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 →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTIFICATION ON THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON SEPTEMBER 29, 15. *JB
THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT SYNC WITH THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE.....SOMETIMES OFF BY A FEW BLOCKS AND SOMETIMES OFF BY A COUPLE OF MILES. THIS POSES A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING DUE TO DISTRACTION OF TRYING TO FIND YOUR LOCATION. THIS USED TO BE SPORADIC AND NOW OCCURS DAILY. CORPORATE AND FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS NO WARRANTY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE WEB AND FORD CORPORATE TOLD ME THAT THE INTERNET IS NOT RELIABLE....REALLY? THE COMPLAINTS YOU CAN FIND ARE IN FORD FORUMS, GOOGLE, YOUTUBE TO NAME A FEW. VEHICLES AFFECTED ARE FORD/LINCOLN WITH NAVIGATION. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS DEFINITELY FALLS UNDER A SAFETY RECALL WITH HIGH PRIORITY. OTHER CAR COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO FIX A POTENTIAL VULNERABILITY FOR HACKING INTO NAVIGATION TO PURPOSELY MIS-NAVIGATE SOMEONE.....FORDS PROBLEM IS THE NAVIGATION ITSELF...OWN UP AND FIX IT. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING MAY PRODUCE FATALITIES.
I REVIEVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S06/NHSA RECALL 14V-286 FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN INFORMING ME THAT A RECALL WAS TO BE PERFORMED ON MY POWER STEERING. THE NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR) SHOULD IT FAIL BEFORE 150,000 MILES OR THE END OF DECEMBER 2015. "THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING EFFORT, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF CRASH" WAS STATED IN THE LETTER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER(SOUTHWEST FORD OF GREENVILLE, TEXAS) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROGRAMMING OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS COMPLETE BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR UNLESS DIRECTED BY FORD TO DO SO. THE LETTER STATED THE GEAR WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR) IF THE GEAR IS REPLACED BEFORE 150,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, OR DECEMBER 31, 2015. THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE THE GEAR UNLESS DIRECTED BY FORD HOME OFFICE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILS. I AM NOT CLOSE TO THE 150,000 MILES BUT THE END OF 2015 IS NEAR.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
WHEN STARTING, NON OF THE SAFTY FEATURES WORK, NO BACKUP CAMERA, PROXIMITY ALERTS, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONS; NO OF THE INFO/SAFETY SYSTEM WORKS. AFTER DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS, "SYNC" COMES ON SCREEN AND YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE SYSTEM IS DOING MAINTENANCE ON ITSELF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ALL APPEARS REPAIRED. YOUR CAR SHOULD NOT REBOOT AT INCONVENIENT AND UNSAFE TIMES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,147.
RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60MPH THE TRUCK LOST ALL ABILTY TO MOVE. WRENCH INDICATOR CAME ON AND LIGHTS ON THE TRACTION KNOB WENT OUT. COASTED TO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN THE CAR OF AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED. LATER THAT NIGHT IN MY NEIGHBOR HOOD IT DID THE A SAME THING AGAIN. SLUGGISH TO RESTART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES, SIZE P245/60R18 (NA). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS SEPARATING. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T006000 (TIRES), BUT THE TIRE SIZE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
WHILE IDLING AND WHILE GETTING CAR UP TO SPEED THE AC COOLING MAKES A WEAK SOUND AND DOES NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR. WHILE IDLING THE CAR OVERHEATS WHEN THE AC IS ON AND BLOWS HOT AIR. DUE TO THE EFFECT THIS IS A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT THE AC SHOULD STILL BE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION GIVEN IT'S ONLY USED 2-3 MONTHS A YEAR SINCE OWNERSHIP. CAR WILL ALSO OVERHEAT WHILE IT'S BLOWING HEAT DURING WINTER MONTHS. ENGINE COOLANT IS AT OPTIMUM LEVELS AND CAR WILL SMOKE WHILE EXHAUST IS ON. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE AS READING NUMBERS REVIEWS ON-LINE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH ALL FORD MODEL VEHICLES, AVERAGE COSTS TO REPAIR ARE OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE WHAT SHOULD BE A NEW AC SYSTEM, WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DUE TO KNOWN FAILURE BY FORD.
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.
SINCE PURCHASING MY 2011 EXPLORER, I HAVE JUST REPLACE THE COOLANT FAN ON JUNE 20,2015. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE FAN HAS QUIT WORKING ENTIRELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND REQUIRED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. REQUESTED FORD TO REIMBURSE COST OF MOST RECENT REPAIR.
THE DASH "CHECK AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ON. ITS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHILE THE "CHECK AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. OUT OF REGULAR WARRANTY, DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN FROM FORD, BUT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR DEDUCTIBLE.
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ALERT NOTED. POWER STEERING NOT WORKING AND ATTEMPTED TO RESET BY RESTARTING CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. TOWED TO DEALER. NEED TO REPLACE TOTAL RACK AND PINION IN ORDER TO FIX THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON WITH NO DEALER ABLE TO FIX. WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE LIGHT ON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH AT ANY TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.
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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED COMING TO A STOP, FELT LIKE A LOST IN POWER AND ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM FAILURE, POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNINGS GO OFF. I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND SAME THING HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED AT NEXT STOP SIGN. I DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND TURN CAR OFF. UPON RETURNING ALL SYSTEMS WERE WORKING FINE. ON 6/19/15 SAME THING HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED, ADVANCE TRAC AND POWER STEERING FAILURE AND STILL NOT WORKING AFTER SEVERAL HOURS SITTING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL, WHERE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS PRESENT. THE LOUD NOISE WAS DOMINANT WHEN STEERED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE QUARTER PANEL AND HOOD WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CORROSION CONTINUED TO EXPAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED, CREATING SMOKE AND EXTREME HEAT TO WHEEL AREA. CALIPER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME ISSUE WITH LEFT REAR CALIPER ON 5-1-15 AT 42K MILES. LEFT CALIPER REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, AS IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. SAME ISSUE WITH RIGHT REAR CALIPER AGAIN ON 5-26-15 AT 44K MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE CALIPER WAS OK AFTER CLEANING THE AREA. THERE APPEARS TO BE CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THESE REAR BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT BUBBLED AND CHIPPED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND STARTED TO CORRODE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PAINTED AS A REMEDY FOR THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED, AND TWO ALERTS APPEARED (SERVICE POWER STEERING *DUH*, AND SOMETHING ABOUT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT. I WAS ABLE STEER THE VEHICLE (WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT) TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE.
REF, PREVIOUS CASE [XXX] ... JUST CURIOUS, SAW FORD HAD SEVERAL 2011 VEHICLES ADDED TO RECALLS, BUT NOT EXPLORERS FOR THIS CAUSE, WONDER WHY, SINCE OUR EXPERIENCE WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE OTHER RECALLS WERE, LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST, COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. WAS ELECTRICAL STEERING GEAR MALFUNCTION AT 47,000 MILES [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB
STARTED CAR, AND POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS, AND THEN STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. I GO DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES. I PULL OVER FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE LEAVING THE CAR RUNNING. I GET BACK IN AND START DRIVING. IT LOOSES POWER STEERING AGAIN. I TRY TO START THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. I TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID THE RECALL IS CLOSED AND WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. THEY SAY IT HAD THE SOFTWARE ISSUE FIXED LAST YEAR BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR. THIS TIME IT IS A PART FAILURE AND WILL COST $1500. I DO NOT THINK THE ISSUE WAS FIXED IN THE FIRST PLACE WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED.
ONCE THE CAR IS IN PARK POSITION MESSAGE WILL APEAR IN DASHBOARD "SHIFT IN PARK " ALSO WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE APEARS "NO KEY DETECTED"
VEHICLE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND EXTINGUISHED SPORADICALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE STAYING ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATE FAILURE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. TROUBLESHOOTING, RESEARCH, AND DIAGNOSTICS HAVE REVEALED POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AT VARIOUS CONNECTORS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR THE SRS SYSTEM. DEALER SERVICE HAS INDICATED POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTION (PRE-TENSIONERS, AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ETC) IF THIS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.
