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, Jul 16, 2012
TURNING INTO PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY CEASED,I HAD TO MUSCLE CAR OUT OF WAY OF ANOTHER CAR,NARROWLY ESCAPING ACCIDENT.LIGHTS LIT UP, POWER STEERING FAILURE,TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2012
THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM CAME UP WITH A WARNING THAT SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST FULL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AT THE TIME OF DRIVING. THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I TURNED ON MY HAZARDS TO SIGNAL OTHER CARS TO GO AROUND ME. AT THAT TIME, I HAD TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT TWICE BEFORE IT RESET THE SYSTEM AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTROL THE STEERING AGAIN. THIS WAS VERY SCARY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SAME SCENARIO. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT SO THEY TRIED RESETTING THE SYSTEM WITH A COMPLETE MASTER RESET. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME I WAS ACTUALLY TURNING IN A TURN LANE AND COULD NOT STEER STRAIGHT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT ANY CARS BEHIND ME. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THEY SHOULD NOT BE SENDING PEOPLE BACK OUT IN THESE CARS. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS FILED A REPORT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND AS A RESULT, BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRACTION WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Steering, Jul 15, 2012
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN MULTIPLE WARNINGS OCCURRED. "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT", "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", AND "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. UPON STOPPING AND RESTARTING VEHICLE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT 4 DAYS. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE EACH TIME AND WAS ABLE TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE FIFTH DAY AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT THE NECESSARY PARTS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY. IT WOULD BE 6 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 15, 2012
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ALERTS FOR FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL CAME ON. WE THEN REALIZED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF AT AN EXIT. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER NOT CLEAR AS TO WHAT HAPPENED AND PART TO REPAIR IS ON BACK ORDER FROM FORD. INTERNET RESEARCH DEMONSTRATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2011 FORD EXPLORERS. *TR
Steering, Jul 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12017 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,500. UPDATED 7/31/12 *CN ON JULY 12, 2012, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. A CODE WAS DETECTED IN THE PCM. FROM THAT CODE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A RACK AND PINION. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/01/12
Steering, Jul 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE INSTEAD TURNED RIGHT, ALMOST CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TERRAIN WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,200.
Steering, Jul 11, 2012
AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. A WARNING LIGHT ALSO APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT THE POWER STEERING WASN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THAT SPECIFIC WARNING MESSAGE DISAPPEARED FROM THE DASH. HOWEVER, UPON RESTART, ADDITIONAL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL APPEARED. *TR
Steering, Jul 10, 2012
WHILE PARKED WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT WORKED FINE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Jul 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY EXITING TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE ON THE COMPONENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Steering, Jul 6, 2012
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE DASH MESSAGE CENTER SHOWED A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. THIS HAD HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST BUT TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON SOLVED THE PROBLEM ON PRIOR OCCASIONS. THIS TIME THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. THIS MALFUNCTION MADE THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND MANEUVER. *TR
Steering, Jul 6, 2012
I WAS STARTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE STABILITRAC LIGHTS CAME ON. THE STEERING GOT TIGHT AND THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT TO TURN THE WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. I PULLED A FEW FEET BACK IN THE PARKING STALL, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RESTARTED IT AGAIN. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR A MILE OR SO AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. I GOT A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD TO ORDER AND REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME THREE DAYS AGO, ON 7/2/12. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO AGAIN REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS SECOND TIME I HAD MY TWO 7-YEAR-OLDS IN THE CAR AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH DOWN A MAJOR STREET. THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, BUT STILL HAD TO MAKE 5 TURNS. I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BREAK IT. IT TOOK ALL MY ARM STRENGTH TO MAKE THE TURNS. I WOULD TURN THE SIGNAL ON AND IT WOULD BLINK ONCE AND GO OFF ALSO. IT IS SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND AS MENTIONED, I HAVE NO FAITH THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AND THIS VEHICLE IS JUST NOW A YEAR OLD. *TR
Steering, Jul 5, 2012
