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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 13 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #415

Oct 012018

Explorer

  • 79,000 miles

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

I have had this truck for ruffly 3yrs. When I first bought the car something was wrong with it immediately.... I was driving to the mail box after getting home from about a 30min trip. The whole car cut off lights were dim in the car, steering had locked very hard to turn... automax in killeen took the car in for service. Had the new purchased truck for a month and 2 days. Their service team told me it was the battery. I felt other wise and no longer wanted the car. But of course by this time all paperwork had went through to the bank......drove the truck fine for about 8months, then broke down the same way as the very first time but on a bridge this time...... this time around I was told it was the engine, got a second opinion, said person said water pump. I fixed the water pump. Now guess what"?? its actually the engine.... I am blown away by how many problems I have had with this Ford Explorer..... I thought I was making a great purchase going with a Ford. This truck sat in the driveway for a year while in nursing school..... I am lost and at my wits end..... when I look for recalls all I am seeing is suspension issues or towing.... when I talk to mechanics they say these models are know for bad engines, thus is another reason why the 2011 Ford Explorer engines are more expensive..... I am looking for help. Has anyone else had these same issues. I owe 14000 still on this truck and how could it need a new engine already"

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #414

Sep 262019

Explorer

  • 156,000 miles
Power steering has previously been recalled, software was updated but then ultimately power steering failed, Ford sent out supplemental recall and extended warranty to repair steering issues yet that is disregarded after 10yrs or 150,000 miles whichever comes first for the vehicle. I, like many, experienced failure after 150,000 miles, 156K to be exact. It's pathetic that Ford will not back their own vehicles past 150,000 miles. Aside from the steering failure our current 2011 Explorer looks brand new, it's a shame that Ford turns their backs to you and lays the repair cost on the consumer knowing that it has been an ongoing issue for some time. I spoke with Ford customer service to no avail, they will not do anything for you past 150,000. Sadly this is my wife's vehicle that Transport our kids. Ford knowingly puts consumers in danger by not honoring their recalls or extending them for the lifetime that the vehicle is in use. Even after the first software update they performed on the car the power steering would not turn on here and there, eventually it stopped turning on entirely. Ford is not built tough like they preach, they are built poorly and their backs are turn towards the consumers when issues arise. Such a frustrating experience.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #413

Sep 252019

Explorer

  • 159,754 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and 'repair power steering now' illuminated on the instrument panel. Chastang Ford (6200 N loop E fwy, houston, tx 77026, (832) 460-5343) was contacted and stated that the warranty was expired due to mileage. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,754.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #412

Sep 222019

Explorer

  • 113,903 miles

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

We had just got to church's and after we were done and walked to the parking lot where our vehicle was parked the steering power assistance fault (in spanish) warning pop up and the steering wheel became super stiff/hard to moved my husband tried to turn the vehicle on and off several times but nothing we had to tow our vehicle home and now it's useless. This warning message pops up every now and then and by just turning the car off/on a couple of times it goes away but this time it didn't. please fix this

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #411

Sep 162019

Explorer

  • 61,359 miles
Driving 25 to 30 mph when the steering wheel became difficult to turn, .call dealer Ford al piemonte and make and appointment but they say is not a recall, they didn't repaired as yet.( what can I do?) in melrose park Illinois. I took this truck for a recall in 2017 for the same problem and at that time they fix it not this tme.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #410

Sep 122019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 191,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault and service advancetrac warning indicators illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and on multiple times, but the steering failure continued. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called bluebonnet Ford Lincoln (located at 351 N interstate 35 frontage rd, new braunfels, tx 78130, (830) 606-8011) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000. Consumer stated no recall under her VIN#. advised to make a report to get Ford to pay due to malfunction of a power steering. Vehicle is sitting in driveway.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

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
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

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

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
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
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

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