CAR POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON 3/23/15. BROUGHT IT TO SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FT. MYERS, FLORIDA. HAD PART NUMBERS BB5Z3504RE (1 GEAR ASY-STE), W712961-S439 (BOLT), W716182-S439 (2 BOLTS) REPLACED. LABOR AND PARTS CAME TO $1,567.53. SAW ON THIS SITE THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL (NOT THIS VIN) HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR INCIDENT. FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE US FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 4, 2014, AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE 14S06, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO FRIENDLY FORD IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY FOR A POWER STEERING ISSUE. FORD SAID THAT THAT VISIT RESOLVED THE POWER STEERING ISSUE. AS THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, I FEEL THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED SINCE WE HAD A SUBSEQUENT INCIDENT ON 3/23/15.
CORROSION HAS FORMED ON THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD ASSEMBLY AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF IMPACTS OR SCRATCHES THAT WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS WAS INFLUENCED FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE. *TR
I AM NOT CERTAIN WHERE TO FULLY POST THIS OR WHAT CAN HAPPEN FOR THIS CAR. I GAVE THIS CAR BACK TO WESTLIE FORD IN CAMAS, WA. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY A DOCTOR THAT 3 PEOPLE GOT SULFUR POISONING FROM THIS CAR. I SAW THIS CAR INSTANTLY BACK ON FORDS LOT EVEN THOUGH I HAD ADVISED THEM IT GAVE ME SULFUR POISON. WHEN MY FRIEND EMAILED INQUIRING ABOUT THE CAR THEY ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED BUT WAS A KEEPER. THEY CAR WAS A LEMON FROM THE START AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS OF THAT TIME PERIOD FOR DIFFERENT REPAIRS. WE ALSO INQUIRED ABOUT THAT WITH EVERYTHING ON THE CAR FAX REPORT. THEY CAME BACK THAT IT WAS JUST BASIC MAINTENANCE. 7 ISSUES IN 7 MONTHS WAS NOT BASIC FIXES. THE OTHER MAJOR THING BESIDE SULFUR POISON WAS THE CAR WAS LEAKING AND HAD MILDEW ISSUES BEFORE I FOUND THE LEAK. I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT THE NEXT FAMILY THAT GETS IN THIS CAR. IF IT HASN'T BEEN PROPERLY FIXED THE NEXT PERSON CAN HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MY FAMILY. *TR
IN APRIL 2015, I HAD TWO INSTANCES IN WHICH MY VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITH A CORRESPONDING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE. I, FORTUNATELY, WAS IN A PARKING LOT BOTH TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO STEER TO A PARKING SPACE, TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR (AS ADVISED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL). IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I DISCOVERED A RECALL NOTICE FOR POWER STEERING ISSUES. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 23RD TO HAVE THE SERVICE PERFORMED. ON APRIL 27TH, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME, I REALIZED THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING NO LONGER WORKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE. BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE, THEY PERFORMED THE BASIC RESET AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. FORD IS TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE THEY HAD SERVICED THE RECALL ONCE, THEY CONSIDER IT TO BE REPAIRED AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THE FAILED POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD IS REFUSING TO REPAIR A KNOWN DEFECT THAT WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. *TR
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE A WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD FAILED. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT CLEARED THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT IN FOR SERVICE IN AUGUST OF 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL FROM FORD (14S06) THAT REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER MODULE. AFTER THE SERVICE THERE WERE STILL INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE WARNING APPEARED, BUT IT ALWAYS WENT AWAY WHEN CYCLING THE ENGINE OFF THEN BACK ON. ON APRIL 27. 2015 THE WARNING AGAIN APPEARED, BUT WOULD NOT DISAPPEAR WHEN THE OFF/ON CYCLE WAS COMPLETED. ATTEMPTED THIS MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT THE WARNING PERSISTED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP. *TR
BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE SEIZED. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE PADS HAD WORN DOWN TO METAL ON METAL AND WERE CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP. *TR
