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:
69,570 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 Power Steering Assist Fault warning light comes on and I lose power steering. I must turn the car off to get it turned back on. I-??m worried about the safety
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the power steering failed to operate as needed with the power steering and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
On my 2011 Ford Explorer, the power steering went out while driving. The wheel suddenly tightened and I was unable to turn the wheel. Also, the Terrain Management Fault light and Service AdvanTrac light ignites right before the wheel stiffens. The wheel would stiffen or loosen while driving and causing the wheel to jerk and the car to potentially glide into another lane. After turning off the vehicle and letting it sit for a while the steering wheel may loosen temporarily. I took the vehicle to Ford after visiting their website and seeing there was a customer satisfaction program regarding the EPAS Power Steering. The Ford dealership informed me that the program expired in February of 2021 and I would need to pay over $3000 to have the issue fixed.
- Homewood, IL, USA
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March 2020, first time the Power Steering Fault message appeared on the Instrument Message Area. I have immediatly contacted Ford in Germany. They said there is no recall for my car regarding steering items. November 2020 onwards until April 2023 the message Power Steering Faul appeared every 3-6 months. Again. November 2020 I have contacted Ford without success; the answer was the same: No recall for your car. Until April 2023 after turning off the car and waiting for 1-2 minute and turning on the message disappered and the steering mode was again reverted to normal and the steering effort was as expected. But in April 2023, after parking the car the power steering message appeared again and it was not possible to get rid of them. I have again contacted Ford in April 2023, immediatly after the occurance, and the answer was still the same: No recall and they can do nothing for me because it is just an assumption form my side. The steering effort was such high that it was not possible to really turn the steering wheel. I called the ADAC to bring the car to the Ford Service close to my home. They have change d the complete steering gear and they said I must pay for it because of no recall. I'm located in Germany and not in the USA.
The power steering assist of the vehicle went out while driving and warning lights came on unexpectedly. Vehicle was difficult to steer but was pulled over safely and shut off. Started engine again and issue was no longer present. Drove to mechanic who pulled the codes. Showed "Loss of Motor Position Sensor" error code among others. After research, found that this was part of Recall 14V286000 of which we had the software update prescribed by Ford. Contacted the Ford dealership who said we were just outside the mileage where Ford extended coverage for this issue to 150,000 miles. Called Ford Customer Service and they also said that this was a one time recall and no further action was available. For this issue, we had the prescribed software upgrade but it was ineffective for the issue and the issue still occurred. Now I have to have the expensive part repair of which they would have covered the repair under recall.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Service Advancetrac warning light intermittently flash on the instrument panel. Recently, the contact stated that the warning light flashed and remained on the instrument panel and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), which she linked to the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.
I am getting intermittent warning lights pertaining to the steering assist on this vehicle. It was a prior safety recall in which ford merely reprogrammed the unit in an effort to correct the problem. According to my local dealership, it did not correct the problem and the safety concern is still relevant. The dealership asked ford corporate for permission to make the repair and they were denied. Ford says the repair was made and they will not do anything further. The ford website also states all safety recalls never expire, but apparently that is not the case. Ford appears to be making a mockery of the recall program by closing recalls without permanently correcting the problem and will not reopen this safety recall. Internet discussions on this topic reveal I am not the only one with this problem.
The electrinic power steering has failed. It just stopped working after starting the car one day. This is a repair that the dealer fixed 15 months ago, with a new part. A new electronic power steering Rack and Pinon should not last only 15 months. I have called the dealer and they say that warranty for that job is 12 months. They suggested contacting ford's customer service. Ford customer service says that there are no warranties on Recall repairs. This just does not sound right. I mentioned that if a repair that is suppose to fix a safety Hazzard does not work, and the safety Hazzard returns they are still liable for the repairs and or the consequences.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed and making a turn, the steering wheel became firm with the power steering wheel warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the failure continued. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she noticed that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then became aware that the power steering was electric and not dependent on power steering fluid. The contact waited until the power steering operation returned as needed; however, the failure reoccurred on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on the highway. The contact stated while veering to the side of the road, the power steering operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software was reprogramed under Ford Campaign Number: 15N01; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the power steering rack could not be replaced again under the campaign number because the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
We got the vehicle about two years ago 2021 only had 107,000 miles on it. We were having a power steering problem but it would reset itself on and off stopped for a while came back on never got any notification about a power steering software update recall now power steering won-??t turn on at all I-??ve restarted it won-??t turn on says power steering system fault I-??m not getting any codes or anything. Car is now at 209,000 miles runs strong nothing wrong. Just keep having this power steering problem that needs to be fixed. I-??ve had it cut off while driving before on the highway.
I can-??t control my vehicle, the steering wheel sometimes work sometimes lock that I can-??t turn to right or left. Called Ford with recall recall 14 e-001 13S14. Called the dealer and now it is an extended warranty, they ask for mileage and they don-??t want to update the system or replace it. I-??m the second owner when they send the letter, previous owner didn-??t take the ca to the dealer to fix it. I had the issue before but now is worse I don-??t want to have an accident with this failure on the system since sometimes work and other not
Intermittent loss of power steering assist. Car starts and steering wheel won't budge. Sometimes after a short wait, it is restored to normal. Sometimes, car must be re-started one or more times to get steering normal. So far, it has not happened while driving, but I am wary of it happening while driving. When it happens, POWER STEERING FAULT message appears on the dashboard. Has happened randomly several times over the last 4 weeks.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering with the "Power Steering Assist off" and "Service Power Steering" messages displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to have the power steering control module (PSCM) software updated under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module (PSCM) software needed to be updated again. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering functionality and the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact made another local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was going down the road had to avoid a piece off tire so fast the steering looked on me for a second Then hit that piece. And after that the steering start getting harder to steer, made it home safely. But now I can-??t drive the car because it-??s hard to steer. So we have to start looking to repair it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Richlands, NC, USA