2011 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

Power Steering Assist Fault light came on signaling loss of power steering when starting the vehicle last week. It is not being driven due to no power steering. Fortunately it was not being driven at the time but could have resulted in inability to steer in traffic. The vehicle has not been inspected since the EPSA light came on as it is difficult to drive. The fault light came on once about 2 months ago but it went off after restarting the car. The vehicle now continues to show the fault light every time the car is turned on.

While driving the vehicle on a busy street, proceeded to steer car to turn at an intersection and the steering started failing and was extremely hard to steer. The message appeared electronically, saying service power steering now and car then shut down. We immediately got car to independent mechanic. Was not aware of any vehicle recall, but seems to be repaired. Happened very recently. Early Nov. 2023.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that electronic power steering intermittently failed to operate as needed. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. After shifting into gear, the message disappeared. While driving, the power steering was operating sluggishly. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the power steering system fault and traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn at a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and drove straight towards oncoming traffic. The message "Service Power Steering Now" was displayed. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel and depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, preventing a crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. 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 notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall due to the manufacture date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 195,600.

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.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH while turning right and exiting a ramp, then when idle a message stated "Low Oil Pressure" illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred while test-driving the vehicle to determine if the repair was successful. The vehicle was re-examined and diagnosed that the water pump had failed causing the engine coolant and oil into the engine causing the engine to seize completely. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred them to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning as needed, and the power steering assist fault message was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became an intermittent occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 114,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The messages "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Advance Trac" were displayed. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor 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 101,000.