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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 1 of 5)

problem #93

Apr 012024

Explorer

  • miles

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

HidrĂ¡ulic problem

- Chester , VA, USA

problem #92

Jan 262024

Explorer

  • miles
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 #91

Jan 132024

Explorer

  • miles
While driving my 2011 Ford Explorer at 60 mph I received a indicator stating service steering system soon. My concern was making sure I was able to still steer the vehicle to a safe location. I was still able to steer the vehicle and headed to the nearest parking lot to hopefully reset the system by restarting the vehicle. After parking I turned off the car and restarted it. After doing this the error came of service steering system now! Trying to steer the vehicle was extremely difficult. I proceeded home which is 30 min away and parked the vehicle until I could get it into a dealer. I did not call a tow truck as they are expensive and I know the repair was going to cost me a lot of money. The dealer verified the steering system was faulty and needed replaced. The steering system is electronically controlled and the failure of the system puts the occupants of the vehicle as risk of injury in the event the system failed and you need to move out of the way in an emergency or if I was not able to control the vehicle. The steering rack will be returned as part of the core charge for the replacement of the unit. Ford customer care told me this was a safety notice but is not a recall and it expired 10 yr after the warranty and vehicle over 150,000 miles. This should not be a notice but a recall as it seems there are a lot of failures. I should not have to pay money for something that is a known issue by the manufacture. The NHTSA needs to force Ford to recall these parts and replace them at their cost since it is a known issue!

- Risingsun, OH, USA

problem #90

Oct 212023

Explorer

  • miles

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

2011 Ford Explorer - trim around the windshield has separated and pieces have disconnected when driving. Sections become loose and are slapping the windows which is a driving distraction. Will windshield be secure if trim around edges comes off?

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #89

Mar 102023

Explorer

  • miles
Daughter drives this vehicle to college...4hrs via highway. On a recent trip home, her passenger side windshield trim flew off and nearly it the car behind her. I gave her a hard time about not stopping to pick it up but you can't just do that on the interstate. Looking around, we see lots of Ford Explorers with missing windshield trim. The rubber windshield seal underneath looks in bad shape now and I'm concerned that it could fail allowing the whole windshield glass to separate from the car. Love for you to come and inspect the vehicle. There were no warning lights or messages letting us know there was a problem before the trim separated but we obviously know there is a problem based on the numerous examples we see on the road. Please have Ford address this with a recall. It is unacceptable that this part fails so regularly on Ford Explorers.

- Whitsett, NC, USA

problem #88

May 102023

Explorer

  • miles
Front left window trim coming off.

- Bridgeton, NJ, USA

problem #87

Jan 192023

Explorer

  • miles

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

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 #86

Sep 122022

Explorer

  • miles
I read an article about Ford Explorers and the windshield trim panels coming off. I have had to replace both sides of mine....they didn't fly off but would have if not tended too. The rubber part underneath broke into several pieces and some were missing...who knows where they went. I had to replace both sides....at my own expense....

- Attapulgus, GA, USA

problem #85

Apr 272022

Explorer

  • miles
No incidents yet. I have had a power steering fault warning came on. It is off now I have contacted Ford in detroit, recall expired eventhough my car has only 124,100 miles on it.it will cost me $2300. To fix it which I do not have. I was never told about a recall on this. I purchased this used car in Dec,2021 at kearney motorsports in louisville ky. Now I have received a recall notice on the suspension. I find this car very unsafe and really do not know what to do about this, especially the power steering. Please advise, oh I did report this to kydot.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #84

Feb 152022

Explorer

  • miles
steering wheel gets hard to turn anywhere. a light turns on when this happens but, I couldn't read it as I was trying to get safely out of the road. it has happened to me a couple of times. sometime it happens as I turn the car on once I put the reverse gear on it gets hard I'm able to notice this before I move so I turn the car off and when I turn it back on it fixes itself. but, last few times its happened while driving once in the highway. I was told this could be triggering my check engine light on, which now is always on, according to the shop where it was taken for a check up it is something related to a misfire of the fifth cylinder. they think it is more related to a factory defect.

- Winnetka, CA, USA

problem #83

Oct 052021

Explorer

  • 71,000 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 that upon entering the vehicle, she noticed that water had leaked from the front passenger-??s side of the windshield onto the glove compartment and floorboard of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly whenever it rained. The contact stated that the instrument panel control buttons, the dashboard lights, and the rearview camera had failed to work as designed. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #82

Oct 302021

Explorer

  • miles
While driving with my 2 minor daughters a high-temperature light came on and then seconds later low pressure and engine light came on. Suddenly my 2011 Ford Explorer engine turned off and stopped in the middle of two busy highways stranding us. Towed to an auto shop where I was informed that the water pump bearing had come apart got into the engine and caused the timing chain to jump time. Now my 2011 Ford Explorer does not work and a replacement engine was going to cost $7700 plus the labor and work to tear it down which would exceed the almost $10,000 value of the vehicle. All over the internet, all I see is water pump/engine defaults for the same reason. This is obviously an ongoing issue that needs further investigation and mandatory replacements. Stranding us in the center of the highway was dangerous enough that my towing insurance told me to call the police because of where we were stranded not to mention my vehicle that is had zero issues is now nonoperational and has left me with a catastrophic financial and mobile deficit.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #81

Nov 182021

Explorer

  • miles
My 2011 Ford Explorer has been leaking water into everything including the console, seat belts, down the doors and staying inside the doors, into the spare tire storage area, and down all sides of the interior. The water leaks so badly that at times I've had more than an inch of water on the floor boards of my vehicle. The only thing that has permanently stopped working is the motor that controls the moonroof. I have no idea where the water is coming from and this is causing concern as the water is getting into all aspects of my vehicle including electrical areas. My research indicates that it could be many different places but I also seeing 10s of thousands of complaints from Explorer owners about this problem.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #80

Sep 172021

Explorer

  • miles
I recently purchased this 2011 Ford Explorer. I was driving on the interstate and the suv started feeling like a boat floating in water. The swaying felt like the front and rear suspension was not connected somehow. I immediately removed my foot from the gas and tapped my brakes to slow. It felt as though I would lose control of the vehicle. The swaying wasn-??t noticeable until you reached speeds above 50 initially. The suv would be ok on some days. But I drive and hour to work each way and it-??s highway. Now I am noticing the sway at lower speeds as well. I am having it checked out by an alignment mechanic shop. But since this started, we have seen many things written about this problem in forums and FORD actually had some recalls.

- Kennety, MO, USA

problem #79

May 122021

Explorer

  • miles
The interior of the vehicle smells of smog/gas after just a few minutes of driving and causes headaches for me and my kids

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #78

Nov 122020

Explorer

  • 193,000 miles
My power steering totally went out. It kept saying power steering fault and just stopped working. Then it started saying something about trac terrain fault or something. I've only had this car since 2018 and then found out today there was a recall on them for power steering. We bought our car in Oklahoma and now live in Alabama. The power steering has been weird on me before but turning off the car and restarting it would fix it, but it has went out saying fault while I was going around a turn and I had to brake quickly, throw on my hazards, turn off the car and restart it. But now nothing is fixing it, I had to tow it to my house from an hour away because I was stuck at work at 1am. I am the only person in my family able to work and work about 52hours a week and don't know I can afford to fix this issue that apparently was known but not fixed in my vehicle before it was sold to me (not your fault, the delearships fault, but they are 10 hours away...)

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #77

Feb 262020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2011 Ford Explorer limited, at random times while driving it will make a grinding noise, the vehicle will slow down and then the traction control lights will flash. If the traction control lights stop flashing the vehicle will pick up speed and drive normal but if the traction control light continues to flash for a long time eventually the traction control system will disable and then the warnings lights will say service advance trac and collision warning malfunction warning. If I let the vehicle sit for hours it may reset but it has continued to do so at random times and speed.

- Amelia, VA, USA

problem #76

Dec 072019

Explorer

  • 67,000 miles
After driving for a little while and then stopping at a stop light I smell exhaust coming in through the vent.I only notice it when at a stop.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #75

Sep 202018

Explorer

  • 152,155 miles
There is a extreme exhaust smell that comes in my truck whenever I turn the heat on. The excessive fumes are causing my children and me to experience dizziness and headaches. The smell only comes in the truck when the heat is on. The smell is still strong even when I crack the windows. It's unbearable at this point and I'm afraid I mat experience an accident, because I'm become so lightheaded. The fumes are still excessive whether the truck is sitting or in motion.

- Leeds, AL, USA

problem #74

Oct 162019

Explorer

  • 109,777 miles
Started the Ford and the backup camera was not functioning. Also noticed the 'sync' screen was blank, climate controls were not visible (functioning) as well as the radio system was not functioning. Went out and started the SUV in my driveway, everything was correct when I returned home the night before.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

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