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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 3 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #615

Sep 172023

Explorer

  • 114,000 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning as needed, and the power steering assist fault message was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became an intermittent occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #614

Oct 032023

Explorer

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The messages "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Advance Trac" were displayed. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #613

Feb 282023

Explorer

  • 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became firm while making lane changes. The contact stated that power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been intermittent but gradually became a recurring failure. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted however, the steering functionality had not return. The contact stated that the failure had become a constant failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that there was a Manufacturer-??s Recall Number: 15N01 (Steering) EPAS Steering Efforts associated with the failure; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty for the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #612

May 222023

Explorer

  • 144,000 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check charging system warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where several unknown parts were replaced; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E001000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #611

Sep 152023

Explorer

  • 199,560 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized inadvertently while there was incoming traffic. The vehicle made a beeping sound, and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the contact was able to pull to the side of the road after several attempts. The stated that that she pulled into the nearest parking lot, then drove the vehicle to work; however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure through voicemail. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V286000 (Steering) and 14E001000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,560.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #610

Sep 152023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving on my way to take my kids to school and my wheel locked on me, with a warning message "power steering assist". I was in traffic turning at the red light and almost crashed into the freeway bend.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #609

Sep 122023

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving the power steering locked up on me. The icon power steering assist was displayed. A updated recall is needed to fix the action to avoid damages or fatal accidents.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #608

Sep 052021

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, an alarm sounded, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Default" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while her husband was driving on one occasion. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Clifton, IL, USA

problem #607

Aug 312023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 60 miles per hour, a warning appeared stating "service power steering soon". I immediately found a place to pull over, but within minutes, it stated "service power steering now" - the steering capability ceased and locked up. It is known this is a recall amongst the 2011 ford explorers, yet mine was not recalled.

- Apo, NY, USA

problem #606

Aug 282023

Explorer

  • miles
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 #605

Jun 262023

Explorer

  • 152,000 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 while reversing and exiting the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with steering module failure. The contact was informed that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #604

Aug 082023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving and making a turn, the power steering assist went out causing it to be very difficult to navigate the vehicle

- Archie, MO, USA

problem #603

Aug 092023

Explorer

  • miles
I am getting a Power Steering Assist Fault on my vehicle and do not have any steering control. This is very dangerous and happens multiple times a week. The price to fix this fault is outrageous and I cannot afford it. I have done some research on the Power Steering Assist Fault and see that it has been brought to Fords attention at a high level and nothing was done with the 2011. Recalls were done with 2013 and up.

- Fort Pierre, SD, USA

problem #602

Aug 032023

Explorer

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was at the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and was not currently included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Sulphur, OK, USA

problem #601

Aug 032023

Explorer

  • miles
The power steering assist went out while driving and Ford has a recall for it but when I took it to the dealership (Seth wadley ford) said it-??s not that part and I don-??t believe them

- Sulphur , OK, USA

problem #600

Dec 152021

Explorer

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local service center who replaced the steering column and rear suspension tow link. Recently while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering failure reoccurred, and the warning message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #599

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 #598

Jul 192023

Explorer

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #597

Jul 222023

Explorer

  • miles
While operating vehicle on an interstate all power steering, advancetrac, abs, and traction controls shut down. I lost all power steering. Electronic power steering system. There is an open recall on this issue but for claims my vehicle vin is not included in said recall. I was able to get vehicle back home safely but the 2011 ford explorer is my wife's/kids transportation thankfully I was behind the wheel when it shut down but if it had been my wife it would have ended differently. Vehicle only has 118,000 miles.

- Union City, TN, USA

problem #596

Mar 102023

Explorer

  • 97,859 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions where the steering module and steering column were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,859.

- Cranford, NJ, USA

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