NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
OFTEN WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY, AND EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE WHEN GOING UP HILL THERE IS A HORRIFIC SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST AND IT FILLS THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE BEGINNING OF 2017, AND STILL OCCURS TO TODAY (8/13/18).
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.
WENT TO GO DRIVE THE SUV WHILE DOING ONLY 25 MPH & IT WAS RAVING OUR 3-5 RPM. WHILE DRUG IN THE CITY
2011 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PERSONALLY HAVING SOLVED EXHAUST SMELL IN VEHICLE CABIN AFTER ALL ATTEMPTS FAILED BY DEALER AND ENGINEERING TSB TO REPAIR PROBLEM. *SMD *JS
EXHAUST MAKING ME SICK,BAD SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS INSIDE THE CAR EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE A/C AND MY KIDS GET SICK OF THAT SMELL
PURCHASED USED VEHICLE JANUARY 2017. MARCH 2017 AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY AT START, WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE, OR TRAVELING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS. APRIL 2017 AIRBAG LIGHT NOW ILLUMINATES 95% OF TIME AT START AND REMAINS ON THROUGHOUT OPERATION. FORD DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED AIRBAG CODE B1212, ADVISING HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN GEAR SHIFTER REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AS WILL NOT INDICATE TO VEHICLE SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM THAT VEHICLE IS IN PROPER GEAR AND THEREFOR PASS FAULT DETECTING SYSTEM. REPAIR/REPLACEMENT APPROXIMATELY $515.00. TSB-12-5-11 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CODE, WAS APPLIED WITH NO RESOLVE. FAULT DISABLES CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM, IS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IS OWNER'S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THERE IS AN ENORMOUS CONSUMER REPORTING TREND FOR THIS DEFECT IN MAKE/MODEL. RECOMMEND RECALL INVESTIGATION AS COMMON TREND THAT DISABLES CRITICAL VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURE IDENTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER IN TSB-12-5-11. INTERNET RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER SUBSTANTIATES MULTIPLE AND REPEATED OWNER/MANUFACTURER HISTORICAL DATA SUPPORTING CLAIM.
TL* 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.
CAR HAS NAUSEATING SMELL WHEN AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER IS ON. AIR CONDITIONER OVERHAULED AT MY EXPENSE JULY 26, 2017. SMELL REMAINS, ALTHOUGH SLIGHTLY BETTER AT TIMES. SMELL IS A CROSS BETWEEN BURNED ROPE/URINE-TYPE SMELL. IF DRIVING ALL DAY, OR LONG DISTANCES, I GET A HEADACHE. PLEASE RESPOND
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEN ACCELERATING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE SMELLS OF ROTTING EGGS. FROM TIME TO TIME IT IS SMELT WHEN SITTING AT AND IDLING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH OUR 2011 FORD EXPLORER.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering with the "Power Steering Assist off" and "Service Power Steering" messages displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to have the power steering control module (PSCM) software updated under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module (PSCM) software needed to be updated again. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering functionality and the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact made another local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
EXHAUST LEAK PROBLEM IN MY CAR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON OR WHEN I ACCELERATE. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS CONSTANTLY, EVEN WHEN IT IS PARKED AND IN MY GARAGE. I AM TERRIFIED FOR MY THREE CHILDREN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD TWICE ALREADY AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT AND EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. NO WAY! WE ARE ALL SICK ALL OF THE TIME. I AM TERRIFIED TO EVEN DRIVE IT.
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.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY CAR LOST CONTROL. THIS WAS REALLY SCARY. I SAW SEVERED CRAVING FOR WELD. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS -25. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. HE REFUSED TO HELP ME. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I FEAR FOR THE LIVES OF THEIR LOVED ONES. DATE OF INCIDENT: 27 JANUARY 2017 VIDEO SCENE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=59M8A1KXYPO I'M FROM RUSSIA. HOPE ONLY ON YOU. MY ADDRESS [XXX] TELEPHONE [XXX] I DO NOT WISH THAT EVEN SOMEONE HURT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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? *TR
TL* 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.
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
MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER HAD A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE, WHICH SET ME BACK $2000.00. 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!!
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. *TR
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES OFF & ON WHEN DRIVING. WHEN LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG WILL NOT OPERATE IN A CRASH.
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.
FUMY ODOR WHEN ACCELLERATE
MY WIFE HAS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS AROUND CHRISTMAS WHEN WE NOTICED THAT GIFTS IN THE BACK STORAGE AREA WERE SOAKING WET. I REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE AND IN THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES OF WATER. I SEARCHED WATER LEAKS ON THE INTERNET AND WAS OVERWHELMED HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THERE 2011 EXPLORER. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE. NEITHER WOULD COVER THE DAMAGE. THEY BOTH SAID ITS FAULTY SEAM SEALER AND WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS SO RIDICULOUS. ITS A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE.
