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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 11 of 32)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #429

Apr 032020

Explorer

  • 93,000 miles

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

Power unit assist fault. Power steering failed with my wife driving and she was lucky to not have an accident. I found that there is a recall that was issued for this year and model but for some reason our vehicle is not included in this recall. It is the exact issue as specifed in the recall. My wife was driving on back from the store when this failed. She was able to pull off the road with some effort and noticed the fault light on the dash. She called me and I told her to stop and restart the car. She did but the fault still shows. The car is almost impossible to drive in this condition and a safety hazard.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #428

Feb 032020

Explorer

  • 12 miles
Lack of power steering assist, the steering effort is greater, especially at low speeds. After an appointment (for recall) the vehicle is complete lack. The vehicle was not repaired and not drivable and they're asking for 5.0 hours of diagnostic.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #427

Jan 052020

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55mph, unknown warning lights illuminated and the power steering failed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle safely home. The contact scheduled a diagnostic appointment at a dealer (finley motors 942 3rd St SE, mayville, nd 58257). The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 170,000.

- Sharon, ND, USA

problem #426

Dec 312019

Explorer

  • 122,000 miles

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

Experienced loss of electric power steering assist while driving on winding mountain road within 11 months of having recall 14S06 performed on vehicle. Was informed by Ford service that cause was failure of part replaced to resolve recall 14S06.

- Woodland Park, CO, USA

problem #425

Dec 302019

Explorer

  • 190,000 miles
We've had our 2011 Ford Explorer for less than a year. We bought it used with approximately 130,000 miles on it, it now currently has approximately 190,000 miles. We were about to leave our house, so the Explorer was stationary at the time. I started it up and immediately an error popped up on the dash for "power steering fault" and "advancetrac" warning. I attempted to drive the vehicle, but without power steering I would be putting my family and myself in danger. Luckily this happened while the vehicle was stationary. If my wife were out driving and this happened, it could have been very bad for her and my kids. We set up an appointment the Ford dealership in our town, they found that the power steering rack needed to be replaced and told us that it would cost ~$2100. I told them it should be covered because of a recall I found online for this problem. They told me to call Ford customer service. My wife called and they told her there was nothing they could do. I proceeded to call back the Ford customer service and spoke to a rep. After getting the run around he finally gave me a case number to give to the Ford dealership, expressing that this would be fully covered under a field service action #: 15N01 for epas steerring efforts, with no cost to me. I gave the case number to the Ford service rep. Today I get a call back that the case number is declined by Ford because our vehicle has over 150,000 miles on it. We never got a recall notice in the mail or a call from Ford mentioning the recall before the 150,000 mile deadline. We've had this vehicle for less than a year and still owe $8000 on it, and Ford wants $2100 to repair a part that they knew was a common problem.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #424

Dec 232019

Explorer

  • 153,494 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 55 mph, the power steering assist fault warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was powered off and restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called bedford Ford Lincoln (6985 Lincoln hwy, bedford, pa 15522, (814) 623-8154) and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,494.

- Claysburg, PA, USA

problem #423

Dec 192019

Explorer

  • 175,000 miles

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

Power steering quit working. Vehicle console displayed 'power steering assist fault'. Ford dealership would not repair since our vehicle was over 150,000 miles. Mileage was 175,000 when it stopped working.

- Pelham, AL, USA

problem #422

Nov 072016

Explorer

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to jones Ford casa grande (1932 N pinal ave, casa grande, AZ 85122, (520) 836-3100) where it was diagnosed that the engine block was mixing with the oil. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the power steering was locking consistently, and the interlock and advancetrac warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and was repaired again. The contact stated that the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where the gears and alignment were reset. The contact also mentioned that the check engine warning indicator continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The contact stated that the fuel filter neck assembly also needed to be replaced. The evaporator canister was replaced and the technician informed the contact that the fuel tank was leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired because the fuel tank was no longer manufactured by Ford. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

- Eloy, AZ, USA

problem #421

Dec 052019

Explorer

  • miles
Loss power steering, steering wheel locked when attempting to back up from parking space. Could not steer wheel in the direction to back out of the parking space.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #420

Nov 222019

Explorer

  • 151,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to randall Ford (5500 rogers ave, fort smith, ar 72903, (479) 452-1311). The dealer stated that the power steering rack needed to be repaired before reprogramming the module, and that the vehicle was over the warranty mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that anything outside of the recall repair would have to be paid out of pocket. The failure mileage was 151,000.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #419

Nov 222019

Explorer

  • 165,000 miles

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

Loss of power steering. There is a recall for this concern for my model year but my VIN is not included.

- Keego Harbor, MI, USA

problem #418

Oct 092019

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While pulling out of the driveway in reverse, "power steering assist fault" appeared on the message center and the vehicle lost power steering ability. The contact drove the vehicle to roush Ford (5575 keim cir, columbus, oh 43228) where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #417

Oct 232019

Explorer

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. When the vehicle was started, the steering became difficult to turn and the power steering assist fault indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #416

Oct 202019

Explorer

  • 158,060 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While exiting the highway at 35 mph, the power steering stopped working and the vehicle was extremely difficult to turn. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was driven to park Ford (400 West ave, tallmadge, oh 44278, (330) 633-6222) where they wanted to charge for diagnostic testing. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V435000 (suspension); however, the dealer did not mention this to the contact. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 158,060.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #415

Oct 012018

Explorer

  • 79,000 miles
I have had this truck for ruffly 3yrs. When I first bought the car something was wrong with it immediately.... I was driving to the mail box after getting home from about a 30min trip. The whole car cut off lights were dim in the car, steering had locked very hard to turn... automax in killeen took the car in for service. Had the new purchased truck for a month and 2 days. Their service team told me it was the battery. I felt other wise and no longer wanted the car. But of course by this time all paperwork had went through to the bank......drove the truck fine for about 8months, then broke down the same way as the very first time but on a bridge this time...... this time around I was told it was the engine, got a second opinion, said person said water pump. I fixed the water pump. Now guess what"?? its actually the engine.... I am blown away by how many problems I have had with this Ford Explorer..... I thought I was making a great purchase going with a Ford. This truck sat in the driveway for a year while in nursing school..... I am lost and at my wits end..... when I look for recalls all I am seeing is suspension issues or towing.... when I talk to mechanics they say these models are know for bad engines, thus is another reason why the 2011 Ford Explorer engines are more expensive..... I am looking for help. Has anyone else had these same issues. I owe 14000 still on this truck and how could it need a new engine already"

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #414

Sep 262019

Explorer

  • 156,000 miles
Power steering has previously been recalled, software was updated but then ultimately power steering failed, Ford sent out supplemental recall and extended warranty to repair steering issues yet that is disregarded after 10yrs or 150,000 miles whichever comes first for the vehicle. I, like many, experienced failure after 150,000 miles, 156K to be exact. It's pathetic that Ford will not back their own vehicles past 150,000 miles. Aside from the steering failure our current 2011 Explorer looks brand new, it's a shame that Ford turns their backs to you and lays the repair cost on the consumer knowing that it has been an ongoing issue for some time. I spoke with Ford customer service to no avail, they will not do anything for you past 150,000. Sadly this is my wife's vehicle that Transport our kids. Ford knowingly puts consumers in danger by not honoring their recalls or extending them for the lifetime that the vehicle is in use. Even after the first software update they performed on the car the power steering would not turn on here and there, eventually it stopped turning on entirely. Ford is not built tough like they preach, they are built poorly and their backs are turn towards the consumers when issues arise. Such a frustrating experience.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #413

Sep 252019

Explorer

  • 159,754 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and 'repair power steering now' illuminated on the instrument panel. Chastang Ford (6200 N loop E fwy, houston, tx 77026, (832) 460-5343) was contacted and stated that the warranty was expired due to mileage. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,754.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #412

Sep 222019

Explorer

  • 113,903 miles
We had just got to church's and after we were done and walked to the parking lot where our vehicle was parked the steering power assistance fault (in spanish) warning pop up and the steering wheel became super stiff/hard to moved my husband tried to turn the vehicle on and off several times but nothing we had to tow our vehicle home and now it's useless. This warning message pops up every now and then and by just turning the car off/on a couple of times it goes away but this time it didn't. please fix this

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #411

Sep 162019

Explorer

  • 61,359 miles
Driving 25 to 30 mph when the steering wheel became difficult to turn, .call dealer Ford al piemonte and make and appointment but they say is not a recall, they didn't repaired as yet.( what can I do?) in melrose park Illinois. I took this truck for a recall in 2017 for the same problem and at that time they fix it not this tme.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #410

Sep 122019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 191,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault and service advancetrac warning indicators illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and on multiple times, but the steering failure continued. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called bluebonnet Ford Lincoln (located at 351 N interstate 35 frontage rd, new braunfels, tx 78130, (830) 606-8011) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000. Consumer stated no recall under her VIN#. advised to make a report to get Ford to pay due to malfunction of a power steering. Vehicle is sitting in driveway.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

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