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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:
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.

2011 Ford Explorer steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 17 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #335

May 032017

Explorer

  • 116,943 miles

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

Turning from highway to subdivision, power steering went out which caused me to almost run into another vehicle who was turning onto the highway. This has been a known issue with my truck's make and model and perhaps the issue was larger than originally thought since clearly this issue effects me and it nearly caused an accident.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #334

May 152016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and repaired. However, while the contact's wife was driving 25 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. As a result, the driver lost control and the vehicle veered into the next lane. The steering failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that it had already been repaired and that the contact would have to pay for any further repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer and pay for the repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 06/29/17

- Juana Diaz, PR, USA

problem #333

Apr 302017

Explorer

  • 0 miles
April 30, 2017, when starting my Explorer I was notified by the onboard notification system that the steering power assist had failed. Next message stated the advance track system had also failed. Sure enough the power steering was nonexistent. Drove it home and found the care undriveable for most people due to the force required at the wheel to negotiate a typical right or left turn at 20 mph.....!!!!! the problem was fixed according to the Ford house in 2014 so they are unwilling to assume anymore responsibility for the fix. This is problematic due to the widespread experience of Ford owners across America who now face ridiculous costs all for the same problem that will come again in 3-4 years ($1700+). the real problem here is the system might just fail at just the wrong time and send you and your family over the side of the mountain road or across the lane into that embankment! super. Time for Ford to step up!

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #332

Mar 282017

Explorer

  • 108,394 miles

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

I first began experiencing braking and battery issues 3 to 4 weeks after the purchase of my vehicle. I took the vehicle in for servicing of the braking and battery issues. I was informed by the service advisor that I should return the vehicle to dealership for repairs due to the multiple issues with vehicle. At that time, I learned that there was leakage from the upper portion of the engine. The dealership addresses some but not all issues related to the vehicle. Next, I received an email from the dealership stating the vehicle was due for factory recommended servicing. I made an appt. The next day, the low battery light came on. Called dealership, no response. One and a half weeks later, the battery was dead. Called triple a. battery had battery acid and corrosion everywhere. A red solution was sprayed on the battery to prevent leakage. But it didn't work that well. Informed dealership at the time of service, that the power steering service light had come on. Five days later, I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Both service advisors stated that vehicle shouldn't have been placed on lot for sale. I no longer feel safe in this vehicle. As I have two minor children. The date of onset would've been 04/08/2016. There is another photo, however, there was not enough room to include.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #331

Apr 132016

Explorer

  • 108,394 miles
I purchased my vehicle in March of 2016. I first had issues with the braking system. I heard screeching and whirring as I drove the vehicle. Next, I had issues with the battery, battery acid leaked all over the battery, corrosion built up on the battery. Most recently, after servicing my vehicle, the power steering locked up. The computer read that there was power steering fault. I don't understand how I was able to purchase a vehicle off the dealership lot with all of the issues that the vehicle had.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #330

Feb 252017

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred multiple times and operated as normal after being restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E001000 (steering) or 14V286000 (steering). The failure mileage was 120,000.

- South Chicago Heights, IL, USA

problem #329

Jan 182017

Explorer

  • 114,000 miles

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

My 2011 Ford Explorer had a faulty transfer case, which set me back $2000. The issue I was experiencing was a grinding noise in my front end while driving. I would experience hesitation when increasing speeds, as if the transmission was slipping. While going in reverse, the car would stall and the gear would lock. I would have to put the car back in park and try to reverse again, in order to move. Mazda has the same issue with their transfer case, which is the same transfer case on the 2011 Ford Explorer!!!!!!! this car has major issue across the board. I just recently replaced the power steering rack, which was eventually recalled by Ford after numerous complaints. The 2011 Ford Explorer transfer case should be recalled by Ford. The transfer case can dismantle and cause a major accident while your are driving!!

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #328

Jan 302017

Explorer

  • 75,590 miles
My steering gear went bad on 1-18-2017 I replaced it at my cost $1,666.73 it lasted about 10 days and went out again.

- Moatsville, WV, USA

problem #327

Jan 212017

Explorer

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving out of the driveway, the steering wheel seized without warning. The power assist warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was unable to locate the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

- Fulshear, TX, USA

problem #326

Jan 232017

Explorer

  • 159,000 miles
At start, vehicle shows power steering assist failure and because vehicle is parked, almost impossible to turn steering wheel - started 2 months ago as intermittent problem, then permanent failure now. Issue has not occurred, yet, while driving this vehicle. Vehicle subject to recall 14V286000 - evaluated in Oct 2014 when no faults or dtcs were showing up - dealer said software updated per recall actions - dtc is now U3000 which is the replace gear code. Prior evaluation wasno replacement needed then because no faults were showing which appears to be a useless recall action that did nothing to prevent safety issue. Even though the safety recall item (dtc U3000) is now occurring 2 years after initial evaluation, dealer & Ford will do nothing. Why is your recall # 14V286000 so useless?

