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CarComplaints.com Notes: The NHTSA's complaint data shows potentially scary power steering problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer.

The steering complaints are pretty serious - owners report the power steering cuts out while driving. The NHTSA opened an investigation into the power steering problems in June 2012, which lead to a recall in 2014. However years later, many 2011 Explorer owners report this defect is still occurring.

It's too bad because the 2009 & 2010 Ford Explorer are solid, trouble-free model years.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,300 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Feb 012024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver side window panel flew off during my drive on the interstate directly after I noticed it being loose for the first time. 3rd row seatbelts leak when it rains on both sides. Rear backup camera is opposite/flipped and goes in and out. Trunk will close on you after opening it up with the car not running. It will not sense movement when the car is off and continues to shut resulting in harm.

- Calhoun, GA, USA

problem #41

Sep 022023

Explorer

  • miles
Trim on left side A-pillar detached at highway speeds causing further damage to vehicle. The plastic trim and rubber seal detached and were damaged along with door trim and left marks on the driver window glass and upper door sash from the rubber seal.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #40

Aug 012023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving on interstate 95 when the trim that covers the driver's side A pillar began to flap for a few seconds before flying off the car. It smashed the B pillar and cracked it before ultimately flying directly at the car behind me narrowly missing it. It was difficult to maintain control of the vehicle due to the sudden noise, it felt like the car was suddenly under attack.

- Ponte Vedra, FL, USA

problem #39

Feb 252023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The windshield trim on the driver's side flew off of the vehicle when I was traveling on the interstate (at interstate speed - about 70 mph). It did not hit another vehicle, but certainly could have if another vehicle had been to my left or close behind my vehicle. I was unable to stop and retrieve the part. No inspection has been made by police, insurance, etc. I now need to have the trim piece replaced, and I am nervous about the windshield trim on the passenger side possibly doing the same thing.

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #38

May 032021

Explorer

  • miles
I read an article online dated 1/31/23 that indicated that the NHTSA was investigating windshield trim panel issues on certain year models of the Ford Explorer. My 2011 Ford Explorer driver-side windshield trim panel flew off the vehicle while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph) on May 3, 2021, so I wanted to provide this information and photos of the damage. I agree this is a serious issue for this Make and model that should be addressed. This was an expensive repair and dangerous for other drivers on the road. I can provide additional information if needed.

- Highland, IN, USA

problem #37

Jan 192023

Explorer

  • miles
Passenger side windshield trim came off while traveling on freeway at 85 mph hit the windshield. Then about hit the car behind us and about hit a car next to us. The car is available for inspection.

- Mojave, CA, USA

problem #36

Dec 242022

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #35

Feb 152023

Explorer

  • miles
Driver's seat windshield panel flew off while driving. Part number BB5Z-7803145-AA

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #34

Jul 232018

Explorer

  • miles
Driver-??s side black plastic A pillar windshield trim piece detached as I was driving on the highway. Startled me but I kept my composure. No other damage. Piece could have hit another vehicle behind me or a motorcyclist. When I stopped I confirmed the piece missing. Seems only held on by tape and Velcro

- Urbandale, IA, USA

problem #33

Jul 262017

Explorer

  • miles
While traveling at freeway speeds a vibration sound could be heard around the front windshield area when a slight cross wind would occur, I was unable to locate the cause until after a couple months of this behavior the passenger side windshield trim piece suddenly departed the vehicle while traveling at 70 mph. The vehicle was serviced at Novus glass and the trim was then replaced. However, the new also began falling off after only a few days, and Novus Glass advised that they see this type of issue all the time, as the plastic tabs that are meant to secure the trim piece often get broken even when installing a new part.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

problem #32

May 012019

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Midville, GA, USA

problem #31

May 052019

Explorer

  • 820,000 miles
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.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #30

Jun 012019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving in the rain with the sun roof in the closed position, water leaked from the sun roof into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Court St. Ford (558 william latham dr, bourbonnais, il) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

problem #29

Apr 042019

Explorer

  • miles
SE cuela agua Y baja por los cinturones de la tercera fila, SE llena de agua el compartimiento donde va la goma de repuesto.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #28

Feb 212019

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
This vehicle was in for a recall for the electrical power steering. Recall was done on the vehicle in 2014 now in 2019 at 150,000 miles and again the same problem only this time it cost me $1,800 to get fix just to have the same problem recur 3 times. I also got into an accident. This is more than a safety issue and I notice a lot of people complaining about the same thing. When will Ford decided to address this issue!

- Morristown, NJ, USA

problem #27

Dec 142018

Explorer

  • 101,000 miles
When it rains, the rain comes in the truck and seeps through the seatbelts, the front passenger interior handle, the two lights in the top of the truck (above the console), the sterio in the back, the passenger side under the dashboard, through the trim of the windows on driver and front passenger side, and inside the sunroof (yes, the windows and sunroof is closed). This happens if the truck is sitting in driveway, and when driving. My guess is that something was not properly sealed when the truck was being made.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #26

Feb 172018

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Took to a shop because of water in rear area coming from seat belts. Got told that the welds around the rear hatch mounts are bad and known for messing up. Dealer would not fix and told me to take to a collision shop to get fixed on my own dime.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #25

Dec 092018

Explorer

  • 83,000 miles
I have leaks through the seat belts on my third row. My car has a mildew odor from these so it has been happening for a while. I had carmax fix a leak that I noticed in 2016 but now 2 yeats later it is really bad. I looked up online possinle fixes and fou D hundreds of owners with the same issue and no fix. Ford is very difficult to deal with for the repair. Pleas look into this faulty issue and require a welding fix on the seems by Ford. Seems all information I have found with the issue is with the new Explorer body starting with my 2011 year. Leak occurs qhen it rained or when car is washed. It is so much water that we currently can not use the third row seatong as a seat. It is constantly wet.

- Ponte Vedra Bch, FL, USA

problem #24

Oct 012018

Explorer

  • miles
Noticed serious water leak in rear tire storage compartment. Analysis indicated water penetrating from cracks in the machine welds at the corners of where the roof line meets the back tail gate as well as the stamped machine welds at the two lift gate hinges. Created mold problem when tire cover and sponge pad became soaked. Concerned rust at the corners, hinges and tire compartment will eventually give way.

- Riverhead, NY, USA

problem #23

Sep 092018

Explorer

  • 118,000 miles
When I purchased this vehicle two years ago I noticed a water leak which ran down the 3rd row seat belts. I contacted my dealer and they weren't going to cover the repair, but after some help from my service adviser they covered most of it. Now, 2 years later, it is leaking again and worse. My passenger side front seat floorboard fills with water when it rains. Water is also leaking from the headliner and dripping on the electronics in the center instrument panel. And the leak at the 3rd row seat belts is back. Research indicates that it is the sunroof causing the problem. Ford says that they don't have a recall so it will not be covered by them. I'm furious that such an expensive car would have this recurring issue and Ford turns a blind eye. There are reports all over the internet of people with the same problem. It is not an unknown issue, just one that is not being addressed by Ford.

- Beaverdam, VA, USA

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