2011 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM CAME UP WITH A WARNING THAT SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST FULL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AT THE TIME OF DRIVING. THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I TURNED ON MY HAZARDS TO SIGNAL OTHER CARS TO GO AROUND ME. AT THAT TIME, I HAD TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT TWICE BEFORE IT RESET THE SYSTEM AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTROL THE STEERING AGAIN. THIS WAS VERY SCARY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SAME SCENARIO. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT SO THEY TRIED RESETTING THE SYSTEM WITH A COMPLETE MASTER RESET. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME I WAS ACTUALLY TURNING IN A TURN LANE AND COULD NOT STEER STRAIGHT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT ANY CARS BEHIND ME. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THEY SHOULD NOT BE SENDING PEOPLE BACK OUT IN THESE CARS. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS FILED A REPORT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" AS WELL AS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". THIS WAS THE SCARIEST FEELING I HAVE EVER HAD. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES.. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR. I WAS TOLD TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. I ADVISED MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 30, 2012 (40197 MILES) AND I MENTION THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR REPAIR. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THIS CAR, WE TRAVEL ALOT AND I AM REFUSING TO DRIVE IT. I WAS AFRAID OF PURCHASING AN AMERICAN CAR BUT LOVED THE NEW FORD EXPLORER LOOK AND BODY. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AND I WILL TRADE THIS CAR ASAP........ *TR

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE AFORE NOTED VEHICLE, ON JUNE 7TH , 2012 ON OR ABOUT 5PM WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 63 AT MT WASHINGTON, ST. CROIX. SHE WAS TRAVELLING SOUTHWARD ON ROUTE 63 CROSSING THE SMALL BRIDGE ENTERING A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD. SHE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, INSTANTANEOUS, LOSS OF RESPONSE IN THE STEERING AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN THE FEW SECONDS FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A WOODEN UTILITY POLE. *TT

WARNING LIGHT FOR TERRAIN MANAGEMENT COME ON. THEN POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. IN A SPLIT SECOND I REALIZED I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND CAME TO A STOP TAKING ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO GET SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A CURVE OR INTERSTATE. *TT

I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT APPROX 10-15 MPH - THE FAULT CODE APPEARED & ALARM SOUNDED-I HAD TO "MUSCLE" THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE MY TURN WHILE NEARLY GOING OVER THE CURB INTO A BUSINESS. MY FIRST REACTION WAS THAT THE ENGINE HAD STALLED BUT WHEN THE FAULT SHOWED AGAIN & ALARM SOUNDED THIS TIME IT WAS SHOWING THAT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAD FAILED. AS IT WAS A 2-3 MILE STRAIGHT ROAD TO MY FORD DEALER & I DROVE THERE. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE DEALER I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STARTED THE VEHICLE & THE POWER STEERING HAD RESET. THEY PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC UNIT & IT SHOWED A STEERING GEAR & STEERING GEAR MODULE/COMMUNICATION SENSOR(?) NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IT WAS ORDERED & INSTALLED ON 6/18/12 & HAS NOT FAILED SENSE THEN. I MENTIONED AN INJURY - IT WAS TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER AS I HAVE A TOTAL SHOULDER IMPLANT. I HURT IT "MUSCLING" THE STEERING WHEEL TO STRAIGHTENING THE VEHICLE OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BECAME INOPERABLE. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INDEPENDENTLY RESET ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SHOULD THE PROBLEM RECUR. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TURN, THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE CURB AND RESTART THE TRUCK. THAT SEEMED TO MAKE THE LIGHT GO AWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE TURNS WITH EASE. THE OTHER TIME THE I LOST MY POWER STEERING, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, IT WAS A STRUGGLE TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN FROM THE LEFT LANE. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID SOME CLOSE CALLS THAT DAY. I HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING SEVERAL OTHER TIMES BEFORE, BUT THAT INCIDENT MADE ME SET UP THE TRUCK FOR SERVICE. I MADE MY CALL ON 7/20/12 FOR A 7/28/12 SERVICE, THE FORD SERVICE CENTER CUSTOMER REP. TOLD ME THE PART IS BACK ORDER AND THEY DON'T KNOW THEY WILL HAVE THE PART IN STOCK, ALSO THEY KEPT THE TRUCK AND GAVE A FORD FOCUS TO DRIVE. NOT GOOD CONSIDERING I USE MY TRUCK FOR WORK. *TR

