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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.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
29,900 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. repair and paint (5 reports)
  2. replace hood (1 reports)
2011 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #6

Aug 012014

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

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

The paint has started to blister along the front edge of the hood. I brought the car to the dealer, but they refused to fix it and said that Ford won't deal with it either. My mother bought the same exact car at the same time and she's having the same problem. Her car is garage kept almost 100% of the time and has very low mileage. Mine is in the garage about 50% of the time. This is my first American car in a long time and I really wanted to support Ford, but this is incredibly disappointing.

- Patrick P., Little Silver, NJ, US

problem #5

Sep 162013

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,100 miles

I bought my 2011 Explorer used from the local Ford dealers, it had a little over 13000 miles on it. I noticed the rust bubbles around the edges of the hood under the paint. Didn't know it was a manufacturer defect until about a year ago but by then my dealer warranty was up. I did take it in to get it looked at and the serviceman seemed to know about the defect. He told me other owners had taken their cars in to get them repaired. He said he had to get approval from his boss for my car. I checked back 2 weeks later, and they said they would not repair it because my warranty was up?

Now I can see rust bubbles developing on the roof right at the edge of my front windshield. I am worried it will get worse and will start leaking water in.

Help!!!

- samitioata, Pago Pago, AS, American Samoa

problem #4

Mar 152015

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,989 miles

It's a 2011 Limited Explorer, a $40k vehicle that has rust on the hood, what else is there to say.

- Scott M., Honolulu, HI, US

problem #3

Sep 012013

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,120 miles

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

click to see larger images

rust on rim of hood rust on rim of hood rust on rim of hood rust on rim of hood rust on rim of hood

As of 2014, Ford still sells vehicles which suffer aluminum hood corrosion. Mine is corroding all around the edges, and they treat it as a rust/normal wear and tear issue and won't do anything to fix it. Aluminum Corrosion is a manufacturing defect that has been documented in their vehicles for years and is even the subject of a Class Action Lawsuit for issues with it in the 2000-2007 models. The estimated cost to repair it is $2500 Canadian. Do not buy this vehicle unless you don't mind it rotting from the inside out.

- anthony3246, Mississauga, ONTARIO, canada

problem #2

Jun 042013

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

THE RIM OF THE HOOD IS RUSTING, THIS WILL BE THE 2ND TIME, THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPAIRED IT, NOW I HAVE 36215 MILES ON THE CAR THEY SAID THEY WILL REPAIR IT AGAIN THOUGH IT HAS OVER 36K MILES. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WORKS FOR AN AUTO DEALER AND HE SAID THE EXPLORER'S HAVE A GROUNDING PROBLEM AND THEY ALL RUST BECAUSE THE HOODS ARE ALUMINUM

- Joseph A., Jupiter, FL, US

problem #1

Oct 012013

Explorer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

Truck is only 2 yrs and it's been in shop for the noise around windshield. It took me 4 trips to dealer before they fixed. Now it's rusty all around rim of hood. First Ford Vehicle we purchased and now not sure if we want to buy out the lease. Only got lease because no deals at time we purchased. But if it's already rusting how much more will rust after this.

- Lisa W., Cedar Lake, IN, US

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