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, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2012
POWER STEERING ASSIST DISABLED AND ASSOCIATED WARNING LIGHT ENABLED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN STOPPED WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND IN GEAR. DISABLE OCCURRED WHEN I STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE. OCCURRED A SECOND TIME, APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK LATER, WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN ENABLED BY TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING ENGINE. PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK UNTIL IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE DIAGNOSIS WAS STEERING GEAR NEEDED REPLACING. NO REPAIR PERFORMED TO DATE, APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER. REPORTEDLY THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. *TR
Steering, Sep 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN A PARKING LOT HEN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12017 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,458.
Steering, Sep 25, 2012
AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE MALL PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING FAILED & SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP. I WAS IN PROCESS OF TURNING WHEN POWER ASSIST FAILED AND I ALMOST STRUCK A PARKED CAR. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED (POWER ASSIST WAS THEN WORKING). I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED I NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS INCIDENT IS CONSISTENT WITH NHTSA CASE PE12-017. *TR
Steering, Sep 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,400.
Steering, Sep 19, 2012
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL I COULD NOT. THERE WAS A WARNING LITE ON THE LEFT OF DASH THAT CAME ON SHOWING POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE. TURNED CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT RESET AND WAS NOW WORKING. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2012
WHILE PULLING INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION (ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT AT A T INTERSECTION) THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I RECEIVED ERRORS ON THE CLUSTER STATING THAT POWER STEERING AND STABILITRAK HAD FAILED. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR INTO TRAFFIC; LUCKILY THERE WAS A DRIVEWAY A FEW DEGREES OFF CENTER FROM THE T AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN THERE. *TR
Steering, Sep 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED THE STEERING TO BECOME HARD TO TURN. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF FOR A MOMENT TO RESET THE STEERING TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Steering, Sep 12, 2012
DURING A LATE AFTERNOON DRIVE ON THE LOCAL FREEWAY AND UNDER DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER AT APPROX. 70 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE LUXURY OF POWER STEERING VANISHED. IMMEDIATELY, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTS TO PARK. WITHIN MOMENTS OF THE POWER STEERING GOING AWAY, A POP-UP WINDOW APPEARED ON MY DASH BOARD INSTRUCTING ME OF A POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND INVITING ME TO BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, I TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, I WAS AGAIN DRIVING THE LOCAL FREEWAY AT 70 MPH UNDER DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE SAME EXPERIENCE OCCURRED. I AGAIN REACHED MY DESTINATION, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND ATTENDED TO MY DUTIES. AGAIN, AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, I TURNED ON THE CAR AND FOUND NO POP-UP WINDOWS ON THE DASH BOARD OR POWER STEERING DIFFICULTIES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING GEAR, WHICH IS PRESENTLY ON ORDER AND SHOULD BE IN WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY PARENTS AND MY TODDLER DAUGHTER BACK FROM VISTING A SIBLING (APPROX. 5 HOUR DRIVE) WHEN WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO TAKE A BREAK ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN, I RECEIVED WARNINGS RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURE. THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THERE APPEARED TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BLINKERS AS WELL. ON TUESDAY, FOLLOWING LABOR DAY) I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT FOR REPAIR. MORE THAN A WEEK LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER WITH FORD UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST AND THAT THERE WAS A WAITING LIST TO GET THE PART AND THERE WERE ALMOST 1000 PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST AHEAD OF ME. I'M GREATFUL THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER, EVEN UNDER THE WARRANTY THEY ONLY HAVE TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR 10 DAYS. I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND KEEP ME IN A CAR UNTIL SOMETIME IN HOPEFULLY OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER WHEN THEY CAN REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND IS BOTH A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS POSSIBLY A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. *TR
Steering, Sep 12, 2012
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER. LUCKILY THERE WAS A TURN LANE TO MY RIGHT I COULD MOVE INTO TO STOP THE CAR AND ATTEMPT TO RESET THE SYSTEM. I WAS LUCKY. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN ON A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD. I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE CLOSEST DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1600.00 TO FIX. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. THE DESIGN OF THIS STEERING SYSTEM IS POTENTIALLY FATAL NO STEERING SYSTEM SHOULD EVER FAIL WITHOUT WARNING! *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 11, 2012
WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING THE DASH ANNUNCIATOR CAME ON AND, IN SUCCESSION, INDICATED "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT", "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" AND THEN "POWER STEERING ASSIST OFF". THIS LAST ONE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS THIS CAR IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER/TURN WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPPED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. IF I WERE AT HIGH SPEED, AT A CURVE, OR HAD TO AVOID ANOTHER CAR OR PERSON, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BIG TROUBLE. SOME TIME LATER THE CAR CORRECTED ITSELF. THEN IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME 9/10/2012. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR
Steering, Sep 7, 2012
STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE STEERING WOULDN'T MOVE. CHIME WENT ON AND "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" APPEARED IN THE DISPLAY NEXT TO THE SPEEDOMETER. SHUT THE CAR OFF WAITED THEN RESTARTED THE CAR AND THINGS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. WILL CALL FORD DEALER AS THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS, STEERING WAS VERY, VERY HARD TO MOVE AND I'M A HEALTHY MALE IN THE MID 40'S. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY WIFE WOULD DO IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 5, 2012
THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AROUND 10 MPH PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION. THE SCREEN SAID IT WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT WENT AWAY, HOWEVER IT HAPPENED ONCE MORE LATER AROUND 5 MPH. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HWY WHEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO PROPERLY STEER THE VEHICLE AT 55 MPH, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A LOT OF EFFORT. AT THE TIME MY 4 YEAR OLD AND 4 MONTH OLD WERE IN THE VEHICLE AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I CALLED MY HUSBAND IN A PANIC AND HE CAME TO PICK ME UP. WHEN HE GOT THERE THE POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT WAS ON AND THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE STEERING CAME BACK BUT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL ON. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FIGURING OUT WHAT IS WRONG. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2012
THIS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE (20+) POWER STEERING FAILURES. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY, A 55 MPH ROAD IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURS QUICKLY WITH LITTLE TIME FOR THE DRIVER TO REACT. YOU SIMPLY GET A SMALL CHIME WITH AN INDICATOR ON THE DASH STATING "POWER ASSIST FAILURE' FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE STATING 'POWER STEERING FAILURE'. BY THE TIME YOU READ THE MESSAGE, YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED AS YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING THE MOMENT THE CHIME IS HEARD. THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS TURNING OFF THE EXIT RAMP FOR THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY ONTO A LOCAL ROAD TO GO HOME. HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I ALMOST DROVE MY CAR INTO ANOTHER CAR AT THE INTERSECTION. WITH MY STRENGTH, I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO COMPLETE THE TURN. OTHERWISE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISION INTOP A CAR STOPPED IN THE INTERSECTION. HAD THIS BEEN MY PREGNANT WIFE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SCARY RESULT. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER (PLEASANTVILLE FORD) SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED. THEY CLAIMED AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS DUE TO A CROSSED WIRE THAT WAS FIXED. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR, AND THEY PRESENTLY HAVE A NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM ON ORDER FROM FORD TO TRY AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE. BASED ON THE LATEST OCCURRENCE, AS WELL AS A SLEW OF OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, I AM DROPPING IT AT THE DEALER TODAY AS I NO LONGER DEEM IT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET WITH FORD AND THEIR PRODUCT OVER THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED ON VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IN ORDER TO RESOLVE FAILURE MOMENTARILY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND REPROGRAMMED THE CONTROL MODULE. UPDATED 10/18/12
Steering, Sep 4, 2012
DRIVING SLOW SPEED WITH 1YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD BABIES POWER STEERING FAILED. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. GLADLY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WILL SEE WHAT FORD SAYS TOMORROW. *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2012
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. CANNOT DRIVE CAR. ERROR MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2012
AS COASTING TO A STOP LIGHT FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DOWN TO 5 AND MAYBE EVEN COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN NOTICED POWER STEERING WAS NEARLY LOST. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A SIDE STREET, STOP AND RESTART THE CAR, AND THEN IT DROVE FINE. TAKING IT INTO A DEALER FOR EVALUATION TODAY AND HAVE NOTIFIED A FORD PERSON VIA ONLINE MESSAGE BOARD. *TR
Steering, Sep 1, 2012
I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN THE WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON LETTING ME KNOW THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED" AND THEN LOST ALL POWER FOR STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, STOP & RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING UNIT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE 'RACK & PINION' ATTACHMENTS. I TOW A BOAT FROM TIME TO TIME AND THIS COULD HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS CLOSE TO A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME AND I WAS ABLE TO PERFORM THE RESTART. *TR
Steering, Aug 30, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR, FRONT BUMPER AND GRILL WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Steering, Aug 29, 2012
WHILE TURNING RIGHT AT ABOUT 6 - 10 MPH THE STEERING FAILED AND VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL. LUCKILY NO DAMAGE OR INJURY, WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY UNSAFE IF HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. *TR
Steering, Aug 28, 2012
"TERRAIN MANAGEMENT ASSIST FAULT" AND "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING LIGHTS POP UP AND STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HARD TO REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING AND HAVE TO MUSCLE CAR OVER TO CURB AND TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART CAR TO GET DRIVABLE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. VEHICLE AGAIN AT FORD DEALER. FIRST OCCASION LAST WEEK AND DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE ISSUE, REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER AND RELEASED US. PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING AND CAR TAKEN TO DEALER. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 27, 2012
I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 60MPH WHEN AN ALERT FROM THE DASH SOUNDED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND 2 MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE ONBOARD MESSAGING SYSTEM: 1) "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND 2) "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC". AT THAT TIME I LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AT THE TIME AS I AM UNSURE IF I COULD HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM GOING OFF OF THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I RESTARTED THE CAR APPROX 5 MIN LATER AND IT HAD NO WARNINGS AND THE POWER STEERING HAD BEEN RESTORED. THE NEXT DAY, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT I WAS GOING APPROX 10MPH TURNING LEFT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW "RACK" AND THAT THE PART WAS "BACKORDERED" AND HAD A DELIVERY DATE OF NOVEMBER (TODAY'S DATE IS 8/27/12). *TR