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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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,788 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #71

Apr 252019

Explorer

  • 149,581 miles

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

"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 #70

Jul 202018

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
When we take a drive in our Ford Explorer- our children are getting nausea and vomiting. This has become a constant problem-even on short drives of 30 minutes or less. They complain of headaches as well. We have had to go to the doctors just to get anti nausea medicine hoping it would help, but- it hasn't. there is an emissions problem with our vehicle that is causing major sickness with our young children- ages 11, 8, 7 and 2.

- Bennington, VT, USA

problem #69

Mar 242019

Explorer

  • 89,290 miles
Car turned off as I was slowing down for a traffic light. Panel read " no power to engine" or something to the effect. Was not able to take a photo of panel due to I was caught in traffic with cars behind me.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #68

Dec 092018

Explorer

  • 83,000 miles

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

I have leaks through the seat belts on my third row. My car has a mildew odor from these so it has been happening for a while. I had carmax fix a leak that I noticed in 2016 but now 2 yeats later it is really bad. I looked up online possinle fixes and fou D hundreds of owners with the same issue and no fix. Ford is very difficult to deal with for the repair. Pleas look into this faulty issue and require a welding fix on the seems by Ford. Seems all information I have found with the issue is with the new Explorer body starting with my 2011 year. Leak occurs qhen it rained or when car is washed. It is so much water that we currently can not use the third row seatong as a seat. It is constantly wet.

- Ponte Vedra Bch, FL, USA

problem #67

Oct 262018

Explorer

  • 71,240 miles
I was turning out of my alley and the car had no power. When I tried to accelerate nothing happened. I had an orange warning light with a wrench come on the dashboard. I turned the car off and then back on and there was no warning light and no issue with the acceleration. Dealership couldn't find a problem but this issue is all over the internet and there is a recall for it but not for my VIN number or year.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #66

Sep 282018

Explorer

  • miles
Sync 2 problema el radio SE friza los mapas tardan en abrir el la cmara de reversa SE enciende corriendo funciona algunas veces Y otras no el radio SE apaga Y SE enciende a menudo sin razn alguna.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #65

Oct 032018

Explorer

  • 5 miles

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

Inside of car fills up with exhaust fumes when driving

- Roscoe, IL, USA

problem #64

May 012018

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
My vehicle produces unbearable smell that gets inside the cabin whenever the RPM reaches 3500 and higher and if the vehicle is in low gear and driving up hill and also when vehicle is idle and you rave up the ngine. The smell that gets inside the cabin could make one pass out unless we roll down the windows completely to let a lot of fresh air inside. I went the dealership which I bought the vehicle from the first month and they inspected the car and got back to me that this issue has been already resolved before I had bought the car and its fixed already but its not I've driving the car now for about 5 months and very cautious with it as whenever the incident happens I feel very dizzy by that smell. So the issue never been fixed as my VIN number does not have a recale when I checked it on the NHTSA amd in order for the issue to be fixed bin has to be recaled like other similar Explorer with the same issue. Most of the older modes of police interceptors Explorer had recalls for same issue. Someone please advice me on how I can go ablut this to get some resolution.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #63

Apr 012017

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
Often when I accelerate quickly, and every time I accelerate when going up hill there is a horrific smell from the exhaust and it fills the inside of the car. This has been going on since I bought the car in the beginning of 2017, and still occurs to today (8/13/18).

- Rockland, ME, USA

problem #62

Jun 302018

Explorer

  • miles
While driving I 77 North (mooresville nc to the back side of stone mountain nc) with the air condition on, I started smelling gas fumes coming through the air vents. My son also smelled the gas fumes. We had to turn the ac off and travel with open windows.. the vehicle was parked while we were on vacation. I didn't smell the fumes as we were returning home but also rode with the widows down a bit as well. I however noticed that while I was not driving the vehicle for several days, that my headache was not with me. I have not used the air condition since I have arrived back in town. I have not felt good for months and had a constant headache, blaming it on stress but now feel that it is a strong possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by my vehicle. I will be calling a dealership to inquire if there is a possible problem and hope to get it fixed.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #61

May 302018

Explorer

  • 87,000 miles

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

The Explorer was put into park and left running in the driveway as I went into the house to get my kids. When I got out of the car it didn't move at all. While I was getting my kids together I happen to look up and see my Explorer crashed into a tree in the backyard. I went out to see what happened and the Explorer had gone up a slightly inclined driveway, down a hill, through and aluminum fence, and crashed into a tree. When I opened the driver door the gear shifter still showed in park.

- Gardner, KS, USA

problem #60

Apr 102018

Explorer

  • miles
I have leaks in my rear cargo area that are elusive but my dealer has been working on resolving the issue. During rainy weather I find water in the rear of my cargo area.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #59

Apr 292018

Explorer

  • 94,500 miles
My wife and I bought our Explorer less than a week ago and we smell a really bad rotten egg smell, sulfur, carbon monoxide smell in the vehicle badly. We smell it when parked, idling at a stop, accelerating and cruising down the road, so basically in all aspects of driving we smell it. This is very unhealthy for all of us to be breathing this in ecspecially operating a moving vehicle at the rate of speeds upwards to 70mph and having something happen to us while driving. I've seen news articles of police even crashing and civilians because they black out or pass out because of the strong smell. Its's so bad it's been giving my wife and I headaches. We have a 1 year old son that rides with us and I can't imagine that's good for him to be breathing in. We have teaches our destinations with very bad headaches. We have researched after we purchased the vehicle and found it's a big problem with all Explorer 2011-2015. This is unacceptable and I will not be driving this car until it's fixed because I'm not risking my life and certainly won't be letting my son be exposed to it. Ford needs to recall and fix this issue. We bought this vehicle because it was a top rated used SUV to buy for our growing family. Please contact me about this issue because this needs to be taken care of asap.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #58

Feb 092018

Explorer

  • 174,000 miles
Ford Explorer carbon monoxide. When driving car for over 15 mins at a time the cabin fills with a rotten egg smell and causes a severe migraine. If you do not turn ac/heat off and roll down the windows you will become lightheaded and dizzy. Kids complain of becoming very sleepy when in the car and the air or heat is on. We have to consistently drive with the windows down to insure that we are not being poisoned with CO2. I have taken my Explorer in twice now and have been told both times after extensive testing that there is nothing wrong with my car. It does not matter whether you are driving on a highway, city street, or sitting still if you are in the vehicle for more than 15 minutes the CO2 starts up if the air or heat is on.

- Princeton, NC, USA

problem #57

Aug 272016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Always got tired when I drove the vehicle. I never felt completely alert when I drove it. I wouldn't take my grandchild anywhere with me in that vehicle because I didn't feel comfortable or safe driving in it with others. One day I got really light headed and the next thing I knew is I wrecked the vehicle into the side of an over pass wall at 35 mph. I no longer have the vehicle, but I never knew why it happened. Did the vehicle have a cabin monoxide leak? when I had the accident I was so out of it that I thought a car was beside me or something. All I know is I never felt safe driving it with the way it made me feel...updated 12/13/17

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

problem #56

Oct 242017

Explorer

  • 87,500 miles
While driving the SUV, an orange wrench error came on the dash board. Then the SUV had no acceleration. I was able to coast to the side of the road, turn off the SUV and turn it back on. After restarting the engine, the SUV had acceleration, but this error and no acceleration keeps happening. I have been told this is an electronic throttle body issue that Ford is aware of, but doesn't have a recall listed for this issue for my truck.

- Boyle, MS, USA

problem #55

Feb 202017

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
Car has nauseating smell when air conditioner/heater is on. Air conditioner overhauled at my expense July 26, 2017. Smell remains, although slightly better at times. Smell is a cross between burned rope/urine-type smell. If driving all day, or long distances, I get a headache. Please respond

- Oxford, OH, USA

problem #54

Apr 032017

Explorer

  • 0 miles
2011 Ford Explorer exhaust leak everytime I go 60 or 70 mile perhour exhaust smell inside the car

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #53

Dec 012016

Explorer

  • miles
Exhaust fumes coming into the cabin while in motion. I noticed this issue when we bought the car in 2015. I complained to Ford in December 2016 and was told that I have to pay to have the hoses rerouted so that the exhaust fumes don't come into the cabin. I called Ford again today and once again they told me I had to pay to fix this issue. I drive with my windows cracked or opened due to my concern of the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning while driving the car by myself or with my children as passengers.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #52

Apr 152011

Explorer

  • miles
2011 Ford Explorer that I bought new in 03/2011 and that has an issue about the airbag light being on and off at the very first month of the car purchase it has been constantly checked and fixed for free within the time warranty. Then I have to come and pay almost every year to fix the airbag light.

- Hernadon, VA, USA

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