Page 16 of 24 · complaints 751–800 of 1,198

2011 Ford Explorer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Steering
Filed Aug 26, 201678,100 milesMA

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.

Engine
Filed Aug 24, 201683,000 milesNC

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.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 22, 201678,000 milesOR

MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 18, 201670,000 milesNV

STRONG EXHAUST ODORS IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT, NOTICEABLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AT FULL THROTTLE OR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS SET TO RECIRCULATE AIR. BROUGHT IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO FORD DEALERSHIP, HAD FORD REPAIR ITEMS SPECIFIED ON THEIR TSB. STILL NOTICEABLE EXHAUST ODOR, RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP VERIFIED REPAIRS AND STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING ELSE. STILL NOTICEABLE EXHAUST ODOR COMING INTO OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 3, 201680,000 milesIA

LAST NIGHT I HAD DONE MY FIRST FULL THROTTLE APPLICATION EVER. SUBSEQUENTLY I RECEIVED THIS STRONG SMELL, SO STRONG THAT I COULD BARELY BREATHE IN THE CABIN. IT SMELLED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I SLOWED WAY DOWN TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO FLAMES ANYWHERE. COME TO FIND OUT THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH, IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE, GIVEN THE STRENGTH OF IT I'M PRESUMING A SIGNIFICANTLY UNSAFE LEVEL.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 30, 201682,000 milesMO

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHICH SHUTS DOWN THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2011. IT ALSO APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 30, 2016125,000 milesVA

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON; DEALER CHECKED & RECOMMENDS REMOVING CENTER CONSOLE TO GREASE CONNECTORS. THEY SAY THIS MAY FIX PROBLEM; ESTIMATE $450-$500; THEY DID CHECK CONNECTORS UNDER SEAT AND DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO SAY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WHEN DUE (MAR 2017).

Engine
Filed Jul 25, 201656,000 milesTN

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 19, 201685,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AN ODOR OF EXHAUST OCCASIONALLY ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON APRIL 12, 2013, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2016113,000 milesVA

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 THE VEHICLE AND THE BOTH REPORTED THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED AND FILLED THE ENGINE UP WITH COOLANT WHICH CAUSE THE ENGINE TO EXPIRE. MY WIFE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK FOR 2 YEARS AND SHE'S VERY CAREFUL DRIVER. NO WOARNING SIGNS OF A FAILING WATER PUMP. JUST GOT BACK FROM A 7HR ROAD TRIP A WEEK BEFORE THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND THE ENGINE EXPIRED.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 15, 2016106,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ UPDATED 09/28/16.*JB

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 15, 2016NC

WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH SMELLING EXHAUST IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP OR ACCELERATING SUDDENLY. WE HAVE NOTICED THIS FOR A WHILE NOW AND IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. WE KNOW YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE BUT WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE ALSO. WE HAVE LESS THAN 55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 13, 2016TX

EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN WHILE EXCELRATING IN PASSING GEAR, STRONG FUMES COMES THREW THE A/C SYSTEM. THIS ALSO HAPPENS ANYTIME YOU EXCELRATE. WE HAVE HAD THE VECHILE IN THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST WEEK WE BOUGTH, A NUMBER OF TIME FOR THIS PROMBLE

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 11, 201656,000 milesCO

BACK UP CAMERA IS FAILING ON THIS MODEL. EVERYONE I TALK TO THAT HAS A FORD EXPLORER 2011, 2012 HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM

Power Train
Filed Jul 8, 201683,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 6, 20165,000 milesPR

REGARDS FROM THE FIRST YEAR I PURCHASED I HAVE ENTERED THE EXHAUST AREA OF THE CABIN. FROM THE FIRST YEAR, SERVICE, PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED ME IN THE FORD DEALER, TOLD ME I COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE OR THAT WAS PART OF THE DESIGN OF THE UNIT. I GOT TO TAKE IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS WHENEVER I'M DRIVING AND PRESENTED ME HAVING TO CLIMB DOWN OR UP A HILL, IT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM ARISES. I MAY HAPPEN IN THE EXPRESS OR NORMAL ROADS. THE ONE LAST VISIT FOR A RECALL, RETURNED TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM AND NOW TELLS ME IT COSTS ME $ 600 FOR THE REPAIR MEMO I GET HOW TO WORK WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TROUBLE BECAUSE THEY SPENT 36,000 MILES. MY COMMENT IS THAT FROM THE FIRST YEAR'VE BEEN REPORTING THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT HAVE ANY KIND OF SOLUTION. THE SMELL IS NOW VERY OFTEN AND TRULY BOTHERS TO GUIDE AND MUST REPRESENT A HEALTH PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2016MI

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

Air Bags
Filed Jun 29, 2016CA

I HAVE MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASH, AND MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THIS CAR IS TOO YOUNG TO HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. MY PASSENGER BACK SEAT BELT CASE IS BROKEN AS WELL. THE STITCHING ON THE SEAT BELT SEEM TO BE TEARING. THIS IS ONLY A 2011 FORD EXPLORER IT IS WAY TO YOUNG FOR ALL THESE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. MY MECHANIC CANT FIGURE IT OUT.

