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.

2011 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical

2011 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-10-10

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: 1,197
Recalls: 8
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Steering

Complaints per year

2011: 1,197 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	1
1985	1
1986	3
1987	3
1988	4
1989	1
1990	12
1991	616
1992	640
1993	944
1994	1,231
1995	843
1996	1,450
1997	1,731
1998	1,959
1999	1,348
2000	952
2001	375
2002	3,295
2003	1,131
2004	1,304
2005	497
2006	630
2007	208
2008	148
2009	33
2010	115
2011	1,197
2012	826
2013	2,233
2014	1,679
2015	1,786
2016	2,455
2017	1,690
2018	727
2019	296
2020	1,224
2021	432
2022	267
2023	110
2024	21
2025	100
2026	39
2027	0

Known problem areas

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

Steering

62% · 748 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURY

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, 2025-02-19

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, 2025-01-08

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, 2024-10-16

Structure

9% · 111 reports

Most commonly citing body and roof and pillars.

CRASH

Electrical system

8% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing software and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY

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, 2026-07-31

Engine

7% · 83 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

5% · 64 reports

Most commonly citing transmission case/housing and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

▮
2011Complaint volume 1,197 complaints filed for this model year.
R

2011-02-15Seats11V063000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2012-06-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-06-12 Electric power steering failure
R

2014-01-29Steering14E001000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2014-07-23Steering14V286000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2015-07-23Structure15V171000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2016-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2017-09-12 Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
I
2017-07-27Engineering analysisClosed 2023-01-17 Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
R

2017-07-31Suspension, wheels17E048000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-06-26Suspension19V435000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-03-17Suspension21V746000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2023-01-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-02-08 Windshield trim molding Item detachment
R

2024-07-18Structure24V031000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Steering: 748 reports on file for this year.
Structure: 111 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 95 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 11V063000 · Seats
Recall 14E001000 · Steering
Recall 14V286000 · Steering
Recall 15V171000 · Structure
Recall 17E048000 · Suspension, wheels
Recall 19V435000 · Suspension
Recall 21V746000 · Suspension
Recall 24V031000 · Structure

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.