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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.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
22,000 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. replace cooling fan & thermostat (7 reports)
2011 Ford Explorer cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #18

Oct 012015

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

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

Engine Coolant light. The fan assembly did not function and cool engine in hot weather conditions. Idling in traffic car overheats and fans do not operate to cool. Ford could not replicate the malfunction and then suggested replace the fan assembly and faulty switch and wanted to charge over 2k to do the work. No recall at all and many other 2011 Ford Explorer owners experienced the same issue and have complained.

- Mary P., Redwood City, CA, US

problem #17

Nov 092019

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

My 2011 Ford Explorer has once again proven to have an issue with the fans / engine cooling. While idling for about 20 minutes in traffic the car started to overheat, and the fans never came on. Coolant was bubbling out and smoke billowing out of the hood.

- Mary P., Redwood City, CA, US

problem #16

Jun 062014

Explorer XLT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,962 miles

I bought my car in 2011 brand new. After 2 years I noticed that my cars air condition is not working while I'm on parked while the engine is running. I thought its my air condition problem and sometimes it is working. It was working on and off basically. In Calgary we use more on heater than air condition because of the weather is more on cold .

Then on Summer 2014, we drove to Kelowna and was stuck in traffic, that's when my car overheated for the first time. The coolant was overflowing and smoke was coming out from the hood. That's when I was beginning to do my check on the fans if it is working and unfortunately it wasn’t.

I brought my car to the dealer and told me that the fan motor assembly needs to be replaced and will cost me over $700. I wasn’t happy about it because my warranty is valid only up to 3 years. I know the problem started in 2 years after I bought the car but only noticed the overheating when i got stuck in traffic.

Ford should have a recall on this car for this issue. I brought my car last time in Ford when they had a recall about the transmission because of too many complaints. Hopefully other costumers should voice out also there issues about the FAN MOTOR ASSEMBLY, if they have the same issue of overheating.

- canasal, Calgary, Alberta, canada

problem #15

Oct 112014

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

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

Purchased the 2011 Ford Explorer used in 2014, had less than 30,000 miles on it. While driving in stop and go traffic the Engine Cooling error light came or on, had to pull over on the side of the HWY. Fan never came on, thought that maybe it was out of coolant but wasn't the case, it had full coolant in it. Had to call and have it towed. This is not covered under my extended warranty as I was told by the local FORD dealership. Have to turn the A/C on when traveling in stop and go traffic so that the engine will cool and not overheat. When testing the car to see if it would malfunction again it had NO problems. Researched and found complaints about the same issue. Very Disappointed in the vehicle and how FORD will not address that this is a known defect.

- Mary P., Redwood City, CA, US

problem #14

Dec 062014

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,200 miles

Yet another engine cooling problem with my 2011 Ford Explorer. Second time this has happened. Only this time smoke under the hood , Engine cooling system error lights on dash and engine light on. Very disappointed as I had purchased this car used in 2014 and now have had same issue 2 times within the last 2 months. Have used all of my tow miles. FORD will not repair under my extended warranty and they say it is not a covered item ; fan system. Have read many complaints about the same issue.

- Mary P., Redwood City, CA, US

problem #13

Jul 172013

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,280 miles

Ford says it is not covered by warranty. Keep my receipt and if they do a recall they will reimburse me, in other words, yes we know there is a problem but at this point we will not stand behind our product. If enough people complain we will do something.

- John B., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #12

Apr 122013

Explorer XLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,067 miles

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

Vehicle overheated while driving at 30 MPH. Vehicle had 37K miles. Service center agreed, replaced cooling fan assemble and transferred cooling fan module to new fan assembly.

- Mark B., Lehi, UT, US

problem #11

Apr 252013

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I had the same thing happen to me. I had been driving for about 20 minutes, in slow moving traffic, when the red indicator light came on. I checked my display and saw that the engine was as hot as the display could read. I turned on the HEAT (as you're supposed to do) full blast and watched the temperature come down.

When I brought the car into the dealer, they initially implied that I should spend $185.00 to have the coolant flushed. My step-father, a mechanic, told me there's no way that would cause the engine to overheat, so I declined that service. I received a call about 20 minutes later indicating that I needed to have the cooling fan replaced. This was on a Friday and the part wasn't available until Monday!

I bought a new car so that I wouldn't have these problems and now I'm car-less for the weekend and have to try and get a ride to work for Monday. Total BS!

- Theresa V., West Babylon, NY, US

problem #10

Jun 182012

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,639 miles

You would think after buying a brand new vehicle it would run without overheating. I drove about an hour and after I pulled into the parking space, the coolant light went off. I popped the hood, and the fan wasn't running. I suspect the fan or the relay, but I will take it in in the morning to have it fixed.

- jblewis64, Enterprise, AL, US

problem #9

Mar 092012

Explorer Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,500 miles

Brand new top of the line Ford Explorer, the day was warm for early March - 60 degrees - sat in traffic for about 10 minutes and the annoying ding and red display of Engine Coolant overheating. Turned on A/C and it helped cool the engine. Smelled like a just blown out candle. Shut the car off while standing still. When I got moving again, it cooled off in about 4 blocks, but then the traffic started again and so did the red OVERHEATING display. Off goes the engine, really annoying with the wife and three dogs in the car going crazy with the smell of burnt candle wax.

Car is mostly driven on the highway, so the colling system is mostly cooled by the rushing air of 50-75 MPH. Car is inthe shop, let See what O'Meara Ford in Denver says.