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 201638,000 milesLA

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 IT TWICE AND COULD NOT MAKE IT HAPPEN SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT IT IS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AND THEY HAVE CHANGED OVER ONE MILLION OF THEM. BOTH YOU AND FORD ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED. ALSO ONCE THIS HAPPENS IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH 38 THOUSAND MILES ON IT THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND CANNOT GET IT FIXED.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 14, 201641,500 milesPR

I HAVE EXPERIENCE TWICE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE OF THIS VEHICLE. I CHANGE THE PART ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN LAST WEEK. THE VEHICLE JUST DECREASES SPEED SUDDENLY TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR AND A LIGHT COME ON THE DASH WITH A WRENCH. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE ALREADY AND IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF DRIVING AT A HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND LUCKLY I WAS ON THE INNER SIDE AND COULD PULL OVER BUT IF IT HAD HAPPEN ON THE OUTTER LANES THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 31, 201689,000 milesNM

THE POWER STEERING FAILS, AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed May 24, 201680,000 milesTX

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESS THIS AS A RECALL. FORD NEEDS TO THINK THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. LIKE IF A SAFETY BELT DONT WORK THEN IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE THE AIRBAG WORKS BUT CAN KILL YOU AND WHEN AIRBAGS DOES NOT WORK IT CAN KILL ALSO.SO WHY DOES NOT FORD ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ON THEIR VEHICLES SPECIALLY 2011-2015 FORD EXPLORERS

Structure › Body
Filed May 20, 2016100,000 milesVA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I64 EAST WHEN I STARTED HEARING THIS LOUD BUZZING LIKE NOISE. NEXT THING I KNEW IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING HIT MY DRIVING SIDE WINDOW BOUNCED ALONE MY CAR AND FLEW BEHIND ME CAUSING THE DRIVER BEHIND ME TO DODGE IT. ...I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE TO FIND THAT THE TRIM WAS GONE ALONE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IT HAD HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE ON MY CAR IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND CAUSED LONG BLACK MARKS ON MY SIDE MIRROR, AND REAR SIDE PANEL. GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND NOT EVEN TEN MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED TO THE LEFT SIDE. SAME EXACT THING! RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TRIM FLEW OFF HITTING MY WIFE'S WINDOW, SCRATCHED THE CAR AND CAUSED PERSON BEHIND US TO DODGE IT. I ALSO HAD MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, SO EVERYONE WAS VERY UPSET AND SCARED CONSIDERING THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED US TO WRECK GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (GREENBRIER FORD) WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IS TOO BAD, COME IN AND GET AND ESTIMATE, SO YOU CAN PAY TO FIX YOUR REPAIRS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MALFUNCTION WITH THIS EXTERIOR OF THE CAR WHICH I SHOULDN'T BE LIABLE FOR ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND HARMED MY FAMILY. I GUESS FORD NEEDS SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY RECALL OR FIX THE PROBLEM. THANKS FORD FOR CARING...NOT.. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO INTEGRITY??

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed May 13, 2016118,000 milesNJ

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 DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Engine
Filed May 6, 201652,000 milesTX

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.

Steering
Filed Apr 28, 2016NC

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 17, 201667,390 milesNC

GAS LEAK DRIVER SIDE FUEL TANK AT SEAM

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 201665,000 milesOH

AFTER HAVING EPAS REPLACED (@HALL FORD ELLIZABETH CITY, NC) UNDER RECALL 15N01 AFTER COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE BEGAN A 700 MI. ROAD 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 ALONG WITH WHAT FELT LIKE ABS CONTROL SEEMED LIKE IT INTERVENED SPORADICALLY. WE ALSO RECIEVED A DASH PROMPT THAT THE FUEL FILLER INLET NEEDED CHECKED AS WELL. UPON ARRIVAL TO A FORD DEALER ALONG OUR ROUTE (SHEEHY FORD, WARRENTON, VA) THEY PULLED THE CODES LISTED AND APPEARED TO BE A LITANY OF CODES NEARLY A PAGE AND A HALF LONG. THEY CLEARED THE CODES AND DROVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AROUND THE BLOCK THE TRACTION CONTROL BEGAN TO ACT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT LOSS OF TRACTION. THEY CAME BACK AND CHECKED FOR ERROR CODES AND THE "STEERING POSITION SENSOR WAS AT FAULT" THEY WENT THROUGH RE-CALIBRATED THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AND CLEARED OUT THE CODES AND DROVE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. WE THEN CONTINUED ON OUR REMAINDER OF OUR TRIP WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ISSUES. UPON ARRIVAL TO OUR HOME DESTINATION THE FOLLOWING DAY WE BEGAN TO AGAIN HAVE TRACTION CONTROL INTERVENING WITH DRIVER INPUT WHEN NOT NEEDED WHERE IT APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING POWER FROM AXLE TO AXLE OR APPLYING BRAKING TO AID IN TRACTION CONTROL. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THAT REAR VIEW CAMERA DISPLAYS THE P

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 1, 201650,000 milesTX

THE HOOD PAINT IS BUBBLING UP AND SHOWS CORROSION ALONG THE FRONT. THE RUBBER AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS DRY ROTTED AND CRUMBLING ALL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT EITHER PROBLEM. THERE IS A FORD TSB ISSUED ON THE PAINT ISSUE.

Steering
Filed Mar 31, 201643,000 milesMI

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 AND I HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN AND AVOID A VEHICLE EXITING THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS ONLY THEN I GOOGLE SEARCHED IF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES. THAT'S WHEN I LEARNED THAT ITS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD EXPLORER. EVEN THOUGH A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR, YOU'LL FIND FORD WILL WANT TO CHANGE OTHER PARTS FIRST, PARTS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. THE STEERING GEAR IS VERY EXPENSIVE ($1,500) FIRST THE DEALER SAID ITS THE STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR AND NOT THE STEERING GEAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR......I LITERALLY PULLED OUT OF SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD MICHIGAN AND DROVE 1 MILE TO A NEARBY GROCERY STORE, AFTER RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE ON THE FIRST START UP AFTER THIS REPAIR MY STEERING WAS FROZEN FOR 7-10 SECONDS AFTER 4 DAYS LOSS OF USAGE OF MY VEHICLE WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, NO RENTAL CAR OFFERED, I'LL BE RETURNING MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALER TOMORROW, I'LL KEEP POSTING UPDATES TO THIS NIGHTMARE WITH FORD MOTOR CO. FOLKS, I'M SURE YOU'LL ALL A

Air Bags
Filed Feb 24, 2016106,820 milesPA

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON. WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER IS BAD. WAS QUOTED $450 TO REPAIR. AFTER REFUSING TO HAVE THE WORK DONE I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ON EXPLORERFORUM.COM SOME HAVE SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE THE CONNECTIONS CHECKED UNDER THE SEAT AND I HAVE NOW FOUND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. MY DEALER NEVER SUGGESTED TRYING TO GREASE THE CONNECTIONS, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE MADE THEIR OWNERS AWARE OF, SINCE WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 24, 201618,747 milesPA

HAVE HAD VEHICLE CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR ISSUES WITH THE GPS SYSTEM. THEY HAVE RESET AND RUN UPDATES, BUT MOST OF THE TIME I AM TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IT THAT THEY CAN FIND. WHILE DRIVING THE GPS SYSTEM PLACES THE CAR OUT IN A POND, THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD OR SOME WHERE OTHER THAN WHERE MY CAR IS PHYSICALLY LOCATED. THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A TOMTOM TO REPLACE THE USELESS SYSTEM THAT I PURCHASED. FIRST OCCURRENCE DATE AND MILEAGE IS LISTED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 14, 201645,200 milesAZ

VEHICLE FAILED TO GENERATE HEAT TO EITHER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OR TO DEFROST OF FRONT WINDOW. IN VIEWING YOUTUBE THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WHICH FORD WILL CORRECT ONLY DURING THE VEHICLES WARRANTY PERIOD UNDER TBS 12-1-8. ONCE PAST THE WARRANTY IT FALLS UPON VEHICLE OWNER TO BARE THE COST FOR REPAIR.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 24, 201570,000 milesGA

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 17, 2015FL

DRIVERS SIDE ARMREST TEARING APART DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD TRIM RUBBER FALLING OUT OF WINDSHIELD.RUST ON HOOD.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 9, 201560,000 milesOH