UNFORTUNATELY, FOR SUCH A GREAT TRUCK, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED THREE TIMES ON MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS ONLY JUST OVER 14K MILES ON IT. IT OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME AROUND THE 11K MILE POINT IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING FAILED FOR NO REASON GOING ~40MPH. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED A MESSAGE STATING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT." THIS IS THE SAME MESSAGE THAT WAS DISPLAYED ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS. UPON TURNING THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE FAULT OCCURRED AGAIN AT 13837 MILES (I HAVE A PICTURE) AND AGAIN JUST TODAY AT AROUND 14100. AFTER THE INITIAL FAULT, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST AS THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DOES NOT 'DOCUMENT THE ISSUE'. I WAS ADVISED TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING AND CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP WHO WILL THEN TOW THE TRUCK TO ITS LOCATION. EASIER SAID THAN DONE WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR THREE LANE ROAD IN THE DC SUBURBS. IT'S MOST CONVENIENT TO WRESTLE THE TRUCK TO THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND RESTART WHICH RESOLVES THE ISSUE. I AM OBVIOUSLY VERY FRUSTRATED WITH IT - I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN LATE JULY 2011 FOR $48,000 (STICKER PRICE). SO FAR I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TODDLERS IN THE CAR DURING THESE INCIDENTS BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. HOPING FOR SOME GUIDANCE AND GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM FORD. *TR
Steering, Jul 2, 2012
LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS (MULTIPLE TIMES). "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. POWER STEERING RETURNS AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR. *JS
Steering, Jul 2, 2012
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, GETTING READY TO EXIT. I HEARD A BEEP, INDICATING A WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A WARNING APPEARED STATING 'POWER STEERING ASSIST DISABLED.'. THE POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND MADE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES, AND STARTED CAR AGAIN. PROBLEM RESOLVED. *JS
Steering, Jul 1, 2012
THERE WERE ACTUALLY 4 INCIDENTS; THE FIRST ONE I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, STARTED IT AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO PARK. THE NEXT DAY I WAS WAITING IN TRAFFIC & IT DIED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T WORK; WE THEN TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER & HE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. WE TOLD THEM THAT A MESSAGE FLASHED "POWER STEERING ASSAULT". EACH INCIDENT, THAT MESSAGE APPEARED. THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN & HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE DEALER. THEY SUPPOSEDLY 'FIXED' IT AGAIN. THEN WE WERE ON A TRIP, 600 MILES FROM HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. WE PULLED OVER, STOPPED. IT THEN STARTED AGAIN AND WE FINISHED OUR TRIP. THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE HE DID ORDER A NEW PART. WE GOT THE CAR BACK LAST WEEK ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012, AND TODAY IS JULY 1, 2012. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. *TR
Steering, Jun 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. TRACTION ASSIST CONTROL ALSO FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING BROUGHT THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT NOT THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE TRACTION CONTROL BEGAN FUNCTIONING AGAIN AFTER THE TRUCK SAT FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS. *TR
Steering, Jun 24, 2012
I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT APPROX 10-15 MPH - THE FAULT CODE APPEARED & ALARM SOUNDED-I HAD TO "MUSCLE" THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE MY TURN WHILE NEARLY GOING OVER THE CURB INTO A BUSINESS. MY FIRST REACTION WAS THAT THE ENGINE HAD STALLED BUT WHEN THE FAULT SHOWED AGAIN & ALARM SOUNDED THIS TIME IT WAS SHOWING THAT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAD FAILED. AS IT WAS A 2-3 MILE STRAIGHT ROAD TO MY FORD DEALER & I DROVE THERE. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE DEALER I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STARTED THE VEHICLE & THE POWER STEERING HAD RESET. THEY PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC UNIT & IT SHOWED A STEERING GEAR & STEERING GEAR MODULE/COMMUNICATION SENSOR(?) NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IT WAS ORDERED & INSTALLED ON 6/18/12 & HAS NOT FAILED SENSE THEN. I MENTIONED AN INJURY - IT WAS TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER AS I HAVE A TOTAL SHOULDER IMPLANT. I HURT IT "MUSCLING" THE STEERING WHEEL TO STRAIGHTENING THE VEHICLE OUT. *TR
Steering, Jun 24, 2012
STARTED VEHICLE AND RECEIVED TERRAIN MANAGEMENT WARNING, POWER STEERING FAULT AND TRACTION CONTROL FAULT. VEHICLE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING NOT WORKING AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ALSO DISABLED. WILL HAVE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP WITHOUT POWER STEERING. SHUT OFF VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND RESTARTED. SAME WARNINGS AND RESULT. *TR
Steering, Jun 23, 2012
WARNING LIGHT FOR TERRAIN MANAGEMENT COME ON. THEN POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. IN A SPLIT SECOND I REALIZED I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND CAME TO A STOP TAKING ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO GET SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A CURVE OR INTERSTATE. *TT
Steering, Jun 23, 2012
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A STRIP MALL AND THE WHEEL DIDNT TURN AT ALL UNTIL I PUT BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL AND FOUGHT THE WHEEL WITH BOTH ARMS TO TURN. A MESSAGE ON MY LCD SCREEN SAID POWER STEERING FAILURE. I HAD TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON AND THE STEERING WAS FINE, I THOUGHT. ABOUT 20 MILES LATER THE TRUCK DID THE SAME FAILURE AGAIN. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON. IT JUST HAD A COOLING FAN TSB PERFORMED AT FORD YESTERDAY, DEALER SAYS THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, BUT THIS EXPLORER IS ONE BIG COMPUTER SO IM NOT TOO SURE SINCE THEY TOLD ME A RE-PROGRAM WAS DONE FOR THE FANS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS THIS IS WILL CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT AT SOME POINT FOR SOME EXPLORER OWNER. I AM TAKING THIS BACK TO THE DEALER MONDAY FOR A LOANER. *TT
Steering, Jun 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING RACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2012, crash
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE AFORE NOTED VEHICLE, ON JUNE 7TH , 2012 ON OR ABOUT 5PM WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 63 AT MT WASHINGTON, ST. CROIX. SHE WAS TRAVELLING SOUTHWARD ON ROUTE 63 CROSSING THE SMALL BRIDGE ENTERING A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD. SHE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, INSTANTANEOUS, LOSS OF RESPONSE IN THE STEERING AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN THE FEW SECONDS FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A WOODEN UTILITY POLE. *TT
Steering, Jun 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,000.