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
1,196 reports, newest first.
Steering, Mar 25, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE "POWERSTEERING ASSIST FAILURE" MESSAGE POPPED UP. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY BUT HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT AGAIN; THE STEERING WHEEL WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE; I HAVE CHILDREN AND DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE DAILY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 11, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL.
Steering, Power train, Mar 4, 2014
LOST STEERING ASSIST DURING TURN INTO DRIVEWAY. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO STOP DUE TO THE LOW SPEED. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS AGAIN VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, AFTER STOPPING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE 2-3 TIMES THE POWER STEERING BEGIN WORKING AGAIN ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FORWARD IN THEIR MAINTENANCE BAY THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED AGAIN, AT WHICH TIME TWO COMPUTER FAILURE CODES WHERE PRESENT, WHICH I READ AND THEN SHOWED TO THEIR MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE. THE CODE LISTED ON THE RECEIPT WAS C200D. THE SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES ERRATIC SHIFTS AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP UP TO 35 MPH. A FORD DEALERSHIP HAS COMPLETED TWO-THREE COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADES. THE MOST SERIOUS SHIFTING PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN PULLING OUT OR TURNING ONTO A ROADWAY AND THERE IS MINIMAL ACCELERATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN, AND THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO ADJUST AS EXPECTED TO THE TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED 02/2013 AND MOST RECENTLY DURING 09/2013.
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 4, 2014
A SEAT BELT/AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SERVICE DEALERS COULD ONLY INVESTIGATE THIS WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON. AS IT COMES AND GOES, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WHEN I DID, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY AND I WOULD BE CHARGED ABOUT $450. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IF I DID NOT GET IS CORRECTED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY THEREBY EXPOSING ME TO RISK. IT SEEMS THAT A SITUATION SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER INDEFINITELY OR ARE THEY WILLING TO TAKE THE CHANCE THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS WILL NOT BE INJURED FOR AN ERROR ON THEIR PART IN MANUFACTURE. I HAD THE DEFECT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN INVESTIGATION OPENED AND POSSIBLE CHARGES AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND POSSIBLY EVEN THEIR DEALERSHIP NETWORK.
Steering, Feb 27, 2014
I WAS PARKED AT A STORE PARKING LOT. I GOT IN THE CAR TO BACK UP AND THIS MESSAGE "POWERSTEERING ASSIST FAILURE" POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT...THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2014
POWER STEERING FAIL LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. AFTER KILLING THE CAR, LETTING IT SIT THEN RESTARTING IT I STARTED BACK WORKING. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AND IT BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER RESET THE POWER TRAIN COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT 55 MPH WHEN THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERIOR DISPLAY. THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP & I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE & DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING & TURNED THE CAR OFF. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE FAULT WAS NO LONGER THERE & I DROVE HOME. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP & MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE VEHICLE CHECKED THE NEXT DAY. LATER ON THAT SAME DAY, MY WIFE & I HAD AN APPOINTMENT. HOWEVER, WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE UP, THE SAME FAULT WAS IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYED & THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I KEPT TURNING THE CAR OFF & TRYING TO RESTART, BUT THE FAULT WOULD NOT GO AWAY. I HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY FORD OWNER THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THIS FINDING PROMPTED ME TO LOOK ON THE FORD WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL BUT THERE IS NONE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME FOR AN 'AIR BAG SAFETY FAULT', ELECTRICAL & VALVE MALFUNCTION, AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS DEEPLY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE 'AIR BAG FAULT' NEVER DISPLAYED DUE TO THE OTHER FAULT. THE ESTIMATED COST WAS OVER $3,000. ALSO, I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE IN THE INTERIM. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLED PARTS & LEGAL ACTION WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE, THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE RENTAL & THEY MADE CONTACT WITH FORD COMPANY. THE FORD COMPANY ALLEGEDLY EMAILED THE FORD DEALERSHIP & TOOK $1,000 OFF THE TOTAL COST. I HAVE A WIFE & A BABY. THIS IS OUR ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE & I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO INVESTIGATE THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE FURTHER & RECALL ITS PARTS. PLEASE HELP US & ALL OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jan 23, 2014
OUR FIRST INDICATION OF STEERING PROBLEMS HAPPENED AROUND SEPTEMBER 2013. A DASHBOARD ERROR "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" MESSAGE KEPT ILLUMINATING. FIRST THE DEALER REPLACED A "SENSOR" THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. THEN A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THAT DIDN'T WORK. THEY THEN REPLACED THE "RACK AND PINION", IN THIS CAR I AM TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR. THAT DID FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE, HOWEVER AT TIMES THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND "INFOTAINMENT" SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK AND REBOOT. ALL SEEMED FINE FOR A FEW MONTH'S UNTIL AN UNEXPECTED EVENT OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2014. I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014 ON ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE IN GUAM. IT WAS A BRIGHT, SUNNY DAY, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE IDEAL. I STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE AND WHEN I TURNED LEFT TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE JERKY. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL WE WERE LEAVING, AND THE STEERING CONTINUED TO BE CHOPPY. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND CLEANLY WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I MENTIONED THE MY DAUGHTER THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AS I ENTERED A ROUNDABOUT TURN BEFORE EXITING THE AIR FORCE BASE, THE STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY MOMENTARILY. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE! THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY, AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND NAVIGATE SAFELY OUT OF THE TURN. I HAD NO PROBLEMS DRIVING STRAIGHT, BUT TURNING WAS JERKY. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING, AND I DROVE SLOWLY HOME APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES FROM THE BASE. THE CAR WAS TURNED INTO THE DEALER WHO "COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ERROR". THE "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" ERROR HAPPENED AGAIN ON 22 JAN , WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ERROR. *TR
Steering, Jan 12, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY EXPLORER WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER TO SAFETY. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT I WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO STEER TO SAFETY TO MEMORIZE WHAT IT SAID. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2014
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE RAINING. THE FIRST TIME,ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SCREEN AND MYFORDTOUCH SCREENS BOTH WENT BLACK AND LOST POWER STEERING SUDDENLY,BUT ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. BUT, ALL OF SUDDEN, THEN POWER STEERING RE-ENERGIZED AND MADE STEERING WHEEL JERK CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID MOMENTARILY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SCREEN THEN HAD A MESSAGE "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM." I TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. FEW DAYS LATER, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE CHECKED OUT AS BEING FINE. TODAY, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP TO TURN INTO DRIVEWAY AND FELT LIKE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. HAD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WITH GREAT FORCE TO TURN INTO DRIVEWAY HOME AND THE DROVE ABOUT 200FT TO CARPORT AND POWER STEERING NEVER RETURNED AND HAD SAME CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND POWER STEERING RETURNED AND NO LONGER HAD CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN RAINING AND UNABLE TO REPRODUCE FOR SERVICE TECH BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY WON'T TEST VEHICLE WHEN IT IS RAINING. *TR
Steering, Jan 2, 2014
AFTER STARTING THE CAR, A WARNING OCCURRED FOR THE FIRST TIME SAYING POWER STEERING NEEDED SERVICE "SOON". WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. THE NOTICE DID NOT APPEAR AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY CONTINUED TO OUR DESTINATION. DURING THE COURSE OF OUR RIDE, WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANOTHER WARNING. THEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WE VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE NEARLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR.DUE TO POWER STEERING LOSS. THE SITUATION WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Dec 30, 2013
DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS AT NIGHT, PROCEEDING UP A STEEP AND ICY GRADE, THE VEHICLE GAVE A WARNING SIGNAL ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. THE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STEERING CAPABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE DURING THIS FAILURE, FORCED US TO CREEP ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY TO FINISH THE EIGHT MILES TO THE NEAREST TOWN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I STUMBLED ONTO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THE 2011 EXPLORER OBVIOUSLY HAS A SAFETY FLAW AND A DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT! MY VEHICLE IS IN A FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOW AND THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS IS " THE CAR RECEIVED A FALSE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL AND SHUT DOWN THE POWER STEERING". SERIOUSLY, A FALSE SIGNAL SHUT OFF THE POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES???!!! THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A "10 PAGE CHECKLIST/RE-BOOTING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE AND I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE THIS WILL SOLVE A FUTURE PROBLEM OF POWER STEERING CAPABILITY LOSS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM ON MY FOURTH MAJOR COMPUTER FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. FYI FORD ENGINEERS; THE STEERING FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO AN ELECTRONIC SIGNAL THAT CAN DEACTIVATE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE!! *TR
Steering, Dec 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Steering, Dec 11, 2013
DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOCKS UP. VERY SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE I COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW??? *TR
Steering, Nov 21, 2013
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH. I WAS RIDING PASSENGER SEAT. ALL OF THE SUDDEN JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD. SHE SAID SHE COULDN'T STEER AND AT THAT TIME I HEARD A BEEP. THIS WAS A MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYING STEERING ASSIST FAULT. SHE HAD A VERY HARD TIME STEERING IT AROUND A CORNER WE HAD COME TO. SHE ASKED IF WE SHOULD PULL OVER BUT SINCE WE WERE LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE HOUSE. AND HOW I FIGURED WE COULD MAKE IT HAS I HAVE DROVE A CAR HOME WHEN A POWER STEERING BELT BROKE BEFORE. I TOLD HER TO CONTINUE HOME. ONCE HOME WE TURNED CAR OFF. AND THEN RESTART IT. THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND WARNING MESSAGE WENT AWAY. AT THE TIME WE JUST CONSIDERED IT A FLUKE. THEN IT DONE IT AGAIN A WEEK LATER GOING DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. WE PULLED OVER AND AGAIN SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS FINE AGAIN. THEN A FEW DAY LATER IT DID IN A PARKING LOT PARKING. A MONTH LATER IT FINALLY HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON ME. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH GOING STRAIGHT ALL THE SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING FAULT CAME ON LIKE USUAL. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE STORE AND LESS THAN A 1/4 MILE AWAY. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE CAR INTO THE STORE PARKING LOT. THIS IS HARDER TO STEER THAN A MANUAL STEERING CAR. DO TO TRYING TO STEER A POWER STEERING RACK AND GEARS ON TOP OF BIG 20" WHEELS WITH WIDE TIRES. FOR INEXPERIENCED, NOT A VERY STRONG PERSON, OR AN ELDERLY DRIVER. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY ON A CORNER. AND I COULD SEE HOW IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM AS HAPPEN ALSO IMMEDIATELY WHEN CARE IS STARTED. IT HAPPENS AT ANYTIME IT SEEMS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2013
WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY OF 2011 AND HAVE BEEN THE EXCLUSIVE USERS OF THE CAR EVER SINCE. OUR VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THREE TOTAL LOSSES OF POWER STEERING ABILITY SINCE JULY 8, 2013. WHEN AN EVENT OCCURS, THE "POWER STEERING FAILURE" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. TWO OF THE OCCURRENCES HAVE TAKEN PLACE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ONE INSTANCE, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH OUR YOUNG SON AND STRUGGLED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. FORD ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BY INSTALLING TWO SEPARATE NEW STEERING COLUMNS INTO THE VEHICLE, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND SEEMS TO HAVE HAD COLLATERAL EFFECTS ON OTHER ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. I HAVE ADVISED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM BUT AS OF 11/20/2013 I HAVE NOT HAD ANY KIND OF AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 6, 2013
I WAS ROUNDING A CURVE IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER . I MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND I NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROLS WERE LIT UP ALONG WITH THE STEERING FAILURE WARRING CAME ON. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Nov 5, 2013
I WAS GETTING READY TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT .. WHEN 2 SETS OF LIGHTS CAME ON ..THE SYSTEM INDICATORS CAME UP .. ONE INDICATING THE POWER STEERING ERROR AND ANOTHER INDICATING THE POWER STEERING LOCKED ... THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN .. MAKING SO VERY HARD TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE .. SOMEONE HAD TO PUSH ME INTO THE PARKING LOT OUT OF THE WAY .. LATER TO CALL FORD DEALERSHIP DOESN'T WANT TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM ... I DRIVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER .. THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD . I REVIEWED OTHER CONCERNS OF THIS MATTER .. IS THERE A RECALL ... *TR
