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, Power train, Aug 27, 2012
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND A CHIME SOUNDED WITH A MESSAGE STATING"POWER ASSIST FAILURE" AND THEN ANOTHER MESSAGE OF "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" WERE SHOWN IN THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JUNE OF 2012, BUT I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO DID NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR IT TO BE LOOKED AT AS IT SEEMED LIKE A RARE EVENT. *TR
Steering, Aug 27, 2012
DRIVING ALONG AND THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART AND IT WORKS AGAIN. TAKING TO FORD DEALER ON AUGUST 27 FOR REVIEW. SAME AS INHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12017. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 27, 2012
THE MANAGEMENT TERRAIN AND POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED 3 TIMES AND AT A DEAD STOP 3 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESET BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTING. *TR
Steering, Aug 25, 2012
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STEEP AND CURVY ROAD AND THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ALL TERRAIN ASSISTANCE FAILURE LIGHT. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ... I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE FAILURE LIGHT REMAINED FOR BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND ALL TERRAIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND THE FAULT CAME BACK ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME. I HAVE AN 8 MONTH OLD CHILD AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE ... ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE SYNC SYSTEM TOTALLY CRAPPED OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT THE DEALER FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WE PAY ABOUT $700 A MONTH FOR THIS ON A LEASE AND CAN'T WAIT TO TURN IT BACK IN. *TR
Steering, Aug 24, 2012
A WARNING MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE AUTOTRAC" CAME ON, FOLLOWING QUICKLY BY A POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE. AT THAT POINT, I COULD NO LONGER STEER THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO CONTINUE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Power train, Aug 23, 2012
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND ONLY GOT ABOUT 6 FEET OUT OF THE GARAGE AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING - THERE WAS A MESSAGE SHOWING ON THE DASH "POWER STEERING MODULE FAULT". 2 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS A VERY HARD SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. YOU COULD SEE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SHAKE. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT WAS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. AND ALSO SAID THAT FORD IS AWARE OF PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT ALSO. *TR
Steering, Traction control system, Aug 23, 2012
I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND GETTING INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE. THE LIGHT WAS GREEN SO I STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND THE TRACTION LIGHT SYSTEM CAME ON, BOTH LIGHTS, AND THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE ALERT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ALMOST HIT A POLE. IT WAS A NICE DAY, NO RAIN OR MOISTURE. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. *TR
Steering, Aug 22, 2012
STARTED PARKED EXPLORER AND WENT TO BACK UP. THE POWER ASSIST STEERING FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC LIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT ALL.TRIED BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. NEXT I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE FAILURE LIGHTS WOULD NOT CLEAR AND THE STEERING WAS STILL LOCKED. CALLED OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY ME TRY RESTARTING SEVERAL TIMES. EVENTUALLY THE PROCESS WORKED AND THE STEERING CAME BACK.DEALER ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN RIGHT AWAY.LOCAL DEALER PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR. DEALER CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID OUR EXPLORER WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER ORDERED REPLACEMENT STEERING RACK. PROJECTED DATE FOR REPLACEMENT PART IS NOVEMBER 9. OUR DEALER HAS BEEN GREAT. I AM NOT SURE EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED WILL I TRUST IT. *TR
Steering, Aug 21, 2012
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SHE SAID THE CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND SHE HAD TO BRAKE TO A STOP IN THE TRAVEL LANE. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED TEMPORARILY BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND POWER AND RESTARTING, BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY A RECURRING ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 20, 2012
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A SERVICE DRIVE TO GO ON THE EXPRESSWAY. AS I WAS COMPLETING THE TURN I LOST THE POWER STEERING & THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE. I GOT 2 MESSAGES ON THE DASHBOARD, THE ONLY ONE I PAID ATTENTION TO WAS "SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK", I THINK THE 2ND MESSAGE WAS ABOUT A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IF IT WAS, IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE ADVANCE TRACK BREAKING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD & STOP THE CAR. SHUTTING THE CAR OFF & RESTARTING DID NOTHING TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. WHEN I LOOKED UP ADVANCE TRACK IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IT EXPLICITLY SAID IF THE ADVANCE TRACK BROKE THE CAR WOULD DECELERATE & POWER STEERING WOULD BE LOST & THE CAR WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED, IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IF THIS HAPPENED. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER & WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN. WHEN I CALLED THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THE PART HAD BEEN ORDERED & SHOULD BE IN ON WED & THEN IT WOULD BE INSTALLED. WHEN I CALLED ON WED I WAS TOLD THE PART WAS ON A 2 WEEK NATIONAL BACKORDER; WHICH MEANT THE PART WOULD NOT BE IN UNTIL AUG 9. IT IS NOW AUG 20 & THE PART HAS STILL NOT BEEN RECEIVED, I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE DEALER EXPECTS DELIVERY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT IT & I AM DRIVING A RENTAL CAR, PAID FOR BY FORD, UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE. EARLIER IN THE YEAR I HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BOOT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED & I WONDER NOW IF THE 2 PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. *TR
Steering, Aug 17, 2012
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON OUR FORD EXPLORER. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS NOT A GOOD SITUATION. WE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHUT THE CAR OFF. EVENTUALLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED ON OUR TRAVELS. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME FROM VACATION WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY NOW HAVE OUR EXPLORER IN THEIR SHOP AND WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL CAR FOR 2 WEEKS. SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE TO BACK IT OUT OF THE GARAGE THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER SEEMED TO WORK FINE. I HAD NO OTHER ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL THE 7/28/12 INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. *TR
Steering, Aug 15, 2012
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THREE WARNINGS CAME UP, ALL REFERRING BACK TO THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND SEEM TO RESET. WE THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT STILL SITS. *TR
