2011 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- 60
- 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 60 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- water pump · 13 records
- exhaust fumes · 10 records
- check engine · 6 records
- power steering · 6 records
- failure mileage · 6 records
- exhaust smell · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 15 |
| 30–60k mi | 15 |
| 100–150k mi | 14 |
| 1–30k mi | 8 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine · Unknown Or Other
While driving and especially after, there is a burning hair smell that is in the car and when you step outside the car it is very strong in the engine. Upon learning of the class action lawsuit too late, it helped make sense why i was smelling the "burnt hair" smell when i ran the heater and/or ac. This was anytime i drove the car whether highway driving or around town.
ODI 10954441
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
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the valve cover was allowing oil to travel through a tube into the air filter. The dealer (townsend sales and service, [redacted], townsend, ma 01469) stated that ford redesigned the valve cover, which would eliminate the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
ODI 11139285
Engine · Power Train
Have extensive engine damage due to water pump failure with no warning! I was driving my vehicle down a main highway and all of a sudden the "engine coolant overtemp" came on then "low oil pressure" and my vehicle shut down! I couldn't drive the vehicle. Luckily i drifted to side of the road so that my car could be towed without having an accident! Shop determined water pump failure and water leaked into my engine…
ODI 10923775
Engine
We have exhaust in the passenger compartment when climbing a hill or at a traffic stop when the engine is running, we notice the problem when under accelaration and while using the heater/ac. Will open the window when stopped with the car ideling to lessen the smell. Have complained to ford but have had nothing done. There is a technical bulliten on the valve cover with a replacement part but ford has not recalled…
ODI 10956378
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
Upon heavy acceleration such as when pulling onto a highway, or passing another vehicle on the road, an exhaust/fuel smell will enter the vehicle and be very noticeable to everyone in the vehicle. This occurs mostly when the air conditioner is on, on recirculation. My wife (primary driver of this 2011 ford explorer) complains of a lot of headaches and i am beginning to wonder if she is getting carbon monoxide…
ODI 10905564
Engine
My 2011 ford explorer lost power even though the engine did not die there was no power when pressing on gas pedal. The yellow wrench light came on the panel. I turned the ignition off and waited a few minutes and it restarted. I took it to a dealer and they couldn't get anything to register. I picked the car up anyd before i made it home it lost power again. I took it back in and they still couldn't get anything to…
ODI 10903679
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Exhaust fumes enter the passenger compartment when the ac is running at highway speeds and at any speed when the engine is taxing ie going up a steep grade.
ODI 10898388
Engine
Bad burning smell under acceleration to highway speed coming from air vents. Oil was found in the air filter housing and piping near mass air flow sensor.
ODI 10888133
Engine
Long story short, i pulled out of my neighborhood got about a quarter of a mile down the road. Heard the drive belt squeal for about 15 seconds, followed by check engine light, and extreme engine knock. The vehicle was shut off immediately. The codes read, crankshaft/camshaft correlation bank a sensor 1, the second code was engine knock. Vehicle towed to the dealer were they had 2 of their top technicians look at…
ODI 10886023
Engine · Unknown Or Other
I want to state that my truck does the same thing as reported in this problem. The smells gets real bad in the cabin when entering highway or crossing vehicles nhtsa action number: pe16008 component(s): engine and engine cooling , structure
ODI 10882986
Engine · Power Train
I was leaving my house pulling a kayak trailer with one kayak on it, went about a half block and the engine slowed down and the ford explorer would hardly move. Was able to go around the block and make it back to my driveway. After stopping and restarting the problem was gone. I had the ford explorer towed to the dealer were i bought it, they checked it and said it didn't show a error code on the computer and drove…
ODI 10876534
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
Cruise Control · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while the cruise control was set at 58 mph. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the road shoulder. Once the vehicle was restarted, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 83,000.
ODI 10807566
Engine · Unknown Or Other
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.
ODI 10954644
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
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.
ODI 10774844
Engine
After hard acceleration and let up exhaust smell gets in the compartment to the point you have roll the windows down to clear it out ford has tried to fix it they have a service.
ODI 10863548
Engine · Steering
I sent my vehicle in two months for to be fix at drew ford dealership. They also corrected a recall on the powersteering fault. Now the fault is back and the steering wheel is immovable or extremely hard to move. They also claim this will not fall under the recall, because it has been remedy the first time. I am very upset with ford, because this can be a 600-2000 dollar repair. Power steering should not go this…
ODI 10682792
Engine
This is a major safety concern. While driving an indication of a malfunction in the awd system shows on the dashboard & sync computer. The engine loses complete power and you must pull over and restart the vehicle to reset the on-board computer. This loss of power happens on the highway and is at great risk of causing serious issues to other traffic. Not to mention when i have my child in the vehicle. I have taken…
ODI 10628584
Engine · Exhaust System
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, levittown ford llc 3195 hempstead turnpike, levittown, ny 11756, where it was determined that exhaust fumes were present in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a…
ODI 11011943
Engine
As i was merging on to the highway, i accelerated to reach the same speed of the traffic. The engine revved over 3500 rpm. My air conditioner was on and set to recirculate the air. Shortly after merging onto the highway, i smelled exhaust fumes in the cabin of my car. *tr
ODI 10614840
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Driving down the interstate at 70mph, warning comes on the console "awd is off" and the engine is down to idle speed (~800 rpm). Pressing the accelerator results in no speed increase, forcing me to move across 4 lanes of traffic to the emergency lane with only the brakes working (no control over my speed, otherwise). Pulled over, stopped the engine, looked around and could see no externally visible problems (fluid…
ODI 10608726
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
Smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin when accelerating hard (ie, to merge on the freeway etc). Have noticed the issue since we first bought it (used) in 2013).
ODI 11012257
Engine · Power Train
While driving the car dies and the yellow wrench light appears. This occurred twice in one day. The first time it occurred i was just beginning to accelerate. I was able to pull over and restart the car. The second incident occurred while driving down the highway. I was able to pull over and restart the car. I immediately brought it to a ford dealer who has had the car for three days and cannot find out what is…
ODI 10538201
Engine
During hard acceleration onto a highway or from a stop, the interior of the vehicle fills with the odor of exhaust fumes. This occurs every time and is not random. *tr
ODI 10537052