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: other or unspecified
112 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2015
I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WERE INTERMITTENT. FIRST, THE VOLUME BUTTON FAILED AND THEN CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONS FAILED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SOMETIMES CANCEL ON ITS OWN, CAUSING A SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF SPEED WHILE I THOUGHT IT WAS ENGAGED. THE "RESUME" AND "CANCEL" BUTTON FUNCTIONS ALSO SWAPPED. "RESUME" WOULD CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL AND "CANCEL" WOULD RESUME CRUISE. I ONLY FIGURED THIS OUT AFTER PRESSING CANCEL WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL TO SLOW THE CAR FOR TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME AND IT DID NOT RESPOND OR SLOW THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED AT ITS SET SPEED UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT. THE DIAGNOSIS FOR THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 43,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, THEY REINSTALLED SOFTWARE WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT YET HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLOCK SPRING BECAUSE IT HAS NOT YET BEEN PAID WHILE I TEST THE REPAIR. THE CLOCK SPRING DID APPEAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AT PERRY FORD IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID TO A STOP, THIS LOCKED UP THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS SKIDDING ON THE PAVEMENT. THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO THE REAR VIEW CAMERA CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME SO THE OCCUPANTS COULD SEE THE CAR BEHIND THEM, ALSO INDICATING THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION LEVER/HANDLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS SOME TYPE OF ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION, BUT NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ON THE COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE CHECK IT INDICATED NO MALFUNCTIONS, TEMPORARILY THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON BUT WENT OUT SHORTLY BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED. THE CAR COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO ANY GEAR, NOR MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED AND SKIDDING AS IT WENT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. THE REAR WHEELS MOVED AT THIS POINT AND IT IS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2015
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE GEAR IS IN PARK. I NEEDED TO PUT BACK IN TO DRIVE AND PARK AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND MOVE SHIFTER FOR IT TO FINALLY RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2011. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED AND WAS IN JULY OF 2013. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER AND BOX. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED ANOTHER SHIFTER AND GEAR BOX ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE 3RD OVERALL GEAR BOX ON THIS CAR IN 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AS AN ISSUE, HOWEVER, THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHEN SOMEONE THINKS THEY PUT THE CAR IN PARK, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL READS IT AS IN GEAR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2015
UNDER HARD ACCELERATION I GET A STING ODOR IN THE CABIN. IT IS LIKE AN EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. IT ALWAYS DOES IT ABOVE 3500 RPM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2015
THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT SYNC WITH THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE.....SOMETIMES OFF BY A FEW BLOCKS AND SOMETIMES OFF BY A COUPLE OF MILES. THIS POSES A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING DUE TO DISTRACTION OF TRYING TO FIND YOUR LOCATION. THIS USED TO BE SPORADIC AND NOW OCCURS DAILY. CORPORATE AND FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS NO WARRANTY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE WEB AND FORD CORPORATE TOLD ME THAT THE INTERNET IS NOT RELIABLE....REALLY? THE COMPLAINTS YOU CAN FIND ARE IN FORD FORUMS, GOOGLE, YOUTUBE TO NAME A FEW. VEHICLES AFFECTED ARE FORD/LINCOLN WITH NAVIGATION. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS DEFINITELY FALLS UNDER A SAFETY RECALL WITH HIGH PRIORITY. OTHER CAR COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO FIX A POTENTIAL VULNERABILITY FOR HACKING INTO NAVIGATION TO PURPOSELY MIS-NAVIGATE SOMEONE.....FORDS PROBLEM IS THE NAVIGATION ITSELF...OWN UP AND FIX IT. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING MAY PRODUCE FATALITIES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2015
RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60MPH THE TRUCK LOST ALL ABILTY TO MOVE. WRENCH INDICATOR CAME ON AND LIGHTS ON THE TRACTION KNOB WENT OUT. COASTED TO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN THE CAR OF AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED. LATER THAT NIGHT IN MY NEIGHBOR HOOD IT DID THE A SAME THING AGAIN. SLUGGISH TO RESTART.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2015
WHILE IDLING AND WHILE GETTING CAR UP TO SPEED THE AC COOLING MAKES A WEAK SOUND AND DOES NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR. WHILE IDLING THE CAR OVERHEATS WHEN THE AC IS ON AND BLOWS HOT AIR. DUE TO THE EFFECT THIS IS A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT THE AC SHOULD STILL BE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION GIVEN IT'S ONLY USED 2-3 MONTHS A YEAR SINCE OWNERSHIP. CAR WILL ALSO OVERHEAT WHILE IT'S BLOWING HEAT DURING WINTER MONTHS. ENGINE COOLANT IS AT OPTIMUM LEVELS AND CAR WILL SMOKE WHILE EXHAUST IS ON. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE AS READING NUMBERS REVIEWS ON-LINE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH ALL FORD MODEL VEHICLES, AVERAGE COSTS TO REPAIR ARE OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE WHAT SHOULD BE A NEW AC SYSTEM, WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DUE TO KNOWN FAILURE BY FORD.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2015
ONCE THE CAR IS IN PARK POSITION MESSAGE WILL APEAR IN DASHBOARD "SHIFT IN PARK " ALSO WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE APEARS "NO KEY DETECTED"
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
VEHICLE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND EXTINGUISHED SPORADICALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE STAYING ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATE FAILURE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. TROUBLESHOOTING, RESEARCH, AND DIAGNOSTICS HAVE REVEALED POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AT VARIOUS CONNECTORS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR THE SRS SYSTEM. DEALER SERVICE HAS INDICATED POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTION (PRE-TENSIONERS, AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ETC) IF THIS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ON THE CAUSEWAY- HEAVY TRAFFIC MOVING AT ABOUT 50 - 55 MPH. APPROACHING FIRST BRIDGE INCLINE, SPEED DROPPED TO APPROX 1 MPH CREEPING ALONG, ACCELERATOR PRESSED TO FLOORBOARD. ORANGE WRENCH ICON APPEARED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. PUT ON HAZARDS TO NOTIFY TRAFFIC. CARS PULLING AROUND TRYING TO AVOID HITTING MY VEHICLE. NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON EMERGENCY LANE OF BRIDGE TO PULL COMPLETELY OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE - MADE IT TO TOP OF BRIDGE - COASTED DOWN HALF WAY IN EMERGENCY LANE AND LEFT LANE UNTIL REACHED BOTTOM OF BRIDGE AND COULD PULL OVER TO GRASSY SIDE OF ROAD. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED, THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE. DROVE DIRECTLY TO FORD DEALER WHO HOOKED IT UP TO COMPUTER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY TEST DROVE IT, THEN CALLED TO SAY THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. I ASKED THEM TO SERVICE THE CAR AS IT WAS TIME. THEY KEPT THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND TO SERVICE IT ON MONDAY 10/27/14 AND TESTED THE SYSTEM ONE MORE TIME- STILL FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I PICKED THE CAR UP 10/27/14 AND LEFT DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT 1230 AND BY ABOUT 1245 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN- NO ACCELERATION - JUST ABOUT 1 MILE AN HOUR AND VEHICLE RUNNING SLIGHTLY ROUGH- WRENCH APPEARED AGAIN. I PULLED OVER IN TO A PARKING LOT, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF; RESTARTED AND DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THEY RAN A DIFFERENT COMPUTER CHECK AND GOT A CODE THAT SUGGESTED BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED AT SAME TIME. NO, I DO NOT TRY TO BRAKE AND ACCELERATE AT THE SAME TIME. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DROVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MILES TRYING TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. THEY STILL CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I PICK UP MY VEHICLE AFTER WORK TODAY. MY CAR RECEIVES REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IS NOT DRIVEN ROUGHLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WRENCH ICON INDICATES POWER TRAIN ISSUE.
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2011
I AGREE ABOUT THE MICROPHONE ON THE MY TOUCH SYSTEM. IT PICKS UP WIND NOISE, AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING FAN NOISE & WHEN IT RAINS, DRIVER CAN NOT BE HEARD. IT SEEMS THAT THE ROOF DOES NOT HAVE INSULATION TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SPEAK TO THE MICROPHONE WITHOUT SHOUTING. I DID MENTION THIS TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS THE WAY IT COMES FROM THE FACTORY. *KB
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2011
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO PRESSED THE BRAKE HIS FOOT REST ON A BAR THATS NEXT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGN AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60. PM