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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A NOTIFICATION ON THE INFO CENTER THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING. AT THAT POINT I LOST POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN TRACTION CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS SINCE IT IS NOT KEEPING RECORDS IN THE COMPUTER OF THESE ISSUES. *TR
Steering, Aug 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THE COMPONENT WAS RESET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 38,000.
Steering, Aug 9, 2013
WHY HAVE THERE BEEN NO RECALLS ON THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING??? I'M READING ALL OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 2011 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS AND AM SHOCKED!!!!! *TR
Steering, Aug 9, 2013
IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. THE FIRST TWO HAPPENED WHILE PARKING, THE THIRD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET AND THE FOURTH HAPPENED ON 8/3/13 ON I95 ON MY WAY TO MY SON PHILIP'S 4TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DASH CAME UP I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES ON I95 NORTH GOING AT 60 MPH. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE MY STEERING LOCKED UP I WAS UNABLE TO TURN, I WAS SO SCARED I MANAGED TO MOVE TO RIGHT LANE WITH HELP FROM MY HUSBAND WHERE WE PULLED OVER. WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED FEW MINUTES THEN TURNED IT ON, THE MESSAGE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE CAME UP, I PRESSED OK THEN THE STEERING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. ON 8/5/13 I BROUGHT MY EXPLORER TO SMITH CARNINS IN YONKERS TO GET LOOKED AT AND AS OF 8/9/13 THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY VEHICLE AND STATE THAT THEY CAN REPRODUCE THE ERROR AND THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWS NO ERROR CODES. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY UPSETTING. I HAVE TWO BOYS WHO I DRIVE IN MY VEHICLE EVERYDAY. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF THEM AND MYSELF. WHAT DO I DO? PLEASE HELP US. *TR
Steering, Aug 9, 2013
I GOT A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE LIGHT, AND A TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT LIGHT. I HAD EXTREMELY LIMITED STEERING ABILITY. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING SO THEY COULD NOT SAY THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO A CRASH AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING OUT OF THE HIGH SPEED LANE TO PULL OVER. *TR
Steering, Aug 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN PITTSBURGH, PA I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER'S POWER STEERING. APPARENTLY, THE NEWLY DESIGNED POWER SYSTEM SHUT DOWN CAUSING A MANUAL OVERRIDE FOR MANUAL STEERING 'ONLY'. AGAIN, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I AM A PA STATE TROOPER AND DRIVE AS A PROFESSION. I PERSONALLY STRUGGLED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAY AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO SAFELY BRINGMY VEHICLE TO A STOP. I CANNOT STRESS HOW UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS THIS DEFECT AND/OR PROBLEM IS. I AM CALLING. MY FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW FOR SUGGESTIONS. AGAIN, I HAVE INVESTIGATED NUMEROUS CRASHES AND FATALITIES IN MY CAREER AND EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO BE REVIEWED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL FOR SAFETY. *TR
Steering, Aug 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED AS BOTH COMPONENTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Steering, Aug 7, 2013
THIS HAPPENED TO US 2 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE AUTO TRAC LIGHT. AT THIS POINT WE LOST POWER STEERING. WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE WERE CLOSE TO A WALMART SO WE STOPPED AND LET THE CAR SIT AND WE WENT INTO WALMART .WHEN WE CAME OUT THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE. MONDAY I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE LIGHTS WENT ON AGAIN AND NO POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND THERE IT SITS. I CANT DRIVE IT AS IT IS TO HARD FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL. WE ARE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER FRIDAY AND I CALLED THEM AND THEY HAVE NO RECALLS FOR THE CAR AND SAID THEY CANT FIND THE INFORMATION I FOUND ABOUT THE POWER STEERING THAT WAS REPORTED IN 2012. I AM JUST GLAD MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE FIRST TIME. WE HAVE TRIED THE CAR SINCE MONDAY AND STILL NO POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Aug 6, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A WARNING BING SOUND AND SAW THE POWER STEERING FAULT AND ALL TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILURE WARNINGS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. LOST TOTAL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY LIGHTS, STOP ON SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON (HOPING THAT IT WOULD RESET AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE) AND DOING THIS CLEARED THE WARNINGS AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND BEFORE STARTING TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ONCE AGAIN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN RESET THE WARNING AND REGAINED STEERING ABILITY AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Aug 5, 2013
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD IT AT THE DEALER. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Aug 4, 2013