I HAVE AN AIR BAG LIGHT THAT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME, BUT WILL SOMETIMES GO AWAY. IT HAS BEEN ON FOR AT LEAST A MONTH NOW. THE CAUSE IS A LOOSE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. APPARENTLY THE FORD FIX ACCORDING TO TSB (ATTACHED) IS APPLY GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET. THERE IS A 12 PAGE THREAD ON EXPLORER FORUMS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO IT. MY DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. HOW CAN A LOOSE CONNECTOR THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED NOT BE? TWO TO THREE HOURS OF LABOR IS A SMALL PRICE FOR FORD TO PROVIDE SAFETY TO THEIR OWNERS. HERE IS A LINK TO THREAD DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM HTTPS://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=349429

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 201543,000 milesCA

I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WERE INTERMITTENT. FIRST, THE VOLUME BUTTON FAILED AND THEN CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONS FAILED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SOMETIMES CANCEL ON ITS OWN, CAUSING A SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF SPEED WHILE I THOUGHT IT WAS ENGAGED. THE "RESUME" AND "CANCEL" BUTTON FUNCTIONS ALSO SWAPPED. "RESUME" WOULD CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL AND "CANCEL" WOULD RESUME CRUISE. I ONLY FIGURED THIS OUT AFTER PRESSING CANCEL WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL TO SLOW THE CAR FOR TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME AND IT DID NOT RESPOND OR SLOW THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED AT ITS SET SPEED UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT. THE DIAGNOSIS FOR THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 43,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, THEY REINSTALLED SOFTWARE WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT YET HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLOCK SPRING BECAUSE IT HAS NOT YET BEEN PAID WHILE I TEST THE REPAIR. THE CLOCK SPRING DID APPEAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AT PERRY FORD IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 1, 201570,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR PASSENGER AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Nov 30, 201583,000 milesWI

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.

Steering
Filed Nov 25, 201542,000 milesCA

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.

Steering
Filed Nov 18, 201577,000 milesTN

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 WAS 77,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 1, 201594,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID TO A STOP, THIS LOCKED UP THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS SKIDDING ON THE PAVEMENT. THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO THE REAR VIEW CAMERA CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME SO THE OCCUPANTS COULD SEE THE CAR BEHIND THEM, ALSO INDICATING THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION LEVER/HANDLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS SOME TYPE OF ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION, BUT NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ON THE COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE CHECK IT INDICATED NO MALFUNCTIONS, TEMPORARILY THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON BUT WENT OUT SHORTLY BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED. THE CAR COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO ANY GEAR, NOR MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED AND SKIDDING AS IT WENT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. THE REAR WHEELS MOVED AT THIS POINT AND IT IS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 27, 201540,000 milesTN

WHEN I START MY CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE PRESSURE IN AN AIRBAG IS NOT ACCURATE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $300 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AND NOT A WARE AND TEAR PROBLEM THAT I SHOULD BE PAYING FOR. ALONG WITH THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING OR NOT DEPLOYING DUE TO THE PRESSURE NOT BEING CORRECT IN THE AIRBAGS.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 21, 201580,000 milesNJ

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 WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 19, 2015FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 13, 201565,000 milesPA

FAULTY ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITHIN THE GEAR SHIFTER KNOB PERIODICALLY INDICATES THAT CAR IS NOT IN "PARK" WHEN THE CAR IS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THIS IS WORRISOME SINCE YOU ARE ALWAYS AFRAID YOUR CAR WILL ROLL AWAY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS PERIODICALLY FOR ME AND IS REMEDIED TEMPORARILY BY FRANTICALLY "CLICKING" THE GEAR SHIFTER SWITCH UNTIL THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 24, 201529,280 milesSC

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE GEAR IS IN PARK. I NEEDED TO PUT BACK IN TO DRIVE AND PARK AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND MOVE SHIFTER FOR IT TO FINALLY RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2011. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED AND WAS IN JULY OF 2013. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER AND BOX. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED ANOTHER SHIFTER AND GEAR BOX ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE 3RD OVERALL GEAR BOX ON THIS CAR IN 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AS AN ISSUE, HOWEVER, THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHEN SOMEONE THINKS THEY PUT THE CAR IN PARK, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL READS IT AS IN GEAR.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 23, 201542,000 milesWA

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.

Steering
Filed Sep 23, 201542,000 milesWA

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

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 22, 201536,800 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN DECREASING IN SPEED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD DIM OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,800.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2011 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →