2011 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 424
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 424 stored complaint records:
- 12 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Electric Power Assist System · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 143 |
| 30–60k mi | 120 |
| 60–100k mi | 78 |
| 100–150k mi | 38 |
| 150–400k mi | 21 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated while driving and caused the steering to become hard to turn. The engine had to be shut off for a moment to reset the steering to normal function. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a diagnostic was performed that located the failure at the steering column. The…
ODI 10475302
Electrical System · Power Train · Steering
The steering failed while driving the vehicle on 4 occasions in my brand new xlt. The first three times it happened i returned it to the dealer to check it out and fix the problem. Each time (three total) the ford dealer service department returned it to me and told me it was fixed. While driving the vehicle in normal driving conditions the steering would suddenly stop working, warning chimes and lights on the…
ODI 10469329
Steering
There were actually 4 incidents; the first one i was backing into a parking spot and the power steering quit working. I turned off the engine, started it again and was able to park. The next day i was waiting in traffic & it died, the steering wheel wouldn't work; we then took the car into the dealer & he supposedly fixed it. We told them that a message flashed "power steering assault". Each incident, that message…
ODI 10463881
Steering
I was on my way home from work and carpooling with 2 other coworkers. I had exited off the highway going approximately 55 mph. All of the sudden, i received a message, "power steering assist fault", and my steering locked up. Luckily i was on the straight part of the road heading toward a stop sign. Once there, i put the car in park, shut it off, and then restarted it. The error was gone and my steering wheel worked…
ODI 10466974
Steering
It happened again, six days after my vehicle's first steering problem. When i started my 2011 explorer on the morning of 4/18/12, the "power steering assist failure" light came on and my power steering was gone. As instructed by my ford dealer, i left the vehicle on and called them. They immediately sent a flatbed tow truck, which towed my vehicle, while still running, to the ford dealership. They checked for…
ODI 10455871
Power Train · Steering
2011 ford explorer was parked. Started car and power steering failure light came on alarms sounding and steering wheel was locked, yet car would back up ...straight. Prior to this incident when car was stopped at a light it seemed to have a transmission slip or jump. After waiting for an hour for tow truck the explorer started fine and steering seemed to work. Too nervous to drive. Car was towed to ford dealer. *tr
ODI 10455226
Steering
While slowing for a stop light, i felt a clunk in the steering column and then my 2011 explorer lost power steering. I slowed and turned (with all my strength) to stop on a side street. The "power assist failure" light was on as well as the little traction control cars on the lower right of the display screen. The lights on the 4-wheel drive center-console did not work either. A message also appeared to service…
ODI 10454999
Steering
I was starting to back out of a parking lot and the stabilitrac lights came on. The steering got tight and there was little movement to turn the wheel right or left. I pulled a few feet back in the parking stall, turned the car off, and restarted it again. Everything seemed fine for a mile or so and the lights came back on. I could barely turn the wheel. I got a tow to the dealership. They had to order and replace…
ODI 10464374
Steering
As we were slowing for a stop sign on a curve, the steering wheel literally jerked out of my husband's hands, straightening the wheels. A warning bell went off and the dash displayed "power assist failure." it was impossible to move the wheel. After turning off the engine and restarting, steering returned to normal. The dealer had a previous explorer with the same problem which was corrected by replacing the power…
ODI 10453594
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the power steering failed while reversing from a residential driveway. The power steering and traction warning lights illuminated during the failure. The power steering failed seven different times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 13,000 and the…
ODI 10465956
Steering
2nd time it happens first time while driving at 40 mph or above the steering light came on and the suv was unable to steer , pull over and turn car and re started and gain steering took car to the dealer reset the light and was told it was ok . At 5000 miles it happen again but this time it happens while trying to get off the highway light came on and steering wheel got hard . This time unable to drive it tow home .…
ODI 10451782
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving approximately 5 mph. The power steering light illuminated while the failure occurred. The steering became hard to turn to the left or right and once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the steering return to normal function. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to…
ODI 10450502
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel locked and the steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact suddenly crashed into the proceeding vehicle. There were no personal injuries. The vehicle was driven to an authorized dealer where the radiator, front bumper and grill were replaced. The technician was unable to determine the…
Crash reported
ODI 10473047
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Ford explorer 2011 has lost power steering and stability control at various speeds under various conditions 3 or 4 times over the past several months, including on the highway at 65 miles per hour. Steering is restored after shutting the car off and restarting. Stability controls may take several minutes to restore themselves or may need to have the car turned on and off several times to restore. *tr
ODI 10454718
Steering
Power steering assist fault has come on 7-10 times to date as of 1-26-2012 . After turning off the ignition and re-starting the engine, the warning went away and i regained power steering. I am getting a warning service traction control. Once i restart the car 4-5 times the warning light goes away. I am so afraid of driving this vehicle. So far it's happened going minimal speeds 10-45 mph. What does one do if this…
ODI 10445508
Electronic Stability Control · Steering · Turn Signal
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…
ODI 10541691
Air Conditioner · Equipment · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering · Suspension
Letter from re few defects in my 2011 ford explorer remain after the dealers repeated repair attempts. These issues distract me while driving and it is a concern to my safety as well *tgw the consumer stated the main issue was the steering; the steering wheel was not straight and when driving, the vehicle pulled in the opposite direction. The shift increased when increasing speed. Also, the a/c unit changed…
ODI 10427390
Steering
Power steering failed while the vehicle was in motion and turning a corner. Manual steering is extremely difficult.
ODI 10424800
Service Brakes · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving approximately 10 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel and braking system seized and would not function. The contact shut the engine off and restarted the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle the steering and braking systems functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the steering unit…
ODI 10489354
Steering
2011 ford explorer 4wd is programmed to send 100% power to the front wheels during normal driving. Upon sudden acceleration especially going uphill the subsequent torque steer is overwhelming to the driver. Can be so severe it can rip the wheel from the hands of the driver. This needs to addressed with programming to better distribute power to all 4 wheels. *tr
ODI 10419369
Steering
On several occasions after starting the vehicle, the steering will not function, its stiff as a brick, wheel can not be turned. Shutting off the vehicle and restarting corrected the problem. One occasion, while pulling out of a parking lot, the steering became very stiff and the wheel would not turn. It was momentary and corrected itself. *tr
ODI 10469989
Steering
Power steering failure while driving. Turning vehicle off and on then causes power steering to work again. Has happened multiple times. Dealer did not find an issue at first visit. Scheduled for second dealer visit. We fear significant loss of control while driving. *tr
ODI 10417931
Steering
My wife was attempting to turn left in heavy traffic when there seemed to be a disconnect between the steering wheel and front wheels. She could turn the steering wheel but the car would not respond. She was able to stop without hitting anyone. She got the "power assist failure" message. After shutting the car off and restarting, the problem seemed to be resolved. The dealership found a "power steering control…
ODI 10460722
Steering
On 08-2014, i received a letter from ford motor co. Indicating that i had a recall on my 2011 ford explorer and that . 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. And that the recall would prevent the loss of power steering. I took my vehicle to…
ODI 10682826