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
Electric power steering assist system intermitently fails upon start-up of the vehicle creating a "power steering fault' warning message in the driver interface system. After turning off the vehicle and restarting it after 30 seconds, the power steering system continues to fail. The failure also continues while the vehicle is in motion. Failure causes a shutdown of the power steering assist causing difficulty of…
ODI 11131130
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed after the vehicle was serviced per nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). Shults ford of harmarville ([redacted], pittsburgh, pa 15238) only reprogrammed the computer, but had not replaced the steering rack. Six months later, the steering rack failed. The dealer wanted the vehicle owner to be responsible for…
ODI 11180026
Electrical System · Steering
I lose power steering when i turn the car on and have to turn it off and back on to regain power steering. This has occurred multiple times throughout the last few years.
ODI 11242910
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE IN MOTION
ODI 11120988
Steering
Started car and pulled out of parking space and no power steering. Received "power steering sensor fail" notice on dash. Turned off car and restarted and was ok. Am concerned to drive as there is no specific recall on my vin# for this however there is a recall on other 2011 ford explorers for this reason.
ODI 11115054
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 19v435000 (suspension). While the contact's husband was driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal vibration and the steering wheel became stiff and inoperable. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. In addition, the "service power steering" and "service power steering assist" messages were displayed.…
ODI 11242507
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver while driving at an unknown speed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle coasted until the failure corrected itself. The failure recurred while driving out of the driveway. The contact continued to drive until the power steering returned. The contact stated…
ODI 11121060
Steering
Compliant on ford explorer 2011 steering problem; its highly dishonest and cruel how ford is always selling cars to american people and saying that are the best in the market when in reality this cars (ford explorer 2011) have really high hazardous defects on its steering operation system. According to the reviews there has been multi car accidents due to this malfunction of the electronic device in the steering…
ODI 11113684
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the service advancetrac and power steering warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to rodman ford ([redacted], foxborough, ma 02035, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 11114722
Electrical System · Steering
Experiencing intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear. Causes a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
ODI 11142689
Steering
I was driving home going straight on a city street doing about 40mph when my steering wheel locked up power steering assist fault message came up on my instrument panel. I left of the gas and muscled the steering wheel to get to the side of the road. Other than a couple honks from people behind me there was no harm. I looked into the problem and noticed the recall, but when i came to your site to check for an open…
ODI 11111414
Steering
Clunking in steering rack/gears while stationary and extremely wobbly at higher speeds. Clunking also when turning
ODI 11119460
Steering
Lost complete steering while driving. The wheel wouldn't let me turn it at all.
Crash reported
ODI 11105059
Steering
Loss of power steering assist several times since 2/2016 sporadically while vehicle in motion. I understand there is a recall related to this. It has happened at low speeds in neighborhoods or while pulling out of the driveway thankfully. Turning car off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning back on usually will reset and 'fix' this. The steering wheel gets so stiff that it can not manually be turned, with the most…
ODI 11103011
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. Upon starting the vehicle, the steering ability became very difficult and the steering assist message displayed on the message center. After approximately three attempts to restart the vehicle, the steering wheel was finally able to be turned. The contact stated that the failure occurred at least twice a month for the past year. The vehicle was not taken to an independent…
ODI 11101330
Steering
Power steering has failed recall should be sent out for 2011 explorer 14s06
ODI 11093603
Steering
My electronic power steering(eps) has gone out 3 times. The first time the dealership supposedly fixed it according to the recall that was out. I was never notified in any way by ford or the fird dealership that my suv even had a recall. The eps has gone out 2 more times since the "fix" and the dealership claims there isnt a problem or that tire pressure is low and shuts off the system. Every time it has gone out it…
ODI 11091596
Steering
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.
ODI 11065240
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to york ford, inc. (located at 1481 broadway, saugus, ma 01906, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.…
ODI 11139543
Steering
Power steering failure. Power steering failed while driving and caused accident. I was queens boulevard between 52nd and 51st street when it occurred. My video is too large to download.
Crash reported
ODI 11056552
Steering
Power steering fails with no warning dealer states no codes stored so cannot verify failure and therefor will not repair suspect ford software is not recording codes to capture failure to avoid having to repair failing power steering system
ODI 11076786
Air Bags · Steering
My car has about 95k miles. Currently it is in the shop getting 2 things done. A part is ordered for air bag. I've had several airbag issues needed service. My biggest concern is the power steering unit. I bought the car new from diblasio in 2012 w/ about 7k miles on it. I have extended warranty from ford. Sept 2016 the original power steering unit failed and was replaced. 14 months later the replacement has now…
ODI 11046588
Steering
Loss of power steering while driving some explorers 2011-12 were recalled. Mine was not, however it has been determined to be the steering gear and the safety issue of concern. In retrospect why was mine not recalled. This occurred while my wife was driving on the expressway. The vehicle is now at the dealership waiting for parts. Repair estimate is $2000.
ODI 11033208
Steering
Warning electric power assist came on in dash and was unable to steer
ODI 11032626
Steering
When i was driving i came to a stop sign. I proceeded to make a right turn, that's when the suv shut off and the steering wheel became hard to control simultaneously. I stopped in the middle of the road, turned the key to the off position and re-started the suv again. None of my warning lights in the dashboard are displayed. This issue has happened to my spouse and i on at least 5 other occasions. I am very alarmed…
ODI 11032322