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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,196

Of the 2011 reports, 30 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.

Primary concernSteering742 reports · 62% of complaints
Owner complaints1,196Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship8 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering742
  2. Other or unspecified112
  3. Structure110
  4. Electrical system95
  5. Engine83
  6. Power train64
  7. Air bags44
  8. Fuel/propulsion system35

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

1,196 reports, newest first.

  1. Steering, Oct 21, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PARK FORD (400 WEST AVE, TALLMADGE, OH 44278, (330) 633-6222) WHERE THEY WANTED TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION THIS TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,060.

  2. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2019

    STARTED THE FORD AND THE BACKUP CAMERA WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. ALSO NOTICED THE 'SYNC' SCREEN WAS BLANK, CLIMATE CONTROLS WERE NOT VISIBLE (FUNCTIONING) AS WELL AS THE RADIO SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. WENT OUT AND STARTED THE SUV IN MY DRIVEWAY, EVERYTHING WAS CORRECT WHEN I RETURNED HOME THE NIGHT BEFORE.

  3. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 11, 2019

    I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR RUFFLY 3YRS. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT IMMEDIATELY.... I WAS DRIVING TO THE MAIL BOX AFTER GETTING HOME FROM ABOUT A 30MIN TRIP. THE WHOLE CAR CUT OFF LIGHTS WERE DIM IN THE CAR, STEERING HAD LOCKED VERY HARD TO TURN... AUTOMAX IN KILLEEN TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. HAD THE NEW PURCHASED TRUCK FOR A MONTH AND 2 DAYS. THEIR SERVICE TEAM TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. I FELT OTHER WISE AND NO LONGER WANTED THE CAR. BUT OF COURSE BY THIS TIME ALL PAPERWORK HAD WENT THROUGH TO THE BANK......DROVE THE TRUCK FINE FOR ABOUT 8MONTHS, THEN BROKE DOWN THE SAME WAY AS THE VERY FIRST TIME BUT ON A BRIDGE THIS TIME...... THIS TIME AROUND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ENGINE, GOT A SECOND OPINION, SAID PERSON SAID WATER PUMP. I FIXED THE WATER PUMP. NOW GUESS WHAT??? ITS ACTUALLY THE ENGINE.... I AM BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS FORD EXPLORER..... I THOUGHT I WAS MAKING A GREAT PURCHASE GOING WITH A FORD. THIS TRUCK SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A YEAR WHILE IN NURSING SCHOOL..... I AM LOST AND AT MY WITS END..... WHEN I LOOK FOR RECALLS ALL I AM SEEING IS SUSPENSION ISSUES OR TOWING.... WHEN I TALK TO MECHANICS THEY SAY THESE MODELS ARE KNOW FOR BAD ENGINES, THUS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER ENGINES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE..... I AM LOOKING FOR HELP. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THESE SAME ISSUES. I OWE 14000 STILL ON THIS TRUCK AND HOW COULD IT NEED A NEW ENGINE ALREADY?

  4. Air bags, Oct 10, 2019

    AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY. NO CORRELATION TO TEMPERATURE OR HUMIDITY. NO CORRELATION TO BEING IN MOTION OR STOPPED. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME (I.E. MONTHS). BASED ON RESEARCH I'VE DONE, IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE AIRBAG INDICATOR IS LIT, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH OF IT BEING ON STEADILY, I HAD IT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP, FRANKLIN FORD, IN FRANKLIN, MA. THEY FIXED IT THROUGH A TSB WHERE CONNECTORS WERE CLEANED AND RE-GREASED WITH DIELECTRIC GREASE. THIS FIX LASTED ABOUT 1 YEAR. AFTER THIS TIME PERIOD THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON, AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY. AGAIN, AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH OF STEADILY ON, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED USING THE SAME TSB METHOD. THIS LEADS TO A LOGICAL ASSUMPTION THAT THIS FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY AND I WILL CONTINUOUSLY NEED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I'VE READ ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF SEVERAL OTHER USERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE.

  5. Electrical system, Oct 9, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO J. O. WILLIAMS MOTORS (419 E BROADWAY AVE, GLADEWATER, TX 75647, (903) 845-2222) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACCESSORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE (APIM)NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY REGARDING NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10053471 (EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE) WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

