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
DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND JUST STOPPED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS WENT OFF BEFOREHAND. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AN ALARM SOUNDED. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO FORD. THEY CALLED THIS MORNING AND SAID THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED $8,000.00. 8 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON. TOOK IT TO FORD AND HAD THE POWER STEERING REPLACED AT A COST OF $1800.00. THEN, LESS THEN 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. AND AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS UNTIL THE POWER STEERING WEN OUT. FORD SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY TIRES HAD LOW TREAD AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY FRONT TIRES, WHICH WE HAD THEM DO. 8 MONTHS AGO, THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LIKE THE FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED CALLED FORD JUST OUT OF RECALL WINDOW RECALL 15N01 CAR CLEARLY UNDER MILEAGE SINCE CAR HAS 80000 RECALL IS WITHIN 150000MILES BUT RECALL ENDED 1/16/2021 CAR IS STILL DEFECTIVE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL WHEN I PURCHASED CAR
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CODE IS PRESENT AND STEERING IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS ALREADY RECALL 14S06 HOWEVER MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ISN'T INCLUDED.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POWERSTEERING GETS HARD TO TURN AND SAY POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT IT HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE SERVICE STEERING NOW WAS DISPLAYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
REAR BACK UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME SO I CANNOT SEE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING UP
THE AC/HEAT SPEED WILL RANDOMLY INCREASE/ DECREASE TO EITHER FULL OR LOW SPEED WITH IS CLICKING SOUND LIKE YOUR DOING IT ON YOUR OWN. THIS WILL CAUSE MY WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP WHEN COLD OUTSIDE WHILE DRIVING & DISTRACTING ME THE DRIVER THE ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE UNIT ITSELF. THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSING ME NOT TO SEE SOMETHING COMING OR IN THE ROAD CAUSING ME TO WRECK & PUTTING MY FAMILY IN DANGER.
REAR VIEW CAMERA NOT WORKING PROPERLY - REPAIR QUOTED ~$800 TO REPLACE CAMERA
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL TODAY. PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION, TIRE LOW LIGHT CAME ON, PULLED OVER TO GET AIR AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE STEERING TO WORK AT ALL.
THE CAR DROVE FINE AT 7AM - AT 8:30 AM. I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS GOING 45 MPH WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR ON A VERY BUSY ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTING FLASHING "HILL DESCENT CONTROL OFF" THEN IT WENT TO "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" THEN "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" AND POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. I HAD TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF A DITCH WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND ITS 26 DEGREES OUT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR GUY STATES POWER STEERING RACK IS NOT GOOD AND STATES THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON 2011 FORD EXPLORER FOR IT. I LOOK THROUGH SERVICE RECORDS I SHOW HIM IN 2016 RIVERHEAD FORD DID THE WORK 5 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR - HE SAYS THERE IS NO WAY IT WAS DONE OTHERWISE THIS WOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. OR, THE PARTS THEY USED TO REPAIR IT ARE FAULTY. I CALLED RIVERHEAD FORD THEY CAN'T SERVICE THE CAR, OR GIVE ME A LOANER UNTIL 1/7/2021 BECAUSE OF COVID & TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK, THE ENGINE BLEW 18 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING RACK AGAIN. THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE, AND I'M LUCKY MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE ALIVE. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.
WE WERE TURNING LEFT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, FROM A BUSY STREET ONTO A HIGHWAY, WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY. NORMALLY I'M THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE, MIRACULOUSLY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY STEER US HOME. IF THIS FAULT HAD OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD, THEY FOUGHT MANY LEGAL BATTLES OVER IT, IN MY VIN DOES NOT FALL UNDER THEIR RECALL. THEY HAVE AN FIELD SERVICE ACTION FOR MY VIN, BUT IT EXPIRES AT A HUNDRED AND 150000 MILES. I WAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES OVER THAT WHEN MINE FAILED. THIS SHOULD BE AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD RECALL FOR ALL FORD EPAS SYSTEMS FOR THE AFFECTED YEARS, AS THEY SEEM TO BE AWARE THAT IT IS AN INEVITABLE FAILURE.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving around a right turn at approximately 40 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn nearly causing the vehicle to collide with an approaching oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite lane. During the incident, the messages "Advancetrac" and "Service Power Steering" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering gear assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the steering gear assembly had already been replaced on two separate occasions; once under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 138,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 75 FROM GAINESVILLE FL TO LOGANVILLE GA MY POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT ! THANKFULLY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR , BUT EVEN AFTER PULLING OVER AND CUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF TO TRY TO RESET IT IT DID NOT WORK!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JIMMY MICHEL MOTORS, INC. (555 S ELLIOTT AVE, AURORA, MO 65605, (417) 678-5001) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) AND 14E001000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE AND REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,573.
