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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 1 of 32)

problem #629

Jan 062024

Explorer

  • 198,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and making a left turn into the parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to turn with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a local mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #628

Dec 152023

Explorer

  • miles
I am the owner of a 2011 Ford Explorer Limited that recently developed a power steering issue. We have only owned the vehicle 6 months and there's under 95,000 miles on it. The (2) recall notices that went out in 2014 were unknown to us at the time, because we just bought the SUV in 2023. Since it a safety issue, there should not be a 10-year recall expiration date associated with either recall, as we are being told by Ford customer service. And since we didn't own the vehicle before the recall notices went out in 2024, why will Ford not stand behind the recall and honor the time period to include our vehicle? Ford Motor Company is stating that our VIN is not covered, even though it the vehicle falls within the production recall period. Additionally, Ford issued a customer satisfaction program warranty, but Ford regards this as a survey and will not take corrective measures to assist in getting our vehicle repaired under any forego mentioned recall notices. Therefore, I feel Ford should honor any recall regarding the poor design or faulty engineering of their electronic steering components regardless of the expiration date since it is a safety concern. Ford is reluctant to financially assist me even though the SUV has less than 95,000 miles on it and the recall press release dates were not issued until 2014. Instead, Ford is going by the vehicle production date and not the recall issue dates. Therefore, my SUV recall dates have since expired, and Ford will no longer honor any of its warranties on this vehicle, even though lack of power steering is a clear safety issue, which to my knowledge, do not have expiration dates. Ford customer service has acknowledged the power steering fault assist issues under the following recall campaigns: NHTSA - 14e001000 & 14v286000 and CSP 15N01. I also have a case number with the Ford Motor Company (Case #47111783) associated with this issue.

- Williamsport, PA, USA

problem #627

Dec 202023

Explorer

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was inoperable and difficult to steer. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence unrepaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #626

Dec 272023

Explorer

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering was inoperable. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Hueytown, AL, USA

problem #625

Nov 242023

Explorer

  • 205,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension). The contact stated that on two occasions while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle began jerking to the right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 205,000.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #624

Nov 232023

Explorer

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Electric Power Steering Assist message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Savannah, MO, USA

problem #623

Nov 232023

Explorer

  • miles

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

Started vehicle & "Power steering assist default" warning light came on. All steering ability was lost, vehicle was rendered unsafe to operate.

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #622

Nov 132023

Explorer

  • miles
Power Steering Assist Fault light came on signaling loss of power steering when starting the vehicle last week. It is not being driven due to no power steering. Fortunately it was not being driven at the time but could have resulted in inability to steer in traffic. The vehicle has not been inspected since the EPSA light came on as it is difficult to drive. The fault light came on once about 2 months ago but it went off after restarting the car. The vehicle now continues to show the fault light every time the car is turned on.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

problem #621

Nov 012023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving the vehicle on a busy street, proceeded to steer car to turn at an intersection and the steering started failing and was extremely hard to steer. The message appeared electronically, saying service power steering now and car then shut down. We immediately got car to independent mechanic. Was not aware of any vehicle recall, but seems to be repaired. Happened very recently. Early Nov. 2023.

- Sheridan, WY, USA

problem #620

Oct 312023

Explorer

  • 206,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that electronic power steering intermittently failed to operate as needed. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. After shifting into gear, the message disappeared. While driving, the power steering was operating sluggishly. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #619

Sep 212022

Explorer

  • 98,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the power steering system fault and traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Winfield, MO, USA

problem #618

Oct 272023

Explorer

  • 195,600 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn at a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and drove straight towards oncoming traffic. The message "Service Power Steering Now" was displayed. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel and depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, preventing a crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall due to the manufacture date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 195,600.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #617

Oct 232014

Explorer

  • 17,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Default" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle several times until the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the failure could not be duplicated since the message was no longer displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact was able to drive to a second dealer, Pruitt Ford (912 Sheppard Rd, Burkburnett, TX 76354) and was informed that the failure could not be duplicated because the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the power steering was no longer operable. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), which was previously performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

- Burkburnett, TX, USA

problem #616

Oct 092023

Explorer

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. 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 a case was opened. The failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was not available.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #615

Sep 172023

Explorer

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning as needed, and the power steering assist fault message was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became an intermittent occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #614

Oct 032023

Explorer

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The messages "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Advance Trac" were displayed. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #613

Feb 282023

Explorer

  • 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became firm while making lane changes. The contact stated that power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been intermittent but gradually became a recurring failure. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted however, the steering functionality had not return. The contact stated that the failure had become a constant failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that there was a Manufacturer-??s Recall Number: 15N01 (Steering) EPAS Steering Efforts associated with the failure; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty for the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #612

May 222023

Explorer

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check charging system warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where several unknown parts were replaced; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E001000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #611

Sep 152023

Explorer

  • 199,560 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized inadvertently while there was incoming traffic. The vehicle made a beeping sound, and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the contact was able to pull to the side of the road after several attempts. The stated that that she pulled into the nearest parking lot, then drove the vehicle to work; however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure through voicemail. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V286000 (Steering) and 14E001000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,560.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #610

Sep 152023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving on my way to take my kids to school and my wheel locked on me, with a warning message "power steering assist". I was in traffic turning at the red light and almost crashed into the freeway bend.

- Detroit, MI, USA

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