  6. Steering, Oct 1, 2019

    POWER STEERING HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED, SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED BUT THEN ULTIMATELY POWER STEERING FAILED, FORD SENT OUT SUPPLEMENTAL RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO REPAIR STEERING ISSUES YET THAT IS DISREGARDED AFTER 10YRS OR 150,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST FOR THE VEHICLE. I, LIKE MANY, EXPERIENCED FAILURE AFTER 150,000 MILES, 156K TO BE EXACT. IT'S PATHETIC THAT FORD WILL NOT BACK THEIR OWN VEHICLES PAST 150,000 MILES. ASIDE FROM THE STEERING FAILURE OUR CURRENT 2011 EXPLORER LOOKS BRAND NEW, IT'S A SHAME THAT FORD TURNS THEIR BACKS TO YOU AND LAYS THE REPAIR COST ON THE CONSUMER KNOWING THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SOME TIME. I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO NO AVAIL, THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR YOU PAST 150,000. SADLY THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE THAT TRANSPORTS OUR KIDS. FORD KNOWINGLY PUTS CONSUMERS IN DANGER BY NOT HONORING THEIR RECALLS OR EXTENDING THEM FOR THE LIFETIME THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. EVEN AFTER THE FIRST SOFTWARE UPDATE THEY PERFORMED ON THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT TURN ON HERE AND THERE, EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED TURNING ON ENTIRELY. FORD IS NOT BUILT TOUGH LIKE THEY PREACH, THEY ARE BUILT POORLY AND THEIR BACKS ARE TURN TOWARDS THE CONSUMERS WHEN ISSUES ARISE. SUCH A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE.

  7. Steering, Sep 26, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND 'REPAIR POWER STEERING NOW' ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CHASTANG FORD (6200 N LOOP E FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77026, (832) 460-5343) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED DUE TO MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,754.

  8. Steering, Sep 22, 2019

    WE HAD JUST GOT TO CHURCH'S AND AFTER WE WERE DONE AND WALKED TO THE PARKING LOT WHERE OUR VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE STEERING POWER ASSISTANCE FAULT (IN SPANISH) WARNING POP UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SUPER STIFF/HARD TO MOVED MY HUSBAND TRIED TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOTHING WE HAD TO TOW OUR VEHICLE HOME AND NOW IT'S USELESS. THIS WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP EVERY NOW AND THEN AND BY JUST TURNING THE CAR OFF/ON A COUPLE OF TIMES IT GOES AWAY BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T. PLEASE FIX THIS

  9. Steering, Air bags, Sep 16, 2019

    DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN,.CALL DEALER FORD AL PIEMONTE AND MAKE AND APPOINTMENT BUT THEY SAY IS NOT A RECALL ,THEY DIDN'T REPAIRED AS YET.( WHAT CAN I DO?) IN MELROSE PARK ILLINOIS. I TOOK THIS TRUCK FOR A RECALL IN 2017 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND AT THAT TIME THEY FIX IT NOT THIS TME.

  10. Steering, Sep 13, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND SERVICE ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE STEERING FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED BLUEBONNET FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 351 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78130, (830) 606-8011) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED NO RECALL UNDER HER VIN#. ADVISED TO MAKE A REPORT TO GET FORD TO PAY DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF A POWER STEERING. VEHICLE IS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY.*JB

  11. Suspension, Sep 4, 2019

    ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WE NOTICED A SQUEAKY NOISE IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE EACH TIME WE WOULD ACCELERATE, HIT A BUMP, OR MAKE A TURN. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED PARTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK CARE OF MOST OF THE ISSUE BUT STILL OCCASIONALLY SQUEAKS AS WE BRAKE. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THIS VEHICLE.

  12. Structure, Sep 4, 2019

    I NOTICED THAT MY WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED, HAD WATER IN IT ABOUT 2 INCHES DEEP. I REMOVED THE 3-4 DRAIN PLUGS AND ALLOWED WATER TO DRAIN OUT AND TIME TO DRY. I THINK IT HAS BEEN LEAKING A WHILE BECAUSE THE TIRE JACK AND WHEEL WELL HAD OBVIOUS RUST. THEN I NOTICED A SMELL OF MILDEW IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL ITEMS IN THE REAR CARGO AREA WERE DAMP. SINCE THEN, IT IS APPARENT THERE IS A WATER LEAK IN THE REAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS.

  13. Steering, Suspension, Sep 2, 2019

    ALMOST WRECKED VEHICLE THE OTHER DAY. OUT OF NO WHERE, NO CONTROL OF STEERING/BACK END OF CAR. BACK END FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. FISHTAILING AND THEN WHOLE CAR FEELS OUT OF CONTROL. WHEELS SQUEAL WHEN TURNING, CHANGING LANES. STEERING WHEEL COCKED AT 2 O'CLOCK POSITION. DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, BUMPS, CRACKS AND BACK END SWAYS OUT. TRACTION CONTROL ON BUT ISN'T RESPONDING. CAR WITH SWERVING LINES BEHIND SHOWS ON DASHBOARD. I SAW RECALL NOTICE 19S17 FOR SUSPENSION ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING BUT MY VIN# ISN'T LISTED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE.

  14. Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2019

    STRONG EXHAUST SMELL WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND THEN AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE TO GET ON TO THE HIGHWAY. INTERMITTENT SMELL AS YOU ARE DRIVING. IT DOESNT MATTER IF YOU ARE SITTING STILL OR ON THE HIGHWAY, YOU WILL INEVITABLY SMELL THE EXHAUST. I HAVE BEEN HAVING HEALTH ISSUES WITH MY HEART THAT WE NOW BELIEVE ARE RELATED TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE FROM THESE FUMES.