- Mariettta, GA, USA

problem #325

Jan 142017

Explorer

  • 104,897 miles

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

I started the car and a notice came up: "service power steering now" without warning. I pulled off and the car dragged to the right and into the curb. I wasn't injured. I had to drive it home as is. I was parallel parked by a building. The power steering of the Ford Explorer is a faulty system and they're quoting me over $2,000 to fix it.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #324

Jan 182017

Explorer

  • 75,407 miles
My wife was bringing my kids home from school and had a complete steering failure but was not injured and did not have an accident

- Moatsville, WV, USA

problem #323

Jun 102015

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. The power assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Sulphur, LA, USA

problem #322

Jan 162017

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
The battery charging system comes on while drive at normal speed and the steering becomes very hard and then everything shuts down and if you are lucky you might make it off the side of the road. This is very scary as I live in a rural around where you can't always get over in an appropriate area. In the past I could let it set for a minute and restart it and would be fine. Recently had to have it jump started for it to run again and then seems fine. Just last night/this morning it was so bad that we had to let it sit for several hours before we could get it to jump start it again. I have saw that others have had similar complaints. When I searched my VIN number it says there is no recalls but when I was searching for recalls it mentions the power steering as a recall. The recall was prior to me purchasing this unit. I am frustrated and this is a great safety recall that Ford should fix on all vehicles. The date entering as event happened was the last event but it started back in may of 2016.

- Louisville, IL, USA

problem #321

Nov 062016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
It was a power steering wheel recall but the Ford company could not fix it because of over mileage but my understanding it's a recall and I haven't had my Ford Explorer for about 5 week and I really need it back thank you

- Ligonier, IN, USA

problem #320

Nov 132016

Explorer

  • 152,000 miles
While driving the 2011 Ford Explorer the automatic steering went out making it impossible to drive and steer. I found that the same situation has happened on multiple 2011 Ford Explorer. It shows on line there is a recall but the dealership says there is not. We are at 152K miles and we would have needed to be at 150K or less for the repair to be covered. Even though online shows a recall for this make and model im told we are not covered. It had to of "happened" while driving and then we notify the dealer. With something as serious as steering gears going out not being covered by a recall makes me sick. It was my minor child driving when this happened. Now I must pay 2K to have this repair done when it is something that has multiple reports of it happening including at least 15 related accidents the dealership has confirmed that my vehicle falls under the parameters but because of 2K over the mileage requirement it is not covered.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #319

Nov 142016

Explorer

  • 95,000 miles
My vehicle was in motion on a city street when my power steering quit. The steering just quit. I could not steer my vehicle. It could have easily resulted in an accident. I am so grateful it did not and someone was close by to help me get my vehicle off the road.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #318

Jul 122016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 36,400 miles
My Ford Explorer 2011 omits a foul odor(smells like rotten egg)when you turn on the ac while driving, the steering column feels loose and has a strong wind noise while driving.

- Winchester, CA, USA

problem #317

Oct 102016

Explorer

  • 55,900 miles
While driving at 35mph, steering froze and "power steering system fault" notification illuminated on the dash. Safely stopped at next driveway. Shut down car. Exited car, called husband. Restarted car and steering was working again. Travelled 2 more miles at 35mph and power steering froze again with same subsequent notification; also advance trac lights illuminated. Man handled steering to drive car home. Now engine starts and runs 7-10 minutes before power steering fault occurs. Scheduled at Ford dealer service department in paducah, ky for repair on Oct 19, 2016.

- Paducah, KY, USA

problem #316

Sep 262016

Explorer

  • 100,526 miles
Power steering failed requiring extreme effort to pull over off the road. Warning came up "service power steering". vehicle was brought to dealership where they determined the power steering rack needed to be replaced (many many reports on this) on 9/26. Picked up vehicle on 9/29 with a brand new power steering rack and drove it home. Started vehicle on 9/30 and drove 3 miles when the brand new power steering rack failed giving a red warning "service power steering now". again, no power steering and had to man handle the vehicle to dealership. Contacted Ford roadside and they would not tow back to same dealer because there was a closer dealer by 9 miles. Why isn't Ford being required to recall these. This is a major safety issue

- Allenstown, NH, USA

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