10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,354 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #686

Jan 122025

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving down a highway at 55 MPH and my traction control lights came on. Next my assist power steering warning light came on which was yellow. Then the red assist power steering warning came on and I lost all power steering. The dealership did confirm the problem was my steering angle sensor, but said this did not fall under the recall anymore because I have too many miles.

- Fostoria, OH, USA

problem #685

Sep 272024

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering has gone out on car. There was a previous recall but I was told it has expired. I am not over the miles allowed to claim the recall on the power steering. It is not safe to drive this car without properly being fixed. The recall should still be applied regardless of its expiration as I have not exceeded the milage. I don-??t feel it is safe to have an expired recall on a car, especially if the milage is so low.

- St Clair, MI, USA

problem #684

Dec 032024

Explorer

  • miles
While driving down the highway, the power steering quit working totally. Causing me to go off the road into the ditch. There was a recall on the power steering gear that ford refuses to fix. They state it was fixed with a power steering module reset that did not.

- Rockford, MN, USA

problem #683

Dec 242024

Explorer

  • 168,281 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel failed to move as intended. The service power steering now warning light illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's place of business and had not been driven since the incident. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 168,281.

- Walpole, MA, USA

problem #682

Dec 122024

Explorer

  • miles
Power windows and power mirror buttons stopped working and then -??Service power steering now-?? message came on and the steering wheel is locked and very hard to turn. The electrical wiring for the windows run through the power steering gear. The vehicle has not been inspected or repaired

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #681

Dec 152024

Explorer

  • miles
On or around December 15 while driving I lost the ability to steer the car without using considerable strength

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #680

Dec 022024

Explorer

  • miles
I was on the highway and my whole steering went out and I bought the vehicle 2 years ago and learned today there was a recall in the steering gear and I need to know what I can do because I have 3 children one with down syndrome and we need to have a vehicle that is safe Please help.

- Greenbay, WI, USA

problem #679

Dec 052024

Explorer

  • 103,500 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the steering wheel was intermittently firm. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel locked. The contact stated that the following day while attempting to move the steering wheel, the steering wheel was back to normal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,500.

- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA

problem #678

Dec 062024

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving 68 MPH down the highway when my car threw a Power Stearing Assist Fault, I almost hit head on with a Semi but was able to hit my E break and put the car in neutral to get back over to my side fo the road. I had to have the car towed, my mechanic said there was a recall on the Electric Power Assist System. the Reference number is 14v286000. I called the ford dealship and explained to them the situation as well as what my mechanic said and they told me they were not going to do anything for the vehicle. How are we not going to replace faulty parts that almost took someones life. Someone has to be held resposible as there should be safety measures in place on the vehicle to prevent this and there were none and now the manufacturing company isnt going to honor the recall put into place by the NHTSA.

- Fredonia, KS, USA

problem #677

Nov 272024

Explorer

  • miles
As I was driving, a -??service Power steering-?? warning came on along with another warning about my power assist being lost. I have taken my car to see a mechanic a total of 4 times for this same issue and need answers or reimbursement.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #676

Nov 262024

Explorer

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a loss of power steering functionality intermittently. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure progressively worsened. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH with her child in the rear seat, the vehicle made an abnormal beeping sound, the messages "Power Steering Failed" and "Service Advancetrac" were displayed, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact called an independent mechanic who instructed the contact to temporarily disconnect the battery. The contact followed the instructions; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where it remained. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) and the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software was previously updated under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #675

Jul 012024

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel intermittently became stiff and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the "Service Power Steering Now" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the strut on the driver-??s side had fractured. The contact was later informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact's daughter-in-law called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Shady Point, OK, USA

problem #674

Nov 142016

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
The contact 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the recall repair did not need to be performed because the vehicle was not experiencing the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. No further information was provided. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently upon starting the vehicle. Several unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could only be diagnosed after the failure occurred. The contact stated that the failure had worsened and persisted after turning off and restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #673

