2011 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,499 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Ford Explorer, alongside 8 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 31/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 68,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2011 sits among all Explorer years
What owners report
“My car lost power steering control they was a recall before i take to dealership they dont fixed but they report fixed”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Explorer
“Strong engine exhaust smell in vehicle cabin while driving, during engine operation above 3000-3500 rpm with windows closed and climate control on. Outside air on or off seems to make no difference.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Explorer
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Explorer
“Under hard acceleration i get a sting odor in the cabin. It is like an exhaust smell inside the car. It always does it above 3500 rpm.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Explorer
“I was driving on the highway and the steering wheel locked on me. He was hard to turn and I also hit another car in the back.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Explorer
“As I was driving, a “service Power steering” warning came on along with another warning about my power assist being lost. I have taken my car to see a mechanic a total of 4 times for this same issue and need answers or reimbursement.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Explorer
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,077 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 67,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 34,147 and 113,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (8)
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.
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…
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,…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.…
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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 24V031.
Led to recall campaign 14V286000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2011 Ford Explorer drew 1,499 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 31/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2011 Ford Explorer problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Ford Explorer are steering (746 complaints), other (154), and body & structure (111).
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Explorer problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Ford Explorer problems around 67,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 34,147 and 113,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Ford Explorer have recalls?
8 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.