PLEASE REFERENCE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10475098, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012. THE PROBLEM IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT OCCURS INSTANTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED BY MY FORD DEALER LAST FALL (SEPTEMBER, 2012) BY REPROGRAMMING A CONTROL UNIT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN RECURRING AGAIN, ALMOST WEEKLY (THREE TIMES IN FOUR WEEKS). I FEEL THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BY HERSELF. SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING ASSIST. LUCKILY SHE WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND COULD BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. IF SHE HAD BEEN TURNING A CORNER OR ROUNDING A CURVE, SHE WOULD HAVE GONE OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND FIGURE OUT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR
Steering, Aug 3, 2013
TRAVELLING ON THE FREEWAY AT 78 MPH, AN ALARM SOUNDED, FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE THAT SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT (OR FAILURE, I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHICH TERM WAS USED)", AT THE SAME TIME, I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE WARNING ALSO STATED "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" AND AN ICON SHOWING A CAR WITH SKID MARKS BEHIND IT, DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. HAD MY WIFE, OR ONE OF MY CHILDREN BEEN DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURED, I'M CERTAIN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER OFF THE FREEWAY AND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAD A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, AND I DON'T RECALL IT BEING THIS DIFFICULT TO USE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND GOOGLED THE ISSUE, TO FIND I'M NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. AFTER READING THAT IT RESETS, I RE-STARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS FOR THE "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" MESSAGE TO CLEAR, BUT IT DID AS WELL. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTERWARD, FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES, WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THIS WAS ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, TOO LATE TO GET TO A DEALER. I WILL TAKE IT IN ON MONDAY MORNING, FIRST THING. *TR
Steering, Aug 1, 2013
AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, I STARTED AND WENT ABOUT 6 FEET AND THE CODES OF POWER STEERING ASSIST ALONG WITH A COUPLE OTHERS CAME UP. I TRIED RESTARTED THE EXPLORER AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I THEN LET IT SIT FOR 5 MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT AGAIN. THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I HAVE NOW BROUGHT IT IN AND AFTER LOOKING INTO IT. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR AND TO BE HONEST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER. IF I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ON OR OFF RAMP IN A TURN. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? *TR
Steering, Jul 30, 2013
MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST TRADED OUR CAR IN FOR A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. SHE WAS ON HER WAY HOME AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON HER WITH A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DASH. SHE WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE OTHER CARS AROUND HER. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. WE CALLED THE DEALER WHO PROMPTLY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE NOW. WHEN LOOKING UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE WE FOUND THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AS FORD HAD SAID OVER THE PHONE TO ME. I POINTED OUT THAT THE NHTSA HAD AN ACTION # PE12017 FILED AND THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. THEY BASICALLY CALLED ME A LIAR. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE OR GOD FORBID A FAMILY GETS KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. MY WIFE AND STEPDAUGHTER ARE OK ONLY DUE TO THE QUICK THINKING OF MY WIFE. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE ASAP AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, NOT COVER UP THIS HUGE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 26, 2013
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THEN A WARNING APPEARS STATING A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ALL TERRAIN STABILITY CONTROL. NOT ONLY DOES THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING, BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO TURN OVER FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES; OUR FORD DEALERSHIP HAS MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH A THIRD ATTEMPT SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK. THE LAST EVENT WAS DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-26 AT 70MPH (SPEED LIMIT) AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND TOLD ME THEY ARE SPEAKING WITH FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I DON'T THINK FORD KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2013
