2011 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical

2011 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-08-02

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

2011: 1192 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	1
1985	1
1986	3
1987	3
1988	4
1989	1
1990	12
1991	609
1992	633
1993	939
1994	1207
1995	843
1996	1450
1997	1731
1998	1959
1999	1348
2000	952
2001	375
2002	3293
2003	1131
2004	1304
2005	497
2006	630
2007	208
2008	147
2009	33
2010	115
2011	1192
2012	820
2013	2222
2014	1669
2015	1748
2016	2424
2017	1656
2018	706
2019	281
2020	1155
2021	393
2022	242
2023	99
2024	19
2025	87
2026	16

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 61%

61% of complaints: steering — 724 distinct reports on file.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 90 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ENGINE 7%

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

CRASH FIRE INJURY

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 62 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 56 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 1192

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