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, May 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A COUPLE MONTHS, I WAS COMING TO A RED LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. I COULDN'T MOVE THE WHEEL. TWO WARNING SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO RESTART. EVERYTHING WORKED AFTER. IT'S A GOOD THING IT HAPPENED TO ME AND NOT HER. *TR
Steering, May 26, 2013
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, May 12, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL AND TWO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THE TWO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON WERE ADVANCED TRACK SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING ASSIST. *TR
Steering, May 7, 2013
I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AT A T-INTERSECTION, ATTEMPTING A LEFT-HAND TURN WHEN THE CAR WARNING LIGHT SOUNDED. AT THE VERY SAME TIME, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP JUST AS I COMPLETED THE TURN. I AM VERY THANKFUL I WASN'T GOING FASTER OR HAD TO DEAL WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THIS OCCURRED. TWO WARNING MESSAGES ALSO FLASHED ON THE INFO DASH WHILE THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED: (1) SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND (2) POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN PARK, I TURN IT OFF, OPENED THE DOOR AND THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE. AT THAT TIME, ALL WARNING LIGHTS AND SYSTEM WARNINGS WERE GONE AND THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY ONCE MORE. *TR
Steering, May 6, 2013
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, I HEARD A DING AND TWO WARNINGS CAME UP ON MY INFORMATION PANEL STATING "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" AND "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I WAS COMING INTO A CURVE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THESE WARNINGS CAME ON, I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BARELY AVOIDED A CRASH. I STOPPED MY VEHICLE, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND MADE A PHONE CALL TO MY HUSBAND AND THEN RESTARTED MY CAR AND THE WARNINGS WERE GONE AND MY POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND IS GETTING HARDER TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AFTER RESTARTING THE LAST FEW TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE TELLING ME IT IS A STEERING GEAR AND THEY HAVE ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PART, BUT WITH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT WILL COST ME A $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. I'VE SINCE RESEARCHED AND HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL EXPLORERS WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AND WANTED TO LODGE MY INCIDENT AS WELL. *TR
Steering, Apr 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND AS I GOT ABOUT 2 MILES FROM MY DESTINATION THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC MESSAGES BOTH BEGAN BLINKING ON THE DASH. THEN THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENS AND I CAN TELL THAT ITS LOCKING. I WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT WITH A LOT OF FORCE AND GET INTO THE PARKING LOT. THEN I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND WE BOTH BEGAN TO GOOGLE THE PROBLEM AND SAW OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR AND CUT THE VEHICLE ON AND THE WHEEL WAS UNLOCKED AND MESSAGES CLEARED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO OTHER ISSUES BUT I WILL BE AT THE DEALERSHIP MONDAY. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES PRIOR TO TODAY. *TR
Steering, Apr 4, 2013
I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT. THE GREEN ARROW APPEARED SO I STARTED TO MAKE MY LEFT HAND TURN AND LOST POWER STEERING CAPABILITY. SEVERAL "DINGS" SOUNDED AND INDICATORS ON MY DASHBOARD LIT UP. I WAS ABLE TO GET AROUND THE CORNER WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE ON THE WHEEL AND GET INTO A PARKING LOT WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RE-STARTING, THE POWER STEERING CAPABILITY WAS RETURNED, BUT THE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE STILL ACTIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON A FLAT-BED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT IS STILL THERE BEING ASSESSED. *TR
Steering, Mar 22, 2013
ATTEMPTED TO START CAR IN PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND WHEEL BECAME TOTALLY LOCKED. CERTAINLY THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY THAT I COULD TURN IT. TURNED CAR OFF TO CALL DEALERSHIP, AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES I RE-STARTED THE CAR. POWER STEERING RESPONDED AND I DROVE TO DEALERSHIP, THEN HOME. IF I HAD BEEN IN MOVING TRAFFIC WHEN THE STEERING FAILED, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED. I NOW DISCOVER THAT FORD HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS OVER POWER STEERING OF THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN EVER MADE. *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2013
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2011 EXPLORER HAS LOCKED MANY TIMES BUT I WAS NEVER IN A POSITION TO HAVE TIME TO SNAP A PICTURE OR REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT THE CODE SAID WHEN IT CAME UP, BUT I HAD BEEN TELLING MY DEALER THAT IT WAS OCCURRING OFTEN. THIS PAST TIME IT DID IT I WAS TURNING RIGHT ON A ROAD AND IT LOCKED UP SO MY SPEED WAS SLOW SO I COULD MANAGE TO COME TO A STOP AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN TO GET IT TO CLEAR. I SNAPPED A PICTURE SO I COULD SHOW THEM WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF. MY DEALER HAS TOLD ME EVERYTIME I COMPLAIN THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE ELSE COMPLAIN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS TIME WHEN I TOOK IT IN THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR AND THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE $100.00. