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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 19, 2013
COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED - POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC CONTROL FAULT. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. WITH MUCH EFFORT (EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER!), I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING SPACE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING MESSAGE STAYED ON. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL 'OFF" LIGHT ALSO STAYED ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE EXPLORER OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING MESSAGE WENT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER (ALAN VIGIL FORD) THE NEXT MORNING. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK. PARTS WILL NOT BE IN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY TOLD ME I COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THEM THEN. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A GEAR IN STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING QUITE, WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. NOW FORD WANT $2119.00, TO REPAIR A MANUFACTURED PART THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS OWNED BY THE DISABLED VETERANS OF AMERICA AND USED TO TRANSPORT VETERANS IN OPERATED BY THE RANDOLPH COUNTY VETERAN'S OFFICE WINCHESTER, IN. I HAVE TAKEN CARE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON TIME AND THIS IS A BLOW TO THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE VETERANS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
WHILE ENTERING A ROADWAY OUR EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE SHOWED A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ALSO A SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC CODE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF TERRAIN MANAGEMENT NOTICE ALSO AT THIS TIME THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT OPERATE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP . THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME AFTER REPROGRAMMING ABS MODULE PER TSB12-08-09. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SUNDAY JULY14 CALLED DEALERSHIP THEY WILL CALL ME BACK WITH THEIR FINDINGS. *TR
Steering, Jul 14, 2013
MY POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DASHBOARD LITE UP AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT POWER STEERING TRAC IN RED. COULDN'T READ IT AS I WAS TO BUSY TRYING TO CONTROL CAR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. I TURNED CAR OFF AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT, ALL WAS FINE. I CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING CAR TO,SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY TO REPAIR NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR THE THIRD TIME AND NOW THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR
Steering, Jul 14, 2013
WHILE DRIVING EAST ON ROUTE 422 FROM ROYERSFORD TO KING OF PRUSSIA AT 55 MPH AUDIBLE WARNING ALARM WENT OFF WITH TWO LIGHTS ON DASH. LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL. TOO UNSAFE TO PULL OFF ON SHOULDER IN DARK, STRUGGLED WITH STEERING FOR ABOUT 2 MILES TO NEXT OFF RAMP. RESTARTED VEHICLE ON OFF RAMP AND POWER STEERING RETURNED. I WILL CALL DEALER TOMORROW AS WARRANTY IS NEARLY UP. CAR MANUAL EXPLAINS THIS EXACT SITUATION AS IF ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. JUST REBOOT YOUR CAR (IF YOU SURVIVED THE CRASH!) I HAVE NEVER HAD A POWER STEERING FAILURE IN 25 YEARS. IF THIS HAPPENS TO FRAIL PERSON IN A TURN, THEY WILL NOT PULL OUT OF TURN AND WILL HIT THE CLOSEST OBJECT IN THE PATH OF THEIR TURN. *TR
Steering, Jul 13, 2013
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TURN OR CORNER. *TR
Steering, Jul 13, 2013
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE GOING DOWN SAM RAYBURN TOLLWAY IN MCKINNEY TX. STEERING ASSIST CUT OUT AND WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASH. WIFE HAD TO TRY AND PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT BEND AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FAIRLY STRAIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER. FORTUNATELY THERE WEREN'T ANY OTHER CARS AROUND HER. SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED THE DAY BEFORE GOING UNDER 10 MPH ON A SIDE STREET/DRIVEWAY. SHUTTING CAR DOWN AND RESTARTING IT FIXED THE ISSUE BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. TRYING TO CONTACT DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM (LEFT MESSAGE). *TR
Steering, Jul 6, 2013
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE TAKING A CURB AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE, AND HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF.A WARNING CAME ON THE SCREEN ABOUT STEERING FAILURE, AND AFTER TURNING CAR BACK ON, IT WORKED FINE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECH WAS RUDE AND UNCOOPERATIVE ON THE PHONE, TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY CAR I STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR A RENTAL. RIDICULOUS. *TR
Steering, Jun 27, 2013
THE POWER STEERING ON OUR 2011 FORD EXPLORER HAS FAILED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITIONS, FORCING US TO PULL OVER. IT DID NOT SELF-CORRECT WHEN RESTARTING. THERE WERE 2 MESSAGE LIGHTS: SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND POWER STEERING ASSIST. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE GIVEN A REPAIR PRICE TAG EXCEEDING $2,000 AND TOLD THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR. WE THEN CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENCY AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE AND THAT WE WERE OVER THE 36,000 MILE GENERAL WARRANTY. ALSO, THAT THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY OF 60,000 MILES WOULD NOT COVER THE POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Jun 25, 2013
ON JUNE 9 2013. I WAS DRIVING ONTO A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE ALARM SOUNDED AND THE WARNING DISPLAY INDICATE A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE AS WELL AS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILURE. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT TO CATCH A FLIGHT, SO I PROCEEDED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES TO THE AIRPORT AND PARKED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A WHILE TO RESTART, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PRESENT. UPON RETURNING FROM MY TRIP (JUNE 12), THE POWER STEERING FAULT HAD CLEARED, BUT TERRAIN MGMT AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE STILL PRESENT (APPARENTLY THE FUNCTIONS WERE DISABLED AT THAT POINT). THE NEXT DAY, I DROVE TO WORK AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER THAT MORNING JUNE13. THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE CODES, BUT NOT RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT. I AM NOT WILLING TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH MY FAMILY IN IT BECAUSE THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE.I TOLD THEM TO KEEP IT TO TRY TO RE-CREATE THE ISSUE. ITS BEEN NEARLY 2 WEEKS AND STILL NO ANSWERS. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF ANYTHING FROM FORD RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY ON 6/19, BUT STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY ANSWERS NOR DIRECTION AS OF 6/25. *TR
