2011 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 95about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,197 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,300miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 95 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 8% of the 1,197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,300 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Started the Ford and the backup camera was not functioning. Also noticed the 'sync' screen was blank, climate controls were not visible (functioning) as well as the radio system was not functioning. Went out and started the SUV in my driveway, everything was correct when I returned home the night before.”
NHTSA complaint #11269253, filed 2019-10, 109,777 miles“This vehicle was in for a recall for the electrical power steering. Recall was done on the vehicle in 2014 now in 2019 at 150,000 miles and again the same problem only this time it cost me $1,800 to get fix just to have the same problem recur 3 times. I also got into an accident. This is more than a safety issue and I notice a lot of people complaining about the same thing. When will Ford decided to address this issue!”
NHTSA complaint #11194597, filed 2019-04, 150,000 miles“My whole sync system has turned off not allowing in visual on controlling radio, temperature, or destination. The problem occurred after purchasing but I had live now noticed it's gettibg worse. There are a lot of trouble shooting ideas suggested. Disconnecting negative cable, removing a fuse, and restarting sync system. I am now going on three weeks and my issue is yet to be resolved. I believe this may be more electrical then sync system.”
NHTSA complaint #11093904, filed 2018-05, 154,000 miles“Upon medium to heavy acceleration, such as accelerating onto a freeway, the vehicle cabin is filled with exhaust fumes from the engine. This injures the respiratory system of the passengers. They are working on a fix (after my family has been breathing polluted air for almost two and a half years). Ford has finally admitted that there is a problem, and send me a letter that said. …”
NHTSA complaint #10596480, filed 2014-06, 12,852 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10163573Jul 2, 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer…
- 10156877Feb 7, 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer…
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- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10078990May 13, 2016Siri eyes free functional issues using bluetooth and apple ios 9.2 and 9.2.1
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- 10056149May 30, 2014Ford: in the instrument panel cluster (ipc) there is a terrain management pop up warning, without diagnostic trouble code (dtc) accompanying it, in the anti-lock brake system…
- 10053472Jun 18, 2013Lincoln ford: the remote function actuator (rfa), on some vehicles, keeps controller area network (can) awake, due to accessory protocol interface module (aprim) excessive iod…
- 10044851May 2, 2013Lincoln/ford: see document search button for owner letter. A software program has been provided to improve response to touch, screen refresh rates, overall system functionality…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 21% |
| 2025 | 23 | 22% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 39 | 14% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 188 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2018 | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 | 94 | 6% |
| 2016 | 129 | 5% |
| 2015 | 93 | 5% |
| 2014 | 100 | 6% |
| 2013 | 163 | 7% |
| 2012 | 64 | 8% |
| 2011 | 95 | 8% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 38 | 26% |
| 2007 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 39 | 6% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 54 | 5% |
| 2002 | 148 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 78 | 8% |
| 1999 | 92 | 7% |
| 1998 | 114 | 6% |
| 1997 | 80 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 55 | 7% |
| 1994 | 75 | 6% |
| 1993 | 45 | 5% |
| 1992 | 45 | 7% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Explorer
742 complaintsOther or unknown
118 complaintsBody and structure
110 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
64 complaintsAir bags
44 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsElectronic stability control
28 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Explorer
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology