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
MY FORD EXPLORER HAD A RECALL (14S06) SO I TOOK IT INTO MY DEALER AND HAD THEM TO THE UPDATE. APROX 1000 MILES LATER MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND NOW THE BILL COULD BE AS HIGH AS 1500 DOLLARS AND FORD WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD THE RECALL FIXED ONCE. COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO NOT HAVE TO PAY THIS LARGE AMOUNT? *TR
I SENT MY VEHICLE IN TWO MONTHS FOR TO BE FIX AT DREW FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY ALSO CORRECTED A RECALL ON THE POWERSTEERING FAULT. NOW THE FAULT IS BACK AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS IMMOVABLE OR EXTREMELY HARD TO MOVE. THEY ALSO CLAIM THIS WILL NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN REMEDY THE FIRST TIME. I AM VERY UPSET WITH FORD, BECAUSE THIS CAN BE A 600-2000 DOLLAR REPAIR. POWER STEERING SHOULD NOT GO THIS FAST, MY CAR IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. I MAY HAVE TO TRADE IT IN FOR MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE LIKE A HONDA OR TOYOTA. I WANT TO SUPPORT AMERICAN COMPANIES. THIS EXPERIENCE LEFT ME WITH A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) DUE TO A RECENT EVALUATION OF THE VEHICLE AT A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
HAD UNIT BACK IN DEALER NOVEMBER 2014 FOR THE RECALL14S06 AND WAS TOLD THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. JANUARY 7TH 2015 WENT TO LEAVE WORK, STARTED UNIT TO WARM UP. GOT IN IT 15 MINUTES LATER AND NO POWER STEERING. LIGHT ON DASH SAID :STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO SPEND $1600 BECAUSE IT NEEDED THE STEERING GEAR REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE THIS UNIT WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2011 IN THE CHICAGO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND FALLS UNDER THE SUSPECTED TIME FRAME OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. ALSO IT IS 10 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT ONLY HAS 26000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO CONTACT FORD AND EXPLAIN TO THEM I FELT IT SHOULD BE COVER 100% BUT WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH MY DEALER AFTER THEY RAN MY CASE NUMBER. WAS CONTACTED BY MY DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME OUT OF POCKET $800 PLUS IT COULD TAKE 3/5 WORKING DAYS TO GET COMPONENT. I FIND THIS AS A GOOD FAITH GESTURE BUT COME ON FORD YOU KNEW BACK IN THE LAB THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS ONLY A BANDAID AND THE REALLY PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.YOU NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND REPAIR ALL FAILED UNITS WITH A NEW STEERING GEAR AT 100% YOUR COST! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PROPER SEAM SEAL WAS NOT CORRECTLY APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE WHEN MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED WITH THE SEAM SEAL LEAK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,595.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER 3 INCHES OF RAIN LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE LUGGAGE RACKS ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAM IN BETWEEN THE METAL ROOF AND THE ROOF LUGGAGE RACKS HAD WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE A-PILLARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.
SINCE I GOT MY EXPLORER IN DEC 2014 OFF AND ON I'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH A FOUL SMELL IN THE CAR. SINCE IT WOULD COME AND GO I JUST WOULD USE MORE AIR FRESHENERS WHEN IT HAPPENED. BUT RECENTLY IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE! THE SMELL NOW IS UNBEARABLE ,I'VE BEEN RECENTLY DEALING WITH REAL BAD HEADACHES AS WELL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 64K MILES AND NOW AFTER SO RESEARCH I SEE IT'S A PROBLEM WITH OTHERS ALSO! I NEVER USED TO LIKE FORD BEFORE BUT THE LOOK OF THIS ONE CAUGHT MY EYE. I SHOULD'VE STAYED AWAY, THIS PURCHASE WAS A HUGE MISTAKE! UNTIL I CAN GET RID OF THIS CAR MY KIDS WILL NOT RIDE WITH ME IN IT AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN I'M DRIVING AND WHEN I PARK AFTER DRIVING. IT SMELLS AND SMOKE COMES FROM UNDER THE CAR WHEN I STOP AT RED LIGHTS
WHEN PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE I STARTED OUT AND OF MY SPOT AND DOWN A RAMP TOWARD THE PAY STATION/BOOTH OF THE GARAGE TO EXIT. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME ON, I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING AND WAS HEADED DIRECTLY TOWARD THE PAY BOOTH/ATTENDANT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND MUSCLE THE STEERING AWAY FROM THE IMPENDING CRASH. THIS POWER STEERING ISSUE HAS STARTED TO OCCUR BRIEFLY OVER THE LAST FEW 6 MONTHS AND EITHER RESOLVES ITSELF OR IF I STOP, SHUT OFF, THEN RESTART IT SEEMS TO RESET. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SEEMS TO BE AT FAULT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE LOSING THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE DANGER IT POSES TO DRIVERS. *JS
WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING THERE WAS ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING, I BELIEVE IT SAID POWER STEERING SERVICE WAS REQUIRED. WHEN WE STOPPED AT NEXT INTERSECTION, IT WAS EVIDENT POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WAS REDUCED. AFTER PULLING OVER AND SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE, THEN RESTARTING, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE, ONLY MANUAL. WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, TURNING WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STOPPING, BECAUSE WHEELS COULD NOT BE STEERED, VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT, BLOCKING A CROSS PATH IN A COMMERCIAL LOT, WITH CROSS TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING COLLISION, ALTHOUGH NO COLLISION OCCURRED, THERE WAS CLEAR DANGER. *TR
REF, PREVIOUS CASE [XXX] ... JUST CURIOUS, SAW FORD HAD SEVERAL 2011 VEHICLES ADDED TO RECALLS, BUT NOT EXPLORERS FOR THIS CAUSE, WONDER WHY, SINCE OUR EXPERIENCE WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE OTHER RECALLS WERE, LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST, COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. WAS ELECTRICAL STEERING GEAR MALFUNCTION AT 47,000 MILES [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
2011 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED: I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY BACK FROM A VACATION AND HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 65 MPH ON THE HWY. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT FOR A RESTROOM BREAK FOR THE KIDS WHEN THE RACK & PINION BAR BROKE COMPLETELY NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I NOTICED THE CHIMES, SOME LOUD POPS AND HARDER THAN NORMAL STEERING PRIOR TO THE PART BREAKING. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STEERED. IT IS NOT A EVERY DAY DRIVEN VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS 42,608 MILES ON IT. LUCKILY WE WEREN'T TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WHEN THE PART FAILED. *TR
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON WITH NO DEALER ABLE TO FIX. WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE LIGHT ON
AFTER BRINGING MY CAR IN ON 9/15/14 TO ADDRESS THE FORD EXPLORER 2011 RECALL, SHEEHY FORD IN SPRINGFIELD, VA DECLARED MY PARTS OK AND REPROGRAMMED MY PSCM (I HAD NEVER HAD A SINGLE ISSUE WITH MY POWER STEERING)...I SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE TO KENTUCKY (FROM BURKE, VA) AND SEVERAL OTHER PLACES...EVENTUALLY DRIVING TO MY PARENT'S HOUSE IN VIENNA, VA (ABOUT 30+ MINUTES AWAY) FOR THANKSGIVING DAY (12/27/14), JUST 3 MONTHS LATER. SEVERAL STREETS FROM ARRIVAL I RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT MY POWER STEERING WAS FAILING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HOPED TO BE ABLE TO START THE CAR AND FIND THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO A DEALER (I DID NOT CHOOSE THE SAME DEALER WHO HAD DONE THE RECALL). THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PARTS SEVERAL DAYS LATER, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE CODE THEY RECEIVED WAS DIFFERENT. THIS HAPPENED 3 MONTHS AFTER THEY DECLARED MY PARTS OK! I ONLY HAD TO PAY $100 FOR THE FIX BECAUSE OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT AM ILL ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN ON MY WAY TO OR FROM KENTUCKY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILURE HAPPENED SO I FEEL OBLIGATED TO REPORT MY ISSUE TO YOU. I UNDERSTAND FROM PRESS RELEASES I'VE SEEN THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS ISSUE CLOSED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE... *TR
ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 75MPH HEADING EAST ON I-44 TOWARDS TULSA, OK. POWER STEERING SERVICE WARNING, ADVANCE TRAK WARNING, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT WARNING BECOME ACTIVE. POWER STEERING ADVANCE TRAK AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT NO LONGER ACTIVE. *TR
REFERENCING PREVIOUS COMPLAINT FOR SAME ISSUE SEE TCN JEN28-49151 TRAVELING TO DINNER AT 7:00PM AGAIN POWERTRAIN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND SPEED DROPPED TO APPROX. 1 MPH. PULLED OFF SIDE OF ROAD, TURNED OFF CAR. RESTARTED AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY. SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN THIS MORNING 11/14/14 AT APPROX. 