2011 Ford Explorer Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,197 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the fuel system of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Fuel system leaks from the fuel pump assembly. Significant gas leak while vehicle was parked and tank full. Gas smell after driving vehicle. Pump is near the exhaust system and I believe there was a fire hazard. Vehicle has only 62k miles on it. It cost me $825 to repair. Ford has no TSB on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11075471, filed 2018-02, 62,000 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 miles“While driving the SUV, an orange wrench error came on the dash board. Then the SUV had no acceleration. I was able to coast to the side of the road, turn off the SUV and turn it back on. After restarting the engine, the SUV had acceleration, but this error and no acceleration keeps happening. I have been told this is an electronic throttle body issue that Ford is aware of, but doesn't have a recall listed for this issue for my truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11040016, filed 2017-10, 87,500 miles“I recently got the 2011 Ford Explorer.I keep getting this odor smell when I first start the car and accelerate.it lasts for 5 minutes,then it goes away. Also, I recently started getting this vibration through the gas pedal on highway speeds.the car will shake sometimes.when I brake from highway speeds,my car shakes.I have brought it to Ford twice and they charge me $2000 to replace parts,but the problem still persisted.other garage cant seem to figure out whats causing it.”
NHTSA complaint #11233717, filed 2019-07, 84,000 miles“When filling the gas tank the gas nozzle would shut off. Even when I was very slowly pumping in gas , the pump would shut off very much like a tank indicating it was full which I know was not the case. Then gas would drip/stream (numerous drips and streams)) under the vehicle creating a basketball size gas spot. Upon service at the dealer I was told the tank vent tube was blocked by cobwebs. Driving for over 50 years , I have never heard of such a thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10653854, filed 2014-11, 34,690 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 28 | 6% |
| 2020 | 42 | 3% |
| 2019 | 17 | 6% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 49 | 3% |
| 2016 | 112 | 5% |
| 2015 | 94 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 4% |
| 2013 | 153 | 7% |
| 2012 | 34 | 4% |
| 2011 | 40 | 3% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 27 | 4% |
| 2005 | 66 | 13% |
| 2004 | 33 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 1% |
| 2002 | 72 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% |
| 1999 | 34 | 3% |
| 1998 | 63 | 3% |
| 1997 | 56 | 3% |
| 1996 | 23 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 33 | 3% |
| 1993 | 12 | 1% |
| 1992 | 18 | 3% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Explorer
742 complaintsOther or unknown
118 complaintsBody and structure
110 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
64 complaintsAir bags
44 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 28, 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