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Exterior lightingPart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202555%
202322%
202252%
202182%
2020564%
201841%
2017121%
201660%
2015171%
2014251%
2013251%
201261%
201161%
201022%
2008128%
200731%
200610%
200551%
200471%
200361%
2002191%
200192%
2000263%
1999463%
1998382%
1997201%
1996151%
1995162%
199491%
199371%
199230%
199161%

Other parts of the 2011 Ford Explorer

Steering
743 complaints
Other or unknown
118 complaints
Body and structure
110 complaints
Electrical system
95 complaints
Engine
83 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
64 complaints
Air bags
44 complaints
Fuel system
40 complaints
Brakes
28 complaints
Electronic stability control
28 complaints
Suspension
24 complaints
Visibility (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