2011 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

The internal water pump failed in my 2011 Ford Explorer without any warning signs and the coolant then leaked into my engine causing catastrophic engine failure. We were driving on a busy highway and the Ford Explorer simply started shutting down in the left lane. Nothing would happen when I pushed the gas petal and suddenly all the lights started flashing and heat went to above high. I was barely able to get over to the shoulder as smoke started to come out of the front of the engine. We were extremely afraid of getting hit since the car stalled on the highway only feet from the exit ramp. The car was towed and diagnosed at the Ford Dealership: Internal water pump failed causing engine failure - water mixed with oil. The car received state inspection and oil changed 17 days prior. Paid for engine replacement at the Ford Dealership with costs over $11,000.

Power Steering quit working in a sharp turn. No accident occurred. No prior issue. Recall 14so6 was performed on 2/06/2015 under 15no1. But at the time of recall it did not present any codes and they skipped replacing whole steering gear and hardware. Currently it is presenting code U3000:49-08 which would cause them to replace whole steering gear and hardware and they are refusing to repair vehicle under their cost because of mileage. All that was performed at time of recall was updating power steering control module. I do not understand how a known recall is not being fixed because of mileage.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the power steering assist fault message was displayed, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact was able to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle was turned off and restarted and regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and became aware of two Customer Satisfaction Programs associated to the VIN; however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the program for EPAS Steering Efforts 15N01 (Steering) was no longer covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 108,045.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the driver's side A-Pillar Trim flew off hitting the driver's side mirror and cracked the mirror and casing. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 229,000.

2011 Explorer, 102,000 miles. Power steering light would occasionally come on upon starting the car and would reset itself after turning the car off and back on. September 2023 upon starting the car the power steering would not fix itself so it was towed to a mechanic. He repaired the power steering for $3K. Found out in February 2024 through an inspection receipt there had been a 'recall' on the power steering and the rear toe-link (never received a letter from Ford) so we took it to the dealership. We're being told since the car is over 10 years old we cannot get reimbursed for the power steering charge even though apparently we were extremely lucky my 16 year old son wasn't actually DRIVING it when it went out based on other people's situations. This should be a RECALL, not an extended warranty issue and Ford should be liable for fixing this extremely dangerous faulty part.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had noticed that the trim on both A-pillars were loosened. The contact stated that the trim pieces had not detached nor separated from the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Driver side window panel flew off during my drive on the interstate directly after I noticed it being loose for the first time. 3rd row seatbelts leak when it rains on both sides. Rear backup camera is opposite/flipped and goes in and out. Trunk will close on you after opening it up with the car not running. It will not sense movement when the car is off and continues to shut resulting in harm.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the windshield wipers were in the on position, the wipers went off the vehicle and had to be pushed back into place. There was an unknown yellow warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while making a turn, the driver's and passenger's front wheels detached on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle received an unstated repair. There was an abnormal sound while driving at various speeds. While shifting gear, the vehicle jumped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the result of the diagnostic test was unknown. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed, after which the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,000.

I own a 2011 Ford Explorer Limited with 150K miles. The Power Steering Assist light has come on a number of times. Typically when I first start the car and start to move. It has however failed 3 times while driving in traffic. I shut off the car and restart it and it clears and is drivable again. Today it failed about 4 miles from home and would not reset. I gimped it home with no power steering. I will take it to the dealer this week to see if they will honor their recall. DOA.