2011 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTIFICATION ON THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON SEPTEMBER 29, 15. *JB

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE GEAR IS IN PARK. I NEEDED TO PUT BACK IN TO DRIVE AND PARK AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND MOVE SHIFTER FOR IT TO FINALLY RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2011. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED AND WAS IN JULY OF 2013. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER AND BOX. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED ANOTHER SHIFTER AND GEAR BOX ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE 3RD OVERALL GEAR BOX ON THIS CAR IN 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AS AN ISSUE, HOWEVER, THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHEN SOMEONE THINKS THEY PUT THE CAR IN PARK, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL READS IT AS IN GEAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ACCELERATING OVER 65 MPH, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING AND POWER TERRAIN MESSAGES DISPLAYED BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

I HAVE AN AIR BAG LIGHT THAT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME, BUT WILL SOMETIMES GO AWAY. IT HAS BEEN ON FOR AT LEAST A MONTH NOW. THE CAUSE IS A LOOSE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. APPARENTLY THE FORD FIX ACCORDING TO TSB (ATTACHED) IS APPLY GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET. THERE IS A 12 PAGE THREAD ON EXPLORER FORUMS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO IT. MY DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. HOW CAN A LOOSE CONNECTOR THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED NOT BE? TWO TO THREE HOURS OF LABOR IS A SMALL PRICE FOR FORD TO PROVIDE SAFETY TO THEIR OWNERS. HERE IS A LINK TO THREAD DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM HTTPS://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=349429

STRONG ENGINE EXHAUST SMELL IN VEHICLE CABIN WHILE DRIVING, DURING ENGINE OPERATION ABOVE 3000-3500 RPM WITH WINDOWS CLOSED AND CLIMATE CONTROL ON. OUTSIDE AIR ON OR OFF SEEMS TO MAKE NO DIFFERENCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN DECREASING IN SPEED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD DIM OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,800.

FAULTY ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITHIN THE GEAR SHIFTER KNOB PERIODICALLY INDICATES THAT CAR IS NOT IN "PARK" WHEN THE CAR IS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THIS IS WORRISOME SINCE YOU ARE ALWAYS AFRAID YOUR CAR WILL ROLL AWAY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS PERIODICALLY FOR ME AND IS REMEDIED TEMPORARILY BY FRANTICALLY "CLICKING" THE GEAR SHIFTER SWITCH UNTIL THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.

I REVIEVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S06/NHSA RECALL 14V-286 FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN INFORMING ME THAT A RECALL WAS TO BE PERFORMED ON MY POWER STEERING. THE NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR) SHOULD IT FAIL BEFORE 150,000 MILES OR THE END OF DECEMBER 2015. "THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING EFFORT, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF CRASH" WAS STATED IN THE LETTER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER(SOUTHWEST FORD OF GREENVILLE, TEXAS) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROGRAMMING OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS COMPLETE BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR UNLESS DIRECTED BY FORD TO DO SO. THE LETTER STATED THE GEAR WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR) IF THE GEAR IS REPLACED BEFORE 150,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, OR DECEMBER 31, 2015. THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE THE GEAR UNLESS DIRECTED BY FORD HOME OFFICE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILS. I AM NOT CLOSE TO THE 150,000 MILES BUT THE END OF 2015 IS NEAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING COMPLETELY AS THE CHECK POWER STEERING UNIT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

AT LOW SPEEDS THE FLOOR OF THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SHUTTERING BACK AND FORTH. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT DOESN'T MOVE BACK AND FORTH IF I TAKE MY HANDS OFF BUT I CAN DEFINITELY FEEL IT IN THE STEERING THROUGH THE FLOOR

UNDER HARD ACCELERATION I GET A STING ODOR IN THE CABIN. IT IS LIKE AN EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. IT ALWAYS DOES IT ABOVE 3500 RPM.

