2011 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 742about this part
- Share
- 62%of 1,197 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 742 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 62% of the 1,197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“Driving 25 to 30 MPH when the steering wheel became difficult to turn,.call dealer Ford al piemonte and make and appointment but they say is not a recall ,they didn't repaired as yet.( what can I do?) in melrose park illinois. I took this truck for a recall in 2017 for the same problem and at that time they fix it not this tme.”
NHTSA complaint #11256034, filed 2019-09, 61,359 miles“I started my car and tried to back up but it was like the power steering was out.I couldn't move the steering wheel and a warning came up, power steering assist unavailable. I turned the vehicle off and it worked. It happened to me 3 times yesterday and on the 3rd time it took several times of turning the vehicle on and off.”
NHTSA complaint #11241383, filed 2019-08, 140,000 miles“While making a sharp left turn on a city street, the power steering failed causing me to lose the ability to maneuver the turn. Luckily, there was a parking lot straight ahead so I was able to steer with difficulty into that lot. I turned off the ignition, waited 30 seconds or so, and re-started the engine. I had no other issues and reached my destination safely.”
NHTSA complaint #11065240, filed 2018-01, 93,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V286000May 29, 2014Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected…Covers: Ford Explorer 2011–2013
Related service bulletins
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% |
| 2015 | 347 | 19% |
| 2014 | 500 | 30% |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 2% |
| 1992 | 25 | 4% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Explorer
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 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