Steering, Aug 14, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE SAFELY BUT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MY 2 YOUNG BOYS IN THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Aug 13, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10-15 MILES PER HOUR. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH BUT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF A SECOND TIME AND LET IT SIT FOR 60 SECONDS AND THE SECOND TIME THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. TWO DAYS LATER WHEN DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN, I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AFTER 60 SECONDS AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Traction control system, Aug 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED MESSAGE CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANY TURNS OR MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER POWERING OFF AND RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,472 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,600. UPDATED 09/21/12*LJ THE CONSUMER THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURES AND RELATED MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S MESSAGE CENTER. THE DEALER FOUND A DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR THE SPEED SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 09/27/2012 *JS *TR
Steering, Aug 11, 2012
DRIVING MY EXPLORER AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. WHICH IT HAD. ALSO RECEIVED WARNINGS MY TRACTION CONTROL HAD FAILED. STOP VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE PROBLEM RESET IT SELF. THIS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN 5 DAYS. *TR
Steering, Aug 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING LIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Steering, Aug 10, 2012
THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW ABOUT 3 WEEKS APART FROM EACH OTHER. WE ARE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. AN ALERT ON THE DASH WILL SAY POWER STEERING FAILURE. ONCE WE TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT THE POWER STEERING ENGAGES AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SINCE THE COMPUTER DIDN'T SUBMIT A CODE AND THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM THEY SENT ME HOME WITH IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE, IF WE HAPPEN TO BE TURNING WHEN IT ALL THE SUDDEN GOES OUT WE WOULD HAVE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD OR IN TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE CARS ARE MAINLY OWNED BY FAMILIES WITH KIDS SINCE IT HAS THREE ROWS OF SEATS, CAN SOMETHING BE DONE BEFORE IT RESULTS IN MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES? *TR
Steering, Aug 9, 2012
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WILL NOT FUNCTION, ITS STIFF AS A BRICK, WHEEL CAN NOT BE TURNED. SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. ONE OCCASION, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. IT WAS MOMENTARY AND CORRECTED ITSELF. *TR
Steering, Aug 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE TRAIN MANAGEMENT MODE WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND ALL OF THE GEAR BOX LIGHTS ON FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Steering, Aug 9, 2012
I WAS SLOWING TO STOP FOR A STOP LIGHT AND A LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH THAT THE ADVANCE TRACTION FAILED. SECONDS LATER, A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THE POWER STEERING FAILED, I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR
Steering, Aug 8, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER AND I GOT A WARNING ALARM THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING BUT THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT. *TR
Steering, Aug 8, 2012
STARTED CAR AND PROCEDED TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY. POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. A WARNING SHOWED ON DASH SCREEN "POWER STEERING ASSIST" OFF FAILURE. STOPPED CAR / RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. DROVE 5- 10 MILES, NO OTHER FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2012
THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 4 OCCASIONS IN MY BRAND NEW XLT. THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME (THREE TOTAL) THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RETURNED IT TO ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING, WARNING CHIMES AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC", "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHTS GLOWING WHILE IN MOTION. ALMOST CRASHED THE VEHICLE EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY GAS PEDAL POSITION NEVER CHANGED. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE 4TH TIME, I ALMOST WAS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER AND REALIZED FORD MOTOR CORPORATION IS NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR ADDRESSING THIS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE ALL LATE MODEL EXPLORER OWNERS ARE FACED WITH. FORD CLAIMED THEY KNOW NOTHING BUT SAME ISSUE ALL OVER INTERNET. THEY CLAIMED THE FIX WAS THEY REPLACED AN ANGLE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ANOTHER TIME IT WAS THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REFRESHED AND ANOTHER SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD IN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, NOTHING TO FIX. AS I AM NOT AN EXPERT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY BECAUSE THE SYNC AND NAVIGATION NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. WAS THERE A CRASH? WAS THERE AN INJURY OR FATALITY? I BELIEVE IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, IT WILL. THE HEAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGER TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS "CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU", OR "CALL AN ATTORNEY". I WILL BE DOING BOTH. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO HELP ME IN THIS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE DEALER LEVEL THROUGH THE TOLL FREE CORPORATE HOTLINE WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING. SEARCH ONLINE FOR OTHERS UNREPORTED HERE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 6, 2012
ON JULY 4, 2012, WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GETTING READY TO EXIT IN ABOUT 100 YARDS, AS I WAS DECREASING SPEED I HEARD AND FELT A LIGHT BANG, THE CAR SEEMED TO SURGE LIKE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES WERE PULSATING, AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. CAR PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING THE GUARD RAIL, COULD NOT STEER. JAMMED ON BREAKS, FORTUNATELY IN THE SLOW LANE, AND PULLED OVER. POWER STEERING LIGHT AND HILL DESCENT CONTROL FAULT CAME ON, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON POWER STEERING THEN WORKED BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON CENTER CONSOLE DID NOT WORK UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS, RETURNED IT TO ME WITH NO FOUND NO FAULT. ON SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2012, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AT 30 MPH, FELT THE CAR JUMP FORWARD THEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT AND HILL DESCENT LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS ANOTHER LIGHT (I TOOK PICS OF THE ERROR MESSAGES). THIS TIME WHEN I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED IT, IT DID NOT WORK, LET THE CAR SIT FOR 15 MINUTES STILL DID NOT WORK, CALLED THE TOWLINE AND NO ANSWER, SO DROVE THE CAR 3 MILES TO HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR TRACTION CONTROL. NEXT DAY CALLED DEALER CALLED DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT TAKE ME IN FOR ANOTHER WEEK, ALSO STATED THEY NEVER HEARD OF THESE ISSUES, SO I GOOGLED AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES (AT LEAST 10) AND THE POWER STEERING TWICE WITHIN 18 DAYS. *TR