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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:
15 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,570 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 10 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #475

Sep 132021

Explorer

  • 47,000 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 while his wife was driving 15 MPH, the power steering assist message appeared on the instrument panel. His wife was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving; however, the failure recurred upon her reaching her driveway. The contact then inspected the vehicle and stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle out of the driveway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact's wife called the manufacturer and it was confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer did not offer any further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000

- Gladstone, MO, USA

problem #474

Aug 172021

Explorer

  • miles
Yesterday I was driving my Ford Explorer and my power steering went out as I was driving on the interstate. Lights came on and my AdvanceTrac system went out. I almost wrecked my vehicle. I have 2 car seats installed in this vehicle (luckily no children were in the car). I researched this and the issue immediately several things popped up on the issue. I logged onto my account to check for a recall and underneath recalls was: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS - EPAS STEERING EFFORTS Campaign #15N01. I called the Ford Motor Company Customer relationship to find out about the issue. Bc of the amount of issues that customers had with the same problem they issued an extended warranty instead of a recall. It was good for 10 years or 150k miles. I was told mine expired 4/28/21. This is a known SAFETY ISSUE that ENDANGERS LIVES of not just the customer, but everyone around them. I need this repaired. I never received a letter. I filed with BBB and Ford said my vehicle was not involved in the Customer Satisfaction Program, which is crazy that its not a recall. This is 100% a safety issue. Im not understanding why they dont fix it with the rest of the ones that had the same problem.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #473

Aug 042021

Explorer

  • miles
On approximately August the 5th, 2021, my family members and myself were driving off of Signal Mountain here in Tennessee. All of the sudden, I lost all ability to steer my vehicle. In other words I lost all Power Steering. I almost wrecked a number of times with family members in the vehicle. I found that was a recall concerning the Power Steering. I contacted the Cooperate Offices of Ford and spoke with a ([XXX] ). He looked my vehicle up by VIN and found the recall. He told me that it was covered on the recall (case# CAS-[XXX] ). So I then made arrangements for getting my Vehicle towed to ( Mtn. View Ford ) 20th street, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I spoke to a service Rep: [XXX] at the dealership. I explained the situation and gave him the case number for Ford Cooperate Headquarters. The Vehicle was there well over a week, I called on 08/13/2021. The service Rep: [XXX] then told me vehicle wasn't covered under the recall as I was told by cooperate. he said that I would have to pay over $2000 to get my vehicle back. I disagreed of course. He then said that the vehicle was taken to Ford of Cleveland in Tennessee in 2015 for the recall. He said that defective part was not replaced, but they reprogramed the computer. so I almost died with my family members because a defective was not replaced. This is wrong no matter how you look at it. I retired from almost 30 years of Law Enforcement here in Tennessee. I learned through those 30 years. That Ethics and Integrity is the most important thing when dealing with the public. The Ford Headquarters and Mtn. View Ford in Chattanooga has lost those somewhere down the line. I did pay to get my Vehicle from Mtn View Ford. But this is wrong and I'm willing to take any avenue possible to make this public. I have never the type to try to get something for nothing, but there is right and there's wrong. This wrong!!!! I wnted to allow you to investigate this before I start using my other avenues....my number is [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONAL

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

problem #472

Jul 222021

Explorer

  • 98,615 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 while driving 50 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power steering assist fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,615.

- Siler City, NC, USA

problem #471

Jul 142021

Explorer

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while entering and starting the vehicle, he noticed that the electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact noticed that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle multiple times however, the warning light remained illuminated and failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #470

Mar 262021

Explorer

  • 158,232 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss power steering functionality and became difficult to steer. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (Steering) for which the vehicle was serviced under the recall in August 2014. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,232.

- Sedro-Woolley, WA, USA

problem #469

Jun 112021

Explorer

  • miles

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

Car suddenly lost power steering and traction control during a turn. Made the car very difficult to steer correctly since it occurred in the middle of a turn. Steering wheel essentially jerked out of hand creating a very hazardous situation.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #468

Apr 192021

Explorer

  • miles
Driving my Ford Explorer 2011 glendale AZ and being in motion an alert pop up om my dashboard saying power steering assist fault leaving me with no steering since my steering wheel got really hard. Looking online for any recalls I found one and called Ford and they told me the recall was not valid because the warranty was expired in February 2021 I got this car from them and I still pay in for there car and never this issue fix.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

problem #467

Apr 112021

Explorer

  • 95,000 miles
On Sunday April 11 2021 I was driving my Ford Explorer 2011 glendale AZ and being in motion an alert pop up om my dashboard saying power steering assist fault leaving me with no steering since my steering wheel got really hard. Looking online for any recalls I found one and called Ford and they told me the recall was not valid because the warranty was expired.