2011 EXPLORER WAS PARKED, ENGINE RUNNING. ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP AND UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. POWER ASSIST FAILURE AND POWER STEERING FAIL LIGHTS CAME ON. I TURNED VEHICLE OFF, WAITING A FEW MINUTES, TURNED VEHICLE BACK ON, NO FURTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. I DID NOT REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO FORD. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I WAS SLOWING DOWN AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY SUGGESTED I CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. I INFORMED THEM THIS HAPPENED TO ME A FEW WEEKS AGO AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING. I DID JUST THAT AND ONCE AGAIN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. TWO DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM DEALER SAYING THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND I COULD PICK UP THE VEHICLE. I INFORMED THEM SOMETHING WAS TERRIBLY WRONG AND THEY NEEDED TO DO MORE INVESTIGATING ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I WOULD PICK UP MY VEHICLE. SERVICE TECH SAID SHE WOULD LET THE SERVICE MANAGER KNOW. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Jul 23, 2013
UPON BACKING DOWN DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. I STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. POWER STEERING RETURNED. LEFT DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TO NEXT INTERSECTION WHERE STEERING FAILED AGAIN AND LOCKED UP. THIS REPEATED ONCE AGAIN BEFORE MY HUSBAND HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Steering, Jul 23, 2013
AS I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER ONE MORNING ON A SECONDARY ROAD PROBABLY AROUND 40-50MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS WERE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH BOARD: "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND "SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK". THESE WARNINGS MADE THE STEERING WHEEL GET EXTREMELY HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED OFF THE CAR FOR A MINUTE. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, THE WARNINGS HAD DISAPPEARED AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. THE SAME INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES WITHIN 5 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. ALL OF THEM HAD HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND VARIOUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS FAILURE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS OR FATALITIES. *TR
Steering, Jul 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT GIVE DETAILS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Steering, Jul 22, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A WARNING FLASHED ABOUT POWER STEERING. I HAD ABOUT 3 SECONDS TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID GETTING KILLED. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ALREADY AND IS DOING NOTHING? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? *TR
Steering, Power train, Jul 21, 2013
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT CORRECTED ITSELF. CURRENTLY I CANNOT PHYSICALLY STEER THE VEHICLE AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED. WE WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS LAST WEEKEND SO THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I HAPPEN TO BE A MALE WITH THE CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO HANDLE EXTREME SITUATIONS AND I DOUBT THAT I COULD AVOID AN ACCIDENT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. I WAS SEARCHING FOR FIXES AND SAW THAT A FEW CASES HAD BEEN REPORTED. MAKE THIS A PRIORITY AS THE ELECTRONICS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE SEVERELY FLAWED AND SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED SOON. *TR
Steering, Jul 19, 2013
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR TO MY RIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE DASH BOARD WAS FLASHING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, THEN SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND THE MESSAGE CLEARED. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM THE PICTURES, THE DEALER DID A EPAS DIAGNOSIS, IT SAID CODE C200D:49, AND AN INTERACTIVE DIAGNOSIS PINPOINT TEST, IT SAID INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, THEY REPLACED THE EPAS RACK AND PINION. I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK TODAY AND IT APPEARS AND FEELS LIKE IT'S TURNING FINE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 19, 2013
COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED - POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC CONTROL FAULT. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. WITH MUCH EFFORT (EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER!), I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING SPACE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING MESSAGE STAYED ON. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL 'OFF" LIGHT ALSO STAYED ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE EXPLORER OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING MESSAGE WENT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER (ALAN VIGIL FORD) THE NEXT MORNING. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK. PARTS WILL NOT BE IN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY TOLD ME I COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THEM THEN. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A GEAR IN STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING QUITE, WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. NOW FORD WANT $2119.00, TO REPAIR A MANUFACTURED PART THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS OWNED BY THE DISABLED VETERANS OF AMERICA AND USED TO TRANSPORT VETERANS IN OPERATED BY THE RANDOLPH COUNTY VETERAN'S OFFICE WINCHESTER, IN. I HAVE TAKEN CARE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON TIME AND THIS IS A BLOW TO THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE VETERANS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. *TR