WHEN STARTING, NON OF THE SAFTY FEATURES WORK, NO BACKUP CAMERA, PROXIMITY ALERTS, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONS; NO OF THE INFO/SAFETY SYSTEM WORKS. AFTER DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS, "SYNC" COMES ON SCREEN AND YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE SYSTEM IS DOING MAINTENANCE ON ITSELF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ALL APPEARS REPAIRED. YOUR CAR SHOULD NOT REBOOT AT INCONVENIENT AND UNSAFE TIMES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,147.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR PASSENGER AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60MPH THE TRUCK LOST ALL ABILTY TO MOVE. WRENCH INDICATOR CAME ON AND LIGHTS ON THE TRACTION KNOB WENT OUT. COASTED TO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN THE CAR OF AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED. LATER THAT NIGHT IN MY NEIGHBOR HOOD IT DID THE A SAME THING AGAIN. SLUGGISH TO RESTART.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES FILLED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED, BUT RECURRED LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND THIS MORNING, I STARTED THE CAR AND GOT THE SAME FAULT CODE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ALERT NOTED. POWER STEERING NOT WORKING AND ATTEMPTED TO RESET BY RESTARTING CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. TOWED TO DEALER. NEED TO REPLACE TOTAL RACK AND PINION IN ORDER TO FIX THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED COMING TO A STOP, FELT LIKE A LOST IN POWER AND ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM FAILURE, POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNINGS GO OFF. I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND SAME THING HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED AT NEXT STOP SIGN. I DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND TURN CAR OFF. UPON RETURNING ALL SYSTEMS WERE WORKING FINE. ON 6/19/15 SAME THING HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED, ADVANCE TRAC AND POWER STEERING FAILURE AND STILL NOT WORKING AFTER SEVERAL HOURS SITTING.

TL* 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH AT ANY TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE QUARTER PANEL AND HOOD WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CORROSION CONTINUED TO EXPAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE DASH "CHECK AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ON. ITS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHILE THE "CHECK AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. OUT OF REGULAR WARRANTY, DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN FROM FORD, BUT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR DEDUCTIBLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL, WHERE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS PRESENT. THE LOUD NOISE WAS DOMINANT WHEN STEERED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

WHILE IDLING AND WHILE GETTING CAR UP TO SPEED THE AC COOLING MAKES A WEAK SOUND AND DOES NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR. WHILE IDLING THE CAR OVERHEATS WHEN THE AC IS ON AND BLOWS HOT AIR. DUE TO THE EFFECT THIS IS A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT THE AC SHOULD STILL BE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION GIVEN IT'S ONLY USED 2-3 MONTHS A YEAR SINCE OWNERSHIP. CAR WILL ALSO OVERHEAT WHILE IT'S BLOWING HEAT DURING WINTER MONTHS. ENGINE COOLANT IS AT OPTIMUM LEVELS AND CAR WILL SMOKE WHILE EXHAUST IS ON. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE AS READING NUMBERS REVIEWS ON-LINE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH ALL FORD MODEL VEHICLES, AVERAGE COSTS TO REPAIR ARE OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE WHAT SHOULD BE A NEW AC SYSTEM, WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DUE TO KNOWN FAILURE BY FORD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT BUBBLED AND CHIPPED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND STARTED TO CORRODE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PAINTED AS A REMEDY FOR THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED, AND TWO ALERTS APPEARED (SERVICE POWER STEERING *DUH*, AND SOMETHING ABOUT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT. I WAS ABLE STEER THE VEHICLE (WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT) TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE.

STARTED CAR, AND POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS, AND THEN STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. I GO DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES. I PULL OVER FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE LEAVING THE CAR RUNNING. I GET BACK IN AND START DRIVING. IT LOOSES POWER STEERING AGAIN. I TRY TO START THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. I TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID THE RECALL IS CLOSED AND WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. THEY SAY IT HAD THE SOFTWARE ISSUE FIXED LAST YEAR BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR. THIS TIME IT IS A PART FAILURE AND WILL COST $1500. I DO NOT THINK THE ISSUE WAS FIXED IN THE FIRST PLACE WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES, SIZE P245/60R18 (NA). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS SEPARATING. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T006000 (TIRES), BUT THE TIRE SIZE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

BACK UP CAMERA IS FAILING ON THIS MODEL. EVERYONE I TALK TO THAT HAS A FORD EXPLORER 2011, 2012 HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM

IN APRIL 2015, I HAD TWO INSTANCES IN WHICH MY VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITH A CORRESPONDING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE. I, FORTUNATELY, WAS IN A PARKING LOT BOTH TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO STEER TO A PARKING SPACE, TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR (AS ADVISED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL). IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I DISCOVERED A RECALL NOTICE FOR POWER STEERING ISSUES. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 23RD TO HAVE THE SERVICE PERFORMED. ON APRIL 27TH, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME, I REALIZED THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING NO LONGER WORKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE. BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE, THEY PERFORMED THE BASIC RESET AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. FORD IS TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE THEY HAD SERVICED THE RECALL ONCE, THEY CONSIDER IT TO BE REPAIRED AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THE FAILED POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD IS REFUSING TO REPAIR A KNOWN DEFECT THAT WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. *TR

BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE SEIZED. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE PADS HAD WORN DOWN TO METAL ON METAL AND WERE CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP. *TR

AFTER HARD ACCELERATION AND LET UP EXHAUST SMELL GETS IN THE COMPARTMENT TO THE POINT YOU HAVE ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO CLEAR IT OUT FORD HAS TRIED TO FIX IT THEY HAVE A SERVICE.

SUMMARY: UPDATING THE SOFTWARE DOES NOT FIX THE 'LOSS OF POWER STEERING' PROBLEM UNDER FORD RECALL 140S06 FOR 2011 FORD EXPLORER. POWER STEERING STILL FAILS AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. HOWEVER, FORD REJECTS TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE STEERING RACK TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CUSTOMER HAS DONE SOFTWARE UPDATE; FORD AGREES TO COVER IT ONLY IF CUSTOMER HAS NOT DONE SOFTWARE UPDATE. BASICALLY IF YOU ARE GIVEN REMEDY OPTION 1 WHICH IS UPDATING SOFTWARE BY THE DEALER, THEN YOU LOSE THE RIGHT FOR REMEDY OPTION 2 WHICH IS REPLACING GEAR FOR THIS RECALL REGARDLESS IF OPTION 1 HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM OR NOT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! IN JULY 2014, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER RECEIVING POWER STEERING RECALL LETTER. THEY COULD NOT DETECT THE POWER STEERING ERROR CODE AT THAT TIME, SO SIMPLY THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE. BUT I STILL OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE, AND IT HAPPENED MORE OFTEN LATER ON, UNTIL LAST WEEK APRIL 14TH, 2015, THE MESSAGE STAYED ON, AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY IN A PARKING LOT. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON APRIL 17TH TO OPEN A CASE #[XXX] REQUESTING TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR UNDER THE RECALL 140S06 AT NO COST. AFTER A FEW DAYS' PROLONGED BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALER AND FORD, MY CASE WAS DENIED BY FORD. THE REASON GIVEN TO ME IS THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS COMPLETED SO MY RECALL CASE WAS CLOSED AND IT WILL NOT BE COVERED TO REPLACE STEERING GEAR. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL 12MONTH/12K WARRANTY THAT I AM STILL WITHIN, FORD INSISTED THAT IT ONLY COVERS THE SOFTWARE THAT WAS UPDATED. BUT I BELIEVE THE RECALL IS MEANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING, IF THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS, MEANING SOFTWARE UPDATE DOES NOT WORK, THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THE RECALL REMEDY OPTION 2 TO REPLACE THE GEAR FOR A REAL FIX. NO WAY WILL A SOFTWARE UPDATE FIX A PHYSICAL HARDWARE DEFECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I AM NOT CERTAIN WHERE TO FULLY POST THIS OR WHAT CAN HAPPEN FOR THIS CAR. I GAVE THIS CAR BACK TO WESTLIE FORD IN CAMAS, WA. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY A DOCTOR THAT 3 PEOPLE GOT SULFUR POISONING FROM THIS CAR. I SAW THIS CAR INSTANTLY BACK ON FORDS LOT EVEN THOUGH I HAD ADVISED THEM IT GAVE ME SULFUR POISON. WHEN MY FRIEND EMAILED INQUIRING ABOUT THE CAR THEY ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED BUT WAS A KEEPER. THEY CAR WAS A LEMON FROM THE START AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS OF THAT TIME PERIOD FOR DIFFERENT REPAIRS. WE ALSO INQUIRED ABOUT THAT WITH EVERYTHING ON THE CAR FAX REPORT. THEY CAME BACK THAT IT WAS JUST BASIC MAINTENANCE. 7 ISSUES IN 7 MONTHS WAS NOT BASIC FIXES. THE OTHER MAJOR THING BESIDE SULFUR POISON WAS THE CAR WAS LEAKING AND HAD MILDEW ISSUES BEFORE I FOUND THE LEAK. I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT THE NEXT FAMILY THAT GETS IN THIS CAR. IF IT HASN'T BEEN PROPERLY FIXED THE NEXT PERSON CAN HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MY FAMILY. *TR

