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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.

7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$20
Average Mileage:
37,600 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. seal gap (1 reports)
2011 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #7

Jun 022014

Explorer ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

water leaks into interior water leaks into interior water leaks into interior

The problem first happened while living in North Carolina. I was able to get a case number with Melinda the Ford Rep CAS 6225309-W4N2M2. Melinda would NOT return my calls. My car visited Lafayette Ford in Fayetteville NC every few months for the same problem over and over again with the water leak. They kept trying to fix the problem, would send it to Joe at their body shop and return it to me. It rains A LOT in North Carolina. The problem did not get fully fixed.

I moved across the country to Utah and while going through a very negative divorce could not bring the vehicle into the Ford shop right away. I had my car serviced by Larry H Miller Super Ford in November, paid to have this fixed since it was out of warranty and then brought the Explorer back again in April for the same. exact. problem.

Now its happening again and I placed a call to Customer service to help get this resolved. I'm all about a class action suit to be filed. My email is megrizley@gmail.com Lets get this problem resolved!!

Thanks

- Megan R., Salt Lake City, UT, US

problem #6

Jun 082017

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,200 miles

2011 Ford Explorer Limited, Spare Tire Compartment Fills with Water, Rear Back Up Camera Stopped Working and Power Lift Gate Stopped Working all at one Time, How is water getting in and why is it affecting the power lift gate and camera which is mounted on the lift gate.

I just pulled the drain plugs out of the spare tire area to drain more than 5 gallons of water.

- Jeffrey D., Lima, US

problem #5

Dec 012016

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I purchased my Used Ford, Explorer 2011 Limited on January 3, 2016. I live in California so there hasn't been any rain until Dec 2016. I found a water leak in the 3rd row seat belt hole on the passenger side. It's a big leak. I had it at a shop for 7 days and they could not find the problem. They thought it was the sunroof, where they sealed it shut so I didn't have more damage, but that did not do the trick whatsoever. The dealership where I bought the car from said that it looks like we need to get you in another vehicle. That of course will cost me a lot more money. I am at a loss of what to do.

- Tina C., Marina, CA, US

problem #4

Sep 162013

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,100 miles

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

I bought my 2011 Explorer used from the local Ford dealer. Just days after having the car I noticed the rear carpet was wet and noticed water dripping through from the left seat belt in the 3rd row seating. I took it back to the dealer to get it checked and repaired since it was under warranty. Got it back, but was still leaking. So I checked it myself, and found that there was a gap around the left rear gate hinge. So I took it upon myself to do the job and sealed it with black roofing rubber paint. It did the job!

- samitioata, Pago Pago, AS, American Samoa

problem #3

Sep 112012

Explorer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

look for this problem in your explorers. it is happening to several people i have met with this car

- Kevin R., Columbia Station, OH, US

problem #2

Nov 032011

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

We bought our vehicle last year and have had problem after problem with it. We first had the passenger side window sticking when using the power fold mirrors, which was fixed and do not have a problem with now. Then we found that the passenger side at the third row had a significant amount of water coming in when it rained. This caused rust to the third row mounting arms. The dealership said they fixed the problem, which was obvious that they spray painted over the rust. When we picked up the vehicle the interior smelled like spray paint. That leak stopped ( I think). Now there is water coming in on the driver side at the third row. We took the Explorer in and they said that they sprayed water on it for an hour and did not find any problems and to try to find where it's leaking ourselves and bring it in to show them. We have also noticed that the transmission seems to be slipping at times and shifts slowly, especially when coming down a hill. This vehicle has so much potential and we hope we just got a bad vehicle and that no one is having the same problems that we are.

- Anthony M., Shermans Dale, PA, US

problem #1

Oct 312011

Explorer Explorer 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,660 miles

the bus takes 28 days in a workshop Ford. when it rains it gets water. and go 28 days, three times dismantled and 2 tinsmiths and is not fixed.

- axelr, Arecibo, PR, Puerto Rico

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