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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:
69,142 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.

2011 Ford Explorer steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 10 of 32)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #449

Nov 232020

Explorer

  • 89,000 miles

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

The steering wheel locked up when my mom started the vehicle and tried to back up. Took it to Ford they said a recall was out on this but Ford is not covering it.

- Colora, MD, USA

problem #448

Nov 212020

Explorer

  • miles
Driveing on rt 53 in addison il at 45 mph total loss of steering

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #447

Nov 192020

Explorer

  • 187,000 miles
Making right turn at traffic aignal, 8:30 am S/w/C anthem way & daisy mountain anthem as 85086 loss power steering. Warning light came on stating power steering assistance loss

- New River, AZ, USA

problem #446

Nov 122020

Explorer

  • 193,000 miles

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

My power steering totally went out. It kept saying power steering fault and just stopped working. Then it started saying something about trac terrain fault or something. I've only had this car since 2018 and then found out today there was a recall on them for power steering. We bought our car in Oklahoma and now live in Alabama. The power steering has been weird on me before but turning off the car and restarting it would fix it, but it has went out saying fault while I was going around a turn and I had to brake quickly, throw on my hazards, turn off the car and restart it. But now nothing is fixing it, I had to tow it to my house from an hour away because I was stuck at work at 1am. I am the only person in my family able to work and work about 52hours a week and don't know I can afford to fix this issue that apparently was known but not fixed in my vehicle before it was sold to me (not your fault, the delearships fault, but they are 10 hours away...)

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #445

Nov 032020

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles
As I was in motion driving my service power steering light came on and about 30 seconds later I lost all power steering causing my vehicle to swerve to the left. I was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle ihas has this issue of loosing power steering in the past August of 2019 and the power steering rack was replaced February of 2018. I have taken my vehicle into the local Ford dealership in 2019 and was advised it needed a new power steering rack at my cost! I have since had this issue again November 3rd. I have contacted Ford and the dealership in 2019 created a fraud claim for reprograming the climate control module nothing with the issue that I initially brought in with. Im scared for the safety of my family in this vehicle and the unethical claim barnes baker automotive of trenton, mo has claimed. My vehicle is not safe to drive at this time and I have concerns that the suspension recall has even been preformed. The recall for the power steering has been performed but, is an ongoing problem for my vehicle. Ford is claiming this is not a recall related issue which this vehicle has had a ongoing P[roblem with the power steering locking up. This almost caused an accident!

- Galt, MO, USA

problem #444

Jun 012020

Explorer

  • 77,022 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving in driveway at low speeds, the steering wheel was firm and hard to turn however, after shifting to park and restarting the vehicle, the steering worked as designed. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact called family Ford, Inc., (30 NJ-183, netcong, NJ 07857, (973) 347-3000) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The failure mileage was 77,022.

- Blairstown, NJ, USA

problem #443

Nov 012020

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles

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

Power stressing went out along with warning notices of select track service required

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #442

Oct 162020

Explorer

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to al packer Ford royal palm beach located at 10601 southern blvd, royal palm beach, fl 3341, (561) 790-1100, where it was diagnosed with needing steering box to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Loxahatchee, FL, USA

problem #441

Jun 172020

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel seized with the service advance trac warning light illuminated. The contact regained control of the steering wheel and veer to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact turned the vehicle around and drove back to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rack and pinon failed and needed to be replaced. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Okolona, MS, USA

problem #440

Jun 162020

Explorer

  • miles
Terrain management and service trac light is on and my steering wheel is unable to turn

- Okolona, MS, USA

problem #439

Sep 072020

Explorer

  • 132,000 miles

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

The steering is knocking when turning when stationary and when in motion. The steering locks in mid turn while in motion.

- Silverdale, PA, USA

problem #438

Aug 202020

Explorer

  • 151,000 miles
I was getting ready to leave work and I put my car in reverse that's when my power steering assist malfunctioned. It has done that before and I would just put it in park shut it off then restart it and it would be fine. I've talked to my local dealership about getting it fixed because it's a recall only for them to tell me that it's a closed recall. And they didn't tell me that before I brought it in and they're wanting me to pay $77 for the diagnostics test now.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #437

Aug 302020

Explorer

  • 137,000 miles
Power steering failed for the second time in 4 years

- Sharon, CT, USA

problem #436

Aug 072020

Explorer

  • 46,800 miles
Was backing out of a parking space when I couldn't turn the wheel and had the power steering assist fault alert come on the dashboard.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #435

Jul 082020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 157,000 miles
The steering failed with associated steering fail message while make a low speed turn making it very difficult to control the vehicle.I delivered the vehicle to the dealer as I discovered there was an open recall (14S06 & 15N01) on it for this problem. The dealer stated that although my vehicle VIN was subject to these recalls, Ford denied the recall coverage as the mileage exceeded program terms by 7,000 miles. Further review of Ford letter to dealers dated May 17, 2019, the letter stated that the repair would be covered "regardless of mileage or warranty. This was stated in supplement #3 to the safety recall 14S06.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #434

Jul 142020

Explorer

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle loss power steering assist and became difficult to steer. The contact the service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. Sterling mccall Ford located at 6445 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77074, (281) 588-5000, was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #433

Jul 112020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Vehicle turns off automatically while in motion. Complete shut off

- Pearsall, TX, USA

problem #432

Jan 172020

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles
There is currently a recall for Ford explores 2011-2013. The recall is listed as 14S06. I was told by for customer service that my VIN number is not covered in that recall. I would like to appeal that. In January 2020 my power steering failed and my vehicle had to be towed to a shop and the steering rack and assembly had to be replaced. This cost about 3K in out of pocket costs for me to repair. Less then 3 months later my power steering failed again. This resulted in my vehicle having to be towed to the shop again I was then told that the power steering control module needed to be updated and it was another almost $400 for them to update the module. All of the above issues are the same issues listed in the recall under 14S06. The only issue is my VIN number is not associated with the recall. I'd like to appeal the decision that did not include my vehicle in the VIN listing for this recall.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #431

May 132020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 161,000 miles
When turn car on power steering fault light comes on and I can not turn steering wheel. Like it is locked up. Try numerous times by turning car off and nothing changes. I was in my work parking lot trying to back out of a parking lot when it happened.

- Danville, IL, USA

problem #430

Apr 142020

Explorer

  • 165,980 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 8 mph, the vehicle loss power steering assist without warning. The contact turned off the vehicle, and when restarted the power steering fault message illuminated. The vehicle was driven to murray Ford of kingsland (2030 ga-40, kingsland, ga 31548). The contact was informed that the failure was previously covered under a customer satisfaction program however, the mileage was exceeded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,980.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

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