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Model year record

2011 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

The 2011 Ford Explorer has 8 safety recalls and 1,197 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (748 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls
Complaints1,197filed by owners
Crashes · fires30 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths15 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureJan 19, 2024

Body › Roof and pillars

Recall 24V0310001,889,110 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
SuspensionSep 22, 2021

Rear

Recall 21V746000150,723 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
SuspensionJun 10, 2019

Rear

Recall 19V4350001,194,173 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
WheelsAug 28, 2017

Hub

Recall 17E048000630 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Risk
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Components: Wheels › Hub; Suspension › Rear

StructureMar 24, 2015

Body › Door

Recall 15V171000194,484 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
SteeringMay 29, 2014

Electric power assist system

Recall 14V286000179,027 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Risk
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
SteeringJan 6, 2014

Steering

Recall 14E001000300 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
Risk
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.
SeatsFeb 2, 2011

Seats

Recall 11V0630001,658 vehicles

Problem
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2011 Ford Explorer SUV AWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2011 Ford Explorer SUV FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Explorer FWD

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Explorer FWD

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SteeringElectric power assist system; Rack and pinion748190268,000 mi
Unknown or other11220275,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Roof and pillars111200100,500 mi
Electrical systemSoftware; Instrument cluster/panel9521156,300 mi
Engine8311583,000 mi
Power trainTransmission case/housing; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)6420150,500 mi
Air bags4430266,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3510553,067 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)2810038,000 mi
Suspension24300125,525 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2110185,000 mi
Service brakes2161265,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations