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.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed. While driving off the freeway ramp, the contact had to use more strength than usual to steer the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder, waited a few seconds, and drove home. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted due to full waiting lists. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,992.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed after the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). Shults Ford of harmarville (1300 gulf lab rd, pittsburgh, pa 15238) only reprogrammed the computer, but had not replaced the steering rack. Six months later, the steering rack failed. The dealer wanted the vehicle owner to be responsible for the steering repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. Consumer stated steering went out, vehicle almost hit 2 parked cars before coming to a stop.
Driving 70 mph on a highway the service power steering immediately light came on and service terrain management system light as well. I had no power steering.
My wife started getting the code on her display that the power steering was at fault! then it would reset and work, this happened a couple of times! we were out to eat and go in the vehicle and started home. When this happened again while going down the highway! I was able to get it to the side of the road and had to have it towed from there!
- Franklin, TN, USA
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While driving on highway 80 near donner pass in California the "traction control unavailable" light came on with "check power steering" light. Steering wheel resistance increased as if power steering was beginning to fail. About 15 minutes later while driving in a snowstorm the red "service power steering immediately" light came on and the power steering totally failed making controlling the vehicle extremely difficult. The fact that this failure could happen at any time and in my case during white out winter conditions is incredibly dangerous and I felt lucky to not to have gotten into an accident as a result. I have read so many reports of this same power steering failure and am surprised that no recall action on this VIN has been initiated. Contacted Ford dealerships who say that since no "error" code is present they will not correct or repair the issue. Hopefully the nhsta will finally initiate a recall before someone dies from this problem.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 65 mph and attempting to make a turn, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle continued to drive forward. The vehicle ran off the roadway, which caused the front passenger side wheel and tie rod to fracture. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven to beechmont Ford (located at 600 Ohio pike, cincinnati, oh 45245, (513) 752-6611) where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was leaving to work and the steering was hard.the car was stationary, it marked power steering assault.im pregnant and I'm afraid to crash while driving.
Was driving the car and as soon as we pull in the parking lot the engine light came on and the car won't move. It was towed to Ford mechanic and they said the water pump was fault which made the coolant to enter the engine hence messing up the engine and I needed to replace the engine. It cost me arms and legs to fix the engine. Ford need to recall water pump failure which is leading to costly fixing of the engine. The roof was also leaking and the water was dripping through back seat belt. Today I was pulling off the parking the power steering fault light came on, and it was hard to turn the steering. This car has a lot if prblems.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While the contact was attempting to steer out of a parking space, the power steering failed and "power steering fault" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to moses Ford Inc (2001 maccorkle ave, St albans, wv 25177) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,960.
While driving in the highway the steering system suddenly locked, making very difficult to change direction. This happened suddenly and we were close to an accident.
Power steering intermittedly fails at different times. Seems to happen early when the car is used. This occurs when the car is in motion and steering becomes really hard.
Power steering failure. Has happened when stationary as well as when moving. Steering is locked and steering wheel cannot be turned without considerable force.
Tackata recall vehicle lost power steering while driving down a city street. Unknown reason for loss of steering. Extremely dangerous and Ford says they cannot do anything for this vehicle. There are recalls for this problem and for the same year model.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator flashed and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering), but the contact did not receive a notification. The dealer indicated that the part for the repair was not available. The dealer also stated that the failure was related to the recall pertaining to the E-pass gear and the steering rack assembly needing to be replaced. The contact was waiting on johnson city Ford (207 princeton rd, johnson city, tn 37601, (423) 282-3000) to receive the part from the manufacturer as the recall campaign had been applied to the vehicle since May 29, 2014. The contact was not informed why the recall repair was not performed before the vehicle was provided as a trade in from Honda kingsport (2217 E stone dr, kingsport, tn 37660, (423) 358-2519). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering seized while driving 65 mph. The contact slowed the vehicle down and was able to pull over to the road shoulder. The contact was able to slowly drive the vehicle home. The contact called five star Ford stone mountain (3800 us-78, snellville, ga 30039, (470) 552-0862) and was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 141,989.
Takata report. This is to report that my vehicle is going through a similar as other vehicles. The steering locks in place and I am unable to move the steering wheel at all. I did some research and I am not the one with this issue. An accident could of easily happen because of it.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 55 mph, the service trac and service power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that it became difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Power steering went out a second time. More than just a loss of power steering....basically cannot steer at all. Was 'fixed' by Ford in 2015....beyond dangerous.life threatenening problem never fixed...really?I can be reached at (xxxxxx). Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Actin, CA, USA