I OWN A 2011 FORD EXPLORER, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ALONG AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING "TRACTION CONTROL" "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURES" . STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND STEER CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 1/2 DOZEN TIMES, EACH TIME I SLOWLY STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART THE CAR AND ERROR CLEARS OUT. THIS LAST TIME IT OCCURRED AS I WAS TURNING LEFT FROM A LEFT TURN LANE WHEN SUDDENLY IN THE M IDLE OF THE TURN MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT VERY LOW SPEED, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER CAR AND WENT ONTO ONCOMING LANE AGAIN I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HIT ANYONE. HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE PROBLEM DID NOT CLEAR ITSELF AND THE CAR IS AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR 8 DAYS NOW. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS ITS A GEAR AND FORD DOES NOT HAVE IT IN STOCK!!! *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS (MULTIPLE TIMES). "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. POWER STEERING RETURNS AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR. *JS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, GETTING READY TO EXIT. I HEARD A BEEP, INDICATING A WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A WARNING APPEARED STATING 'POWER STEERING ASSIST DISABLED.'. THE POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND MADE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES, AND STARTED CAR AGAIN. PROBLEM RESOLVED. *JS

WHILE COMING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT INTO PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND KEPT FOR A WEEK BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO FORD WOULD NOT LET THEM FIX THE PROBLEM. GOT THE CAR BACK ON FRIDAY JUNE 1, 2012 AND DROVE THE CAR AS USUAL. MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2012 ON THE WAY BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING AGAIN BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FROM THIS APPARENT PROBLEM BEFORE FORD DOES ANYTHING. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO PLEASE BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER FAMILY IS SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING BELL SOUNDED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWAITING THE AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

WHILE TRAVELING DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, MY SERVICE TRACKING DEFAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN POWER STEERING DEFAULT LIGHT COMES ON, MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP, LUCKILY, I WAS NOT MAKING A TURN AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE NAILED ANOTHER CAR OR A PERSON, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK BUT THE SERVICE TRACKING DEFAULT LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I AM VERY WORRIED TO PUT MY TWO CHILDREN IN THIS CAR NOW, DEALERSHIP IS HAVING ME BRING IN THE VEHICLE TOMORROW AND I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING BUYING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD EXPLORERS IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WILL BUY ANOTHER ONE AFTER THE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, FORD NEEDS TO GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND GET THIS FIXED, SOMEONE COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT. SERIOUS LAW SUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF

WHILE TURNING ON A CURVE IN THE ROAD WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL " STEERING POWER ASSIST FAILURE " APPEARED 3 TO 5 SECONDS LATER CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN VEHICLE CROSSED CENTER LINE RESULTING IN A NEAR MISS OF A HEAD ON CRASH PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED VEHICLE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING WAS CORRECTED. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD INDEPENDENTLY DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *TR

WHILE IN OPERATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL " LIGHT ARE DISPLAYED. SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TEMPORARILY CLEARED THE FAILURE. FAILED MORE THAN ONCE. *JS

LIKE MANY OTHER 2011 - 2014 FORD EXPLORERS, MY 2011 EXPLORER LIMITED APPEARS TO HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS EXHAUST TO ENTER THE CABIN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION (I.E. USING AN ON-RAMP, PASSING VEHICLES, ETC.). WHETHER THAT A/C IS ON OR NOT, THESE NOXIOUS TOXINS FILL THE CABIN. THE CONCERN IS THAT IF EXHAUST GETS IN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, IT WOULD SEEM LOGICAL THAT SMALL AMOUNTS ARE ENTERING AT ALL TIMES. THIS POSES A SERIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK TO THE OCCUPANTS. FORD FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, SAYING IT DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL LAST YEAR (2012) WHEN THEY RELEASED A TSB TO "FIX" IT. FOR MOST (PER AN EXPLORER FORUM I BELONG TO), THE FIX WAS TEMPORARY OR DIDN'T WORK. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES, AT ONE POINT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, AND THE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE THEM FIX THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

POWER ASSISTED STEERING GOES OFF WITH NO WARNING. FIRST HAPPENED BACK IN 2012, PULLED OFF ROAD, RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. PROBLEM OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY OVER PAST 6-8 MONTHS. (3 OR 4 TIMES) DEALER SAYS UNAWARE OF ANY GENERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE TO DEALER FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS. NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL BUT PROBLEM WIDELY REPORTED ON THE WEB. *TR

DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED - POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC CONTROL FAULT. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. WITH MUCH EFFORT (EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER!), I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING MESSAGE WENT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER (BENSON FORD EASLEY SC). THEY FOUND PROBLEM CODES AND PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT FORD TOLD THEM WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER, ON 6/18/2012, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AGAIN FAILED. THIS TIME IN MY DRIVEWAY. AGAIN THE STEERING ASSIST RETURNED AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. TOOK THE VEHICLE AGAIN TO BENSON FORD. TROUBLE CODES WERE FOUND AND THIS TIME THE FIX WAS A NEW STEERING GEAR AND RACK ASSEMBLY. AVAILABILITY OF THE PART WAS INITIALLY A PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A PART TWO DAYS LATER. THE CAR HAS NOT HAD A RECURRENCE TO DATE ( 20125 MILES) I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEER THE CAR WITHOUT THE ASSIST IS EXTREME AND LIKELY BEYOND THE ABILITY OF SOME DRIVERS. *TR

THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 4 OCCASIONS IN MY BRAND NEW XLT. THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME (THREE TOTAL) THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RETURNED IT TO ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING, WARNING CHIMES AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC", "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHTS GLOWING WHILE IN MOTION. ALMOST CRASHED THE VEHICLE EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY GAS PEDAL POSITION NEVER CHANGED. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE 4TH TIME, I ALMOST WAS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER AND REALIZED FORD MOTOR CORPORATION IS NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR ADDRESSING THIS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE ALL LATE MODEL EXPLORER OWNERS ARE FACED WITH. FORD CLAIMED THEY KNOW NOTHING BUT SAME ISSUE ALL OVER INTERNET. THEY CLAIMED THE FIX WAS THEY REPLACED AN ANGLE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ANOTHER TIME IT WAS THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REFRESHED AND ANOTHER SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD IN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, NOTHING TO FIX. AS I AM NOT AN EXPERT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY BECAUSE THE SYNC AND NAVIGATION NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. WAS THERE A CRASH? WAS THERE AN INJURY OR FATALITY? I BELIEVE IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, IT WILL. THE HEAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGER TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS "CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU", OR "CALL AN ATTORNEY". I WILL BE DOING BOTH. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO HELP ME IN THIS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE DEALER LEVEL THROUGH THE TOLL FREE CORPORATE HOTLINE WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING. SEARCH ONLINE FOR OTHERS UNREPORTED HERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED THE STEERING TO BECOME HARD TO TURN. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF FOR A MOMENT TO RESET THE STEERING TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

ONCE THE CAR IS IN PARK POSITION MESSAGE WILL APEAR IN DASHBOARD "SHIFT IN PARK " ALSO WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE APEARS "NO KEY DETECTED"

THERE WERE ACTUALLY 4 INCIDENTS; THE FIRST ONE I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, STARTED IT AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO PARK. THE NEXT DAY I WAS WAITING IN TRAFFIC & IT DIED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T WORK; WE THEN TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER & HE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. WE TOLD THEM THAT A MESSAGE FLASHED "POWER STEERING ASSAULT". EACH INCIDENT, THAT MESSAGE APPEARED. THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN & HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE DEALER. THEY SUPPOSEDLY 'FIXED' IT AGAIN. THEN WE WERE ON A TRIP, 600 MILES FROM HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. WE PULLED OVER, STOPPED. IT THEN STARTED AGAIN AND WE FINISHED OUR TRIP. THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE HE DID ORDER A NEW PART. WE GOT THE CAR BACK LAST WEEK ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012, AND TODAY IS JULY 1, 2012. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. *TR

IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SIX DAYS AFTER MY VEHICLE'S FIRST STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN I STARTED MY 2011 EXPLORER ON THE MORNING OF 4/18/12, THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" LIGHT CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE. AS INSTRUCTED BY MY FORD DEALER, I LEFT THE VEHICLE ON AND CALLED THEM. THEY IMMEDIATELY SENT A FLATBED TOW TRUCK, WHICH TOWED MY VEHICLE, WHILE STILL RUNNING, TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS AND MADE REPAIRS, AND I QUOTE, "INSTALL NEW EPS GEAR REMOVED SUBFRAME AND INSTALL NEW EPAS GEAR PROGRAMMED AS BUILT DATAE AND CLEARED DTCS PERFORMED 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT TEST DRIVE OPERATION GOOD." IN LAYMAN TERMS, THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND DID A 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT TOOK ONLY 1 FULL DAY SINCE THE PARTS WERE ORDERED OVERNIGHT. I HOPE THAT HAS SOLVED THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE CONCERN AND SERVICE MY LOCAL FORD DEALER PROVIDED. *JS

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND CARPOOLING WITH 2 OTHER COWORKERS. I HAD EXITED OFF THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. ALL OF THE SUDDEN, I RECEIVED A MESSAGE, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP. LUCKILY I WAS ON THE STRAIGHT PART OF THE ROAD HEADING TOWARD A STOP SIGN. ONCE THERE, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, AND THEN RESTARTED IT. THE ERROR WAS GONE AND MY STEERING WHEEL WORKED AGAIN. I TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT TOOK A WEEK FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. ON JULY 19, 2012, JUST 3 MONTHS AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, I TOOK OFF FROM A RED LIGHT GOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND AGAIN I RECEIVED THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN. I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME IN THE CAR AND THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NOBODY BEHIND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND THE ERROR WAS GONE AND I COULD DRIVE MY CAR AGAIN. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AWAITING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN. READY TO GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT POSES A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! *TR

2011 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED. STARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ALARMS SOUNDING AND STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, YET CAR WOULD BACK UP ...STRAIGHT. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WHEN CAR WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT SEEMED TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION SLIP OR JUMP. AFTER WAITING FOR AN HOUR FOR TOW TRUCK THE EXPLORER STARTED FINE AND STEERING SEEMED TO WORK. TOO NERVOUS TO DRIVE. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. *TR

WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP LIGHT, I FELT A CLUNK IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN MY 2011 EXPLORER LOST POWER STEERING. I SLOWED AND TURNED (WITH ALL MY STRENGTH) TO STOP ON A SIDE STREET. THE "POWER ASSIST FAILURE" LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS THE LITTLE TRACTION CONTROL CARS ON THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE DISPLAY SCREEN. THE LIGHTS ON THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE CENTER-CONSOLE DID NOT WORK EITHER. A MESSAGE ALSO APPEARED TO SERVICE ADVANCETRAC IMMEDIATELY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THEN STARTED IT UP TO DRIVE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. OF COURSE, THEN THE VEHICLE RESET EVERYTHING AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. THE FORD DEALER COULD NOT DETECT ANY ERROR MESSAGES DURING THEIR COMPUTER CHECK-UP. THEY SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, DON'T TURN THE CAR OFF SO THEY CAN RUN A CHECK-UP ON IT WHILE THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. SO NOW I AM PRAYING EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. *TR

