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Ford ExplorerModel year report

2011 Ford Explorer Problems

Compared with other Ford Explorer years

More complaints than typical for this model

76/100 1.8× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2008, 2009, 2010

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
1,197filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 877 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Ford Explorer (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Explorer most often describe a sudden loss of power steering assist, typically signaled by a "Power Steering Assist Fault" or "Service Advancetrac" message and a steering wheel that becomes very hard to turn, sometimes intermittently. Complaints are spread across a wide mileage range but cluster well past 90,000 miles, and many owners note their VIN was not covered by the electric power steering recall. Less frequent reports cover separating A-pillar trim, engine running hot, and fuel odor.

  1. Steering

    Power steering assist cuts out, wheel becomes hard to turn

    • 707 complaints (59%)
    • median 67,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (557 state mileage)
    • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 41 quotes)
    • filed 2011–2026

    Owners describe the power steering assist dropping out while driving, turning, or reversing, usually with a "Power Steering Assist Fault," "Service Power Steering," or "Service Advancetrac" message and sometimes traction control lights. The wheel suddenly takes heavy effort to turn, and in some cases it feels locked or seizes. Many say restarting the vehicle temporarily restores assist or that the fault returns intermittently; dealers and independent shops often diagnosed the steering rack or gear assembly, the power steering control module, or both, and some owners were told a module software update was needed. Several relate the symptom to the electric power steering recall but state their VIN was not included. Reported from roughly 17,000 to over 270,000 miles, most often between about 90,000 and 200,000 miles, at speeds ranging from parking-lot maneuvers to highway driving.

    Recall 14V2860001 related service bulletin

    What to check: During a test drive, feel for heavy or uneven steering and watch for steering and traction warning messages on start-up; ask whether the steering rack, control module, or related software updates have been replaced or applied, and whether the VIN is covered by the electric power steering recall.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On sunday april 11 2021 I was driving my Ford Explorer 2011 glendale az and being in motion an alert pop up om my dashboard saying power steering assist fault leaving me with no steering since my steering wheel got really hard. Looking online for any recalls I found one and called Ford and they told me the recall was not valid because the warranty was expired.”

    NHTSA complaint #11407799, filed 2021-04, 95,000 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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11324579, filed 2020-05, 161,000 miles
  2. Body and structure

    Windshield A-pillar trim detaches and flies off

    • 82 complaints (7%)
    • median 118,017 mi at 13.3 yrs old (38 state mileage)
    • filed 2015–2026

    Owners report the exterior trim at the sides of the windshield coming loose and separating while driving, sometimes on both sides, and in some cases flying off the vehicle. Complaints describe failed or disengaged trim retention clips. Several owners received notice of the A-pillar trim recall but state the repair parts were not available, and some say the trim detached again after a dealer inspection. Reported from about 55,000 to 200,000 miles, with many owners noting the trim had been loose or detaching for months or years before it came off.

    Recall 24V0310001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Look closely at the trim running along both windshield edges for looseness, gaps, or waviness, and ask whether the A-pillar trim recall has been completed or whether the clips were replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11614875, filed 2024-09, 200,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side windshield trim detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured front windshield A-Pillar trim. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was inspected, and the vehicle passed the inspection. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11670196, filed 2025-06, 176,000 miles

Buying note. Because most sampled complaints center on the electric power steering dropping out, check the steering recall status for the specific vehicle and test the steering carefully at low speed. Also inspect the A-pillar trim and cooling system, and treat a fuel odor or repeat electrical problems as reasons for a closer inspection before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 1,197 consumer complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer. 877 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 30 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 15 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 78 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 Ford Explorer model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 76 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (24), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (23), Engine cooling (21), Vehicle speed control (18), Seat belts (14), Wheels (9), Seats (7), Equipment (6), Exterior lighting (6), Forward collision avoidance (3), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Tires (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

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!”

NHTSA complaint #11171680, filed 2019-01, 190,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Strong exhaust smell when you start the car and then again when you accelerate to get on to the highway. Intermittent smell as you are driving. It doesnt matter if you are sitting still or on the highway, you will inevitably smell the exhaust. I have been having health issues with my heart that we now believe are related to the carbon monoxide from these fumes.”

NHTSA complaint #11245532, filed 2019-08, 110,000 miles

Body and structure: “I have, on several occasions, have gotten very very tired while driveing my 2011 Ford Explorer to the point where I have almost fallen asleep behind the wheel driving and have fallen asleep while idiling in the driveway. Not to mention the excruciating headaches ive suffered from recently along with nausea, not to mention the smell of exhaust in the cabin.”

NHTSA complaint #11014986, filed 2017-08, 109,333 miles

Electrical system: “The AC/heat speed will randomly increase/ decrease to either full or low speed with is clicking sound like your doing it on your own. This will cause my windshield to fog up when cold outside while driving & distracting me the driver the annoying clicking sound coming from the unit itself. This could possibly causing me not to see something coming or in the road causing me to wreck & putting my family in danger.”

NHTSA complaint #11387084, filed 2021-01, 141,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 877 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 118,000 miles.

6%0–1014%10–2518%25–5015%50–7513%75–10020%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (877 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’12141’14’16’18’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Ford Explorer version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Explorer 4WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172319$3,550
Explorer 4WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172319$3,550
Explorer FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182520$3,350
Explorer FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182520$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Ford Explorer → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 78 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 78 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Explorer

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026422,60014524Too new to compareToo new
20251073,00020521Too new to compareToo new
2024218,83210521—Too new
202311117,0001552319 · FewerToo new
202227137,00025—2339 · TypicalRising
202144844,0002752454 · TypicalRising
20201,24423,75034524100 · MoreRising
201930054,00065202 · FewerRising
201873450,000752042 · TypicalRising
20171,70450,0001352086 · MoreRising
20162,46348,85014520100 · MoreRising
20151,81257,000852091 · MoreRising
20141,68466,000652071 · MoreRising
20132,23776,4391152073 · MoreRising
201283070,000542346 · TypicalRising
20111,19770,0006—2076 · MoreRising
201011540,7071—170 · FewerFalling
20093377,0000—170 · FewerFalling
200814877,0001—160 · FewerFalling
200720867,2501—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200663055,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200549770,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20041,30465,0000—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20031,13173,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20023,29579,0004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200137590,0006—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200095277,4199—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19991,34882,1939—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19981,959100,0009—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19971,73199,5007—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19961,450120,2086—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1995843121,5855—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19941,20799,0414—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1993939117,4946—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1992633108,0654—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1991609121,9028—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19901258,4100———Not enough data

All Ford Explorer model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer?

Owners of the 2011 Explorer most often describe a sudden loss of power steering assist, typically signaled by a "Power Steering Assist Fault" or "Service Advancetrac" message and a steering wheel that becomes very hard to turn, sometimes intermittently. The issues reported most often: Power steering assist cuts out, wheel becomes hard to turn; Windshield A-pillar trim detaches and flies off.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA recorded 1,197 consumer complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Ford Explorer is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 742 complaints (62% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 118.

Has the 2011 Ford Explorer been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford Explorer get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Ford Explorer (Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer reported?

Among the 877 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 118,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.