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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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,760 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #53

Dec 012016

Explorer

  • miles

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

Exhaust fumes coming into the cabin while in motion. I noticed this issue when we bought the car in 2015. I complained to Ford in December 2016 and was told that I have to pay to have the hoses rerouted so that the exhaust fumes don't come into the cabin. I called Ford again today and once again they told me I had to pay to fix this issue. I drive with my windows cracked or opened due to my concern of the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning while driving the car by myself or with my children as passengers.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #52

Apr 152011

Explorer

  • miles
2011 Ford Explorer that I bought new in 03/2011 and that has an issue about the airbag light being on and off at the very first month of the car purchase it has been constantly checked and fixed for free within the time warranty. Then I have to come and pay almost every year to fix the airbag light.

- Hernadon, VA, USA

problem #51

Oct 052017

Explorer

  • miles
Apim not working in too many cars I seen internet

- Indio, CA, USA

problem #50

Nov 012016

Explorer

  • 82,698 miles

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

Today 09/09/2017 my friend called me as informed me that he saw yesterday 09/08/2017: On the news there was a law suit against 2011 Ford Explorer about carbon monoxide emission. The report stated that people were having headaches, were nauseous, etc.., which is exactly the symptoms I am having since roughly a year. On February 2017, I went to see a neurologist as my headaches and nausea were worse. I went through several medical tests and I am taking a prescription for the headaches. Now I honestly and strongly believe that this problem might be the trigger of the symptoms since I never been sick like that before.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #49

Jul 292017

Explorer

  • 88,300 miles
One week after purchasing a pre-certified vehicle, the car didn't want to accelerate & go into gear. 4 months later having similar issues & felt like the car got rear ended while driving on 2 different occasions on the highway that same week. I was drawn bing in the garden state parkway in NJ and had to slow down for traffic. Also at the end of the week the car didn't want to accelerate & go into gear while driving out of the driveway.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #48

Aug 242017

Explorer

  • miles
I have 2011 Ford Explorer, which I take into the local Ford dealership for maintenance regularly. I have had me Explorer a little over 2 years. Ever since I purchased my Explorer and I would take it in for maintenance, I would tell them I smell exhaust fumes on the inside of my vehicle. Only once did they check it for me. At that time, they said the guy couldn't smell anything. Well, today 8-24-17, I had to take it in for another issue. My Explorer engine would completely shut off when I would decelerate. Needless to say that was a serious issue while driving...they are repairing today. But, I also ask them to check for exhaust smells once again. Well today, I guess someone smelled the exhaust because they told me they could fix it at a cost over $200. Said it was an update for the exhaust module or something like that. I have an issue with paying that, since I know that there has been several complaints about this very issue with my model of Ford Explorer and that there is a class action lawsuit against Ford to resolve this issue. The reason I know this is because when they initially said they didn't smell anything I googled to see if anyone else had this problem and they did. When I ask the dealership today why I would have to pay that, they said because my vehicle is not a police vehicle and there is no recall on my vehicle for the exhaust problem. So, I guess if my vehicle was a police vehicle, it would be repaired by Ford for free. Point blank, I would like my 2011 Ford Explorer repaired by Ford at no cost to me for the exhaust problem.

- Gadsden, AL, USA

problem #47

Aug 222013

Explorer

  • 30,000 miles

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

I have a really bad exhaust odor in the cabin of my Explorer. During a 2500 - 5000 RPM acceleration, you can smell exhaust in the cabin. My mother has become sick riding in the vehicle and various people who I have driven on long road trips with in the Explorer have complained about headaches. Commuting daily with my Explorer recently has made me feel very nauseous. I have complained to Ford in 2013 and 2014 about the exhaust odor issue but they said I did not have it without testing for carbon monoxide levels. I have this documented in dealer records at Ford koons of silver spring. Believe this is related to the carbon monoxide issue that Ford has refused to fix, and I believe my family and I are developing health problems due to these concerns. I would like to have my car tested for carbon monoxide if possible.

- Derwood, MD, USA

problem #46

Sep 012016

Explorer

  • miles
Shortly after I bought my 2011 Ford Explorer, I noticed a carbon monoxide smell inside the vehicle and my daughter was always "tired" when this happened. I opened the windows. Three different mechanics could not identify the problem. I have had a carbon monoxide detector in the car for years. I keep a comforter in the car for cold days when I need to keep the windows down. I'm glad his issue has been identified, especially for those parents who drive their child around until they fall asleep.