SUMMARY: UPDATING THE SOFTWARE DOES NOT FIX THE 'LOSS OF POWER STEERING' PROBLEM UNDER FORD RECALL 140S06 FOR 2011 FORD EXPLORER. POWER STEERING STILL FAILS AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. HOWEVER, FORD REJECTS TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE STEERING RACK TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CUSTOMER HAS DONE SOFTWARE UPDATE; FORD AGREES TO COVER IT ONLY IF CUSTOMER HAS NOT DONE SOFTWARE UPDATE. BASICALLY IF YOU ARE GIVEN REMEDY OPTION 1 WHICH IS UPDATING SOFTWARE BY THE DEALER, THEN YOU LOSE THE RIGHT FOR REMEDY OPTION 2 WHICH IS REPLACING GEAR FOR THIS RECALL REGARDLESS IF OPTION 1 HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM OR NOT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! IN JULY 2014, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER RECEIVING POWER STEERING RECALL LETTER. THEY COULD NOT DETECT THE POWER STEERING ERROR CODE AT THAT TIME, SO SIMPLY THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE. BUT I STILL OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE, AND IT HAPPENED MORE OFTEN LATER ON, UNTIL LAST WEEK APRIL 14TH, 2015, THE MESSAGE STAYED ON, AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY IN A PARKING LOT. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON APRIL 17TH TO OPEN A CASE #[XXX] REQUESTING TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR UNDER THE RECALL 140S06 AT NO COST. AFTER A FEW DAYS' PROLONGED BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALER AND FORD, MY CASE WAS DENIED BY FORD. THE REASON GIVEN TO ME IS THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS COMPLETED SO MY RECALL CASE WAS CLOSED AND IT WILL NOT BE COVERED TO REPLACE STEERING GEAR. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL 12MONTH/12K WARRANTY THAT I AM STILL WITHIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER A POWER STEERING MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES WHERE A CODE WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
SEVERAL OCCASIONS TURNING ON VEHICLE SYSTEM REPORTS POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL - POWER STEERING FAILED, AND STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. TURNING OFF AND BACK ON HAD MADE IT GO AWAY BEFORE, THEN DID NOT. POWER STEERING ASSIST SERVICE ADVANCE TRACTION AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ALL FAILED, TRUCK NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE, IF POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AND THE WHEEL IS THAT DIFFICULT TO TURN DRIVING IN ANY CONDITION BECOMES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA, ROADS ARE VERY CURVY, OFTEN SCATTERED WITH LOOSE DEBRIS (SAND, SALT, GRAVEL) IF PAVED, OR JUST GRAVEL IN SOME AREAS, AND SAFE NAVIGATION OF THESE ROADS TO GET TO MY HOME WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR VEHICLES ASSEMBLED IN THE CHICAGO PLANT, BETWEEN 5/2010 AND 2/2012, FOR EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM, AND THOUGH THIS VEHICLE MEETS THOSE CRITERIA, THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FAILURE, SERVICE POWER ASSIST WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
CRANKED UP VEHICLE, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARDS. HEARD A CHIME AND AT THE SAME TIME LOST POWER STEERING. THERE WAS A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE BOX ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH. I STOPPED; PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING IT WAS OK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS TO MY WIFE HOWEVER AND SHE WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD SERVICE DEPT. THAT HANDLES THE MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 14S06 IN JULY 2014 TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. THEY DID A REPROGRAM TO THE SOFTWARE WHICH OBVIOUSLY DID NOT "FIX" THE PROBLEM. IT STIPULATES IN THAT RECALL THAT IF THE UPDATE DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE THAT THE STEERING GEAR IS TO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE REQUESTED A DATE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR WORK TO BE DONE AS I AM ALMOST 3 HOURS FROM THE DEALER / SERVICE DEPT. *TR
WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE A TONE SOUNDED, A WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAIL" CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. AFTER CYCLING THE IGNITION THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. IT OCCURRED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER IN A SIMILAR SITUATION (LOW SPEED) AND AGAIN WENT AWAY AFTER CYCLING THE IGNITION. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED AS "CODE U3000 FAILURE TYPE 49 INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE, NEED TO REPLACE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR - PART BB5Z 3504 D". *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE A-PILLARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY FORD EXPLORER HAD A RECALL (14S06) SO I TOOK IT INTO MY DEALER AND HAD THEM TO THE UPDATE. APROX 1000 MILES LATER MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND NOW THE BILL COULD BE AS HIGH AS 1500 DOLLARS AND FORD WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD THE RECALL FIXED ONCE. COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO NOT HAVE TO PAY THIS LARGE AMOUNT? *TR
