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.
Loss of power steering while driving some Explorer 2011-12 were recalled. Mine was not, however it has been determined to be the steering gear and the safety issue of concern. In retrospect why was mine not recalled. This occurred while my wife was driving on the expressway. The vehicle is now at the dealership waiting for parts. Repair estimate is $2000.
When I was driving I came to a stop sign. I proceeded to make a right turn, that's when the SUV shut off and the steering wheel became hard to control simultaneously. I stopped in the middle of the road, turned the key to the off position and re-started the SUV again. None of my warning lights in the dashboard are displayed. This issue has happened to my spouse and I on at least 5 other occasions. I am very alarmed that if we're driving in traffic and this occurs again, which it will, it may cause a collision injuring drivers and passengers. I have researched this dilemma on the internet and it appears alot of Ford Explorer owners are having this same problem. I ask that you put pressure on Ford to solve this problem. Many Ford Explorer owners are at risk of serious injury or death.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. When the contact attempted to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist fault warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,826.
"power steering assist fault" I was driving and attempting to turn and the message "power steering assist fault" came on the steering wheel locked and would not turn at all I was able to reverse back into a parking space avoiding the danger of all the passing cars and pedestrians around
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering lost power and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The dealer was contacted (tropical Ford in orlando, fl) and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the shop for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the failure occurred earlier in the year and was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000.
I've reported to a local Ford dealership that when I turn my car on, an alarm alert sounds and I get a warning light that says, power steering assist fault and I can't move my steering wheel. I have to re-start my car 1-5 times for it to start working. This is a major safety issue and a liability. I took it to Ford and they said they couldn't pull a code. However literally an hour after picking up my car, I got the warning again and I took a picture of it with mileage showing to show it happened after. They charged me $100 to be told my car is fine. It is not. Since taking it in, my rear view camera will now not work. I have made Ford aware of this steering issue and want it fixed immediately. Clearly the recall did not accurately hit all VIN numbers. This has happened at least 10 times in past 6-8 months.
I waa driving to work and all of a sudden warning messages appeared to service power steering assist fault, service terrain management system fault, service advance trac. I completely lost control of turning the wheel and my turning signals completely stopped working. I was barely able to pull over to the side which is very dangerous. Car had to be towed to shop and now I'm out of a car. Very stressful as I need a car to move around.
Having problems with the epas steering. Will get a warning that that says "electronic power assist failure". this has happened before and the dealer di a software update. Thought it was repaired, but it is happening again. This is a very dangerous situation when it happens because you have no notice. All of a sudden the power steering goes in manual mode and it is very difficult to steer. Especially when its my wife's vehicle. It almost caused her to have an accident while trying to turn on to another road, almost hitting other vehicles. I have since found that Ford is having a lot of problems with this on other vehicles. My vehicle should be included in the recall.
14S06 replace steering rack assembly! update the power steering control module (pscm) software! my family was in this vehicle when the steering failed. This needs to be corrected immediately! news: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles; power steering gear report receipt date: May 29, 2014 NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 component(s): Power steering gear potential number of units affected: 179,027 June 2014 -- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering control module (pscm) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by July 25, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles; power steering gear report receipt date: May 29, 2014 NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 component(s): Power steering gear Ford does not have all VIN numbers impacted by this recall listed. I had to demand the dealer to check again. Please get word out so that there is no injury or loss of life due to this steering issue!!!!!!!
Turning from highway to subdivision, power steering went out which caused me to almost run into another vehicle who was turning onto the highway. This has been a known issue with my truck's make and model and perhaps the issue was larger than originally thought since clearly this issue effects me and it nearly caused an accident.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and repaired. However, while the contact's wife was driving 25 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. As a result, the driver lost control and the vehicle veered into the next lane. The steering failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that it had already been repaired and that the contact would have to pay for any further repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer and pay for the repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 06/29/17
April 30, 2017, when starting my Explorer I was notified by the onboard notification system that the steering power assist had failed. Next message stated the advance track system had also failed. Sure enough the power steering was nonexistent. Drove it home and found the care undriveable for most people due to the force required at the wheel to negotiate a typical right or left turn at 20 mph.....!!!!! the problem was fixed according to the Ford house in 2014 so they are unwilling to assume anymore responsibility for the fix. This is problematic due to the widespread experience of Ford owners across America who now face ridiculous costs all for the same problem that will come again in 3-4 years ($1700+). the real problem here is the system might just fail at just the wrong time and send you and your family over the side of the mountain road or across the lane into that embankment! super. Time for Ford to step up!
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred multiple times and operated as normal after being restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E001000 (steering) or 14V286000 (steering). The failure mileage was 120,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Camden, NJ, USA