I HAD STARTED THE CAR BEFORE OUR TRIP WITH THE REMOST START AND IT WARMED UP FOR 10 MINUTES. WE WERE ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO OUR TRIP AND DRIVING DOWN THE I-96 EXPRESSWAY IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI NEAR EXIT 43 (28TH STREET), 65 MPH, 9:45PM, 32-33 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND RAINING, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON AS WELL AS AUTO TEMP CONTROL AT 70 DEGREES. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REAR WINDOW LOUDLY EXPLODES INWARDS AND SHOWERS OUR 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH GLASS (SHE WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER IN THE THIRD ROW) AS WELL AS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF IMPACT, NO SNOW OR ICE IN THE CAR, NO ROCKS, NO BULLETS. WHERE IT OCCURRED THERE WERE NO OVERPASS OR SIGNS OVER THE ROAD (NOTHING COULD HAVE FALLEN ON OUR CAR). AFTER INSPECTING THE WINDOW, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE WHOLE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED WITH A LARGE GAPING HOLE IN THE LOWER MIDDLE (12" X 18") WITH MOST OF THAT GLASS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER HAD CAME THROUGH THE HOLE AND WAS INSIDE THE CAR (BUT STILL ATTACHED TO ITS OUTSIDE POSITION). THE EDGES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR WINDOW HAD BROKEN OFF. *TR
FREQUENT STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAB, WORSE AFTER DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS THEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AND SITTING WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING
DIAGNOSE AND ADVISED THAT DRIVER PRETENSIONER IS FAULTY. I HAVE TO PAY $400 PLUS TO HAVE THIS REPLACEMENT. MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON WITH FAULTY PRETENSIONER IT MAY NOT GO OFF IN AN ACCIDENT.
WHILE DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY AFTER, THERE IS A BURNING HAIR SMELL THAT IS IN THE CAR AND WHEN YOU STEP OUTSIDE THE CAR IT IS VERY STRONG IN THE ENGINE. UPON LEARNING OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TOO LATE, IT HELPED MAKE SENSE WHY I WAS SMELLING THE "BURNT HAIR" SMELL WHEN I RAN THE HEATER AND/OR AC. THIS WAS ANYTIME I DROVE THE CAR WHETHER HIGHWAY DRIVING OR AROUND TOWN.
THERE ARE ALLOT OF ISSUES GOING ON WITH THE TRUCK WE HAVE JUST HIT AROUND 70K MILES, THIS STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR IS NOT LATCHING CORRECTLY UPON BEING CLOSED. THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN FAULTY FOR SOME TIME NOW A/C DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY/ REMOTES AND LIGHTS ON CAR ON CONSTANTLY FLICKERING... HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE ISNT IN MOTION AND WHEN IN MOTION
WITHIN THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE SMELLED ROTTEN EGGS IN THE CAB OF OUR EXPLORER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT ASSUMED IT WAS NOTHING. UPON READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPING INTO THE CAB WE ARE EXTREMELY NERVOUS. WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE BEHICLE IS DRIVING.
EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO THE CABIN WHILE IN MOTION. I NOTICED THIS ISSUE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2015. I COMPLAINED TO FORD IN DECEMBER 2016 AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE HOSES REROUTED SO THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES DON'T COME INTO THE CABIN. I CALLED FORD AGAIN TODAY AND ONCE AGAIN THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS CRACKED OR OPENED DUE TO MY CONCERN OF THE POSSIBILITY OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BY MYSELF OR WITH MY CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS.
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.
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.
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 EXPLORERS. 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.