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 FAST, MY CAR IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. I MAY HAVE TO TRADE IT IN FOR MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE LIKE A HONDA OR TOYOTA. I WANT TO SUPPORT AMERICAN COMPANIES. THIS EXPERIENCE LEFT ME WITH A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. *TR
ON 08-2014, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR CO. INDICATING THAT I HAD A RECALL ON MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND THAT . THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT CONNECTION IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR, WHICH CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF THE MOTOR POSITION SENSOR SIGNAL RESULTING IN A SHUT DOWN OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. AND THAT THE RECALL WOULD PREVENT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE TO THE FORD HOUSE AND THE SAID RECALL WAS PERFORMED. IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY MY VEHICLE SHOULD NOT LOOSE POWER TO THE POWER STEERING. WRONG. APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS LATER MY VEHICLE LOST POWER TO THE POWER STEERING. THIS IS THE ONE THING THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE WORK DONE TO MY VEHICLE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER PAYING $1,400 TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CO. IN HOPES THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE MY PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIX TO BEGIN WITH. FORD MOTOR CO. ADVISED THAT THEY HAD PERFORMED THE WORK NECESSARY TO PREVENT MY POWER STEERING FOR GOING OUT BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW IT WENT OUT ANYWAY. FORD MOTOR CO. NEVER FIXED MY PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH AND ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULD SEND A REAL STATING THAT IT IS GOING TO PREVENT SOMETHING BUT IT DOES NOT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INJURE OR POSSIBLY GET PEOPLE KILLED AND NEED TO BE RESOLVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) DUE TO A RECENT EVALUATION OF THE VEHICLE AT A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER 3 INCHES OF RAIN LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE LUGGAGE RACKS ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAM IN BETWEEN THE METAL ROOF AND THE ROOF LUGGAGE RACKS HAD WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PROPER SEAM SEAL WAS NOT CORRECTLY APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE WHEN MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED WITH THE SEAM SEAL LEAK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,595.
HAD UNIT BACK IN DEALER NOVEMBER 2014 FOR THE RECALL14S06 AND WAS TOLD THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. JANUARY 7TH 2015 WENT TO LEAVE WORK, STARTED UNIT TO WARM UP. GOT IN IT 15 MINUTES LATER AND NO POWER STEERING. LIGHT ON DASH SAID :STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO SPEND $1600 BECAUSE IT NEEDED THE STEERING GEAR REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE THIS UNIT WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2011 IN THE CHICAGO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND FALLS UNDER THE SUSPECTED TIME FRAME OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. ALSO IT IS 10 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT ONLY HAS 26000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO CONTACT FORD AND EXPLAIN TO THEM I FELT IT SHOULD BE COVER 100% BUT WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH MY DEALER AFTER THEY RAN MY CASE NUMBER. WAS CONTACTED BY MY DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME OUT OF POCKET $800 PLUS IT COULD TAKE 3/5 WORKING DAYS TO GET COMPONENT. I FIND THIS AS A GOOD FAITH GESTURE BUT COME ON FORD YOU KNEW BACK IN THE LAB THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS ONLY A BANDAID AND THE REALLY PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.YOU NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND REPAIR ALL FAILED UNITS WITH A NEW STEERING GEAR AT 100% YOUR COST! *TR
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 →