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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:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,810 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #84

Jan 262024

Explorer

  • miles

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

Over the past couple of years the steering wheel has locked. But would reset if turned off and on. The traction light also engaged temporarily and later went off. When I took my vehicle in to the dealership at Blue Springs Mo Ford on [XXX] for service and diagnostic they indicated a sensor and/or steering mechanism needed repair or replaced and the part has been on back order. They would order the parts-and let me know when they came in. They have yet to contact me on the part. They said it could be some time.. About a month the tire pressure sensor fault warning came on so I was looking repairs. Early this week while driving the power steering quit working. A day or so later while troubleshooting the dash display reported faults with both power steering assist and advance tract. After turning it back on and off the warning lights engaged. I have a new battery, checked connections and fuses, then looked online and found ford has a known problem with power steering assist failing. Also comments report if an issue occurs with the electronic power assist at any time Ford is responsible to repair for free. Today I called the ford number 800-392-3673 to report this problem and was informed my vehicle does not qualify for free repairs due to the mileage 173,958. The fix expired at 150,000 miles or 10 year - which was an extension to warranty). I don-??t agree with this approach as Ford has been aware of this issue with the power steering electronic system for years and provided no notice to consumers. I would have had it checked prior to hitting the 150,000 mile mark. Please advise on my rights or recourse. Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #83

Nov 012023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving the vehicle on a busy street, proceeded to steer car to turn at an intersection and the steering started failing and was extremely hard to steer. The message appeared electronically, saying service power steering now and car then shut down. We immediately got car to independent mechanic. Was not aware of any vehicle recall, but seems to be repaired. Happened very recently. Early Nov. 2023.

- Sheridan, WY, USA

problem #82

Oct 312023

Explorer

  • miles
Going down road about 40 mph when power steering was lost with lots of warning.

- Maysville, GA, USA

problem #81

Aug 282023

Explorer

  • miles

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

When I turned my Ford Explorer on yesterday, the Power Steering Fault light came one. This has happened in the past, but when I shut off and restart my car, it has always reset and worked. But yesterday, it didn't reset. Besides the power steering, the Advance Trac light is also on. My blinkers will not stay engaged unless I hold the lever. I can't get in to the Ford Dealer for a month. It is very difficult to drive without the power steering working. The warning lamps came on when I started the car. Thankfully this didn't go out when I was driving.

- Hartline, WA, USA

problem #80

Jul 252023

Explorer

  • miles
The Electronic power steering went out for the third time while trying to park at grocery store parking lot. We have paid for 3 replacements and reprogramming now for the 3rd time it-??s out again.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #79

Aug 302019

Explorer

  • miles
My rear view camera was replaced in August 2019 as it stopped working. It was an expensive costing $1000 to repair. It just stopped working again. Car has 100500 miles and this is excessive for what I consider a safety feature in a car this large. I was just told by Ford the backlog for a new camera nationwide is greater than 240 units and some customers have waited over 6 months. I searched online and found many complains on model years 2011 forward due to a bad design flaw that allows moisture in a wiring harness causing corrosion / failure. In my opinion, Ford needs to step up to root cause and provide options other than a complete replacement that only temporarily solves the issue

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #78

May 222023

Explorer

  • miles

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

The dash lights go off then it's says starting rebot. Air bag lights stay on. Check engine light on says miss firng. All Carfax report was forged. Dealer said needs new engine but was not told by seller. No one will fix it they say not worth the price for car. I over paid big time. Got lied too.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #77

Dec 152022

Explorer

  • miles
on december of 2022 the power steering go out during I was driving with my family and the steering it was very hard to keep control of the steering I almost lost control of the vehicle the good news is no car it was around me I try to do my best to get home safety.after the mechanic diagnostic he mention it this..ON MAY 2014 FORD COMPANY ISSUE A RECALLFOR THE 2011 -2013 FOR EXPLORER FOR A DEFECT ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM..so I contact ford and they tell me I have to repair the total out of my packet becouse they cant see any recall but my car it was made during the time frame the recall it was made I really not understand why they can even look this problem I cant imaging if I was on the higway on high speed I really scared after I deal with this problem

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #76

Oct 242022

Explorer

  • miles
My 2011 ford explorer steering randomly went out. As I researched I realized that there was a safety recall 14s06 for that particular car. Apparently that recall was announced in 2014( before I purchased the vehicle) the previous owner took the truck to the dealership the have the pscm checked and no codes came back so it was only reprogrammed which is suppose to prevent steering loss which is what I am currently dealing with. The dealership is not trying to replace the part free of charge as stated in warranty although they know this is serious safety issue on this vehicle. They are trying to charge me $2800 to have the part replaced.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #75

Dec 152022

Explorer

  • 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Service Power Steering" warning light illuminated along with several unknown warning lights. The contact stated that she was able to drive to her residence with the warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving up her driveway, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she turned the vehicle off and shifted to park(P), turned the vehicle off and on and the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to a manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts). The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

- Jasper, GA, USA

problem #74

Aug 172022

Explorer

  • miles

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

I was driving on the highway and the steering wheel locked on me. He was hard to turn and I also hit another car in the back.

- Stonecrest, GA, USA

problem #73

Aug 092022

Explorer

  • miles
I keep losing my power steering. i called ford and they told me the recall to fix it was out dated. this could cause an accident. and shouldnt have a time line to have it fixed. It has happened several times the last year

- Norwich, NY, USA

problem #72

Feb 282022

Explorer

  • miles
The steering wheel gets hard to turn it acts like it has glitches in it. It goes from easy to hard and doesn-??t come out of it-??s turns on it-??s own I have to pull it back. Almost acts like I-??ve lost the power steering.

- Carthage, NY, USA

problem #71

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) had become defective which caused the front and rear defrosters to not operate as needed. The contact also stated that the APIM failure had caused the rear backup camera to not function. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Pearl River, LA, USA

problem #70

May 032021

Explorer

  • miles
Hazard lights do not work and I am having trouble getting this promblem soloved.I have been working on this and I haved looked at video and I am still having issues with it they work sometimes and sometimes they don't.. please help!!!!!!!

- Elkton, MD, USA

problem #69

Jan 102021

Explorer

  • miles
Rear back up camera stopped working about 50% of the time so I cannot see directly behind the vehicle while backing

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #68

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
Driving at 35+ entering on ramp mph the car lost all power and just stopped. The engine shut off. No warning lights or alarms went off beforehand. Once the car stopped, the engine light came on, the low pressure lamp too and an alarm sounded. I called a tow truck and had it towed to (told me my engine was milky destoyed)two dealears then to Ford. They called this morning and said the water pump went out causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The engine has to be replaced. They quoted $8,000. Had to get a $10,000 loan. [to replace steering and engine] this is the first one (it seems to be headed in the same direction but only sooner) *please help me I can't afford this again**while driving on the highway, my power steering went out without warning. I lost all power steering and then the power steering alarm came on. Took it to Ford and had the power steering replaced at a cost of $1800. Then, less then 2 weeks later while driving at 40 mph, the power steering went out again. And again, no warning lights until the power steering wen out. Ford said it was because my tires had low tread and I needed to replace my front tires, which we had them do. 8 months ago, the transfer case went out and had to be replaced also when placed in park vehicle shut off completely showing a low pressure oil lamp. Happened in my first engine now it's happening in this new one and its not 2yrs old yet just got the new engine may/ June of 2019. The first engine wasn't 10 years old. The first engine all this happened approximately between 2016 and 2019 ongoing until 2019 I guess the water pump gave up.O1 O1 2020 for the second engine on the same course as the first

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #67

Feb 212021

Explorer

  • 151,147 miles
The truck was driving smoothly and I turned it off, ten minutes later the truck power steering was ridiculously though I could barely drive back home, still can't used the truck, called the dealership and told me that this truck does has a electrical power steering recall but the mileage was over 1000 miles of the miles thats in the recall system, couldn't imagine if that situation happened while I was on the highway it would've occurred an accident I dont think its fair that this models have a recall and the dealership are not doing nothing about it, I really need some help I have kids and I cannot endanger them by this mistake the fabricators done.

- Ceiba, PR, USA

problem #66

Jan 072021

Explorer

  • 141,000 miles
The ac/heat speed will randomly increase/ decrease to either full or low speed with is clicking sound like your doing it on your own. This will cause my windshield to fog up when cold outside while driving & distracting me the driver the annoying clicking sound coming from the unit itself. This could possibly causing me not to see something coming or in the road causing me to wreck & putting my family in danger.

- Saint Clairsville, OH, USA

problem #65

Jan 042021

Explorer

  • 100,800 miles
Rear view camera not working properly - repair quoted ~$800 to replace camera

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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