2011 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking lot, the power steering function became inoperable, and the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact was able to pull the vehicle into the driveway. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering assist also failed to operate as needed. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering was no longer functioning. The contact stated that prior to the failure the vehicle was experiencing a loss of power steering assist intermittently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

While driving the B pillar broke and flew off. Now I have it taped up so nothing will get into my car (like rain) and so nothing else falls off.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more often. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Power Steering just went out with no warning. Plus 3 other failures Service advance Trac Power Steering fault and Terrain Management Fault. All these occurred at the same time.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became very firm. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the doors were opened and then closed, and the vehicle restarted. On the last occasion, after restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel remained firm. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The blind spot sensors also displayed an error message on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the traction control and several other electrical systems failed intermittently. The contact stated that the message “Brake Failure” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with power steering braking sensor failure. The vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact stated that after the software update, the steering seized and was no longer operable. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the failure had called for the warranty coverage associated with the recall under Manufacturer ID Number: 15N01 (Steering), requiring that the gearbox be replaced. The contact stated that the warranty coverage had expired due to the mileage and year limitation. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving out of the dealer lot, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was diagnosed with steering gear and steering module failures. The contact was informed that the steering gear and the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 110,304.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact observed that the door panel was separating from the door frame on the driver's side. The contact stated that the panel was separating from the middle of the panel and was creating a gap from left to right. The contact stated that the gap had trapped his left arm shirt sleeve and was more noticeable while wearing a coat. The contact stated that the failure impeding drivability. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and the contact was forwarded to an auto body shop for the repair. The contact stated that the passenger’s side door panel was also separating from the center top. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

While driving in the rain, I lost power steering and had several unrelated waring lights come on. Dash lights flickered. Engine continued to run normally but warning lights came on and off. I was able to drive to a safe location and turn the car off. When I restarted the car everything was normal including the power steering. This happened 2 more times on the 12 mile trip home. In the last 60 days this has happened 3 more times during a rain. On one of these occasions the steering came back on like normal with out me stopping.