- Centerville, MA, USA

problem #45

Nov 012013

Explorer

  • 38,000 miles
Smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin when accelerating hard (ie, to merge on the freeway etc). Have noticed the issue since we first bought it (used) in 2013).

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #44

Feb 162016

Explorer

  • 95,000 miles
We have a exhaust smell in the cabin area when the vehicle is running, mostly when the climate control is operating and more so when the rear air is in operation. We have reported it to our local dealer (future Ford of roseville ca.) and they have done nothing for the problem. We try to drive with the windows cracked open as if you dont we get burning sensation in the eyes and other irratations from it. We have also tryed to trade off the vehicle and have been offered less than half of what the vehicle blue books for. We would like this problem addresed

- Loomis, CA, USA

problem #43

Jul 012016

Explorer

  • 110,000 miles

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

My Explorer has had an exhaust smell in the passenger area. I have brought it to sears auto and Ford dealer and both told me there was nothing wrong, yet I continue to smell the exhaust when I am driving on the highway and up hill, with my ac on. I am worried about this problem since I am now seeing that police and other Explorer are having them same problem.

- Shirley, MA, USA

problem #42

Jan 112017

Explorer

  • miles
Fumy odor when accellerate

- Ranger, TX, USA

problem #41

Jul 282017

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
When I drive with the windows closed for any length of time I have to open the windows and many times I pull over to take a breather. I mentioned to a friend today this problem and he told me he had seen the night before that this model vehicle had many complaints as carbon monoxide may be the problem. I had thought about that but dismissed it. It does not happen with my other vehicles. I am going to be very careful now but this is ridiculous. Please make Ford repair this major safety issue.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

problem #40

Apr 042017

Explorer

  • 85,000 miles
Foul smell when driving and air conditioner on at times. Happened many times over the last year. Excessive sleepiness when driving and have to pull over.

- West Helena, AR, USA

problem #39

May 182017

Explorer

  • 93,000 miles
Car was fine then all of a sudden over heating sign went on in the car. I pulled over on the freeway called a tow truck because I was told not to drive the car. I had it towed to my house had a professional mechanic look at it at my house I was then told that there was a leak and the water tank was not holding water because of it. The next day I went to my car I turned it on and check engine light was on. I then turned off the car cause I did not want to cause anymore damage. The mechanic came back to my house and told me it was now leaking water and oil to take it in right away. I had no previous problems with my car until that point. I take it to the dealer they tell me that it was an internal problem within the engine that I, the driver, could not have known about unless I was having previous problems with the car which I was not. 230 dollars later just to tell me what is wrong with the car Ford is telling me that water got into the engine, transmission, all of the fluids and pipes. How does this happen with no previous problems with the car? I believe this issue needs to be resolved I have read many reviews on this model and this issue needs to be recalled

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #38

Apr 172017

Explorer

  • 67,800 miles
The rear view camera system started showing a reverse image to what is actually behind us without warning (the video was showing mirrored/backwards view). This caused us to think someone who was actually on one side of the vehicle was in a safe place, while in reality they were in the path of the vehicle. The vehicle has large blind spots in the back sides making an accurate picture a must-have

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #37

Mar 032017

Explorer

  • 30 miles
Exhaust making me sick, bad smell like rotten eggs inside the car every time I turn on the A/C and my kids get sick of that smell

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #36

Feb 012017

Explorer

  • 105,000 miles
Exhaust leak problem in my car while the air conditioning is on or when I accelerate. The car smells like gas constantly, even when it is parked and in my garage. I am terrified for my three children. We have taken it to Ford twice already and they can't fix it and expect me to pay for the repairs. No way! we are all sick all of the time. I am terrified to even drive it.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #35

Dec 012016

Explorer

  • 101,567 miles
Within the past year we have smelled rotten eggs in the cab of our Explorer on several occasions but assumed it was nothing. Upon reading an article about an investigation into carbon monoxide seeping into the cab we are extremely nervous. We have two small children. This always happens when the behicle is driving.

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #34

Dec 302014

Explorer

  • 39,000 miles
Since I got my Explorer in Dec 2014 off and on I've had an issue with a foul smell in the car. Since it would come and go I just would use more air fresheners when it happened. But recently it has gotten much worse! the smell now is unbearable, I've been recently dealing with real bad headaches as well. The car only has 64K miles and now after so research I see it's a problem with others also! I never used to like Ford before but the look of this one caught my eye. I should've stayed away, this purchase was a huge mistake! until I can get rid of this car my kids will not ride with me in it again. This happens both when I'm driving and when I park after driving. It smells and smoke comes from under the car when I stop at red lights

- Baldwin, NY, USA

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