- Laveen, AZ, USA

problem #466

Apr 032021

Explorer

  • 74,000 miles
My car lost power steering control they was a recall before I take to dealership they dont fixed but they report fixed

- College Point, NY, USA

problem #465

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles

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

Driving at 35+ entering on ramp mph the car lost all power and just stopped. The engine shut off. No warning lights or alarms went off beforehand. Once the car stopped, the engine light came on, the low pressure lamp too and an alarm sounded. I called a tow truck and had it towed to (told me my engine was milky destoyed)two dealears then to Ford. They called this morning and said the water pump went out causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The engine has to be replaced. They quoted $8,000. Had to get a $10,000 loan. [to replace steering and engine] this is the first one (it seems to be headed in the same direction but only sooner) *please help me I can't afford this again**while driving on the highway, my power steering went out without warning. I lost all power steering and then the power steering alarm came on. Took it to Ford and had the power steering replaced at a cost of $1800. Then, less then 2 weeks later while driving at 40 mph, the power steering went out again. And again, no warning lights until the power steering wen out. Ford said it was because my tires had low tread and I needed to replace my front tires, which we had them do. 8 months ago, the transfer case went out and had to be replaced also when placed in park vehicle shut off completely showing a low pressure oil lamp. Happened in my first engine now it's happening in this new one and its not 2yrs old yet just got the new engine may/ June of 2019. The first engine wasn't 10 years old. The first engine all this happened approximately between 2016 and 2019 ongoing until 2019 I guess the water pump gave up.O1 O1 2020 for the second engine on the same course as the first

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #464

Mar 102021

Explorer

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that at start up, the power assist fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the steering wheel stiffened requiring excessive force to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering resumed normal operation. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with an internal relay failure. The mechanic replaced the steering rack. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 57,000.

- North Haven, CT, USA

problem #463

Feb 262021

Explorer

  • 148,000 miles
Recall expired was also told warranty for recall expired(was told on phone they didn't know if warranty would cover until they run test it then was told it expired) in Feb I loss power steering and a cluster of lights came on dash. Happened in Feb but called and scheduled an appointment w Ford on 3/1 but they didn't have available opening until the following week we took it in and of course they say it's not covered. This is big safety issues and loss it in curve which was scary. I didn't purchase car until 2017 so never heard of recall and same dealer fixed another recall so why did they not fix this recall at that time or mention this.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #462

Feb 212021

Explorer

  • 151,147 miles
The truck was driving smoothly and I turned it off, ten minutes later the truck power steering was ridiculously though I could barely drive back home, still can't used the truck, called the dealership and told me that this truck does has a electrical power steering recall but the mileage was over 1000 miles of the miles thats in the recall system, couldn't imagine if that situation happened while I was on the highway it would've occurred an accident I dont think its fair that this models have a recall and the dealership are not doing nothing about it, I really need some help I have kids and I cannot endanger them by this mistake the fabricators done.

- Ceiba, PR, USA

problem #461

Feb 032021

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel failed to move. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the power steering module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #460

Jan 232021

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Power steering quit working as I was driving luckily no one was injured called Ford just out of recall window recall 15N01 car clearly under mileage since car has 80000 recall is within 150000miles but recall ended 1/16/2021 car is still defective I was not notified of recall when I purchased car

- Crestwood, KY, USA

problem #459

Jan 202021

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles
Power steering assist fault code is present and steering is almost impossible. This is already recall 14S06 however my 2011 Ford Explorer isn't included.

- Washington Court House, OH, USA

problem #458

Jan 182021

Explorer

  • 123,000 miles
Driving down the road and powersteering gets hard to turn and say power steering assist fault it has happened a number of times

- Titusville, FL, USA

problem #457

Jan 152021

Explorer

  • 168,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. After stopping and restarting the vehicle, the message service steering now was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #456

Nov 262020

Explorer

  • 169,573 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel was extremely hard to turn. The contact needed assistance to get the vehicle off the roadway. The service power steering, traction control and power steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to jimmy michel motors, Inc. (555 S elliott ave, Aurora, mo 65605, (417) 678-5001) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) and 14E001000 (steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was over the mileage and repairs were not covered. The failure mileage was 169,573.

- Springfield, MO, USA

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