I WAS STARTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE STABILITRAC LIGHTS CAME ON. THE STEERING GOT TIGHT AND THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT TO TURN THE WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. I PULLED A FEW FEET BACK IN THE PARKING STALL, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RESTARTED IT AGAIN. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR A MILE OR SO AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. I GOT A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD TO ORDER AND REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME THREE DAYS AGO, ON 7/2/12. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO AGAIN REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS SECOND TIME I HAD MY TWO 7-YEAR-OLDS IN THE CAR AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH DOWN A MAJOR STREET. THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, BUT STILL HAD TO MAKE 5 TURNS. I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BREAK IT. IT TOOK ALL MY ARM STRENGTH TO MAKE THE TURNS. I WOULD TURN THE SIGNAL ON AND IT WOULD BLINK ONCE AND GO OFF ALSO. IT IS SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND AS MENTIONED, I HAVE NO FAITH THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AND THIS VEHICLE IS JUST NOW A YEAR OLD. *TR

AS WE WERE SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN ON A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LITERALLY JERKED OUT OF MY HUSBAND'S HANDS, STRAIGHTENING THE WHEELS. A WARNING BELL WENT OFF AND THE DASH DISPLAYED "POWER ASSIST FAILURE." IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE WHEEL. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER HAD A PREVIOUS EXPLORER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER IDENTICAL INCIDENTS RECORDED ON THIS SITE AND OTHER INTERNET FORUMS, ALL EVENTUALLY REPAIRED IN THE SAME MANNER. FORD, HOWEVER, WILL NOT APPROVE WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AT THE DEALERSHIP OR RETRIEVE AN ERROR CODE, SAYING THEY "CAN'T FIX SOMETHING IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM REALLY IS." THEY WANT US TO DRIVE A CAR WITH A SERIOUS AND FRIGHTENING SAFETY ISSUE UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY OR CAUSES AN ACCIDENT FOR WHICH THEY WILL DENY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE "THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO REPAIR." FORD'S REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER ALSO REFUSED TO DOCUMENT THE COMPLAINT OR DENIAL IN WRITING. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REGAINED STEERING AND BRAKE POWER AFTER RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

THE CHROME ON THE VEHICLE (BACK PANEL, WHEELS, DOOR HANDLES, GRILL AND SIDE BUMPERS) ARE ALL CORRODING. FORD IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY SAYING IT IS "ENVIRONMENTAL" EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 8 MONTHS OLD. THE VEHICLE WILL INEVITABLY RUST COMPROMISING THE VALUE AND SAFETY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING FAILED SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

2ND TIME IT HAPPENS FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR ABOVE THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SUV WAS UNABLE TO STEER , PULL OVER AND TURN CAR AND RE STARTED AND GAIN STEERING TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER RESET THE LIGHT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OK . AT 5000 MILES IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT HAPPENS WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD . THIS TIME UNABLE TO DRIVE IT TOW HOME . TALK TO FORD AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND WE LOOK IN TO IT BUT , I THINK IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR NOT TO HAVE A SAFETY BACK UP PLAN WHEN THIS FAIL . AND VERY UNSAFE KNOW IT COULD HAPPEN ANY TIME WITH NO WARNING . EVEN IF FORD CLAIM IT WILL FIX IT .WHAT WILL PREVENT FROM THIS HAPPENING AT A VERY ODD TIME AND IT MAY CAUSE LOTS OF INJURY. THEY SAID IT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINT FOR THEM TO LOOK IN TO THIS . BUT I SAID 1 COMPLAINT WITH MULTIPLE OCCURRENCE SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE TO AT LEAST PAY ATTENTION OR LOOK IN TO A SAFETY PLAN IN CASE IT DOES FAIL. *TR

HAVE HAD VEHICLE CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR ISSUES WITH THE GPS SYSTEM. THEY HAVE RESET AND RUN UPDATES, BUT MOST OF THE TIME I AM TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IT THAT THEY CAN FIND. WHILE DRIVING THE GPS SYSTEM PLACES THE CAR OUT IN A POND, THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD OR SOME WHERE OTHER THAN WHERE MY CAR IS PHYSICALLY LOCATED. THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A TOMTOM TO REPLACE THE USELESS SYSTEM THAT I PURCHASED. FIRST OCCURRENCE DATE AND MILEAGE IS LISTED.

THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT SYNC WITH THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE.....SOMETIMES OFF BY A FEW BLOCKS AND SOMETIMES OFF BY A COUPLE OF MILES. THIS POSES A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING DUE TO DISTRACTION OF TRYING TO FIND YOUR LOCATION. THIS USED TO BE SPORADIC AND NOW OCCURS DAILY. CORPORATE AND FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS NO WARRANTY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE WEB AND FORD CORPORATE TOLD ME THAT THE INTERNET IS NOT RELIABLE....REALLY? THE COMPLAINTS YOU CAN FIND ARE IN FORD FORUMS, GOOGLE, YOUTUBE TO NAME A FEW. VEHICLES AFFECTED ARE FORD/LINCOLN WITH NAVIGATION. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS DEFINITELY FALLS UNDER A SAFETY RECALL WITH HIGH PRIORITY. OTHER CAR COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO FIX A POTENTIAL VULNERABILITY FOR HACKING INTO NAVIGATION TO PURPOSELY MIS-NAVIGATE SOMEONE.....FORDS PROBLEM IS THE NAVIGATION ITSELF...OWN UP AND FIX IT. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING MAY PRODUCE FATALITIES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, THE STEERING RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,100.

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. AT FIRST EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT THEN AT ABOUT FOUR MONTHS WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW NOT ROLLING UP. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THAT ISSUE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THEN WE TAKE IT IN FOR THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION) & OUR TIRES HAD INSIDE CUPPING IN WHICH THE DEALER DOES NOTHING ABOUT & STILL HAVE NOT. AT AROUND 22K MILES MY WIFE NOTICES THE VEHICLE STARTING TO JERK WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING. OVER THE PAST 8K MILES THIS GETS WORSE & GETS TO WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT NUMEROUS TIMES (STILL OR MOVING). I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. NOT SURE THE CAUSE YET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THE TURN SIGNAL CLUSTER. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND ROTORS FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR, FRONT BUMPER AND GRILL WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

FORD EXPLORER 2011 HAS LOST POWER STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS 3 OR 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. STEERING IS RESTORED AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING. STABILITY CONTROLS MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTORE THEMSELVES OR MAY NEED TO HAVE THE CAR TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTORE. *TR

AFTER A RAPID ACCELERATION IN ORDER TO GET TO TOLL SPEEDS (65MPH) THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PRODUCE A BURNT SMELL. THOUGHT IT COULD BE NEW VEHICLE STUFF BUT RIGHT KNOW ITS 30,000 MILES AND EVERY TIME I GO OVER 4000 RPM ON A RAPID ACCELERATION IT GIVES ME THE ODOR, PLUS THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER ON THE HILLS. DISAPPOINTING WHEN YOU PAY OVER 40,000 FOR A NEW LUXURY SUV. *TR

EXHAUST LEAKING INTO CABIN FROM BROKEN HEADER HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE 2012 FORD DID NOTHING HARD ACCELERATION CABIN SMELL IS VERY STRONG

"POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" HAS COME ON 7-10 TIMES TO DATE AS OF 1-26-2012 . AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RE-STARTING THE ENGINE, THE WARNING WENT AWAY AND I REGAINED POWER STEERING. I AM GETTING A WARNING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR 4-5 TIMES THE WARNING LIGHT GOES AWAY. I AM SO AFRAID OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. SO FAR IT'S HAPPENED GOING MINIMAL SPEEDS 10-45 MPH. WHAT DOES ONE DO IF THIS HAPPENS GOING 70 ON AN INTERSTATE. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ON 11/21/11 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AT WHICH TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS CAP (BUT THIS CAR HAS A CAP-LESS GAS TANK) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND BACK ON WITHIN 1 WEEK, TOOK IT BACK ON 11/26/11 AND AT THAT TIME THEY SAID THEY GOT THE SAME READING WITH THE GAS CAP ISSUE AND THEY CHANGED A SOLENOID. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF ONLY TO GO BACK ON 3 DAYS LATER. DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT DEALER ON 12/3/11 FOR 3RD TIME AND NOW THEY TOLD ME THEY KEEP GETTING SAME ERROR CODE AND THEY SENT ISSUE TO TECH'S IN DETROIT FOR ASSISTANCE. I WILL BE DROPPING MY CAR OFF TODAY (12/7/11) AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR

THE FORD SYNC SYSTEM DECIDED TO DO AN UPGRADE AND DISABLED ALL RELATED FEATURES FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THIS INCLUDED AUDIO, CELL PHONE LINK, RADIO, HEATER AND THE REAR VIEW CAMERA! IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN AND APPEARS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WHICH IS WHEN THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS VERY LIKELY TO BE NEEDED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING ASSIST ABRUPTLY FAILS, AS DOES ADVANCE TRAC STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BECOMES MUCH HARDER TO CONTROL. IF THE CAR IS IN A TURN WHEN THE STEERING FAILS, THE STEERING WHEEL LURCHES AND TRIES TO RE-AIM THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, DISRUPTING THE TURN. DASHBOARD WARNINGS CONFIRM THE STEERING AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURES. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL SUSTAIN FAILS, SO USING THE TURN SIGNAL REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE SIGNAL ARM. ON AVERAGE, THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED EVERY 2000 MILES, AT ANY SPEED. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING "FIXES" THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE NEXT FAILURE. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR EXAMINATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN NO ANSWERS - BOTH TIMES THE RESULTS OF LEAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS HAVE BEEN SHRUGGED SHOULDERS AND "WE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NO TROUBLE CODE. IT WORKED FINE FOR US." AS IS NOTHING EVER WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND EVEN IF THERE WERE SOMETHING WRONG, THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR IT! HOW THE NHTSA AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAN ALLOW THESE VEHICLES TO ROAM OUR HIGHWAYS WITH NO RECALL, OR EVEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KNOWING THERE IS A CHANCE THE DRIVERS MAY LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH, AS SOME ALREADY HAVE, IS A CRIME AGAINST VEHICLE SAFETY AND AGAINST THE VERY MISSION STATEMENT OF THE NHTSA. I WILL BE COPYING THIS COMPLAINT TO MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, WHO IN THE PAST HAS PROVEN TO BE FAR MORE INTERESTED IN MY SAFETY THAN FORD OR THE NHTSA. *JB

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON (DOES NOT MATTER IF IT'S ON FRESH AIR INTAKE OR RECIRCULATION), THERE IS A DEFINITE BURNT SMELL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED AT ANY SPEED, FROM A DEAD STOP OR ACCELERATING DURING A PASSING MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THREE TIME AND TWO TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ADDRESSED UPON COMPLETION OF THE FACTORY WARRANTED TECHNICAL BULLETINS, THE ODOR REMAINED. BURNT SMELL. *JS

WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, THE CAR ACCELERATED UP A HILL REACHING A SPEED OF CLOSE TO 90 MPH WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING CAR. ONLY BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WAS IT POSSIBLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. ONCE OFF THE ROAD THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN IN THE 6000 TO 7000 RPM RANGE. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE SPEED. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT THESE HIGH RPM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER THAT EVENING (INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE EVENING). THE NEXT MORNING, I WENT TO THE CAR DEALER AND STARTED THE CAR. IT RAN FINE. FORD DID REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE BUT WE ARE CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

I PULLED INTO A PARKING STALL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEY FAILED AND I ONLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE GLASS DOORS OF A CLOSED BUSINESS. I DID NOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS STOPPED DUE TO THE BUSINESS' GLASS FRONT DOORS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 37 YEARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED OTHER EXPLORERS FROM OTHER YEARS (2005, 2007 & 2009) ALSO HAD SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES AND FORD COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS ON THOSE CARS, BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. SEE WWW.EDMUNDS.COM & TYPE IN "EXPLORER BRAKE FAILURE". CHECK OUT POSTS #12, 37, 38, 39, 40 AND 42. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THEY CLEARLY FAILED. I DON'T WANT SOME INNOCENT PERSON HURT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE DOWN THE ROAD. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.