Steering, Jun 23, 2013
WHILE DRIVE DOWN HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH, AUDIBLE WARNING ALARM WENT OFF WITH TWO LIGHTS ON DASH. LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL. SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING. WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL OVER BUT AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE DOWN AND RESTARTING POWER STEERING WAS BACK. I WILL TAKE IT TO DEALER TOMORROW AS WARRANTY IS NEARLY UP AND SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Jun 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
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, Jun 13, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED I RECEIVED AUDIBLE ALARMS AND DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS TO SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT. AT THAT TIME THE STEERING BECOME VERY DIFFICULT. THE CAR WAS MANUVERABLE THOUGH QUITE DIFFICULT SO I PROCEEDED 10 MILES TO MY DESTINATION AT REDUCED SPEED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT AND UPON RESTARTING THE PROBLEM HAD GONE AWAY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER AND THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,000. *TR
Steering, Jun 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE ADVANCED TRACK AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TR
Steering, Jun 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM AS IF THE TIRES WERE ALSO FAILING; HOWEVER, THE TRACTION AND STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *TR
Steering, Jun 4, 2013
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE TWO LIGHT WARNINGS FLASHED. ONE SAID ADVANCED TRAC SYSTEM AUTO (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT). MY STEERING WHEEL THEN LOCKED AND I GOT SCARED AND PULLED OVER. I COULD NOT MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL TO DRIVE PROPERLY SO I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND WAITED OVER 2 HOURS FOR A TOW. I DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN TRUCK. IT GOT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY JUST CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL MODULE. THANKFULLY IT IS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. NOT TO MENTION , MY WARRANTY IS ENDING IN ONLY 3000 MORE MILES . GUESS I NEED TO EXTEND IT JUST IN CASE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Jun 4, 2013
I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. A LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE SYSTEM MADE A SOUND TO LET ME KNOW THERE WAS A MESSAGE. IT LET ME KNOW THAT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING. I WAS TURNING INTO AN ISLE, AND HAD TO PUT MY BODY INTO TURNING THE SUV. I PULLED INTO A WIDE OPEN PARKING SPACE, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE ISSUE RESOLVED ITSELF. TWO DAYS LATER I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK DOING ABOUT 30MPH AND THE SAME MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE POWER WENT OUT. I HAD TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE TIME, WHICH WAS FOUR DAYS LATER. THAT EVENING I WAS TAKING A CAR LOAD OF LITTLE BOYS TO A BASEBALL GAME. THE STEERING WENT OUT ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER. I HAD A FEW CHOICE THOUGHTS ABOUT MY FORD EXPLORER FAILING MY FAMILY!! I HAVE SINCE BEEN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT CHARGED ME $1,800 TO REPLACE MY STEERING GEAR PART, LABOR, ALIGNMENT AND TAXES. MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND FORD IS SOMEHOW ABLE TO SEE THIS DEFECT IN THOUSANDS OF CARS AND PUNISH IT'S CUSTOMERS FOR CHOOSING TO SUPPORT FORD. I DIDN'T WANT TO PURCHASE A CAR THAT HAD BEEN PRODUCED BY A COMPANY THAT USED BAIL-OUT MONEY, BUT NEXT TIME I WILL! *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2013
ON ENGINE START UP, THE DASH SCREEN READ "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN USING THE STEERING WHEEL MANUALLY. I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE WAS THE SUGGESTION TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE CAR WHICH DID SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEN THE DASH READS ANOTHER WARNING "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT." I CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT THIS WEEK, BUT I NO LONGER TRUST THIS CAR, WHICH WE USE TO TRANSPORT OUR TODDLER GRANDCHILDREN AND WE WILL NOT USE IT AGAIN UNTIL WE GET SATISFACTION. I SAW THAT SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED A RE-OCCURRENCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM, MAJOR PART REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING MECHANISMS AND DELAYS IN REPAIRS. THAT SAYS TO ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD DEMAND A RECALL. *TR
Steering, May 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD INDEPENDENTLY DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *TR
Steering, May 30, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT AS WELL AS VEHICLE TRACTION LIGHT CAME IN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND NO VEHICLES WERE AROUND. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT FIXES THE PROBLEM. IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY GOING THAT SPEED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COME ON. *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
Steering, May 28, 2013
WAS DRIVING AND RECEIVED AN ALARM ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED - AND LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING SO HAD TO MANUALLY STEER THE CAR WHICH WAS DIFFICULT - REFERRED TO MANUAL AND IT SAID TO STOP CAR AND TURN OFF AND SHOULD RESET PROBLEM.. DID THAT AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES THEN CAME BACK ON - TOOK TO DEALER THIS MORNING AND THEY SAID THE STEERING RACK FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.. MY CAR IS IN SHOP FOR TWO DAYS.. *TR
Steering, May 28, 2013
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS BEGINNING IN 2012 I WAS MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND TRACTION ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. I WAS ONLY A GOING A FEW MILES PER HOUR. ON THE FIFTH OCCASION IN MAY 2013 I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH A SECURED GREEN LIGHT MAKING A LEFT TURN, PROBABLY GOING ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION ASSIST LIGHTS CAME ON. THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP AND THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF, ONLY THIS TIME I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED BY A CAR THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME THROUGH THE LIGHT. IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED AS A DRIVER AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WAS RAINING? I WOULD HAVE SURELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT A POLE THAT WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TAKEN MY 2011 EXPLORER TO FORD THREE TIMES AND ALL THREE TIMES THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR