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. While driving 65 mph and attempting to make a turn, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle continued to drive forward. The vehicle ran off the roadway, which caused the front passenger side wheel and tie rod to fracture. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven to beechmont ford (located at 600 ohio pike, cincinnati, oh 45245, [redacted])…
Crash reported
ODI 11170327
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to jones ford casa grande (1932 n pinal ave, casa grande, az 85122, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the engine block was mixing with the oil. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the power steering was locking consistently, and the interlock and advancetrac warning…
ODI 11289272
Steering
It was a power steering wheel recall but the ford company could not fix it because of over mileage but my understanding it's a recall and i haven't had my ford explorer for about 5 week and i really need it back thank you *tr
ODI 10928918
Steering
While driving at 35mph, steering froze and "power steering system fault" notification illuminated on the dash. Safely stopped at next driveway. Shut down car. Exited car, called husband. Restarted car and steering was working again. Travelled 2 more miles at 35mph and power steering froze again with same subsequent notification; also advance trac lights illuminated. Man handled steering to drive car home. Now engine…
ODI 10915166
Steering
Power steering failed requiring extreme effort to pull over off the road. Warning came up "service power steering". Vehicle was brought to dealership where they determined the power steering rack needed to be replaced (many many reports on this) on 9/26. Picked up vehicle on 9/29 with a brand new power steering rack and drove it home. Started vehicle on 9/30 and drove 3 miles when the brand new power steering rack…
ODI 10910852
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
The steering has never worked correctly, something just does not feel right with this vehicle. Also - the sync system does not work correctly and the screen randomly reboots and is not working correctly. Lastly the car system does not recognize when keys are in the car, so every time you go to start the car does not work. How this is unsafe - is in cold weather you have your keys in hand and the car will not start,…
ODI 10907633
Steering
Sep 3, 2016 3rd incident of power steering going out while driving. First time was one year ago. The steering wheel completely locked while i was making a left turn. I had to use all my strength to "un-jam" it. Took it to the dealership for service and they replaced the steering gear. 6 months ago steering went out again while driving with my husband and 3 children on vacation. Had the car towed to the closest…
ODI 10905063
Steering
It start happening yesterday when start my suv after it start on message console i see power steering assist fault and steering wheel get very hard to turn. Truck have 78k and don't know if ford dealer will accept that as a recall? I have shut off the car and restart and issues went away. But later on same day when i start the truck it happen again.
ODI 10898686
Engine And Engine Cooling · Steering
My ford explorer 2011 omits a foul odor(smells like rotten egg)when you turn on the ac while driving, the steering column feels loose and has a strong wind noise while driving. *tr
ODI 10920227
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
The power steering fails, and it becomes very hard and almost impossible to steer the vehicle.
ODI 10871672
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and repaired. However, while the contact's wife was driving 25 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. As a result, the driver lost control and the vehicle veered into the next lane. The steering failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle…
ODI 10983135
Steering
There are times when i am driving down the road and i want to change lanes, it is hard for me to turn the wheel. There are also times where and slowing to make a turn and it is extremely hard for me to turn the wheel.it doesn't happen every single time but it happens more than enough.
ODI 10862003
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
I purchased my vehicle in march of 2016. I first had issues with the braking system. I heard screeching and whirring as i drove the vehicle. Next, i had issues with the battery, battery acid leaked all over the battery, corrosion built up on the battery. Most recently, after servicing my vehicle, the power steering locked up. The computer read that there was power steering fault. I don't understand how i was able to…
ODI 10969920
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering
After having epas replaced (@hall ford ellizabeth city, nc) under recall 15n01 after complete power steering failure. We began a [redacted] trip home and began to experience spontaneous traction control interaction with our driving input which affected either power distribution to the axels, braking ability, and steering ability. After making it nearly 300 miles the electronic stability control completely went out…
ODI 10853156
Steering
My 2011 ford explorer started having power steering assist failure in dec, 2015 at first it would be on first start up, lasting 3-4 seconds with a frozen steering wheel. Gradually it happened more often and lasted longer (5-10 seconds) recently in march 2016 while driving across florida on vacation, i slowed to enter the driveway of a shopping center, as i made the turn at approximately 15 mph my steering went stiff…
ODI 10852834
Electrical System · Steering
While driving at a speed of 55 mph, in a down-pour rain, on a state hwy, on a straightaway, the power steering was lost when the "check charging system" warning light came on (check battery light came on as well). Steering was extremely difficult. Cause at this time is unknown.
ODI 10812037
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 3 mph, the steering wheel seized. The "power steering assist failure" was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10806741
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving at approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the failure only occurred while driving low speeds. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage…
ODI 10794628
12v/24v/48v Battery · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the "service power steering" and "service advance track" warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering); however, the failure recurred while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was towed to multiple dealers where it was…
ODI 10864817
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While making a left turn from a stop, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the vehicle was operating as designed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering), but the failure recurred multiple times. The…
ODI 10763842
Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While accelerating over 65 mph, the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the power steering and power terrain messages displayed before the steering wheel became locked. The driver was unable to turn the steering wheel. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failures…
ODI 10784941
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle loss power steering completely as the check power steering unit warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on two other occasions. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
ODI 10747670
Steering
At low speeds the floor of the car feels like it is shuttering back and forth. I thought it was the steering wheel but it doesn't move back and forth if i take my hands off but i can definitely feel it in the steering through the floor
ODI 10775277
Steering
I had the recall work done for the power steering assist fault and this morning, i started the car and got the same fault code and had no power steering.
ODI 10730388
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving at 15 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to steer and the power steering assist warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 14v286000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10726574