7:15 AM ON WAY TO WORK. THIS TIME THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE CAUSEWAY WHERE TRAFFIC MOVES AT APP 50 - 60 MPH AS I WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN OCTOBER I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY MY CAR WILL MALFUNCTION LIKE THIS ON A BUSY ROAD AT A HIGHER SPEED. I WAS LUCKY THE FIRST TIME ON THE CAUSEWAY THAT I MADE IT UP THE BRIDGE TO COAST DOWN ON TO THE GRASS WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ON THE CAUSEWAY- HEAVY TRAFFIC MOVING AT ABOUT 50 - 55 MPH. APPROACHING FIRST BRIDGE INCLINE, SPEED DROPPED TO APPROX 1 MPH CREEPING ALONG, ACCELERATOR PRESSED TO FLOORBOARD. ORANGE WRENCH ICON APPEARED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. PUT ON HAZARDS TO NOTIFY TRAFFIC. CARS PULLING AROUND TRYING TO AVOID HITTING MY VEHICLE. NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON EMERGENCY LANE OF BRIDGE TO PULL COMPLETELY OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE - MADE IT TO TOP OF BRIDGE - COASTED DOWN HALF WAY IN EMERGENCY LANE AND LEFT LANE UNTIL REACHED BOTTOM OF BRIDGE AND COULD PULL OVER TO GRASSY SIDE OF ROAD. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED, THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE. DROVE DIRECTLY TO FORD DEALER WHO HOOKED IT UP TO COMPUTER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY TEST DROVE IT, THEN CALLED TO SAY THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. I ASKED THEM TO SERVICE THE CAR AS IT WAS TIME. THEY KEPT THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND TO SERVICE IT ON MONDAY 10/27/14 AND TESTED THE SYSTEM ONE MORE TIME- STILL FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I PICKED THE CAR UP 10/27/14 AND LEFT DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT 1230 AND BY ABOUT 1245 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN- NO ACCELERATION - JUST ABOUT 1 MILE AN HOUR AND VEHICLE RUNNING SLIGHTLY ROUGH- WRENCH APPEARED AGAIN. I PULLED OVER IN TO A PARKING LOT, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF; RESTARTED AND DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THEY RAN A DIFFERENT COMPUTER CHECK AND GOT A CODE THAT SUGGESTED BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED AT SAME TIME. NO, I DO NOT TRY TO BRAKE AND ACCELERATE AT THE SAME TIME. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DROVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MILES TRYING TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. THEY STILL CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I PICK UP MY VEHICLE AFTER WORK TODAY. MY CAR RECEIVES REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IS NOT DRIVEN ROUGHLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WRENCH ICON INDICATES POWER TRAIN ISSUE.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Default" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle several times until the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the failure could not be duplicated since the message was no longer displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact was able to drive to a second dealer, Pruitt Ford (912 Sheppard Rd, Burkburnett, TX 76354) and was informed that the failure could not be duplicated because the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the power steering was no longer operable. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), which was previously performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK THE GAS NOZZLE WOULD SHUT OFF. EVEN WHEN I WAS VERY SLOWLY PUMPING IN GAS , THE PUMP WOULD SHUT OFF VERY MUCH LIKE A TANK INDICATING IT WAS FULL WHICH I KNOW WAS NOT THE CASE. THEN GAS WOULD DRIP/STREAM (NUMEROUS DRIPS AND STREAMS)) UNDER THE VEHICLE CREATING A BASKETBALL SIZE GAS SPOT. UPON SERVICE AT THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE TANK VENT TUBE WAS BLOCKED BY COBWEBS. DRIVING FOR OVER 50 YEARS , I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. *TR
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ALL STEERING WAS LOST WITH FAMILY IN VEHICLE. NO PROBLEMS HAD OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE STEERING UNTIL A FLASH UPDATE HAD BEEN COMPLETED BY DEALER FOR THE RECAL NOTICE. AS OTHERS THIS OCCURRED OVER A WEEKEND AND WE WERE NOT HOME FELT WE COULD NOT DRIVE EVEN AFTER SHUTTING DOWN, RE STARTING AND ERROR CLEARED. RENTED A VEHICLE OURSELVES UNTIL MONDAY WHEN THE DEALER PROVIDED A RENTAL. AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK WAS NOTIFIED THAT FORD WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE AS THEY ASSUME NO LIABILITY AFTER THE FLASH WAS COMPLETED! OUR DEALER STEPPED UP AND PAID FOR EVERYTHING. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS AND AS AN INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL VIEW THIS AS A MAJOR LIABILITY AND IF THIS IS NOT CORRECT ASAP SOMEONE OR MANY WILL BE KILLED! WHY IS THIS SO,HARD TO ENFORCE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CLAIMS FOR THIS FAILURE? EVEN NOW WITH WHAT MIGHT BE THE CORRECT REPAIRS AND BASED ON OTHERS WHO HAVE DONE THE SAME WHAT ASSURANCE DO ANY OF US HAVE? *TR
I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE THROTTLE BODY HAS RECENTLY GONE BAD AND IS STAYING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR IT TO GET STUCK WHEN GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OR EVEN A SLOWER RATE FOR THAT MATTER. THE THROTTLE BODIES WERE A BIG ISSUE FOR THE FORD ESCAPES IN THE PAST SO FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THEM, UNFORTUNATELY IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THE EXPLORER ALTHOUGH IT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-75. THE RECALL FOR THE MODULE (REPROGRAMMING) HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED LESS THAN 2 MONTHS BEFORE. NOW, AFTER HAVING THE CAR IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AND 2 DAYS, FORD HAS AGREED TO PAY ALL BUT $700 OF THE REPAIR. THE REPROGRAMMING OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION SINCE THE POWER STEERING FAILED A SHORT TIME AFTER THAT WAS DONE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT NOTICE AS I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO MUSCLE IT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND GET TO AN EXIT WITHOUT GETTING INTO A CRASH, BUT THAT WAS PURE LUCK. THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY AND I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE ANY HASTY MOVES BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. FORD HAS ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, NOW THEY NEED TO FIX IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V286000(STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS SINCE IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCE AN ISSUE WITH THROTTLE RESPONSE. A WRENCH WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THAT POINT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHUDDERING AND THE INTERNAL SYSTEMS SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 5MPH. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE, I SHUT THE CAR OFF, PULLED THE KEY, REINSERTED THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED UP NORMALLY, BUT IMMEDIATELY EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I CHECKED THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND FOUND THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT INDICATES A "POWERTRAIN FAULT". I CONTACTED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THINKING THAT A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A "POWERTRAIN FAULT" WOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, AND CHARGED ME OVER $700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E001000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000...UPDATED 10/07/14 *BF THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/10/14
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SINCE THE PREVIOUS DAY. I OPENED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND GOT INTO THE CAR. I PUT THE KEYS INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT I CLOSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. AT THIS MOMENT I HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND. I LOOKED INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW A LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS OF THE UPPER CENTER PORTION OF THE REAR WINDOW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE REMAINING GLASS WAS SHATTERED AND SPIDER WEBBED. THERE WAS GLASS ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. *TR
STEERING STOP MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY. HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART FOR IT TO CONTINUE MOVING. THIS HAPPEN A VIEW TIMES BUT NEVER ON THE EXPRESS WAY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT AROUND 20 MPH WHEN THERE WERE CARS THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED. WHEN I WAS BRAKING I FELT AS IF THE STEERING WAS ALLOWING ME TO TURN AND IT HAPPENED SO FAST I FELT AS IF I LOST BRAKING POWER. THEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HARD. *TR
THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING AN INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE AWD SYSTEM SHOWS ON THE DASHBOARD & SYNC COMPUTER. THE ENGINE LOSES COMPLETE POWER AND YOU MUST PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER. THIS LOSS OF POWER HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IS AT GREAT RISK OF CAUSING SERIOUS ISSUES TO OTHER TRAFFIC. NOT TO MENTION WHEN I HAVE MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ROSNER FORD DEALERSHIP IN KING GEORGE VA (THEY COULDN'T FIND A ISSUE 4 FOUR TIMES NOW). IT HAPPENS WITH FREQUENT AND UNREGULAR INTERVALS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY (THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT) SEEMS AS IF THEY DON'T CARE EVEN WHEN I EXPRESSED THE SAFETY CONCERN. I BELIEVE THE COMPUTER PROBLEM IS A BIGGER THING THAN REALIZED. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP IN GETTING ADD TO THE COMPLAINT LIST SO FORD WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2011 FORD EXPLORER WAS JUST RETURNED TWO WEEKS AGO FOR NATIONAL RECALL ON ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. ON AUGUST 21ST AT 9:30 AM MY WIFE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FELT AN IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS ISSUE WITH THE BREAKS. SHE IMPACTED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AROUND 15 MPH. AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. SHE DID NOTICED THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILURE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT TIME OF IMPACT. MY WIFE DID NOT FEEL THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE, NOR WERE THERE ANY SKID MARKS VISIBLE ON THE ROAD. MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE IS EVIDENT AND RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT RECENT RECALL. *TR
