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, Apr 30, 2014
WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP AND WE WOULD GET A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". SO FAR, SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR THEN RESTARTING HAS CLEARED THE ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY; THIS HAS OCCURRED ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS (BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE OR IN A STORE PARKING LOT). TOOK THE CAR TO GET CHECKED TODAY AND IT IS GOING TO COST $2,000 TO REPAIR THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EPAS) GEAR. HAVE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JS
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 29, 2014
THE CAR BASICALLY SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOSE POWER STEERING. NO WARN LIGHTS JUST CUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD US THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO FIX. I TOOK TO THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED THE ISSUE TO FIND OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY OPENED A CASE FOR US. THEY CAME BACK WITH $1,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT IT WILL STILL COST US $1,000 FOR SOEMTHING I FEEL IS NOT A PART THAT "WEARS OUT". IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF REPLACING THE PART BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. *JS
Steering, Apr 29, 2014
THIS IS THE 5TH TIME MY POWERING STEERING HAS FAILED!!! FORD HAS REPLACED THE PART, AFTER I HAD TO SPEND $1800.00!!! THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO FIGURE THIS ISSUE OUT. *JS
Steering, Apr 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,00 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Steering, Apr 28, 2014
2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK, SATURDAY APRIL 26, 2014 BEING THE MOST RECENT, AS I WAS DRIVING MY POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER XLT FWD. WARNING LIGHTS SAYING "POWER STEERING FAILURE" LIT UP AND MY POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER OPERATING. I HAD TO PULL OVER USING MANUAL STEERING TO TURN THE EXPLORER OFF AND START UP THE POWER AGAIN TO BRING THE STEERING BACK. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE. IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER 2011 TO AT LEAST 2013 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM POSING A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT FORD DOES NOT THINK IT IS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO BE RESEARCHED FURTHER. *JS
Steering, Apr 27, 2014
STEERING POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT CAME ON; LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TURNED OFF CAR, THEN RESTARTED AGAIN, PROBLEM WENT AWAY. HAS RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR
Steering, Apr 25, 2014
ABOUT MONTHS AGO MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A WARNING SOUND AND THE "ASSIST POWER STEERING FAULT" MESSAGE CAME UP AS WELL AS SERVICE "ADVANCE TRAC." THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND WE HAD POWER STEERING AGAIN. WE TOOK IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND NOTHING FOUND! LAST NIGHT MY ENTIRE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. VERY SCARY. LOOK ONLINE, FOUND A POWER STEERING RECALL IN THE 2011 EXPLORERS, CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND CONVENIENTLY OUR VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS RUDE AND WOULD NOT EXPLAIN THE OTHER RECALL TO ME BECAUSE MY VIN DIDN'T GET RECALLED AS IF IT WAS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. I FEEL THIS IS A BILLION DOLLAR COVER UP BY THE FORD COMPANY. THEY DO NOT WANT TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY UNTIL SOMEONE DIES. *TR
Steering, Apr 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP AND LIGHTS ON MY DASH INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE NO LONGER WORKING. I WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER WHICH WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO MY POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKING. I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND OFF 2 TIMES (GIVING IT TIME BETWEEN TO RESENT ITSELF) BEFORE IT WOULD WORK PROPERLY HOWEVER THE LIGHTS INDICATING THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING REMAINED ON. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FORD! FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE START TO LOSE THEIR LIVES!
Steering, Apr 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP AND LIGHTS ON MY DASH INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE NO LONGER WORKING. I WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER WHICH WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO MY POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKING. I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND OFF 5 TIMES (GIVING IT TIME BETWEEN TO RESENT ITSELF) BEFORE IT WOULD WORK PROPERLY HOWEVER I CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH IT THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FORD! FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE START TO LOSE THEIR LIVES!
Steering, Apr 16, 2014
THE STEERING POWER ASSIST FAULT WAS LITE UP AND THEN I LOST ALL STEERING AND ALL I COULD DO WAS TURN MY FLASHERS ON TO AVOID BEING HIT AND DRIVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TT
Steering, Power train, Apr 14, 2014
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOSES ALL POWER, CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL, CANNOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND YOU ARE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN EVERY TIME TO BE SERVICED, THEY SAY THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG, NO CODES SHOW UP. THIS PAST TIME I WAS 1 FOOT OVER TRAIN TRACKS WHEN THE CAR DIED. AN ONCOMING TRAIN PASSED BEFORE I HAD TIME TO RESTART MY CAR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AND IF MY CHILDREN WHERE IN THE CAR I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION AND DRIVING 40 MPH DOWN A BUSY STREET, HAPPENED TAKING A LEFT TURN ON A BUSY STREET. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS THAT IT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT LITERALLY JUST STOPS WORKING. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT ON THIS CAR THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A FAMILY IS KILLED. *JS
Steering, Mar 31, 2014
DRIVING AROUND A CURVE AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. WE SWERVED INTO THE OTHER LANE AND LUCKILY DIDN'T GET HIT. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT NOTIFICATION CAME ON. *TR
Steering, Power train, Traction control system, Mar 28, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR STREET DURING HEAVY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR ADVANCED TRACTION FAILURE AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME ON. I ALSO NOTICED THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT CONTROL WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DRIVEWAY BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I AM A REASONABLY STRONG ADULT WOMAN AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL EVEN SLIGHTLY WHILE SLOWLY MOVING. WHEN I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO A SAFE PLACE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED AGAIN, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT. THREE DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH ANOTHER DRIVER WHILE I WAS A PASSENGER. THE OLDER MALE DRIVER HAD SIMILAR DIFFICULTY STEERING AND TURNING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY REPAIRED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING FOR AN ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $2000. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,400 MILES SO ABOUT 400 MILES PAST THE WARRANTY. WE WERE ABLE TO GET FORD TO REDUCE THE COST TO APPROXIMATELY $750, SOME OF WHICH WAS FOR THE ALIGNMENT THAT WAS NECESSARY FOLLOWING THE REPAIR. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE WITH DEVASTATING RESULTS. I AM A MOM AND GIRL SCOUT LEADER AND TRANSPORT CHILDREN FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I HAD 4 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Mar 25, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE "POWERSTEERING ASSIST FAILURE" MESSAGE POPPED UP. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY BUT HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT AGAIN; THE STEERING WHEEL WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE; I HAVE CHILDREN AND DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE DAILY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 11, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL.
Steering, Power train, Mar 4, 2014
LOST STEERING ASSIST DURING TURN INTO DRIVEWAY. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO STOP DUE TO THE LOW SPEED. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS AGAIN VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, AFTER STOPPING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE 2-3 TIMES THE POWER STEERING BEGIN WORKING AGAIN ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FORWARD IN THEIR MAINTENANCE BAY THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED AGAIN, AT WHICH TIME TWO COMPUTER FAILURE CODES WHERE PRESENT, WHICH I READ AND THEN SHOWED TO THEIR MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE. THE CODE LISTED ON THE RECEIPT WAS C200D. THE SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES ERRATIC SHIFTS AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP UP TO 35 MPH. A FORD DEALERSHIP HAS COMPLETED TWO-THREE COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADES. THE MOST SERIOUS SHIFTING PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN PULLING OUT OR TURNING ONTO A ROADWAY AND THERE IS MINIMAL ACCELERATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN, AND THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO ADJUST AS EXPECTED TO THE TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED 02/2013 AND MOST RECENTLY DURING 09/2013.
Steering, Feb 27, 2014
I WAS PARKED AT A STORE PARKING LOT. I GOT IN THE CAR TO BACK UP AND THIS MESSAGE "POWERSTEERING ASSIST FAILURE" POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT...THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2014
POWER STEERING FAIL LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. AFTER KILLING THE CAR, LETTING IT SIT THEN RESTARTING IT I STARTED BACK WORKING. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AND IT BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER RESET THE POWER TRAIN COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT 55 MPH WHEN THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERIOR DISPLAY. THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP & I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE & DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING & TURNED THE CAR OFF. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE FAULT WAS NO LONGER THERE & I DROVE HOME. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP & MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE VEHICLE CHECKED THE NEXT DAY. LATER ON THAT SAME DAY, MY WIFE & I HAD AN APPOINTMENT. HOWEVER, WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE UP, THE SAME FAULT WAS IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYED & THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I KEPT TURNING THE CAR OFF & TRYING TO RESTART, BUT THE FAULT WOULD NOT GO AWAY. I HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY FORD OWNER THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THIS FINDING PROMPTED ME TO LOOK ON THE FORD WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL BUT THERE IS NONE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME FOR AN 'AIR BAG SAFETY FAULT', ELECTRICAL & VALVE MALFUNCTION, AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS DEEPLY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE 'AIR BAG FAULT' NEVER DISPLAYED DUE TO THE OTHER FAULT. THE ESTIMATED COST WAS OVER $3,000. ALSO, I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE IN THE INTERIM. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLED PARTS & LEGAL ACTION WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE, THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE RENTAL & THEY MADE CONTACT WITH FORD COMPANY. THE FORD COMPANY ALLEGEDLY EMAILED THE FORD DEALERSHIP & TOOK $1,000 OFF THE TOTAL COST. I HAVE A WIFE & A BABY. THIS IS OUR ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE & I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO INVESTIGATE THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE FURTHER & RECALL ITS PARTS. PLEASE HELP US & ALL OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jan 23, 2014
