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:
15 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,570 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.
My 2011 Ford Explorer has about 140000 miles. Several times prior the power steering has gone out and have not been able to steer the car. This as occurred while the car is not moving. It was cleared by turning off the engine and restarting the car. Serramonte Ford dealership says are error codes found and the estimated cost will be over $2,300. The car is not drivable and I MA still making payments on this car as I purchased used from dealership about 2 yrs ago. This is a very dangerous and life threatening way to treat this problem. Why can't Ford take accountability of this pproblem since all of these complaints are piling up and not leave us to die with our families. Surely by now they must have some idea what the problem is and how to fix it. The problem as recall code of 14S06 & 14V-286 and not very many VIN#'s are being added to this same recall. Please Ford! help us from not dieing in your vehicles. Please! the average american cannot afford to repurchase cars when they defective. I am a single mother of 3 children and 2 with special needs. Please help us resolve this issue.
My 2011 Ford Explorer has about 89000 miles on it. Twice recently the power steering has gone out and it has been impossible to steer the car. Both times this has been while the car is not moving. It was cleared by turning off the engine and restarting the car. The local Ford dealership says they can not find anything wrong and no error code was found. We were told to drive the car and if it happens again do not shut off the engine and call to have the car towed to the nearest Ford dealership. This seems like a very dangerous and life threatening way to treat this problem. Why can't Ford own up the problem since all of these complaints are piling up and not leave us consumers at such risk. Surely by now they must have some idea what the problem is and how to fix it.
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!
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. After the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) by basil Ford (1540 walden ave, buffalo, NY 14225, (716) 893-1000), the steering seized while driving 20 mph. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to West herr Ford (10 campbell blvd, getzville, NY 14068, (716) 688-5464). The vehicle was diagnosed, but the results were not disclosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving at 20 mph the car lost power stearing. This made the car very hard to drive at low speads. Was able to get the car to karl flammer Ford in tarpon springs fl. The service advisor told me to restart the car and sometimes the steering will be reset. That worked but no indication was given to me that this was a known problem. This is dangerous and I am sure they will properly address the situation when someone dies.
- Tampa, FL, USA
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Since Saturday, March 16, 2019 the "power steering assist fault" message comes on the dashboard screen every time I start the car (2011 Ford Explorer limited) and I am unable to steer the car. The car is parked in a garage. Previously, when this happened I was able to turn the car off and the fault would clear, however now the fault stays on after every restart and the steering wheel does not move.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed. While driving off the freeway ramp, the contact had to use more strength than usual to steer the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder, waited a few seconds, and drove home. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted due to full waiting lists. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,992.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed after the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). Shults Ford of harmarville (1300 gulf lab rd, pittsburgh, pa 15238) only reprogrammed the computer, but had not replaced the steering rack. Six months later, the steering rack failed. The dealer wanted the vehicle owner to be responsible for the steering repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. Consumer stated steering went out, vehicle almost hit 2 parked cars before coming to a stop.
Driving 70 mph on a highway the service power steering immediately light came on and service terrain management system light as well. I had no power steering.
My wife started getting the code on her display that the power steering was at fault! then it would reset and work, this happened a couple of times! we were out to eat and go in the vehicle and started home. When this happened again while going down the highway! I was able to get it to the side of the road and had to have it towed from there!
While driving on highway 80 near donner pass in California the "traction control unavailable" light came on with "check power steering" light. Steering wheel resistance increased as if power steering was beginning to fail. About 15 minutes later while driving in a snowstorm the red "service power steering immediately" light came on and the power steering totally failed making controlling the vehicle extremely difficult. The fact that this failure could happen at any time and in my case during white out winter conditions is incredibly dangerous and I felt lucky to not to have gotten into an accident as a result. I have read so many reports of this same power steering failure and am surprised that no recall action on this VIN has been initiated. Contacted Ford dealerships who say that since no "error" code is present they will not correct or repair the issue. Hopefully the nhsta will finally initiate a recall before someone dies from this problem.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 65 mph and attempting to make a turn, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle continued to drive forward. The vehicle ran off the roadway, which caused the front passenger side wheel and tie rod to fracture. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven to beechmont Ford (located at 600 Ohio pike, cincinnati, oh 45245, (513) 752-6611) where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was leaving to work and the steering was hard.the car was stationary, it marked power steering assault.im pregnant and I'm afraid to crash while driving.
Was driving the car and as soon as we pull in the parking lot the engine light came on and the car won't move. It was towed to Ford mechanic and they said the water pump was fault which made the coolant to enter the engine hence messing up the engine and I needed to replace the engine. It cost me arms and legs to fix the engine. Ford need to recall water pump failure which is leading to costly fixing of the engine. The roof was also leaking and the water was dripping through back seat belt. Today I was pulling off the parking the power steering fault light came on, and it was hard to turn the steering. This car has a lot if prblems.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While the contact was attempting to steer out of a parking space, the power steering failed and "power steering fault" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to moses Ford Inc (2001 maccorkle ave, St albans, wv 25177) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,960.
While driving in the highway the steering system suddenly locked, making very difficult to change direction. This happened suddenly and we were close to an accident.
Power steering intermittedly fails at different times. Seems to happen early when the car is used. This occurs when the car is in motion and steering becomes really hard.
Power steering failure. Has happened when stationary as well as when moving. Steering is locked and steering wheel cannot be turned without considerable force.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Daly City, CA, USA