  15. Steering, Power train, Aug 20, 2019

    WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE JUST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DING LOUDLY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DISPLAY WHILE TELLING ME I HAVE AN ERROR. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING DID GO OUT BRIEFLY BUT CAME BACK.

  16. Steering, Aug 19, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO AND WAS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

  17. Suspension, Aug 15, 2019

    STRUT MOUNT BEARING FAILING AFFECTING THE STEERING OF THE CAR.

  18. Steering, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2019

    I LOSE POWER STEERING WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON TO REGAIN POWER STEERING. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE LAST FEW YEARS.

  19. Steering, Aug 8, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING ASSIST" MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARNES-BAKER AUTOMOTIVE (1406 OKLAHOMA AVE, TRENTON, MO, (660) 359-4461) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

  20. Steering, Aug 2, 2019

    I STARTED MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK UP BUT IT WAS LIKE THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT.I COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND A WARNING CAME UP, POWER STEERING ASSIST UNAVAILABLE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WORKED. IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES YESTERDAY AND ON THE 3RD TIME IT TOOK SEVERAL TIMES OF TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF.

  21. Engine, Jul 26, 2019

    MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE WATER PUMP IMMEDIATELY FAILED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNS. MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT UP AND MY ENGINE SEIZED. THE ENGINE IS UNABLE TO BE TURNED ON AT THIS TIME.

  22. Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jul 26, 2019, crash

    RIGHT FRONT AXLE/CONTROL ARM FAILING (SNAPPED CLEANLY IN 2) 3 TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS. FIRST TIME MAY HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT TO LOW SPEED FRONT END COLLISION. SECOND & THIRD TIMES DRIVING LESS THAN 25 MPH WITH NO COLLISION UNTIL AFTER HEARING THE SNAP & SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF STEERING. SECOND TIME FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP & TURNING LEFT ON A CITY STREET.THIRD TIME I'D BEEN DRIVING STRAIGHT APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE ON A CITY STREET WITH SPEED NO GREATER THAN 25 MPH. LAST TWO REPLACEMENT/REPAIR DONE BY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY.

  23. Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 24, 2019

    NUMEROUS REPAIRS TO AIRBAG SYSTEM. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND PREVIOUS REPAIRS INCLUDE, SEATBELT TENSIONER, SEVRERAL JUMPERS AROUND THE CONNECTION UNDERNEATH DRIVERS SEAT, AS WELL AS SOME KIND OF PROGRAMMING IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. IVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR AIIRBAG ISSUES. PLEASE DO A FULL INSPECTION OF THE AIRBAG SYTEM INCLUDING FAULTY WIRING HARNESS!!!

  24. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2019, crash

    "2011 FORD EXPLORER CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CONCERNS RECALL" ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON MAY 14, 2019 AT HOUSTON, TEXAS I SLEPT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT TO TURN ON. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT BECAUSE I SLEPT OFF BECAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I HAD NO REASON TO EXPERIENCE SUCH. I WAS ALSO, CONSTANTLY SMELLING FUEL COMING INTO MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CAR I RAN INTO AND MINE WERE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. THE POLICE CAME AND WROTE A REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT. ON TWO DIFFERENT MORE OCCASIONS, SAME THINGS HAPPENED TO ME, BUT LUCKILY I DID NOT RUN INTO ANY OTHER CAR OR DAMAGE MY CAR. IT WAS AT THIS JUNCTURE THAT I STARTED TALKING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT MY REPEATED SAD EXPERIENCE DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND WAS INFORMED BY ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS THAT THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE RECALL ON FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CONCERNS. I DIRECTLY VERIFIED AND DISCOVERED IT WAS TRUE. I THEN WASTED NOT TIME TO CALL, MAC HAIK FORD MOTOR COMPANY, HOUSTON, TEXAS AND COMPLAINED ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND QUESTION WHY I WAS NOT ON TIME, OFFICIALLY INFORMED ABOUT THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CONCERNS RECALL. THEY APOLOGIZED AND ASKED ME TO BRING IN MY VEHICLE TO BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MAC HAIK, WHERE THE FIXED ONLY THE RECALLS AND NOT THE OVER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS BODY AND INTERNAL DAMAGES MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED. MY QUESTION NOW IS HOW CAN I GET FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FIX MY DAMAGED VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE I RAN INTO BECAUSE OF THE EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WHICH I SUFFERED WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER, FREE OF CHARGES? *TT *TR CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

  25. Steering, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2019

    I RECENTLY GOT THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER.I KEEP GETTING THIS ODOR SMELL WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR AND ACCELERATE.IT LASTS FOR 5 MINUTES,THEN IT GOES AWAY. ALSO, I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING THIS VIBRATION THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS.THE CAR WILL SHAKE SOMETIMES.WHEN I BRAKE FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS,MY CAR SHAKES.I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO FORD TWICE AND THEY CHARGE ME $2000 TO REPLACE PARTS,BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED.OTHER GARAGE CANT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHATS CAUSING IT.