Seats, Nov 1, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AND IT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,261. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ UPDATED 1/22/2014 *JS UPDATED 03/17/15*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE CASE RE-EVALUATED. UPDATED 8/18/2015*JS
Steering, Oct 30, 2013
ON OCT. 30TH THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH GOING ROUGHLY 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE STEERING LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR THE WHEELS TO BE TURNED. WE WERE LUCKY IT HAPPENED ON A STRAIGHT PIECE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR IN TIME SO THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SLOWLY ENOUGH THAT SHE COULD KEEP IT ON THE BERM. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND WHEN SHE TURNED IT BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED FINE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 30, 2013
AFTER A RAPID ACCELERATION IN ORDER TO GET TO TOLL SPEEDS (65MPH) THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PRODUCE A BURNT SMELL. THOUGHT IT COULD BE NEW VEHICLE STUFF BUT RIGHT KNOW ITS 30,000 MILES AND EVERY TIME I GO OVER 4000 RPM ON A RAPID ACCELERATION IT GIVES ME THE ODOR, PLUS THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER ON THE HILLS. DISAPPOINTING WHEN YOU PAY OVER 40,000 FOR A NEW LUXURY SUV. *TR
Steering, Oct 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING ASSIST ABRUPTLY FAILS, AS DOES ADVANCE TRAC STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BECOMES MUCH HARDER TO CONTROL. IF THE CAR IS IN A TURN WHEN THE STEERING FAILS, THE STEERING WHEEL LURCHES AND TRIES TO RE-AIM THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, DISRUPTING THE TURN. DASHBOARD WARNINGS CONFIRM THE STEERING AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURES. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL SUSTAIN FAILS, SO USING THE TURN SIGNAL REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE SIGNAL ARM. ON AVERAGE, THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED EVERY 2000 MILES, AT ANY SPEED. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING "FIXES" THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE NEXT FAILURE. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR EXAMINATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN NO ANSWERS - BOTH TIMES THE RESULTS OF LEAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS HAVE BEEN SHRUGGED SHOULDERS AND "WE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NO TROUBLE CODE. IT WORKED FINE FOR US." AS IS NOTHING EVER WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND EVEN IF THERE WERE SOMETHING WRONG, THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR IT! HOW THE NHTSA AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAN ALLOW THESE VEHICLES TO ROAM OUR HIGHWAYS WITH NO RECALL, OR EVEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KNOWING THERE IS A CHANCE THE DRIVERS MAY LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH, AS SOME ALREADY HAVE, IS A CRIME AGAINST VEHICLE SAFETY AND AGAINST THE VERY MISSION STATEMENT OF THE NHTSA. I WILL BE COPYING THIS COMPLAINT TO MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, WHO IN THE PAST HAS PROVEN TO BE FAR MORE INTERESTED IN MY SAFETY THAN FORD OR THE NHTSA. *TR
Steering, Oct 22, 2013
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WITH NO WARNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. ARRIVED AT DESTINATION CUT THE CAR OFF AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. 5 MONTHS LATER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS THE STEERING RACK ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE. LUCKILY SHE HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAD ABOUT 40000 MILES AND WOULD HAVE COST US 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX. WE GOT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING THE CAR 40 MPH ON A CURVY ROAD WHEN AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIT UP AND NO POWER STEERING. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH FORD CORPORATE A REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THAT THE NEW PART THEY HAD REPLACED A WEEK EARLIER MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTED AND ARE WAITING ON ANOTHER REPLACEMENT PART. WE INFORMED THEM WE NO LONGER WANT THE VEHICLE WE FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WANTED TO KNOW WHAT OPTIONS WE HAD AND WHAT FORD WAS WILLING TO DO TO KEEP US A SATISFIED CUSTOMER. THEY OFFERED A FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR (WHICH MY WIFE HAD ALREADY PURCHASED) OR WE COULD TRADE IT IN ON A NEW FORD AND BY THE NEW VEHICLE UNDER THE FORD X-PLAN. *TR
Air bags, Oct 22, 2013
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON, THE SRS IS DEACTIVATED AS IT IS A CLOSED SYSTEM. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AND IN JAN 2013 THE PROBLEM AROSE AGAIN. IT WAS FIXED AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS AND RETURNED TO ME, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT BACK 7 ADDITIONAL TIMES. HAD I BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY OF THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO HELP PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. TO DATE AT LEAST ONE PRE-TENSIONER, A MODULE, AND A WIRING HARNESS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. *TR