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD SYNC AND HAVE RETURNED IT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THAT AND THEY JUST TELL ME I WILL HAVE TO BRING IT IN EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR AN UPDATE(THE UPDATE TAKES SEVERAL HOURS). I HAVE ALSO HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR A NOISE AT THE WINDSHIELD. IT SOUNDS LIKE A POPPING SOUND AND FINALLY THEY REPLACED A PIECE 2 TIMES AND THAT NOISE WENT AWAY. IT IS ALSO TIME FOR NEW TIRES. MY CAR HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT AND WE NOTICED THAT 2 OF THE TIRES HAVE CRACKS IN THEM IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT CRACKS BUT CUTS. THEY ARE CLEARLY CRACKS. THE TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE 60,000 MILE TIRES BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO CHECK INTO THE ISSUE. MY AC STOPPED WORKING, I TOOK IT IN FOR THAT AS WELL AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AC CONDENSER HAD A PIN SIZE HOLE ON IT AND IT WAS CAUSED FROM ROAD DEBRIS. THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WILL COST ME ABOUT $1200.00 OUT OF POCKET. *TR
Steering, Feb 6, 2013
ON WEDNESDAY 2/5/13 I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 55 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE A WARNING POP UP THAT SAYS POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. EVEN TO MAKE SLIGHT CURVES IN THE ROAD WHERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I BARELY HAD TIME TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC BEFORE GETTING HIT. ALSO, MY TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE WARNINGS WENT AWAY. HOWEVER AS I STARTED MY ROUTE TO GET HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKING SYSTEM SEIZED AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE STEERING UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12017 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Dec 17, 2012
I OWN A 2011 FORD EXPLORER, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ALONG AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING "TRACTION CONTROL" "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURES" . STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND STEER CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 1/2 DOZEN TIMES, EACH TIME I SLOWLY STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART THE CAR AND ERROR CLEARS OUT. THIS LAST TIME IT OCCURRED AS I WAS TURNING LEFT FROM A LEFT TURN LANE WHEN SUDDENLY IN THE M IDLE OF THE TURN MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT VERY LOW SPEED, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER CAR AND WENT ONTO ONCOMING LANE AGAIN I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HIT ANYONE. HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE PROBLEM DID NOT CLEAR ITSELF AND THE CAR IS AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR 8 DAYS NOW. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS ITS A GEAR AND FORD DOES NOT HAVE IT IN STOCK!!! *TR
Steering, Dec 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE STEERING GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR SHIFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,500. ..UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF 02/01/2013 *JS
Steering, Dec 7, 2012
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STEER. THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ALSO DISABLED AT THE SAME TIME. THE OCCURRED FIRST IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THEN THE NEXT DAY IN A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL BUSINESS. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING THE ISSUE WAS CLEARED FROM THE COMPUTER AND THE STEERING RESUMED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT. THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE AND MAKE THE REPAIRS. *TR
Steering, Nov 26, 2012
PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT OFF OF A HIGHWAY POWER STEERING FROZE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN BUT STILL HAD SAME ISSUE AND COULD NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. TURNED POWER OFF, TOOK KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. WENT BACK IN AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND STEERING SEEMED TO BE NORMAL AGAIN. DROPPED OFF AT DEALER THE NEXT DAY. IT HAS BEEN 10 WEEKS AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, PART ON BACKORDER AND FEARFUL OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER IT IS FIXED. DEALER AND FORD REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] TELLS ME THERE IS NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON PART. IF THIS IS THE CASE THIS MUST BE A BIG PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Nov 14, 2012
ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 25TH, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2011 FORD EXPLORER AWD LIMITED TO WORK AND THE EPAS POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. SHE WAS LUCKILY CLOSE TO WORK AND NOT DRIVING IN ANY CURVY TERRAIN, AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH GREAT EXERTION. I CAME OUT AND SWITCHED CARS SO THAT I COULD DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE EPAS WAS WORKING AGAIN WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAW THE FAULT WHEN THEY HOOKED THE CAR TO THEIR SYSTEM. AS OF TODAY, 11/14/12, FORD STILL HAS POSSESSION OF OUR VEHICLE, WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR
Steering, Nov 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 20 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK ON. THE WARNING LIGHTS REAPPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING STILL DID NOT WORK. ONCE THE CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE, THE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED OFF AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. *TR
Steering, Oct 28, 2012
DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, 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 THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT 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 (BENSON FORD EASLEY SC). THEY FOUND PROBLEM CODES AND PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT FORD TOLD THEM WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER, ON 6/18/2012, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AGAIN FAILED. THIS TIME IN MY DRIVEWAY. AGAIN THE STEERING ASSIST RETURNED AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. TOOK THE VEHICLE AGAIN TO BENSON FORD. TROUBLE CODES WERE FOUND AND THIS TIME THE FIX WAS A NEW STEERING GEAR AND RACK ASSEMBLY. AVAILABILITY OF THE PART WAS INITIALLY A PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A PART TWO DAYS LATER. THE CAR HAS NOT HAD A RECURRENCE TO DATE ( 20125 MILES) I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEER THE CAR WITHOUT THE ASSIST IS EXTREME AND LIKELY BEYOND THE ABILITY OF SOME DRIVERS. *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNTION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO WAIT UNTIL THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 19, 2012
BRAKES MAKE A GRUNTING/GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKING SHORTLY AFTER BEING STATIONARY. WHEN THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE, DRIVE GETS THE FEELING THAT BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS IS REDUCED GREATLY. OWNER HAS BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE NOISE ONE TIME. *TR
Steering, Oct 18, 2012
DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREET WHEN STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY STIFF AFTER A VERY SLIGHT STEER TO THE RIGHT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND RE-STARTING ENABLE STEERING AGAIN. SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK, LUCKILY I AM DRIVING ON SIDE STREET AND SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN AGAIN. NEVER DROVE CAR ON FREEWAYS FOR FEAR OF LOSING STEERING CONTROL. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. DEALER SAID FIX COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER DEALER SAID THEY FIX IT, SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN WITH MY WIFE DRIVING. THIS TIME STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE EVEN AFTER STOP/RE-START OF ENGINE. DEALER TOW CAR TO THEIR SHOP. *TR
Steering, Oct 10, 2012
DRIVING AROUND A FAIRLY SHARP CURVE OF 2-LANE COUNTRY HIGHWAY WITH NO SHOULDER AND DEEP DITCHES AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN CAR SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. FELT LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE PULLING ME OFF THE ROAD. LOOKED AT INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SAW LIGHTS INDICATING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL. VERY HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE ON ROADWAY, BUT LUCKILY WITH NO ONE BEHIND ME, I LET MY SPEED REDUCE AS I ASSESSED THE SITUATION. GOT VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND STARTED READING OWNER'S MANUAL. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED IT TO FIND THE DASHBOARD WARNINGS WERE CLEARED. CONFIRMATION FROM THE MANUAL SAID THAT STEERING MAY RESET AFTER A RESTART. POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN THEM TELLING ME IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A FLUKE INCIDENT AND TO CONTINUE ON MY TRIP, BUT TO BRING IT BY THE NEXT DAY WHEN BACK IN TOWN. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE COMPUTER CODES, THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO ME BECAUSE OF ITS DANGER TO DRIVE. THIS WAS ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO AND THEY STILL CANNOT TELL ME WHEN THE PART WILL BE IN FOR MY VEHICLE REPAIR. FORD TELLS THEM I AM ON A LIST, BUT CAN'T TELL THEM WHERE ON THE LIST. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT THERE IS EITHER A VERY LONG LIST WAITING FOR THIS PART OR FORD CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND WHY IT IS FAILING IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM CORRECTLY. AFTER WAITING 4 MONTHS AFTER ORDERING TO FINALLY GET MY VEHICLE, YOU'D THINK FORD WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT RIGHT BEFORE LETTING THEM GO OUT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2012
(MY WIFE AS ON HER WAY TO OUR DAUGHTER'S ONE MONTH DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. SHE HAD JUST BEGAN MOVING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER (FOUND TO BE STABILI-TRAC ERRORS AND FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING). SHE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT HARM. AFTER READING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, SHE FOUND THAT WITH THIS ISSUE, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON MAY "CLEAR" THE ISSUE. IT DID TAKE CARE OF THE STEERING ISSUE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DOCTORS. FORD LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND HAS ORDERED ANOTHER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE SAME FAULT HAS HAPPENED AN ADDITIONAL FOUR TIMES SINCE THE FIRST DAY. THAT IS A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS ONLY BEEN ABLE TO TELL US THAT THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER BECAUSE FORD ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON A REVISED PART TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE SHE HAD BOTH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THANKFULLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STAY IN AN EXTENDED SHOULDER AFTER THE MERGE LANE ENDED. TURNING THE VEHICLE HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE EVERY TIME SO FAR. *TR
Steering, Oct 6, 2012
WHILE DRIVING A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING I LOST POWER STEERING. I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 5, 2012
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE ADVANCTRAK AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE "SERVICE ADVANCTRAK" WARNING APPEARED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK, AND THE "POWER STEERING FAULT" WARNING APPEARED. THE TURN SIGNALS ALSO STOPPED WORKING DURING THESE EPISODES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, ALL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING YESTERDAY. IN ALL CASES, I HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE - UPON RESTARTING, THE WARNINGS DISAPPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW, WITH NO ISSUES FOUND. I HAVE A 3RD APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TODAY. *TR