- twolf3820, Denver, CO, US

problem #8

Jan 132012

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

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

I was driving up I-95 with my family when the engine overheated. I had 2 young kids in the car, we were 3 hours from home, and it was about 30 degrees outside (so you can imagine the look of panic on everyone's face when our car started smoking and we started pondering our fate). We pulled over to the side of the road and watched as the engine coolant and smoke bubbled out from the vehicle. After letting the vehicle cool (for approximately 30 minutes), I was able to start the car and drive it to the next gas station (approximately 1-2 miles). I purchased and added coolant/anti-freeze and was able to get my Explorer moving again. The engine light stayed on though. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was informed that the cooling fan was defective. I also have a transmission problem and some My Ford Touch/bluetooth issues. Needless to say, I can't believe that after only 8,000 miles I am having these kinds of problems. Come on Ford - this is my first Ford and I was really hoping for the best. At least the dealership has been responsive so far and is trying to address the problems as they pop up.

- Justin H., Silver Spring, MD, US

problem #7

Dec 162011

Explorer Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

A/C quit and overheat light came on - dealer replaced the fan motor

- lhardware, Wilkesboro, NC, US

problem #6

Nov 272011

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

I was traveling North on I-95 from Tampa, Fl to New York City on 11/27/11. I had two children, my dog and three adults in my new explorer. When we were left than half way through Virginia, I felt tremendous heat coming from under my feet and from the vents when all of a sudden I get a beeping sound and a temperature overheating message. Of course, I panicked. I called Roadside Assistance and all we get is a tow truck, which does not help my situation (stranded 6hrs away from home in the middle of nowhere). I called my Ford dealer and all I got was an "I'm sorry" - no help from them. The option I was given was to rent a car to get back home (are you kidding me????) I'm in the middle of I-95 with nothing around me...nice!. After about 40 mins, I drove my car off of the highway and found a gas station about 1 mile away, where I bought anti-freeze. The first time around, I drove about 10 miles. When I opened the hood, it was all gone and then I put a second round of anti-freeze, drove about 20 miles and checked it again and it was fine. However, it had the check engine light on. I took my chances and drove the car to NYC. I called my dealership and they asked me to bring it in. According to them, they have not heard about overheating problems on this vehicle ---right...I had the Ford Edge before this car and I loved it. Never gave me problems. Ford needs to get its act together. I'm very upset about the incident. I didn't think the customer service was good by any means. There was no solution provided while on I-95.

- Becky P., New York, NY, US

problem #5

Jul 232011

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

we were at idle sittinjg for about 10 minutes when we overheated and lost coolant - towed to dealership for repairs. they replaced the cooling fan and thermostat.

- sawgrass4846, Leesburg, FL, US

problem #4

Apr 122011

Explorer Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

click to see larger images

engine overheating

This is for you, Granny.

I was taking my grandma to the doctor to have her breats removed, when the little orange window in the picture popped up. Shocked since the car was brand new, I finished the 2-hour-drive to the doctor and called a mechanic to come and get it. They took it to the dealer where they said that the computer inside says that this never happened so they cant do anything. Good thing I snapped a pic, huh? They decided that maybe there WAS a problem and replaced my fluids. My grandpa traded the POS in for a Toyota Highlander and loves it soooo much more. They should've gone with what I reccommended in the first place.

My grandma's surgery went fine, and she is doing well. :)

- toyotaxpert, Nash, TX, US

problem #3

Jul 072011

Explorer Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,700 miles

About a week ago I noticed the A/C was blowing warm when the vehicle was idling. Then today after driving the car for about 20 miles, I stopped to get gas. When I started the car, it gave an coolant temp high warning. Luckily my house was close by and I was able to drive home. Taking it in tomorrow to Ford.

Car is 2 month old with 2700 miles. Perils of being an early adopter?

- esadanand, Rockville, MD, US

problem #2

Jun 282011

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,500 miles

Car idled for 15 minutes at burger king. Outside temp was 71 degrees. Ac set on 69. High temp warning light comes on. Notice AC is putting out hot air. Turn off car to cool down for 30 minutes. Drive home OK but have no confidence in car. Call Bill Pierre Ford to schedule immediate service. They say they are booked solid for one week. I tell them I can't drive a car when the temp light comes on and it is not hot out. They say that's all they have. I tell them I am dropping the car off and they can call me when they get around to fixing it. Suddenly, they can work on it in 24 hours.

- Dean S., Woodinville, WA, US

problem #1

May 042011

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

click to see larger images

engine overheating

First off I would like to start by saying I have owned 6 fords new and used and have never had a problem in the past, however I now have a family and we were in need of a family vehicle. No doubt about it I was going to choose Ford but little did i expect that with only 2700 miles the vehicle was going to die in the middle of the road with my three children on board, one only 1month old. I am willing to forgive something of this nature considering Ford can get it together so that I do not encounter something of this nature again. I myself was not in the vechile when this incident accured my wife and kids where and it defenitly scared them. As far as i understand the a/c began blowing warm at an idle at this point she called me and I began setting an apointment up at the dealer and within the time it took me to dial the number and begin setting the apointment up she called again and let me know that the temp warning light was coming on in the dash, and again no sooner than telling me that the Explorer began sputtering and trying to die, at this point she killed the engine and when she did the front of the vehicle was engulfed in steam from the coolant system dumping ever drop of anti-freeze it had.

I will say that Ford has taken care of us while the vehicle is in the shop but it is still a very big inconvienence since we have three children all in care seats trying to squeeze into an escape (kind of looks like a can of sardines running down the highway.) just praying that my brand will get this worked out because I have been a Ford guy since the day I could walk and im not really wanting to have my mind changed.

- wemartindale, Marshall, TX, US

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