Print this page

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:
69,142 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 12 of 32)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #409

Aug 312019

Explorer

  • 125,050 miles

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

Almost wrecked vehicle the other day. Out of no where, no control of steering/back end of car. Back end feels like driving on ice. Fishtailing and then whole car feels out of control. Wheels squeal when turning, changing lanes. Steering wheel cocked at 2 O'clock position. Drive over railroad tracks, bumps, cracks and back end sways out. Traction control on but isn't responding. Car with swerving lines behind shows on dashboard. I saw recall notice 19S17 for suspension issue. This seems to be what I am experiencing but my VIN# isn't listed. This is very dangerous, afraid to drive vehicle.

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #408

Jul 222019

Explorer

  • 99,000 miles
While driving and while just starting the vehicle, the power steering and terrain management systems ding loudly on the left side of the display while telling me I have an error. While driving, the power steering did go out briefly but came back.

- Bristow, VA, USA

problem #407

Aug 192019

Explorer

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While attempting to reverse from the driveway, the "power steering assist failure" message appeared on the message center. The contact turned off the vehicle and it restarted normally. The contact stated that the failure began approximately two months ago and was becoming more frequent. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Derby, KS, USA

problem #406

Aug 072018

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles

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

I lose power steering when I turn the car on and have to turn it off and back on to regain power steering. This has occurred multiple times throughout the last few years.

- Levittown, NY, USA

problem #405

Jul 282018

Explorer

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V435000 (suspension). While the contact's husband was driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal vibration and the steering wheel became stiff and inoperable. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. In addition, the "service power steering" and "service power steering assist" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to barnes-baker automotive (1406 Oklahoma ave, trenton, mo, (660) 359-4461) where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced and the steering unit needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

- Galt, MO, USA

problem #404

Aug 012019

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles
I started my car and tried to back up but it was like the power steering was out.I couldn't move the steering wheel and a warning came up, power steering assist unavailable. I turned the vehicle off and it worked. It happened to me 3 times yesterday and on the 3rd time it took several times of turning the vehicle on and off.

- Gatesville, TX, USA

problem #403

May 052019

Explorer

  • 820,000 miles

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

Right front axle/control arm failing (snapped cleanly in 2) 3 times within 2 years. First time may have been subsequent to low speed front end collision. Second & third times driving less than 25 mph with no collision until after hearing the snap & subsequent loss of steering. Second time failure occurred while accelerating from a full stop & turning left on a city street.third time I'd been driving straight approximately half a mile on a city street with speed no greater than 25 mph. Last two replacement/repair done by progressive insurance certified repair facility.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #402

Jun 022019

Explorer

  • 84,000 miles
I recently got the 2011 Ford Explorer.I keep getting this odor smell when I first start the car and accelerate.it lasts for 5 minutes, then it goes away. Also, I recently started getting this vibration through the gas pedal on highway speeds.the car will shake sometimes.when I brake from highway speeds, my car shakes.I have brought it to Ford twice and they charge me $2000 to replace parts, but the problem still persisted.other garage cant seem to figure out whats causing it.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #401

Jul 132019

Explorer

  • 125,000 miles
My 2011 Ford Explorer power steering stopped working and when I looked up the recalls I saw there are 6 recalls on the 2011 Ford Explorer. One of them is the power steering (14E001000) but when I called my Explorer is not part of that recall.

- Claremont, NC, USA

problem #400

Jun 032019

Explorer

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering seized occasionally and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact would have to turn the vehicle off and back on for it to resume normal operation. Lake keowee Ford (859 by pass, #123, seneca, SC 29678, (864) 888-3600) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall for the power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Seneca, SC, USA

problem #399

Mar 012019

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel seized in a position that made it difficult for the contact to maneuver the vehicle. Sentry Ford (4100 mystic valley pkwy, medford, MA 02155, (781) 395-6400) was contacted and stated that there were no recalls for the power steering; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #398

Jun 022019

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
While on the highway at about 80 mph the gauge cluster screens showed a 'power steering fault' and a 'traction control failure' error and it caused the steering wheel to stiffen up moving only about less than an inch, we pulled over to the side of the highway and shut off the car and then we turned the car back on and it started working just fine until the same exact scenario occurred for the second time. A few days before the power steering error and traction control error popped up on the gauge cluster at a red light, the steering was very stiff and allowed for limited movement. The power steering and traction control error occurred twice at stoplight and they both went away by turning on and off the car. All of this happened after we sent the car to a mechanic to get the power steering module checked and replaced after the car left us stranded as the power steering had previously failed entirely on us. This has been an ongoing issue with this car for about a 5 months and it's been an absolute headache!!!!

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #397

May 232019

Explorer

  • 190,475 miles
There was a recall 14E-001/13S14, they reset my computer did not replace the part which finally failed when I was driving making steering extremely difficult had I not been familiar with manual steering it could have caused a terrible accident. In order to fix the problem I had to replace the part that was part of the problem and the reset on computer which was the only thing done. This is a dangerous practice of quick fix to override the system to protect a bottom line not the buyers of Ford vehicles. Had they replaced the part instead of resetting my computer this would never of happened.

- Wilsonville, AL, USA

problem #396

Apr 252019

Explorer

  • 149,581 miles
"service power steering" warning light came on, code was for left steering control module. One week later, power steering was intermittent, then went out completely. Took in to Ford dealership, code for safety recall 15N01 came up, Ford dealership says my vehicle is covered under recall but Ford Motor Company refuses to fix, stating "no household loyalty", because I've not purchased a Ford brand new. When calling Ford about the issue, they say they "will stand behind the Ford dealerahip in their decision"; yet now that the dealership is ready to fix and waiting for the authorization code from fmc, fmc will not stand behind the dealerships decision.

- Morrison, IL, USA

problem #395

Jun 022019

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles
My 2011 Ford Explorer has about 140000 miles. Several times prior the power steering has gone out and have not been able to steer the car. This as occurred while the car is not moving. It was cleared by turning off the engine and restarting the car. Serramonte Ford dealership says are error codes found and the estimated cost will be over $2,300. The car is not drivable and I MA still making payments on this car as I purchased used from dealership about 2 yrs ago. This is a very dangerous and life threatening way to treat this problem. Why can't Ford take accountability of this pproblem since all of these complaints are piling up and not leave us to die with our families. Surely by now they must have some idea what the problem is and how to fix it. The problem as recall code of 14S06 & 14V-286 and not very many VIN#'s are being added to this same recall. Please Ford! help us from not dieing in your vehicles. Please! the average american cannot afford to repurchase cars when they defective. I am a single mother of 3 children and 2 with special needs. Please help us resolve this issue.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #394

May 072019

Explorer

  • 89,000 miles
My 2011 Ford Explorer has about 89000 miles on it. Twice recently the power steering has gone out and it has been impossible to steer the car. Both times this has been while the car is not moving. It was cleared by turning off the engine and restarting the car. The local Ford dealership says they can not find anything wrong and no error code was found. We were told to drive the car and if it happens again do not shut off the engine and call to have the car towed to the nearest Ford dealership. This seems like a very dangerous and life threatening way to treat this problem. Why can't Ford own up the problem since all of these complaints are piling up and not leave us consumers at such risk. Surely by now they must have some idea what the problem is and how to fix it.

- Valley Center, CA, USA

problem #393

Feb 212019

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
This vehicle was in for a recall for the electrical power steering. Recall was done on the vehicle in 2014 now in 2019 at 150,000 miles and again the same problem only this time it cost me $1,800 to get fix just to have the same problem recur 3 times. I also got into an accident. This is more than a safety issue and I notice a lot of people complaining about the same thing. When will Ford decided to address this issue!

- Morristown, NJ, USA

problem #392

Mar 262019

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. After the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) by basil Ford (1540 walden ave, buffalo, NY 14225, (716) 893-1000), the steering seized while driving 20 mph. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to West herr Ford (10 campbell blvd, getzville, NY 14068, (716) 688-5464). The vehicle was diagnosed, but the results were not disclosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

problem #391

Mar 202019

Explorer

  • 103,600 miles
While driving at 20 mph the car lost power stearing. This made the car very hard to drive at low speads. Was able to get the car to karl flammer Ford in tarpon springs fl. The service advisor told me to restart the car and sometimes the steering will be reset. That worked but no indication was given to me that this was a known problem. This is dangerous and I am sure they will properly address the situation when someone dies.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #390

Mar 162019

Explorer

  • 163,505 miles
Since Saturday, March 16, 2019 the "power steering assist fault" message comes on the dashboard screen every time I start the car (2011 Ford Explorer limited) and I am unable to steer the car. The car is parked in a garage. Previously, when this happened I was able to turn the car off and the fault would clear, however now the fault stays on after every restart and the steering wheel does not move.

- Washington, DC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?