2011 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,198 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 1,198 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The truck was driving smoothly and I turned it off, ten minutes later the truck power steering was ridiculously though I could barely drive back home,still can't used the truck,called the dealership and told me that this truck does has a electrical power steering recall but the mileage was over 1000 miles of the miles thats in the recall system, couldn't imagine if that situation happened while I was on the highway it would've occurred an accident I dont think its fair that this models have a recall and the dealership are not doing nothing about it, I really need some help I have kids and I…”
NHTSA complaint #11399882, filed 2021-03, 151,147 miles“When it rains, the rain comes in the truck and seeps through the seatbelts, the front passenger interior handle, the two lights in the top of the truck (above the console), the sterio in the back, the passenger side under the dashboard, through the trim of the windows on driver and front passenger side, and inside the sunroof (yes, the windows and sunroof is closed). This happens if the truck is sitting in driveway, and when driving. My guess is that something was not properly sealed when the truck was being made.”
NHTSA complaint #11161769, filed 2018-12, 101,000 miles“The safety hazard lights button does not work. Unable to turn hazard light on. Button is complained about in many online forms for dying or just not working.”
NHTSA complaint #11156521, filed 2018-12, 69,000 miles“While driving, power steering assist abruptly fails, as does advance trac stability control. The vehicle becomes much harder to control. If the car is in a turn when the steering fails, the steering wheel lurches and tries to re-aim the vehicle straight ahead, disrupting the turn. Dashboard warnings confirm the steering and advance trac failures. Also, the turn signal sustain fails, so using the turn signal requires constant pressure on the signal arm. On average, this problem has recurred every 2000 miles, at any speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10541691, filed 2013-09, 9,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. While driving 25 MPH, the speedometer and turn signals failed to operate. The dealer replaced the computer and the turn signal cluster. In addition, the brake calipers and rotors failed due to insufficient lubrication. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 19,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10621285, filed 2014-08, 19,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058110Sep 19, 2014Ford/lincoln: the ambient lighting on lincoln (mylincoln touch) vehicles will default to white and on ford (myford touch) vehicles will default to ice blue after the ignition…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Explorer
743 complaintsOther or unknown
118 complaintsBody and structure
110 complaintsElectrical system
95 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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