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN MY MOM STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO BACK UP. TOOK IT TO FORD THEY SAID A RECALL WAS OUT ON THIS BUT FORD IS NOT COVERING IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAMMONASSET FORD (191 BOSTON POST RD, MADISON, CT 06443; (203) 245-8828), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,900.
DRIVEING ON RT 53 IN ADDISON IL AT 45 MPH TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING
MAKING RIGHT TURN AT TRAFFIC AIGNAL, 8:30 AM S/W/C ANTHEM WAY & DAISY MOUNTAIN ANTHEM AS 85086 LOSS POWER STEERING. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE LOSS
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the "Steering Assist Fault" message displayed. The contact stated that after he turned off and restarted the vehicle three times, the power steering operated as needed. The contact was able to continue driving. The failure reoccurred two years later. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
MY POWER STEERING TOTALLY WENT OUT. IT KEPT SAYING POWER STEERING FAULT AND JUST STOPPED WORKING. THEN IT STARTED SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT TRAC TERRAIN FAULT OR SOMETHING. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2018 AND THEN FOUND OUT TODAY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM FOR POWER STEERING. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR IN OKLAHOMA AND NOW LIVE IN ALABAMA. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN WEIRD ON ME BEFORE BUT TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT WOULD FIX IT, BUT IT HAS WENT OUT SAYING FAULT WHILE I WAS GOING AROUND A TURN AND I HAD TO BRAKE QUICKLY, THROW ON MY HAZARDS, TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. BUT NOW NOTHING IS FIXING IT, I HAD TO TOW IT TO MY HOUSE FROM AN HOUR AWAY BECAUSE I WAS STUCK AT WORK AT 1AM. I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN MY FAMILY ABLE TO WORK AND WORK ABOUT 52HOURS A WEEK AND DON'T KNOW I CAN AFFORD TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAT APPARENTLY WAS KNOWN BUT NOT FIXED IN MY VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO ME (NOT YOUR FAULT, THE DELEARSHIPS FAULT, BUT THEY ARE 10 HOURS AWAY...)
AS I WAS IN MOTION DRIVING MY SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IHAS HAS THIS ISSUE OF LOOSING POWER STEERING IN THE PAST AUGUST OF 2019 AND THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED FEBRUARY OF 2018. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2019 AND WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING RACK AT MY COST! I HAVE SINCE HAD THIS ISSUE AGAIN NOVEMBER 3RD. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP IN 2019 CREATED A FRAUD CLAIM FOR REPROGRAMING THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE NOTHING WITH THE ISSUE THAT I INITIALLY BROUGHT IN WITH. IM SCARED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE UNETHICAL CLAIM BARNES BAKER AUTOMOTIVE OF TRENTON, MO HAS CLAIMED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME AND I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE SUSPENSION RECALL HAS EVEN BEEN PREFORMED. THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN PERFORMED BUT, IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. FORD IS CLAIMING THIS IS NOT A RECALL RELATED ISSUE WHICH THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A ONGOING P[ROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!
MY AIR BAG CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON 3 YEARS, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP A D THEY DISCOVERED THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER HAD SHORTED OUT. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THE SAME LIGHT IS BACK ON FOR WHAT I IMAGINE IS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AGAIN! THE LIGHT STAYS ON FROM THE TIME THE CAR IS STARTED TILL IT'S TURNED OFF.
POWER STRESSING WENT OUT ALONG WITH WARNING NOTICES OF SELECT TRACK SERVICE REQUIRED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL PACKER FORD ROYAL PALM BEACH LOCATED AT 10601 SOUTHERN BLVD, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL 3341, (561) 790-1100, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING STEERING BOX TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.
TRIED DRIVING MY EXPLORER ONE MORNING AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING CONTROL, MEANING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN AND I WASN'T ABLE TO PULL IT OUT OF CAR PORT BEING THAT SAID I SEARCH MORE ABOUT THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING LOSS. CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THE COULD FIX IT DUE TO THE RECALL BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT WAS SAYING MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS ACCORDING TO THE VIN OF MY VEHICLE, WHEN CLEARLY IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME ISSUE AND WITH RECALL LETTER HAVE.
AS A REPAIR SHOP OWNER, THE VEHICLE OWNER STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. I NOTICED FUEL STAINS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK SO I REMOVED THE TANK AND FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. I FOUND THE STEEL LOCK RING RETAINING THE MODULE TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED AND THE RESULTING RUST 'BLOOM' HAD CRUSHED THE PLASTIC FLANGE CAUSING THE FUEL LEAK. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON ANOTHER CAR ( 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN [XXX]) JUST LAST WEEK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER SHARING THE PICTURES WITH A DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION GROUP, OTHERS HAVE SEEN THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND CANADA, ESPECIALLY IN THE "RUST BELT" STATES. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO APPLY TO ANY FUEL SYSTEM WITH A PLASTIC FUEL PUMP MODULE AND A STEEL LOCK RING IN A RUST PRONE AREA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I had a recall on my 2011 Ford explorer for toe Links and bushings. Since ever since this has been going on I have gone through 38 tires in the rear in the past two years alone no shop will fix my car because the camber is so out of whack I have to have the whole rear suspension redone again when it should have been fixed the first time with the recall link Ford spent 5 minutes going through my car and said that my car didn't qualify for any recall because my car is a front wheel drive and not an all-wheel drive so they did not do the recall now after bringing it to another shop I have the estimate of what it would cost to fix that needs to be done it is an emergency because when I hit a pothole I go in the ditch my friend and his smashed because I can't control my car my steering freezes while driving down the highway and this all has something to do with the rear suspension five Star automotive wrote down everything that needs to be replaced this is a hazard to be on the road, if I could afford another car I would have one I keep sinking money into this one, because of Link Ford and their mistake me and my car should not have to suffer for it or anyone else on the road because this is a hazard my car is going to kill someone if I would have had the recall replaced, I wouldn't have had to spend an additional $1,400 on parts and labor that never even got put in because they can't put them in until this is repaired I can't even get a front end alignment because of this the entire rear suspension is sagging to the ground and my tires tilt in about 42°. I have the printout from both Link Ford in mining and 5 star automotive in Superior WI because of the 22 times I've gone in the ditch due to my suspension and steering locking up I have a short in the ground wire somewhere that is now fried my ECU so when I put it in a $90 boot every time it lights on fire within 30 seconds I'm in closing that picture as well of the one I just put in little over an hour ago.
THE STEERING IS KNOCKING WHEN TURNING WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN IN MOTION. THE STEERING LOCKS IN MID TURN WHILE IN MOTION.
POWER STEERING FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 4 YEARS
HAZARD LIGHTS CUT ON BY THEIRSELVES WHILE I WAS AT WORK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF
I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK AND I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE THAT'S WHEN MY POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED. IT HAS DONE THAT BEFORE AND I WOULD JUST PUT IT IN PARK SHUT IT OFF THEN RESTART IT AND IT WOULD BE FINE. I'VE TALKED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A RECALL ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT IT'S A CLOSED RECALL. AND THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY'RE WANTING ME TO PAY $77 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ENTERED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE HOWEVER, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT TONY SERRA FORD (40905 HIGHWAY 280, SYLACAUGA, AL 35150 (256) 245-5000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.
WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ALERT COME ON THE DASHBOARD.
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 3 YOUNG KIDS ON A BUSY ROAD, MY WATER PUMP FAILED AND CATASTROPHICALLY DAMAGED MY ENGINE. MY CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING, WITH NO WARNING. WE WERE ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO MAKE AN ABRUPT STOP. HAD HE HIT MY CAR, WE WOULD HAVE SPUN BECAUSE OF THE FORCE. THE WATER PUMP FAILS AND BECAUSE IT'S INSIDE THE ENGINE, IT DAMAGES THE ENGINE IN SECONDS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM PUTS PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF KIDS. LEAVES YOU STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET. WITHOUT WARNING THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN PREVENT PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER THIS WAY. FORD STATES THAT WATER PUMPS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE AND ITS MANUAL DOESN'T STATE THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER CERTAIN MILES. REPAIR SHOP IS QUOTING 6,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE.
Between 7/17/20 and 9/7/20 car stalled five times and stopped moving while in drive mode with no warning. Dealer kept car from 7/30/20 to 8/7/20, but problem was not fixed. Car returned to dealer 9/8/20 and kept by them until 9/16/20 when it was returned with problem apparently fixed. No problem since. Diagnosed Throttle Body Failure. Have verifying work order and invoice.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. STERLING MCCALL FORD LOCATED AT 6445 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (281) 588-5000, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
VEHICLE TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE IN MOTION. COMPLETE SHUT OFF
THE STEERING FAILED WITH ASSOCIATED STEERING FAIL MESSAGE WHILE MAKE A LOW SPEED TURN MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS I DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL (14S06 & 15N01) ON IT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE VIN WAS SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS, FORD DENIED THE RECALL COVERAGE AS THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED PROGRAM TERMS BY 7,000 MILES. FURTHER REVIEW OF FORDS LETTER TO DEALERS DATED MAY 17, 2019, THE LETTER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED "REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR WARRANTY. THIS WAS STATED IN SUPPLEMENT #3 TO THE SAFETY RECALL 14S06.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his niece was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the electric power steering assists warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was nothing that could be done because the vehicle was not under recall and the warranty had expired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 44,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND AND DROVE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
TERRAIN MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE TRAC LIGHT IS ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS UNABLE TO TURN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FIRM AND HARD TO TURN HOWEVER, AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FAMILY FORD, INC., (30 NJ-183, NETCONG, NJ 07857, (973) 347-3000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LIKE THE FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,022.
WHEN TURN CAR ON POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. LIKE IT IS LOCKED UP. TRY NUMEROUS TIMES BY TURNING CAR OFF AND NOTHING CHANGES. I WAS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MURRAY FORD OF KINGSLAND (2030 GA-40, KINGSLAND, GA 31548). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM HOWEVER, THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,980.
POWER UNIT ASSIST FAULT. POWER STEERING FAILED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AND SHE WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. IT IS THE EXACT ISSUE AS SPECIFED IN THE RECALL. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON BACK FROM THE STORE WHEN THIS FAILED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITH SOME EFFORT AND NOTICED THE FAULT LIGHT ON THE DASH. SHE CALLED ME AND I TOLD HER TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. SHE DID BUT THE FAULT STILL SHOWS. THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND A SAFETY HAZARD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, THE WATER PUMP WAS PLACED ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED, COOLANT ENTERED THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. JEFFERSON MOTOR CO INC, LOCATED AT 141 LEE ST, JEFFERSON, GA 30549, (706)367-5217, WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $8,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE REACHES 50MPH, I EXPERIENCE HESITATION AND/OR A PUTTING SENSATION THAT CONTINUES UNTIL I ACCELERATE TO 60MPH OR DROP TO 49MPH OR BELOW. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KOONS FORD OF BALTIMORE FOR SERVICE, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT OIL HAS BEEN SEEPING INTO MY AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND SATURATING MY AIR FILTER. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW ON THE FACTORY INSTALLED VALVE COVER GASKET. I LEARNED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURS ON SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES INCLUDING 2011-2013 EXPLORERS AS THE DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER WAS USED ON THOSE MODELS AT THE TIME THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE EXISTING VALVE COVER REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED VALVE COVER THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO RESOLVE THE OIL LEAKAGE/OIL SEEPAGE ISSUE. MY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AS THEY DEFINE THE REPLACEMENT PART AS "BETTERMENT" TO THE VEHICLE OR INSTALLATION OF AN UPGRADED PART. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT KOONS, THE VALVE COVER INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IS OBSOLETE AND WOULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN IF IT WERE STILL AVAILABLE. I MUST HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED VALVE COVER INSTALLED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE, STOP THE OIL FROM SEEPING IN AND AROUND THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND THROTTLE BODY AND TO ALSO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $700. I CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATE OFFICE AND LEARNED THAT THEY COULDN'T OR WOULDN'T BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA.
I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WILL MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, THE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN AND THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WILL FLASH. IF THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STOP FLASHING THE VEHICLE WILL PICK UP SPEED AND DRIVE NORMAL BUT IF THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH FOR A LONG TIME EVENTUALLY THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WILL DISABLE AND THEN THE WARNINGS LIGHTS WILL SAY SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND COLLISION WARNING MALFUNCTION WARNING. IF I LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR HOURS IT MAY RESET BUT IT HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO AT RANDOM TIMES AND SPEED. *TR
LACK OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, THE STEERING EFFORT IS GREATER, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER AN APPOINTMENT (FOR RECALL) THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETE LACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND NOT DRIVABLE AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR 5.0 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTIC.