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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,894 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Aug 012017

Explorer

  • 163,000 miles

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

Strong fume / exhaust smell is present when accelerating onto the highway with the A/C in either recycle mode or normal mode. Lightheadedness can be present at times associated with accelerating the vehicle. This exhaust smell has been present for several years, and doesn't seem to go away or change.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #36

Jan 012012

Explorer

  • 8,000 miles
Exhaust leaking into cabin from broken header has been like this since 2012 Ford did nothing hard acceleration cabin smell is very strong

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #35

Nov 012013

Explorer

  • 38,000 miles
Smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin when accelerating hard (ie, to merge on the freeway etc). Have noticed the issue since we first bought it (used) in 2013).

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #34

Aug 012014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, levittown Ford llc 3195 hempstead turnpike, levittown, NY 11756, where it was determined that exhaust fumes were present in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a litigation was currently pending. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Updated 11/13/17 updated 11/16/2017

- Bayville, NY, USA

problem #33

Sep 012011

Explorer

  • 3,500 miles
Got my Explorer new in 2011 had exhaust fumes coming in to cabin took to dealer 3 times for that problem happens when accelerating over 3000 RPM strong odor comes into cabin. Dealer told me nothing was wrong with vehicle. They said was because it was new eventually would clear up...tired of being stonewalled by Ford on this issue. Please take action on our behalf you have the power to force Ford to fix this issue and make it safe for me and my family to use this SUV safely. We cant afford to get a differnt vehicle at this time. Please take quick action on this matter I dont want pass out behind the wheel of this truck...

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #32

May 182017

Explorer

  • 93,000 miles
Car was fine then all of a sudden over heating sign went on in the car. I pulled over on the freeway called a tow truck because I was told not to drive the car. I had it towed to my house had a professional mechanic look at it at my house I was then told that there was a leak and the water tank was not holding water because of it. The next day I went to my car I turned it on and check engine light was on. I then turned off the car cause I did not want to cause anymore damage. The mechanic came back to my house and told me it was now leaking water and oil to take it in right away. I had no previous problems with my car until that point. I take it to the dealer they tell me that it was an internal problem within the engine that I, the driver, could not have known about unless I was having previous problems with the car which I was not. 230 dollars later just to tell me what is wrong with the car Ford is telling me that water got into the engine, transmission, all of the fluids and pipes. How does this happen with no previous problems with the car? I believe this issue needs to be resolved I have read many reviews on this model and this issue needs to be recalled

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #31

Mar 282017

Explorer

  • 108,394 miles

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

I first began experiencing braking and battery issues 3 to 4 weeks after the purchase of my vehicle. I took the vehicle in for servicing of the braking and battery issues. I was informed by the service advisor that I should return the vehicle to dealership for repairs due to the multiple issues with vehicle. At that time, I learned that there was leakage from the upper portion of the engine. The dealership addresses some but not all issues related to the vehicle. Next, I received an email from the dealership stating the vehicle was due for factory recommended servicing. I made an appt. The next day, the low battery light came on. Called dealership, no response. One and a half weeks later, the battery was dead. Called triple a. battery had battery acid and corrosion everywhere. A red solution was sprayed on the battery to prevent leakage. But it didn't work that well. Informed dealership at the time of service, that the power steering service light had come on. Five days later, I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Both service advisors stated that vehicle shouldn't have been placed on lot for sale. I no longer feel safe in this vehicle. As I have two minor children. The date of onset would've been 04/08/2016. There is another photo, however, there was not enough room to include.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #30

Apr 132016

Explorer

  • 108,394 miles
I purchased my vehicle in March of 2016. I first had issues with the braking system. I heard screeching and whirring as I drove the vehicle. Next, I had issues with the battery, battery acid leaked all over the battery, corrosion built up on the battery. Most recently, after servicing my vehicle, the power steering locked up. The computer read that there was power steering fault. I don't understand how I was able to purchase a vehicle off the dealership lot with all of the issues that the vehicle had.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #29

Mar 162017

Explorer

  • 2 miles
Went to go drive the SUV while doing only 25 mph & it was raving our 3-5 RPM. While drug in the city

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #28

Oct 052016

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
We have exhaust in the passenger compartment when climbing a hill or at a traffic stop when the engine is running, we notice the problem when under accelaration and while using the heater/ac. Will open the window when stopped with the car ideling to lessen the smell. Have complained to Ford but have had nothing done. There is a technical bulliten on the valve cover with a replacement part but Ford has not recalled it and will not fix the problem.

- Loomis, CA, USA

problem #27

Feb 172017

Explorer

  • 97,000 miles

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

When driving the vehicle on the highway or when accelerating the inside of the vehicle smells of rotting eggs. From time to time it is smelt when sitting at and idling. This has been an ongoing problem with our 2011 Ford Explorer.

- Cuddebackville, NY, USA

problem #26

Sep 012015

Explorer

  • 51,000 miles
Strong engine exhaust smell in vehicle cabin while driving, during engine operation above 3000-3500 RPM with windows closed and climate control on. Outside air on or off seems to make no difference.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #25

Dec 152016

Explorer

  • 83,000 miles
While driving and especially after, there is a burning hair smell that is in the car and when you step outside the car it is very strong in the engine. Upon learning of the class action lawsuit too late, it helped make sense why I was smelling the "burnt hair" smell when I ran the heater and/or ac. This was anytime I drove the car whether highway driving or around town.

- Geneva, IL, USA

problem #24

Oct 282016

Explorer

  • 126,000 miles
Have extensive engine damage due to water pump failure with no warning! I was driving my vehicle down a main highway and all of a sudden the "engine coolant overtemp" came on then "low oil pressure" and my vehicle shut down! I couldn't drive the vehicle. Luckily I drifted to side of the road so that my car could be towed without having an accident! shop determined water pump failure and water leaked into my engine poor engine design on Ford part) and destroyed the engine with no warning! no engine light came on or anything. Please investigate this. There are numerous complaints about this same situation. I called Ford to complain but all they did was take down my compliant. This is a safety issue because I was driving in traffic and this could have caused an accident. The whole car just shut down!

- Bassett, VA, USA

problem #23

Sep 102016

Explorer

  • 44,000 miles
Upon heavy acceleration such as when pulling onto a highway, or passing another vehicle on the road, an exhaust/fuel smell will enter the vehicle and be very noticeable to everyone in the vehicle. This occurs mostly when the air conditioner is on, on recirculation. My wife (primary driver of this 2011 Ford Explorer) complains of a lot of headaches and I am beginning to wonder if she is getting carbon monoxide poisoning from driving this vehicle daily. We are going to buy a CO2 detector to see if this is in fact true.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #22

Aug 052016

Explorer

  • 87,200 miles
My 2011 Ford Explorer lost power even though the engine did not die there was no power when pressing on gas pedal. The yellow wrench light came on the panel. I turned the ignition off and waited a few minutes and it restarted. I took it to a dealer and they couldn't get anything to register. I picked the car up anyd before I made it home it lost power again. I took it back in and they still couldn't get anything to register. They replaced the ba sensor fir $500 since my air filter was dirty and could be the cause of problem. A week later the car stopped again. It happened again a few days later and then it stalled 4 times in one day and the engine light came on and stayed. I borrowed a code reader and the code P2111 appeared. I googled this and it shows throttle body. Each time I lost power it did not die but ran rough. When I restarted it was a little hesitant to start. At first it happened when I accelerated after going at a low speed but then it happened while traveling 70 mph.

- Blooming Grove, TX, USA

problem #21

Jul 302016

Explorer

  • 83,000 miles
Exhaust fumes enter the passenger compartment when the ac is running at highway speeds and at any speed when the engine is taxing ie going up a steep grade.

- Pineville, NC, USA

problem #20

Jul 162016

Explorer

  • 56,000 miles
Bad burning smell under acceleration to highway speed coming from air vents. Oil was found in the air filter housing and piping near mass air flow sensor.

- Nolensville, TN, USA

problem #19

Jul 132016

Explorer

  • 113,000 miles
Long story short, I pulled out of my neighborhood got about a quarter of a mile down the road. Heard the drive belt squeal for about 15 seconds, followed by check engine light, and extreme engine knock. The vehicle was shut off immediately. The codes read, crankshaft/camshaft correlation bank a sensor 1, the second code was engine knock. Vehicle towed to the dealer were they had 2 of their top technicians look at the vehicle and the both reported the water pump had failed and filled the engine up with coolant which cause the engine to expire. My wife only had the truck for 2 years and she's very careful driver. No woarning signs of a failing water pump. Just got back from a 7hr road trip a week before the water pump failed and the engine expired.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #18

Jul 062016

Explorer

  • miles
I want to state that my truck does the same thing as reported in this problem. The smells gets real bad in the cabin when entering highway or crossing vehicles NHTSA action number: PE16008 component(s): Engine and engine cooling, structure

- Warren, MI, USA

Read the next 17 complaints »

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