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.
Body · Steering · Suspension
Right front axle/control arm failing (snapped cleanly in 2) 3 times within 2 years. First time may have been subsequent to low speed front end collision. Second & third times driving less than 25 mph with no collision until after hearing the snap & subsequent loss of steering. Second time failure occurred while accelerating from a full stop & turning left on a city street.third time i'd been driving straight…
Crash reported
ODI 11235001
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Service power steering warning light came on, code was for left steering control module. One week later, power steering was intermittent, then went out completely. Took in to ford dealership, code for safety recall 15n01 came up, ford dealership says my vehicle is covered under recall but ford motor company refuses to fix, stating "no household loyalty", because i've not purchased a ford brand new. When calling ford…
ODI 11217641
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. After the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering) by basil ford ([redacted], buffalo, ny 14225, [redacted]), the steering seized while driving 20 mph. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to west herr ford ([redacted], getzville, ny 14068, [redacted]). The vehicle was diagnosed, but the results were not disclosed. The manufacturer…
ODI 11191967
Steering
While driving at 20 mph the car lost power stearing. This made the car very hard to drive at low speads. Was able to get the car to karl flammer ford in tarpon springs fl. The service advisor told me to restart the car and sometimes the steering will be reset. That worked but no indication was given to me that this was a known problem. This is dangerous and i am sure they will properly address the situation when…
ODI 11190435
Steering
Since saturday, march 16, 2019 the "power steering assist fault" message comes on the dashboard screen every time i start the car (2011 ford explorer limited) and i am unable to steer the car. The car is parked in a garage. Previously, when this happened i was able to turn the car off and the fault would clear, however now the fault stays on after every restart and the steering wheel does not move.
ODI 11189856
Steering
I stopped at a gas station turned off the car, pumped gas, then started the car to leave and there was no power steering.
ODI 11184161
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel seized in a position that made it difficult for the contact to maneuver the vehicle. Sentry ford (4100 mystic valley pkwy, medford, ma 02155, [redacted]) was contacted and stated that there were no recalls for the power steering; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repairs.…
ODI 11220989
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed. While driving off the freeway ramp, the contact had to use more strength than usual to steer the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder, waited a few seconds, and drove home. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted due to full waiting lists. The vehicle was not…
ODI 11184346
Body · Electrical System · Steering
This vehicle was in for a recall for the electrical power steering. Recall was done on the vehicle in 2014 now in 2019 at 150,000 miles and again the same problem only this time it cost me $1,800 to get fix just to have the same problem recur 3 times. I also got into an accident. This is more than a safety issue and i notice a lot of people complaining about the same thing. When will ford decided to address this…
ODI 11194597
Steering
Driving 70 mph on a highway the service power steering immediately light came on and service terrain management system light as well. I had no power steering.
ODI 11176041
Steering
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!
ODI 11171680
Steering
I was leaving to work and the steering was hard .the car was stationary , it marked power steering assault.im pregnant and i'm afraid to crash while driving.
ODI 11165335
Steering
The power steering failed causing the steering to become difficult almost resulting in a car crash
ODI 11163402
Steering
While driving on highway 80 near donner pass in california the "traction control unavailable" light came on with "check power steering" light. Steering wheel resistance increased as if power steering was beginning to fail. About 15 minutes later while driving in a snowstorm the red "service power steering immediately" light came on and the power steering totally failed making controlling the vehicle extremely…
ODI 11170344
Steering
While driving in the highway the steering system suddenly locked, making very difficult to change direction. This happened suddenly and we were close to an accident.
ODI 11162176
Steering
Power steering failure. Has happened when stationary as well as when moving. Steering is locked and steering wheel cannot be turned without considerable force.
ODI 11160653
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While the contact was attempting to steer out of a parking space, the power steering failed and "power steering fault" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to moses ford inc ([redacted], st albans, wv 25177) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was…
ODI 11163636
Steering
Tackata recall vehicle lost power steering while driving down a city street. Unknown reason for loss of steering. Extremely dangerous and ford says they cannot do anything for this vehicle. There are recalls for this problem and for the same year model.
ODI 11154853
Steering
Takata report. This is to report that my vehicle is going through a similar as other vehicles. The steering locks in place and i am unable to move the steering wheel at all. I did some research and i am not the one with this issue. An accident could of easily happen because of it.
ODI 11153727
Steering
Power steering intermittedly fails at different times. Seems to happen early when the car is used. This occurs when the car is in motion and steering becomes really hard.
ODI 11161118
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator flashed and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering), but the contact did not receive a notification. The dealer indicated that the part for the repair was not available. The dealer also stated that…
ODI 11154498
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the power steering seized while driving 65 mph. The contact slowed the vehicle down and was able to pull over to the road shoulder. The contact was able to slowly drive the vehicle home. The contact called five star ford stone mountain (3800 us-78, snellville, ga 30039, [redacted]) and was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The…
ODI 11154168
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving 55 mph, the service trac and service power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that it became difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. Neither the…
ODI 11145290
Steering
Power steering went out a second time. More than just a loss of power steering....basically cannot steer at all. Was 'fixed' by ford in 2015....beyond dangerous.life threatenening problem never fixed...really?i can be reached at (xxxxxx). Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
ODI 11145099
Engine · Steering
Was driving the car and as soon as we pull in the parking lot the engine light came on and the car won't move. It was towed to ford mechanic and they said the water pump was fault which made the coolant to enter the engine hence messing up the engine and i needed to replace the engine. It cost me arms and legs to fix the engine. Ford need to recall water pump failure which is leading to costly fixing of the engine.…
ODI 11164416