OUR FIRST INDICATION OF STEERING PROBLEMS HAPPENED AROUND SEPTEMBER 2013. A DASHBOARD ERROR "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" MESSAGE KEPT ILLUMINATING. FIRST THE DEALER REPLACED A "SENSOR" THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. THEN A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THAT DIDN'T WORK. THEY THEN REPLACED THE "RACK AND PINION", IN THIS CAR I AM TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR. THAT DID FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE, HOWEVER AT TIMES THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND "INFOTAINMENT" SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK AND REBOOT. ALL SEEMED FINE FOR A FEW MONTH'S UNTIL AN UNEXPECTED EVENT OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2014. I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014 ON ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE IN GUAM. IT WAS A BRIGHT, SUNNY DAY, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE IDEAL. I STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE AND WHEN I TURNED LEFT TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE JERKY. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL WE WERE LEAVING, AND THE STEERING CONTINUED TO BE CHOPPY. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND CLEANLY WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I MENTIONED THE MY DAUGHTER THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AS I ENTERED A ROUNDABOUT TURN BEFORE EXITING THE AIR FORCE BASE, THE STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY MOMENTARILY. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE! THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY, AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND NAVIGATE SAFELY OUT OF THE TURN. I HAD NO PROBLEMS DRIVING STRAIGHT, BUT TURNING WAS JERKY. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING, AND I DROVE SLOWLY HOME APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES FROM THE BASE. THE CAR WAS TURNED INTO THE DEALER WHO "COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ERROR". THE "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" ERROR HAPPENED AGAIN ON 22 JAN , WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ERROR. *TR
Steering, Jan 12, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY EXPLORER WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER TO SAFETY. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT I WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO STEER TO SAFETY TO MEMORIZE WHAT IT SAID. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2014
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE RAINING. THE FIRST TIME,ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SCREEN AND MYFORDTOUCH SCREENS BOTH WENT BLACK AND LOST POWER STEERING SUDDENLY,BUT ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. BUT, ALL OF SUDDEN, THEN POWER STEERING RE-ENERGIZED AND MADE STEERING WHEEL JERK CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID MOMENTARILY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SCREEN THEN HAD A MESSAGE "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM." I TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. FEW DAYS LATER, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE CHECKED OUT AS BEING FINE. TODAY, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP TO TURN INTO DRIVEWAY AND FELT LIKE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. HAD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WITH GREAT FORCE TO TURN INTO DRIVEWAY HOME AND THE DROVE ABOUT 200FT TO CARPORT AND POWER STEERING NEVER RETURNED AND HAD SAME CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND POWER STEERING RETURNED AND NO LONGER HAD CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN RAINING AND UNABLE TO REPRODUCE FOR SERVICE TECH BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY WON'T TEST VEHICLE WHEN IT IS RAINING. *TR
Steering, Jan 2, 2014
AFTER STARTING THE CAR, A WARNING OCCURRED FOR THE FIRST TIME SAYING POWER STEERING NEEDED SERVICE "SOON". WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. THE NOTICE DID NOT APPEAR AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY CONTINUED TO OUR DESTINATION. DURING THE COURSE OF OUR RIDE, WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANOTHER WARNING. THEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WE VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE NEARLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR.DUE TO POWER STEERING LOSS. THE SITUATION WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Dec 30, 2013
DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS AT NIGHT, PROCEEDING UP A STEEP AND ICY GRADE, THE VEHICLE GAVE A WARNING SIGNAL ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. THE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STEERING CAPABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE DURING THIS FAILURE, FORCED US TO CREEP ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY TO FINISH THE EIGHT MILES TO THE NEAREST TOWN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I STUMBLED ONTO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THE 2011 EXPLORER OBVIOUSLY HAS A SAFETY FLAW AND A DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT! MY VEHICLE IS IN A FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOW AND THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS IS " THE CAR RECEIVED A FALSE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL AND SHUT DOWN THE POWER STEERING". SERIOUSLY, A FALSE SIGNAL SHUT OFF THE POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES???!!! THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A "10 PAGE CHECKLIST/RE-BOOTING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE AND I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE THIS WILL SOLVE A FUTURE PROBLEM OF POWER STEERING CAPABILITY LOSS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM ON MY FOURTH MAJOR COMPUTER FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. FYI FORD ENGINEERS; THE STEERING FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO AN ELECTRONIC SIGNAL THAT CAN DEACTIVATE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE!! *TR