TL* 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JONES FORD CASA GRANDE (1932 N PINAL AVE, CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122, (520) 836-3100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOCKING CONSISTENTLY, AND THE INTERLOCK AND ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE GEARS AND ALIGNMENT WERE RESET. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NECK ASSEMBLY ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE EVAPORATOR CANISTER WAS REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED BY FORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
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 *TR
TODAY 09/09/2017 MY FRIEND CALLED ME AS INFORMED ME THAT HE SAW YESTERDAY 09/08/2017: ON THE NEWS THERE WAS A LAW SUIT AGAINST 2011 FORD EXPLORER ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSION. THE REPORT STATED THAT PEOPLE WERE HAVING HEADACHES, WERE NAUSEOUS, ETC.., WHICH IS EXACTLY THE SYMPTOMS I AM HAVING SINCE ROUGHLY A YEAR. ON FEBRUARY 2017, I WENT TO SEE A NEUROLOGIST AS MY HEADACHES AND NAUSEA WERE WORSE. I WENT THROUGH SEVERAL MEDICAL TESTS AND I AM TAKING A PRESCRIPTION FOR THE HEADACHES. NOW I HONESTLY AND STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE TRIGGER OF THE SYMPTOMS SINCE I NEVER BEEN SICK LIKE THAT BEFORE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE COVER WAS ALLOWING OIL TO TRAVEL THROUGH A TUBE INTO THE AIR FILTER. THE DEALER (TOWNSEND SALES AND SERVICE, 340 MAIN ST, TOWNSEND, MA 01469) STATED THAT FORD REDESIGNED THE VALVE COVER, WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
HAVE EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE WITH NO WARNING! I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN A MAIN HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE "ENGINE COOLANT OVERTEMP" CAME ON THEN "LOW OIL PRESSURE" AND MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN! I COULDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I DRIFTED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THAT MY CAR COULD BE TOWED WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT! SHOP DETERMINED WATER PUMP FAILURE AND WATER LEAKED INTO MY ENGINE POOR ENGINE DESIGN ON FORDS PART) AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE WITH NO WARNING! NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OR ANYTHING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. I CALLED FORD TO COMPLAIN BUT ALL THEY DID WAS TAKE DOWN MY COMPLIANT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN! *TR
SINCE I PURCHASED BY 2011, NEW IN 2011, I HAVE NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR UPON EXCELERATING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SMELL WILL LINGER AND REQUIRES NECESSITY TO CRACK MY WINDOWS TO CLEAR. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS WITH MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER TWICE, BUT THEY HAVE HAD NO ANSWERS. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING, I HAVE NOTED A PUNGENT SMELL SIMILAR TO SCORCHED HAIR INTERMITTENTLY. CONCERNED ABOUT EXHAUST FUMES AND POTENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT COMPONENT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000. UPDATED 01/26/2017*CT UPDATED 7/11/18*JB
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.
WE HAVE EXHAUST IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN CLIMBING A HILL OR AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, WE NOTICE THE PROBLEM WHEN UNDER ACCELARATION AND WHILE USING THE HEATER/AC. WILL OPEN THE WINDOW WHEN STOPPED WITH THE CAR IDELING TO LESSEN THE SMELL. HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD BUT HAVE HAD NOTHING DONE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLITEN ON THE VALVE COVER WITH A REPLACEMENT PART BUT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED IT AND WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
EXHAUST/BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH HVAC VENTS UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE.
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
THE STEERING HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY, SOMETHING JUST DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALSO - THE SYNC SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND THE SCREEN RANDOMLY REBOOTS AND IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. LASTLY THE CAR SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN KEYS ARE IN THE CAR, SO EVERY TIME YOU GO TO START THE CAR DOES NOT WORK. HOW THIS IS UNSAFE - IS IN COLD WEATHER YOU HAVE YOUR KEYS IN HAND AND THE CAR WILL NOT START, WHICH MEANS YOU COULD BE LEFT IN THE COLD AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT SAFE.
DRIVING AT SPEED LIGHT ON THE STREET AT 35-40 MILES AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE SPEED GOES DOWN TO ABOUT 5MILES AND STARTS TO SHAKE AND A WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH BOARD AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN OF THE CAR WAIT ABOUT 5-10 MINS TURN IT BACK ON AND WORKS PERFECTLY NORMAL ABOUT, THIS HAS HAPPEND ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS, LAST WEEK WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL RECALLS THE CAR HAD, AND TOKD THEM ABOUT IT BUT THEY DIDNT SAY ANYTHING. THEIRS NEED TO BE A RECAL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS DANGEROUS SITUATION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE TRANSMISSION ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION SUCH AS WHEN PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY, OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD, AN EXHAUST/FUEL SMELL WILL ENTER THE VEHICLE AND BE VERY NOTICEABLE TO EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, ON RECIRCULATION. MY WIFE (PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS 2011 FORD EXPLORER) COMPLAINS OF A LOT OF HEADACHES AND I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF SHE IS GETTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE DAILY. WE ARE GOING TO BUY A CO2 DETECTOR TO SEE IF THIS IS IN FACT TRUE.
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A DING, SAW A LARGE WRENCH ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH, AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATOR POWER. MY CAR SLOWED TO A CREEP. THE AUTO PROPULSION MECHANISM WOULD DRIVE IT ABOUT 2 MPH, AND I COULD PUSH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR
MY WHOLE SYNC SYSTEM HAS TURNED OFF NOT ALLOWING IN VISUAL ON CONTROLLING RADIO, TEMPERATURE, OR DESTINATION. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER PURCHASING BUT I HAD LIVE NOW NOTICED IT'S GETTIBG WORSE. THERE ARE A LOT OF TROUBLE SHOOTING IDEAS SUGGESTED. DISCONNECTING NEGATIVE CABLE, REMOVING A FUSE, AND RESTARTING SYNC SYSTEM. I AM NOW GOING ON THREE WEEKS AND MY ISSUE IS YET TO BE RESOLVED. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE MORE ELECTRICAL THEN SYNC SYSTEM.