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, Dec 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Steering, Dec 11, 2013
DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOCKS UP. VERY SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE I COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW??? *TR
Steering, Nov 21, 2013
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH. I WAS RIDING PASSENGER SEAT. ALL OF THE SUDDEN JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD. SHE SAID SHE COULDN'T STEER AND AT THAT TIME I HEARD A BEEP. THIS WAS A MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYING STEERING ASSIST FAULT. SHE HAD A VERY HARD TIME STEERING IT AROUND A CORNER WE HAD COME TO. SHE ASKED IF WE SHOULD PULL OVER BUT SINCE WE WERE LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE HOUSE. AND HOW I FIGURED WE COULD MAKE IT HAS I HAVE DROVE A CAR HOME WHEN A POWER STEERING BELT BROKE BEFORE. I TOLD HER TO CONTINUE HOME. ONCE HOME WE TURNED CAR OFF. AND THEN RESTART IT. THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND WARNING MESSAGE WENT AWAY. AT THE TIME WE JUST CONSIDERED IT A FLUKE. THEN IT DONE IT AGAIN A WEEK LATER GOING DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. WE PULLED OVER AND AGAIN SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS FINE AGAIN. THEN A FEW DAY LATER IT DID IN A PARKING LOT PARKING. A MONTH LATER IT FINALLY HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON ME. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH GOING STRAIGHT ALL THE SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING FAULT CAME ON LIKE USUAL. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE STORE AND LESS THAN A 1/4 MILE AWAY. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE CAR INTO THE STORE PARKING LOT. THIS IS HARDER TO STEER THAN A MANUAL STEERING CAR. DO TO TRYING TO STEER A POWER STEERING RACK AND GEARS ON TOP OF BIG 20" WHEELS WITH WIDE TIRES. FOR INEXPERIENCED, NOT A VERY STRONG PERSON, OR AN ELDERLY DRIVER. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY ON A CORNER. AND I COULD SEE HOW IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM AS HAPPEN ALSO IMMEDIATELY WHEN CARE IS STARTED. IT HAPPENS AT ANYTIME IT SEEMS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2013
WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY OF 2011 AND HAVE BEEN THE EXCLUSIVE USERS OF THE CAR EVER SINCE. OUR VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THREE TOTAL LOSSES OF POWER STEERING ABILITY SINCE JULY 8, 2013. WHEN AN EVENT OCCURS, THE "POWER STEERING FAILURE" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. TWO OF THE OCCURRENCES HAVE TAKEN PLACE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ONE INSTANCE, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH OUR YOUNG SON AND STRUGGLED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. FORD ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BY INSTALLING TWO SEPARATE NEW STEERING COLUMNS INTO THE VEHICLE, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND SEEMS TO HAVE HAD COLLATERAL EFFECTS ON OTHER ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. I HAVE ADVISED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM BUT AS OF 11/20/2013 I HAVE NOT HAD ANY KIND OF AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 6, 2013
I WAS ROUNDING A CURVE IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER . I MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND I NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROLS WERE LIT UP ALONG WITH THE STEERING FAILURE WARRING CAME ON. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Nov 5, 2013
I WAS GETTING READY TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT .. WHEN 2 SETS OF LIGHTS CAME ON ..THE SYSTEM INDICATORS CAME UP .. ONE INDICATING THE POWER STEERING ERROR AND ANOTHER INDICATING THE POWER STEERING LOCKED ... THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN .. MAKING SO VERY HARD TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE .. SOMEONE HAD TO PUSH ME INTO THE PARKING LOT OUT OF THE WAY .. LATER TO CALL FORD DEALERSHIP DOESN'T WANT TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM ... I DRIVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER .. THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD . I REVIEWED OTHER CONCERNS OF THIS MATTER .. IS THERE A RECALL ... *TR
Steering, Oct 30, 2013
ON OCT. 30TH THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH GOING ROUGHLY 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE STEERING LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR THE WHEELS TO BE TURNED. WE WERE LUCKY IT HAPPENED ON A STRAIGHT PIECE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR IN TIME SO THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SLOWLY ENOUGH THAT SHE COULD KEEP IT ON THE BERM. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND WHEN SHE TURNED IT BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED FINE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *TR
Steering, Oct 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING ASSIST ABRUPTLY FAILS, AS DOES ADVANCE TRAC STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BECOMES MUCH HARDER TO CONTROL. IF THE CAR IS IN A TURN WHEN THE STEERING FAILS, THE STEERING WHEEL LURCHES AND TRIES TO RE-AIM THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, DISRUPTING THE TURN. DASHBOARD WARNINGS CONFIRM THE STEERING AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURES. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL SUSTAIN FAILS, SO USING THE TURN SIGNAL REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE SIGNAL ARM. ON AVERAGE, THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED EVERY 2000 MILES, AT ANY SPEED. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING "FIXES" THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE NEXT FAILURE. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR EXAMINATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN NO ANSWERS - BOTH TIMES THE RESULTS OF LEAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS HAVE BEEN SHRUGGED SHOULDERS AND "WE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NO TROUBLE CODE. IT WORKED FINE FOR US." AS IS NOTHING EVER WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND EVEN IF THERE WERE SOMETHING WRONG, THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR IT! HOW THE NHTSA AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAN ALLOW THESE VEHICLES TO ROAM OUR HIGHWAYS WITH NO RECALL, OR EVEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KNOWING THERE IS A CHANCE THE DRIVERS MAY LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH, AS SOME ALREADY HAVE, IS A CRIME AGAINST VEHICLE SAFETY AND AGAINST THE VERY MISSION STATEMENT OF THE NHTSA. I WILL BE COPYING THIS COMPLAINT TO MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, WHO IN THE PAST HAS PROVEN TO BE FAR MORE INTERESTED IN MY SAFETY THAN FORD OR THE NHTSA. *TR
Steering, Oct 22, 2013
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WITH NO WARNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. ARRIVED AT DESTINATION CUT THE CAR OFF AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. 5 MONTHS LATER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS THE STEERING RACK ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE. LUCKILY SHE HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAD ABOUT 40000 MILES AND WOULD HAVE COST US 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX. WE GOT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING THE CAR 40 MPH ON A CURVY ROAD WHEN AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIT UP AND NO POWER STEERING. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH FORD CORPORATE A REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THAT THE NEW PART THEY HAD REPLACED A WEEK EARLIER MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTED AND ARE WAITING ON ANOTHER REPLACEMENT PART. WE INFORMED THEM WE NO LONGER WANT THE VEHICLE WE FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WANTED TO KNOW WHAT OPTIONS WE HAD AND WHAT FORD WAS WILLING TO DO TO KEEP US A SATISFIED CUSTOMER. THEY OFFERED A FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR (WHICH MY WIFE HAD ALREADY PURCHASED) OR WE COULD TRADE IT IN ON A NEW FORD AND BY THE NEW VEHICLE UNDER THE FORD X-PLAN. *TR
Steering, Oct 15, 2013
WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 EXPLORER IN JULY 20, 2013 WITH APPROX 43,000 MILES. THE FIRST INSTANCE (8/30/13) WE WERE LEAVING A FRIEND'S HOUSE, TURNED ON THE CAR AND HAD NO POWER STEERING FOR THE ENTIRE RIDE HOME. THIS WAS A FRIDAY NIGHT SO WE WERE UNABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. POWER STEERING CAME BACK THE NEXT MORNING WHEN WE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. SUNDAY (9/1/13) WE WERE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN WE LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. WE PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT FIT US IN FOR SERVICE UNTIL 9/9/13. THE FORD DEALERSHIP KEPT OUR CAR FOR EXACTLY 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE EXACT PROBLEM. INEVITABLY, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ALL WAS FINE UNTIL 10/14/13 WHEN WE ONCE AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" WARNINGS WERE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN. WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REP, WHO SPOKE WITH FORD, TO DETERMINE THAT THE GEAR THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED WAS "DEFECTIVE." WE ARE NOW AWAITING YET AGAIN TO HAVE OUR CAR RETURNED TO US. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO WARNING AND THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. THIS IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT BUT ALSO A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WE DRIVE AROUND TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND MY WIFE FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING. AS TIME GOES ON, IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2011 FORD EXPLORERS THROUGH PRESENT MODELS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS EXACT VICIOUS CYCLE FOR YEARS NOW. IT SEEMS THAT FORD CANNOT SEEM TO PIN POINT THE EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2013