POWER STEERING STILL FAILING EVEN AFTER RECALL "FIX". MY FORD EXPLORER 2011 ALREADY HAD THE POWER STEERING RECALL (SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S06/NHTSA RECALL 14-V-286) FIX COMPLETED AT DEALERSHIP ON 8/7/14, BUT THE POWER STEERING IS STILL FAILING! THIS IS VERY SERIOUS IF THE RECALL "FIX" IS NOT WORKING. PLEASE REQUIRE FORD TO IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT THE PROPER FIX AND IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THEIR EXPLORERS IN PER THE RECALL AND HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND COULD BE PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, LEVITTOWN FORD LLC 3195 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE, LEVITTOWN, NY 11756, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE PRESENT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A LITIGATION WAS CURRENTLY PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 11/13/17 *BF UPDATED 11/16/2017*JS
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *JS
MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK LOST POWER. ALL OF A SUDDEN AN ORANGE WRENCH SYMBOL APPEARED ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANT. VERY SCARED, I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT IN 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC!! I WAS SO TERRIFIED A CAR OR TRUCK WAS GOING TO SMASH INTO THE BACK OF OUR VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO ABOUT 5 MPH EVEN THOUGH I WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL AS FAR DOWN AS POSSIBLE. WHEN WE FINALLY WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER, I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. I THEN LOOKED THROUGH THE FORD MANUAL TO TRY AND IDENTIFY THE ORANGE WRENCH SYMBOL, WHICH WAS LIT UP IN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A POWER TRAIN MALFUNCTION. AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES I THEN STARTED THE TRUCK UP, WITH SUCCESS. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE WORKING AGAIN AND ODDLY ENOUGH THE ORANGE WARNING SYMBOL HAD DISAPPEARED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SYMBOLS AT ALL ANYMORE. I DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO OUR FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO GET A RENTAL BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BUSY AND TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL THURSDAY. THIS AFTERNOON (24 HRS. LATER) FORD CALLED AND TOLD ME WE NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY PART ($650). THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD!! WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I THANK GOD WE WEREN'T AS THIS IS A VERY ACTIVE HIGHWAY. *TR
AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE HIGHWAY, I ACCELERATED TO REACH THE SAME SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE REVVED OVER 3500 RPM. MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON AND SET TO RECIRCULATE THE AIR. SHORTLY AFTER MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, WATER LEAKED DOWN THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, WARNING COMES ON THE CONSOLE "AWD IS OFF" AND THE ENGINE IS DOWN TO IDLE SPEED (~800 RPM). PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR RESULTS IN NO SPEED INCREASE, FORCING ME TO MOVE ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH ONLY THE BRAKES WORKING (NO CONTROL OVER MY SPEED, OTHERWISE). PULLED OVER, STOPPED THE ENGINE, LOOKED AROUND AND COULD SEE NO EXTERNALLY VISIBLE PROBLEMS (FLUID LEAKS, ETC.). START THE CAR AND THERE ARE NO WARNINGS, SO I CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THIS TIME STAY IN THE RIGHT LANE AND KEEP THE SPEED TO AROUND 60. LESS THAN 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS. AT THIS POINT WE CALL FORD TO GET US A TOW. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS EVENT TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD THE EXPLORER FULL WITH MY FAMILY! TODAY THE SERVICING DEALER CALLED AND SAID IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. BEING THAT THIS IS THE 2ND TIME OUR 2011 EXPLORER HAS LEFT US STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT WAS TIME TO GO SEARCHING FOR OTHERS WITH THIS SAME THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. TURNS OUT THERE IS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTICE ALREADY BEING DONE BY FORD FOR SEVERAL OTHER 2011 VEHICLES, BUT THE EXPLORER HAS BEEN EXCLUDED. OUR SYMPTOMS AND PART FAILURE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THESE OTHER MODELS, SOME EVEN FROM THE SAME ASSEMBLY PLANT. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO EXTEND THE 13N03 PROGRAM TO INCLUDED THE EXPLORERS. THANK YOU. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT THE CONTACT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE FOR BRIEF SECOND WHEN THE CALIPER GRABBED THE ROTOR WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. YOU COULD FEEL THIS IN THE STEERING AND WOULD HAVE TO CORRECT AT EACH DIP OR BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY. BRAKE PAD WORN TO FAILURE POINT BEFORE IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM. *TR
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN GOING DOWN A HILL ONTO A STREET WHEN THE SENSORS WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR REGISTERED TWO WARNINGS. I STOPPED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I WAS MANUALLY ABLE TO GET IT TO A PARKING LOT BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I DROVE VERY SLOWLY. WHEN I GOT TO THE PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE WARNINGS DISAPPEARED AND THE CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I PROCEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT THE CAR FROM TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION. I SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY TO VOICE MY CONCERNS AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS A WEEK FROM TODAY. THIS IS A CERTIFIED, PRE-OWNED VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN INTO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE ON ITS OWN AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER RE-INSTALLED THE SOFTWARE, TRANSMISSION SENSOR, AND SHIFT CONTROL CABLE, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,652.
ON JUNE 16TH, 2014, I WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD AND 18 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL IT OR EVEN TURN THE WHEEL. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JUNE 19TH, 2014 HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. *TR
AT APPROX 1430 ON JUNE 2ND ON HIGHWAY ON RAMP ACCELERATING HAD THE SERVICE ADVANCETRAC WARNING LIGHT AND CHIME COME ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT AND CHIME COME ON AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHER AND LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND FORCED MY EXPLORER TO THE SHOULDER. ONCE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY I CLEARED THE FAULTS, I WISH I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CELL PHOTO OF FAULT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER ISSUES FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE APPROX 25 TO 30 MIN. *TR
WHEN I START MY CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE PRESSURE IN AN AIRBAG IS NOT ACCURATE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $300 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AND NOT A WARE AND TEAR PROBLEM THAT I SHOULD BE PAYING FOR. ALONG WITH THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING OR NOT DEPLOYING DUE TO THE PRESSURE NOT BEING CORRECT IN THE AIRBAGS.
DURING TRAFFIC IN HOT WEATHER ON HIGHWAY THERE IS SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE AND SMOKE COMING FROM REAR DRIVER TIRE AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY TO CHECK THE NOISE. AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY I FELT ALL 4 METAL WHEELS AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND OTHER WHEELS WERE WARM TO THE TOUCH. I HAD THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS ON PASSENGER REAR BRAKES LAST SUMMER AT ~50,000 MILES, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR PASSENGER CALIPER IMMEDIATELY. THIS TIME THEY CLAIM ARE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SEIZING OF CALIPER AFTER 3 MILE TEST DRIVE AND CALIPERS APPEARED TO BE IN WORKING CONDITION. I ARGUED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR DURING LONG DISTANCE HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND MAY NOT HAPPEN ON SHORT TEST DRIVE. DEALERSHIP ARGUED THAT IT IS FORD POLICY NOT TO PERFORM WARRANTY REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT WORK WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED BY CUSTOMER. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY CAR STARTING ON FIRE EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON HIGHWAY. 2011 FORD EXPLORER XLT 3.5L V6 TIVCT. NORTHWEST CHICAGO IL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND SERVICE STEERING ADVANCE TRACT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,417 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,437. PM UPDATED 9/4/14*CN