2011 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

March 2020, first time the Power Steering Fault message appeared on the Instrument Message Area. I have immediatly contacted Ford in Germany. They said there is no recall for my car regarding steering items. November 2020 onwards until April 2023 the message Power Steering Faul appeared every 3-6 months. Again. November 2020 I have contacted Ford without success; the answer was the same: No recall for your car. Until April 2023 after turning off the car and waiting for 1-2 minute and turning on the message disappered and the steering mode was again reverted to normal and the steering effort was as expected. But in April 2023, after parking the car the power steering message appeared again and it was not possible to get rid of them. I have again contacted Ford in April 2023, immediatly after the occurance, and the answer was still the same: No recall and they can do nothing for me because it is just an assumption form my side. The steering effort was such high that it was not possible to really turn the steering wheel. I called the ADAC to bring the car to the Ford Service close to my home. They have change d the complete steering gear and they said I must pay for it because of no recall. I'm located in Germany and not in the USA.

The power steering assist of the vehicle went out while driving and warning lights came on unexpectedly. Vehicle was difficult to steer but was pulled over safely and shut off. Started engine again and issue was no longer present. Drove to mechanic who pulled the codes. Showed "Loss of Motor Position Sensor" error code among others. After research, found that this was part of Recall 14V286000 of which we had the software update prescribed by Ford. Contacted the Ford dealership who said we were just outside the mileage where Ford extended coverage for this issue to 150,000 miles. Called Ford Customer Service and they also said that this was a one time recall and no further action was available. For this issue, we had the prescribed software upgrade but it was ineffective for the issue and the issue still occurred. Now I have to have the expensive part repair of which they would have covered the repair under recall.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Service Advancetrac warning light intermittently flash on the instrument panel. Recently, the contact stated that the warning light flashed and remained on the instrument panel and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), which she linked to the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made squeaking and popping sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sway bar links needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact’s wife notified the contact, and the contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The contact then stated that he allowed the vehicle to cool down, restarted the vehicle, then coasted the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and caused the coolant to leak into the engine and damaged the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

I am getting intermittent warning lights pertaining to the steering assist on this vehicle. It was a prior safety recall in which ford merely reprogrammed the unit in an effort to correct the problem. According to my local dealership, it did not correct the problem and the safety concern is still relevant. The dealership asked ford corporate for permission to make the repair and they were denied. Ford says the repair was made and they will not do anything further. The ford website also states all safety recalls never expire, but apparently that is not the case. Ford appears to be making a mockery of the recall program by closing recalls without permanently correcting the problem and will not reopen this safety recall. Internet discussions on this topic reveal I am not the only one with this problem.

When driving and get up to 60mph car shakes and moves side to side hard to control.

The windshield trim on the driver's side flew off of the vehicle when I was traveling on the interstate (at interstate speed - about 70 mph). It did not hit another vehicle, but certainly could have if another vehicle had been to my left or close behind my vehicle. I was unable to stop and retrieve the part. No inspection has been made by police, insurance, etc. I now need to have the trim piece replaced, and I am nervous about the windshield trim on the passenger side possibly doing the same thing.

The electrinic power steering has failed. It just stopped working after starting the car one day. This is a repair that the dealer fixed 15 months ago, with a new part. A new electronic power steering Rack and Pinon should not last only 15 months. I have called the dealer and they say that warranty for that job is 12 months. They suggested contacting ford's customer service. Ford customer service says that there are no warranties on Recall repairs. This just does not sound right. I mentioned that if a repair that is suppose to fix a safety Hazzard does not work, and the safety Hazzard returns they are still liable for the repairs and or the consequences.

I read an article online dated 1/31/23 that indicated that the NHTSA was investigating windshield trim panel issues on certain year models of the Ford Explorer. My 2011 Ford Explorer driver-side windshield trim panel flew off the vehicle while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph) on May 3, 2021, so I wanted to provide this information and photos of the damage. I agree this is a serious issue for this Make and model that should be addressed. This was an expensive repair and dangerous for other drivers on the road. I can provide additional information if needed.