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 55MPH GIVE OR TAKE 5MPH WHEN THE STEERING WENT STIFF AND MADE IT HARD TO STEER THROUGH THE TURNS. IT WAS WORSE WHEN I HAD TO MAKE SLOW TURNS. IF I HAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT QUICKLY I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO AVOID IT. WHEN I GOT TO WORK SHUT THE CAR OFF TURNED IT BACK ON AND I GUESS IT RESET BECAUSE THE STEERING CAME BACK. WHEN I T HAPPENED AGAIN I CALLED THE BREWSTER FORD AND SAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM I ROUGH THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER IF HAPPENED A FEW TIME BUT THEY SAID THEY WONT BE ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING SINCE THERE ARE NO ERRORS WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN THE CHECK IT SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING AND THEN CHARGED ME ALMOST $200 IF FINALLY COMPLETELY WENT THIS ALL HAPPENED OVER A 1YR TIME PERIOD PUT A CALL INTO BREWSTER FORD AND CORPORATE STILL WAITING TO HERE FROM EITHER ONE THAT WAS ALMOST 2WEEKS AGO. *TR
Steering, Sep 23, 2013
ON THURSDAY EVENING SEPT 9, 2013 I WAS DRIVING EAST ON HIGHWAY 195 IN NJ. OUT OF NOWHERE THE POWER STEERING FAIL SIGNAL AND TERRAIN WARNING SIGNAL CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. I WAS DRIVING 65MPH IN THE LEFT LANE WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND BARELY BUDGED, COULD MOVE MAYBE AN INCH IN EACH DIRECTION. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN A DANGEROUS AND FATAL ACCIDENT....IT WAS TRULY FRIGHTENING!!! WHEN I CALLED FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE THEY TOOK 15MIN JUST TO GET BASIC INFO DOWN TO SEND TOW TRUCK, WOMAN WAS VERY SHORT WITH ME AND SEEMED LIKE I WAS BOTHERING HER. WE HANG UP, ITS GETTING DARK, MY DAUGHTER IS SCARED, THEN 5 MIN LATER SHE CALLS ME BACK TO TELL ME THERE IS A PROBLEM. SHE SAID THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IS CLOSED SO THEY CAN TOW TO A SECURE FACILITY OVERNIGHT BUT THERE WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL COST. I SAID A FEW CHOICE WORDS AND CANCELLED FRA. THANKFULLY I HAVE AAA PREMIUM SO I HAD THEM TOW MY CAR TO MY HOME OVERNIGHT THEN CALLED FRA TO BRING TO FORD SERVICE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. FORD SERVICE REP NOW TELLS ME I NEED A NEW POWER STEERING RACK WHICH WILL COST $2,400 AND IS NOT COVERED. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE FORD PART ONLY COST LESS THAN $600!!! MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND NHTSA ARE INVESTIGATING THIS CONTINUING POWER STEERING FAIL ISSUE IN THE 2011 EXPLORERS BUT UNTIL THEN MY CAR WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD IS GOING TO COST ME IF I WANT IT BACK. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS AND FUTURE ACCIDENTS THAT COULD OCCUR WITH OTHER INNOCENT DRIVERS?
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SHUT OFF, THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,900....UPDATED 10-24-13 *BF UPDATED 11/1/2013 *JS
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
WHILE DRIVING A VEHICLE STABILITY FAULT MESSAGE POPPED UP. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILING. LUCKILY IN THIS CASE MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND MUSCLE IT OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT ACCIDENT OR INJURY. WHEN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS THE CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS SYSTEM FAILURE AND REFUSES TO RECALL IT. *TR
Steering, Sep 17, 2013
DRIVING STRAIGHT ON AN INTERSTATE I-82 AT 70 MPH.. BELL CHIME SOUNDED, LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH DISPLAYED YELLOW "STEER ASSIST FAULT"!!! THEN I REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. OFF I-82 TO FIND A FORD DEALER. DEALER CHECK IT OUT AND SAID IT WORKED NOW. WHEN IT QUITS, PULL OVER, STOP, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND START IT AGAIN; THE COMPUTER RESETS ITSELF. THE DEALER, FORD COUNTRY IN PROSSER, WA HAS A CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT IS HOW HE KNEW WHAT TO TELL ME. THEY HAVE HAD THIS PART ON BACK ORDER FOR 2 MONTHS. *TR
Steering, Sep 17, 2013
ON THREE OCCASIONS THE CAR LOSS POWER STEERING AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING SEEM TO RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER. DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSY. *TR
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
Steering, Sep 9, 2013, crash
I WAS WITH MY FAMILY ON TRIP DRIVING 80 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT! THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SO I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS. WE DID RUN OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE SHOULDER AND FISHED TAIL OUT OF CONTROL. THIS WAS FRIGHTENING FOR MY FAMILY. I WAS READY TO PASS SOME SLOWER VEHICLES WHEN THIS HAPPEN AND HAD TO MOVE QUICK BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. WE LOST CONTROL AND ENDED UP ON THE SHOULDER. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME NOT WITHOUT SWEATING BY STRUGGLING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL FROM 3 HOURS AWAY. ONCE HOME, I LOOKED THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND THAT FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS!!!! I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HEARD OF THIS. HOPEFULLY NO ONE GETS HURT FOR FORD TO REALIZE THIS IS A DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS! *TR
Steering, Sep 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING ASSIST ABRUPTLY FAILS, AS DOES ADVANCE TRAC STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BECOMES MUCH HARDER TO CONTROL. IF THE CAR IS IN A TURN WHEN THE STEERING FAILS, THE STEERING WHEEL LURCHES AND TRIES TO RE-AIM THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, DISRUPTING THE TURN. DASHBOARD WARNINGS CONFIRM THE STEERING AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURES. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL SUSTAIN FAILS, SO USING THE TURN SIGNAL REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE SIGNAL ARM. ON AVERAGE, THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED EVERY 2000 MILES, AT ANY SPEED. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING "FIXES" THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE NEXT FAILURE. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR EXAMINATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN NO ANSWERS - BOTH TIMES THE RESULTS OF LEAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS HAVE BEEN SHRUGGED SHOULDERS AND "WE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NO TROUBLE CODE. IT WORKED FINE FOR US." AS IS NOTHING EVER WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND EVEN IF THERE WERE SOMETHING WRONG, THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR IT! HOW THE NHTSA AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAN ALLOW THESE VEHICLES TO ROAM OUR HIGHWAYS WITH NO RECALL, OR EVEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KNOWING THERE IS A CHANCE THE DRIVERS MAY LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH, AS SOME ALREADY HAVE, IS A CRIME AGAINST VEHICLE SAFETY AND AGAINST THE VERY MISSION STATEMENT OF THE NHTSA. I WILL BE COPYING THIS COMPLAINT TO MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, WHO IN THE PAST HAS PROVEN TO BE FAR MORE INTERESTED IN MY SAFETY THAN FORD OR THE NHTSA. *JB
Steering, Aug 29, 2013
WAS IN PARK IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH AND HAD THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED I IMMEDIATELY GOT AN ERROR POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. LUCKILY IT WAS A STRAIGHT DRIVE THROUGH. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND THE ERROR CLEARED AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH A SIMILAR SCENARIO WHERE THE STEERING FAILED AFTER SWITCHING TO DRIVE FROM PARK. I AM NOT POSITIVE OF THE DATE OF THE FIRST TIME AS I DID NOT WRITE IT DOWN AND THOUGHT IT WAS A ONE TIME FLUKE BUT IT WAS APPROXIMATELY IN FEB, 2013. HEARING ABOUT OTHERS WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED HAS GIVEN ME GREAT CONCERNS NOW.
Steering, Aug 28, 2013
WHEN TURNING RIGHT INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT YESTERDAY MORNING I RECEIVED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ERROR AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC ERROR WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THE WARNING MESSAGE (AUDIBLE AND VISUAL WARNING) COME ON AT THE SAME TIME THE POWER STEERING IS LOST SO THERE IS NO WARNING, IT JUST HAPPENS AND YOU HAVE TO HOPEFULLY BE AT A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT SO YOU WILL NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD AND THEY DO NOT CONSIDER IT A SAFETY PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND IF I WILL BE ABLE TO STEER IT SAFELY WITH ANOTHER SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TT
Steering, Aug 26, 2013
DRIVING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE ONTO A SHOULDER, BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY DEFECT AND MUST BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 26, 2013
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS CAME UP. 1. POWER STEERING FAULT 2. SERVICE ADVANCETRAC SYSTEM CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, ALMOST RESULTING IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT AS I WAS APPROACHING A VERY TIGHT TURN ON I75. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THIS ISSUE IS WAY TO COMMON, AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Aug 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS BEFORE PROCEEDED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL BOX WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.