MYRModel Year Report

2011 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3294 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1196 complaints 2011 2012: 824 complaints 2013: 2229 complaints 2014: 1674 complaints 2014 2015: 1771 complaints 2016: 2443 complaints 2017: 1677 complaints 2018: 720 complaints 2019: 291 complaints 2020: 1198 complaints 2020 2021: 412 complaints 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 106 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 95 complaints 2026: 29 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints 2027
2011: 1196 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941231
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023294
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111196
2012824
20132229
20141674
20151771
20162443
20171677
2018720
2019291
20201198
2021412
2022257
2023106
202419
202595
202629
20270

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 62%

62% of complaints: steering — 747 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250219

While driving down the highway, the power steering quit working totally. Causing me to go off the road into the ditch. There was a recall on the power steering gear that ford refuses to fix.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250108

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around a curb, the power steering had failed and the steering wheel had become difficult to steer.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241016

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 111 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and roof and pillars.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 95 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing software and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The power steering has fully stopped working , the car cannot be steered, this started to happen on the road, I had to steer the entire weight of the car myself, at fast speed it was difficult but not impossible, at slow speed and zero speed or...

NHTSA ODI report, 20260731

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 83 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 64 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing transmission case/housing and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 1196
R 20110215 — seats

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-43

Campaign 11V063000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120619 — PE (closed 20140612)

Electric power steering failure

R 20140129 — steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.

Campaign 14E001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140723 — steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge.

Campaign 14V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150723 — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 15V171000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20160701 — PE (closed 20170912)

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor

I 20170727 — EA (closed 20230117)

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

R 20170731 — suspension, wheels

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application.

Campaign 17E048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190626 — suspension

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019.

Campaign 19V435000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220317 — suspension

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,...

Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 21V746000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — PE (closed 20240208)

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

R 20240718 — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

Campaign 24V031000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (747 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (111 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (95 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V063000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E001000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V286000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V171000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17E048000 (suspension, wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V435000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V746000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V031000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Ford Explorer is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.