Oct 272024

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his fiancé was driving 45 MPH, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The "Service Power Steering" message was displayed. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The contact stated that the advance-trac and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Greeneville, TN, USA

problem #672

Oct 282024

Explorer

  • miles
I have a vehicle recall on the Electronic Power Steering System for my Ford Explorer that my dealership is refusing to fix. They allegedly fixed it once but it is not working and is extremely dangerous. Ford says this: What I show for the EPAS steering, it's recall 14S06C. I show that this recall was performed for this VIN on April 6th, 2015 Please assist thank you!

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #671

Jan 162024

Explorer

  • miles
The rack and pinion has gone out on my 2011 ford explorer limited. It is available for inspection. My safety was at risk, it went out when I pulled out of a gas station after getting gas causing me to almost crash into another car. Dealerships claim to not be able to replicate the issue even though other 2011 models have a recall for this specific issue. We have attempted multiple times to have it repaired at multiple Ford dealerships. Before it completely went out, the steering would stick for a second sometimes then continue working like normal. After it completely went out a warning light appeared on the dash that states -??Power Steering Assist Fault-?? and now the car will not steer with power steering.

- Linden , TN, USA

problem #670

Nov 232023

Explorer

  • 91,260 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact pulled over and stopped, turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, and the steering functionality returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was an intermittent failure and the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the steering module and steering gear needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01 EPAS Power Steering Efforts (Steering). However, the contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,260.

- Mckinleyville, CA, USA

problem #669

Oct 172024

Explorer

  • 226,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the son was driving and accelerating from a stop light the power steering suddenly failed causing the vehicle to "jerk" to the right. During the failure, the "power steering" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000(STEERING). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 226,000.

- Morrison, IL, USA

problem #668

Oct 072024

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around a curb, the power steering had failed and the steering wheel had become difficult to steer. In addition, the contact had crashed under a bridge and the front passenger side tire had blown. The "power steering service now", "terrain management system fault", and "service advanced trac" warning lights were illuminated. During the crash, there was a 4-year-old seated in the rear of the seat. No injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residents where the tire was replaced. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to an unidentified recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #667

Jul 012024

Explorer

  • miles
The steering assist warning light came on and I was going 20 miles an hour as I had just pulled out of my driveway. Prior to this no warning labels about steering had happened. Tire sensor fault had been on but all my warning lights have been on since I recently bought the car from a family member. Two months prior to this happening intermittently I would have difficulty with steering working as I was pulling off when I first started the vehicle. But then a month ago it went out completely and was able to finally get it back home. My boyfriend then drove it carefully, as it was super hard to steer, to the nearest Ford dealership. They said that the repair would be $2900 paying out of pocket because Ford would not approve repair under recall 15N01 because the 10 year 150,000 mile stipulation. we spoke to a Ford rep a week ago and my car has 167,000 miles on it but Ford rep at customer care said my vin is pulling up as having this recall but the stipulation of the 10 year or 150,000 mile is keeping them from approving it. I printed out the form from related documents on NHTSA website that states to Ford dealerships that if recall shows up and certain codes are visible then that stipulation of 150,000 mile or ten year extended stipulation doesn't matter. That regardless of that stipulation it is to be replaced or fixed under that recall. So in oasis program dealership sees where my vin is under this recall but due to that stipulation Ford won't fix it. Ford Rep called dealership to have them read that notice I printed about it being fixed and covered under the 14S06 supplement #3. AND MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN CHICAGO IL DATE OF MANUFACTURE WAS MAY 27 2011!! SO IT IS FOR SURE SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED UNDER THAT 14S06 SUPPLEMENT#3! PLEASE GUIDE ME ON WHAT I NEED TO DO. DEALERSHIP STILL HAS CAR IN HOPES THEY CAN GET APPROVED SOMEHOW.

- Sautee Nacoochee, GA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »