I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN, IN ORDER TO MOVE. MAZDA HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR TRANSFER CASE, WHICH IS THE SAME TRANSFER CASE ON THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER!!!!!!! THIS CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD. I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK, WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY RECALLED BY FORD AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER TRANSFER CASE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD. THE TRANSFER CASE CAN DISMANTLE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE YOUR ARE DRIVING!!
Steering, Feb 3, 2017
MY STEERING GEAR WENT BAD ON 1-18-2017 I REPLACED IT AT MY COST $1,666.73 IT LASTED ABOUT 10 DAYS AND WENT OUT AGAIN.
Steering, Jan 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Steering, Jan 25, 2017
AT START, VEHICLE SHOWS POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND BECAUSE VEHICLE IS PARKED, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL - STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO AS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, THEN PERMANENT FAILURE NOW. ISSUE HAS NOT OCCURRED, YET, WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE SUBJECT TO RECALL 14V286000 - EVALUATED IN OCT 2014 WHEN NO FAULTS OR DTCS WERE SHOWING UP - DEALER SAID SOFTWARE UPDATED PER RECALL ACTIONS - DTC IS NOW U3000 WHICH IS THE REPLACE GEAR CODE. PRIOR EVALUATION WASNO REPLACEMENT NEEDED THEN BECAUSE NO FAULTS WERE SHOWING WHICH APPEARS TO BE A USELESS RECALL ACTION THAT DID NOTHING TO PREVENT SAFETY ISSUE. EVEN THOUGH THE SAFETY RECALL ITEM (DTC U3000) IS NOW OCCURRING 2 YEARS AFTER INITIAL EVALUATION, DEALER & FORD WILL DO NOTHING. WHY IS YOUR RECALL # 14V286000 SO USELESS? *TR
Steering, Jan 21, 2017, crash
I STARTED THE CAR AND A NOTICE CAME UP: "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" WITHOUT WARNING. I PULLED OFF AND THE CAR DRAGGED TO THE RIGHT AND INTO THE CURB. I WASN'T INJURED. I HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME AS IS. I WAS PARALLEL PARKED BY A BUILDING. THE POWER STEERING OF THE FORD EXPLORER IS A FAULTY SYSTEM AND THEY'RE QUOTING ME OVER $2,000 TO FIX IT.
Steering, Jan 18, 2017
MY WIFE WAS BRINGING MY KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL AND HAD A COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE BUT WAS NOT INJURED AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT
Steering, Jan 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 17, 2017
THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM COMES ON WHILE DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEED AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HARD AND THEN EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN AND IF YOU ARE LUCKY YOU MIGHT MAKE IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY SCARY AS I LIVE IN A RURAL AROUND WHERE YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET OVER IN AN APPROPRIATE AREA. IN THE PAST I COULD LET IT SET FOR A MINUTE AND RESTART IT AND WOULD BE FINE. RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED FOR IT TO RUN AGAIN AND THEN SEEMS FINE. JUST LAST NIGHT/THIS MORNING IT WAS SO BAD THAT WE HAD TO LET IT SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE WE COULD GET IT TO JUMP START IT AGAIN. I HAVE SAW THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WHEN I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER IT SAYS THERE IS NO RECALLS BUT WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR RECALLS IT MENTIONS THE POWER STEERING AS A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THIS UNIT. I AM FRUSTRATED AND THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY RECALL THAT FORD SHOULD FIX ON ALL VEHICLES. THE DATE ENTERING AS EVENT HAPPENED WAS THE LAST EVENT BUT IT STARTED BACK IN MAY OF 2016. *TR
Steering, Nov 30, 2016
IT WAS A POWER STEERING WHEEL RECALL BUT THE FORD COMPANY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE OF OVER MILEAGE BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S A RECALL AND I HAVEN'T HAD MY FORD EXPLORER FOR ABOUT 5 WEEK AND I REALLY NEED IT BACK THANK YOU *TR
Steering, Nov 16, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER THE AUTOMATIC STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AND STEER. I FOUND THAT THE SAME SITUATION HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE 2011 FORD EXPLORERS. IT SHOWS ON LINE THERE IS A RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOT. WE ARE AT 152K MILES AND WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO BE AT 150K OR LESS FOR THE REPAIR TO BE COVERED. EVEN THOUGH ONLINE SHOWS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL IM TOLD WE ARE NOT COVERED. IT HAD TO OF "HAPPENED" WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WE NOTIFY THE DEALER. WITH SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS STEERING GEARS GOING OUT NOT BEING COVERED BY A RECALL MAKES ME SICK. IT WAS MY MINOR CHILD DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NOW I MUST PAY 2K TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE WHEN IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS MULTIPLE REPORTS OF IT HAPPENING INCLUDING AT LEAST 15 RELATED ACCIDENTS THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THAT MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE PARAMETERS BUT BECAUSE OF 2K OVER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT IT IS NOT COVERED.
Steering, Nov 16, 2016
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN MY POWER STEERING QUIT. THE STEERING JUST QUIT. I COULD NOT STEER MY VEHICLE. IT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO GRATEFUL IT DID NOT AND SOMEONE WAS CLOSE BY TO HELP ME GET MY VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 31, 2016
MY FORD EXPLORER 2011 OMITS A FOUL ODOR(SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGG)WHEN YOU TURN ON THE AC WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE AND HAS A STRONG WIND NOISE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Oct 10, 2016
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH, STEERING FROZE AND "POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAULT" NOTIFICATION ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SAFELY STOPPED AT NEXT DRIVEWAY. SHUT DOWN CAR. EXITED CAR, CALLED HUSBAND. RESTARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. TRAVELLED 2 MORE MILES AT 35MPH AND POWER STEERING FROZE AGAIN WITH SAME SUBSEQUENT NOTIFICATION; ALSO ADVANCE TRAC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. MAN HANDLED STEERING TO DRIVE CAR HOME. NOW ENGINE STARTS AND RUNS 7-10 MINUTES BEFORE POWER STEERING FAULT OCCURS. SCHEDULED AT FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN PADUCAH, KY FOR REPAIR ON OCT 19, 2016.