SEVERAL OCCASIONS TURNING ON VEHICLE SYSTEM REPORTS POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL - POWER STEERING FAILED, AND STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. TURNING OFF AND BACK ON HAD MADE IT GO AWAY BEFORE, THEN DID NOT. POWER STEERING ASSIST SERVICE ADVANCE TRACTION AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ALL FAILED, TRUCK NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE, IF POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AND THE WHEEL IS THAT DIFFICULT TO TURN DRIVING IN ANY CONDITION BECOMES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA, ROADS ARE VERY CURVY, OFTEN SCATTERED WITH LOOSE DEBRIS (SAND, SALT, GRAVEL) IF PAVED, OR JUST GRAVEL IN SOME AREAS, AND SAFE NAVIGATION OF THESE ROADS TO GET TO MY HOME WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR VEHICLES ASSEMBLED IN THE CHICAGO PLANT, BETWEEN 5/2010 AND 2/2012, FOR EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM, AND THOUGH THIS VEHICLE MEETS THOSE CRITERIA, THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

VEHICLE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND EXTINGUISHED SPORADICALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE STAYING ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATE FAILURE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. TROUBLESHOOTING, RESEARCH, AND DIAGNOSTICS HAVE REVEALED POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AT VARIOUS CONNECTORS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR THE SRS SYSTEM. DEALER SERVICE HAS INDICATED POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTION (PRE-TENSIONERS, AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ETC) IF THIS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.

CORROSION HAS FORMED ON THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD ASSEMBLY AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF IMPACTS OR SCRATCHES THAT WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS WAS INFLUENCED FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE. *TR

THE HOOD PAINT IS BUBBLING UP AND SHOWS CORROSION ALONG THE FRONT. THE RUBBER AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS DRY ROTTED AND CRUMBLING ALL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT EITHER PROBLEM. THERE IS A FORD TSB ISSUED ON THE PAINT ISSUE.

CAR POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON 3/23/15. BROUGHT IT TO SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FT. MYERS, FLORIDA. HAD PART NUMBERS BB5Z3504RE (1 GEAR ASY-STE), W712961-S439 (BOLT), W716182-S439 (2 BOLTS) REPLACED. LABOR AND PARTS CAME TO $1,567.53. SAW ON THIS SITE THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL (NOT THIS VIN) HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR INCIDENT. FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE US FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 4, 2014, AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE 14S06, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO FRIENDLY FORD IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY FOR A POWER STEERING ISSUE. FORD SAID THAT THAT VISIT RESOLVED THE POWER STEERING ISSUE. AS THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, I FEEL THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED SINCE WE HAD A SUBSEQUENT INCIDENT ON 3/23/15.

CRANKED UP VEHICLE, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARDS. HEARD A CHIME AND AT THE SAME TIME LOST POWER STEERING. THERE WAS A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE BOX ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH. I STOPPED; PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING IT WAS OK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS TO MY WIFE HOWEVER AND SHE WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD SERVICE DEPT. THAT HANDLES THE MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 14S06 IN JULY 2014 TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. THEY DID A REPROGRAM TO THE SOFTWARE WHICH OBVIOUSLY DID NOT "FIX" THE PROBLEM. IT STIPULATES IN THAT RECALL THAT IF THE UPDATE DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE THAT THE STEERING GEAR IS TO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE REQUESTED A DATE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR WORK TO BE DONE AS I AM ALMOST 3 HOURS FROM THE DEALER / SERVICE DEPT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FAILURE, SERVICE POWER ASSIST WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE A TONE SOUNDED, A WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAIL" CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. AFTER CYCLING THE IGNITION THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. IT OCCURRED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER IN A SIMILAR SITUATION (LOW SPEED) AND AGAIN WENT AWAY AFTER CYCLING THE IGNITION. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED AS "CODE U3000 FAILURE TYPE 49 INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE, NEED TO REPLACE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR - PART BB5Z 3504 D". *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER A POWER STEERING MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES WHERE A CODE WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.