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CarComplaints.com Notes: The NHTSA's complaint data shows potentially scary power steering problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer.

The steering complaints are pretty serious - owners report the power steering cuts out while driving. The NHTSA opened an investigation into the power steering problems in June 2012, which lead to a recall in 2014. However years later, many 2011 Explorer owners report this defect is still occurring.

It's too bad because the 2009 & 2010 Ford Explorer are solid, trouble-free model years.

7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,220
Average Mileage:
39,400 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replaced air compressor (2 reports)
  3. replace AC fan (1 reports)
  4. replace condensor and fan (1 reports)
2011 Ford Explorer AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 012015

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the 1st of four a/c system charges in less than 30k miles.

- Chas M., Chicano, US

problem #7

Jun 202016

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I purchased my Explorer four months ago. I noticed that the AC was having issues about 1 month ago. First, the AC only worked when I was accelerating. I thought it may just need to be charged. After that, it started to give off a burning smell. I again put off fixing it. About a week ago, I noticed a quiet knocking noise. It started to get louder and louder. It got so obnoxious that I decided to take it in to the shop to be safe. $950 later, it turns out I need to replace the air compressor immediately. I was told if I don’t replace it right away it will affect all of the surrounding systems because they are linked by a belt. The bill actually comes out to $1100, because I had to replace a wheel bearing that I was going to have a friend replace. I took it to the same dealership I purchased it from figuring they’d eat a little bit of the cost, because they should have caught the AC issue. The only thing they covered was the oil change… Thaaaaanks!

- Jennifer W., Cudahy, WI, US

problem #6

May 042014

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

I bought the car in Feb of 14 with 32,000 on it. Sold and serviced by same dealer. AC never worked, didn't notice until I tried to use it for the first time. Dealership took it in, had it for A MONTH. Pretty sure they had to replace the entire system. Zero cost to me and I put 5k on a rental. No issues since. Marshall Ford in Mayfield heights Ohio does an excellent job.

- Dan S., Solon, OH, US

problem #5

Jul 252013

Explorer XLT 3,2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

it's amazing, the truck only 2 years with 42 000M and used in Quebec, so 2 was used full air conditioning, equivalent to 3 months each summer, so mons 10 000M use the air conditioner and any break in a trip to Florida. By pressing the "max" control air conditioning, smoke and smell of smoke came out of the wind and air conditioning. Ford AutoNation has Margate Florida gives me the verdict, just changed the system and unsecured, the 000M is exceeded 36 and over $ 1200.00 + $ 500'00 car rental. inapceptable is on a Ford Explorer of 2 years an air conditioning system breaks down and what have to replace everything in full, the system did not work as a normal system of any other manufacturer.

I've never seen a broken air conditioning system complete in a short period of use. I'll ask has Ford a refund so that it takes their responsibility despite that the guarantee is completed, this Is when not even normal. ben must have a minimum life ... I susi very disappointed with this problem ... I took my Ford 2 years to go to Florida, have known, I would have taken my Mercedez 10 years I can not believe it.

- Danny L., Blainville, Quebec, canada

problem #4

Jun 242013

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

The air conditioning started working intermittently in June after two years of ownership. Dealership is "guessing" it was a fan, which had been replaced previously under an "engineering letter" which later turned into a recall, for engine overheating in winter. Still not sure how that's supposed to affect the AC. Car was fine for two weeks and began not working again during a heatwave - not convenient. It will blow cold air, then warm / hot air, then cold air again. It's frustrating to think of another few hours lost at the dealership while they play "Maybe it's ...." without knowing what the issue is to fix it. I regret spending $50k on a vehicle that the manufacturer can't figure out why a basic feature doesn't work... and that's a lot for me to say considering we're from a Ford family. As I was waiting for the last fan replacement, a service representative told me they had just replaced the fan in two other Explorers.

What's really the problem, does anyone know? Is it a compressor? Is it some shutter that switches from heat to air, that's sticking? I'd like to get this fixed once and for all, particularly before the warranty expires and the bill to repair it is stuck to me.

- gsbw94, Tecumseh, MI, US

problem #3

Jul 042013

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

A/C blowing hot air when car is idling but cools when driving down the road.

- mogard, Deering, ND, US

problem #2

Jul 012011

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,800 miles

For a new car it was frustrating for your air conditioner to go out in the summer!

- cleghorne, Gainesville, GA, US

problem #1

Aug 122011

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12 miles

The A/C; After storing a temp as “My Temp” most of the time the system will say “My Temp ON” but it does not change the temperature to prior stored temperature. Another problem with the A/C is that for some reason sometimes it turns on or off by itself, and it gets warmer when increasing speed.

- rafarios, North Bethesda, MD, US

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