2011 Ford Explorer complaints

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. TRACTION ASSIST CONTROL ALSO FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING BROUGHT THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT NOT THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE TRACTION CONTROL BEGAN FUNCTIONING AGAIN AFTER THE TRUCK SAT FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF

STARTED VEHICLE AND RECEIVED TERRAIN MANAGEMENT WARNING, POWER STEERING FAULT AND TRACTION CONTROL FAULT. VEHICLE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING NOT WORKING AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ALSO DISABLED. WILL HAVE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP WITHOUT POWER STEERING. SHUT OFF VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND RESTARTED. SAME WARNINGS AND RESULT. *TR

I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT APPROX 10-15 MPH - THE FAULT CODE APPEARED & ALARM SOUNDED-I HAD TO "MUSCLE" THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE MY TURN WHILE NEARLY GOING OVER THE CURB INTO A BUSINESS. MY FIRST REACTION WAS THAT THE ENGINE HAD STALLED BUT WHEN THE FAULT SHOWED AGAIN & ALARM SOUNDED THIS TIME IT WAS SHOWING THAT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAD FAILED. AS IT WAS A 2-3 MILE STRAIGHT ROAD TO MY FORD DEALER & I DROVE THERE. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE DEALER I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STARTED THE VEHICLE & THE POWER STEERING HAD RESET. THEY PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC UNIT & IT SHOWED A STEERING GEAR & STEERING GEAR MODULE/COMMUNICATION SENSOR(?) NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IT WAS ORDERED & INSTALLED ON 6/18/12 & HAS NOT FAILED SENSE THEN. I MENTIONED AN INJURY - IT WAS TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER AS I HAVE A TOTAL SHOULDER IMPLANT. I HURT IT "MUSCLING" THE STEERING WHEEL TO STRAIGHTENING THE VEHICLE OUT. *TR

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A STRIP MALL AND THE WHEEL DIDNT TURN AT ALL UNTIL I PUT BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL AND FOUGHT THE WHEEL WITH BOTH ARMS TO TURN. A MESSAGE ON MY LCD SCREEN SAID POWER STEERING FAILURE. I HAD TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON AND THE STEERING WAS FINE, I THOUGHT. ABOUT 20 MILES LATER THE TRUCK DID THE SAME FAILURE AGAIN. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON. IT JUST HAD A COOLING FAN TSB PERFORMED AT FORD YESTERDAY, DEALER SAYS THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, BUT THIS EXPLORER IS ONE BIG COMPUTER SO IM NOT TOO SURE SINCE THEY TOLD ME A RE-PROGRAM WAS DONE FOR THE FANS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS THIS IS WILL CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT AT SOME POINT FOR SOME EXPLORER OWNER. I AM TAKING THIS BACK TO THE DEALER MONDAY FOR A LOANER. *TT

WARNING LIGHT FOR TERRAIN MANAGEMENT COME ON. THEN POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. IN A SPLIT SECOND I REALIZED I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND CAME TO A STOP TAKING ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO GET SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A CURVE OR INTERSTATE. *TT

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE AFORE NOTED VEHICLE, ON JUNE 7TH , 2012 ON OR ABOUT 5PM WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 63 AT MT WASHINGTON, ST. CROIX. SHE WAS TRAVELLING SOUTHWARD ON ROUTE 63 CROSSING THE SMALL BRIDGE ENTERING A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD. SHE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, INSTANTANEOUS, LOSS OF RESPONSE IN THE STEERING AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN THE FEW SECONDS FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A WOODEN UTILITY POLE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING RACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" AS WELL AS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". THIS WAS THE SCARIEST FEELING I HAVE EVER HAD. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES.. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR. I WAS TOLD TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. I ADVISED MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 30, 2012 (40197 MILES) AND I MENTION THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR REPAIR. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THIS CAR, WE TRAVEL ALOT AND I AM REFUSING TO DRIVE IT. I WAS AFRAID OF PURCHASING AN AMERICAN CAR BUT LOVED THE NEW FORD EXPLORER LOOK AND BODY. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AND I WILL TRADE THIS CAR ASAP........ *TR

WHILE IN OPERATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL " LIGHT ARE DISPLAYED. SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TEMPORARILY CLEARED THE FAILURE. FAILED MORE THAN ONCE. *JS

WHILE COMING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT INTO PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND KEPT FOR A WEEK BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO FORD WOULD NOT LET THEM FIX THE PROBLEM. GOT THE CAR BACK ON FRIDAY JUNE 1, 2012 AND DROVE THE CAR AS USUAL. MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2012 ON THE WAY BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING AGAIN BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FROM THIS APPARENT PROBLEM BEFORE FORD DOES ANYTHING. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO PLEASE BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER FAMILY IS SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS PROBLEM. *TR

MY WIFE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THERE SEEMED TO BE A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS. SHE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE. SHE GOT THE "POWER ASSIST FAILURE" MESSAGE. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A "POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE" FAILURE AND HAS REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED US THAT SINCE WE HAD A NEW ONE, WE SHOULD HAVE NO MORE PROBLEMS. I REMINDED HIM THAT THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS NEW WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, MY SERVICE TRACKING DEFAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN POWER STEERING DEFAULT LIGHT COMES ON, MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP, LUCKILY, I WAS NOT MAKING A TURN AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE NAILED ANOTHER CAR OR A PERSON, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK BUT THE SERVICE TRACKING DEFAULT LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I AM VERY WORRIED TO PUT MY TWO CHILDREN IN THIS CAR NOW, DEALERSHIP IS HAVING ME BRING IN THE VEHICLE TOMORROW AND I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING BUYING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD EXPLORERS IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WILL BUY ANOTHER ONE AFTER THE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, FORD NEEDS TO GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND GET THIS FIXED, SOMEONE COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT. SERIOUS LAW SUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TT

IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SIX DAYS AFTER MY VEHICLE'S FIRST STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN I STARTED MY 2011 EXPLORER ON THE MORNING OF 4/18/12, THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" LIGHT CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE. AS INSTRUCTED BY MY FORD DEALER, I LEFT THE VEHICLE ON AND CALLED THEM. THEY IMMEDIATELY SENT A FLATBED TOW TRUCK, WHICH TOWED MY VEHICLE, WHILE STILL RUNNING, TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS AND MADE REPAIRS, AND I QUOTE, "INSTALL NEW EPS GEAR REMOVED SUBFRAME AND INSTALL NEW EPAS GEAR PROGRAMMED AS BUILT DATAE AND CLEARED DTCS PERFORMED 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT TEST DRIVE OPERATION GOOD." IN LAYMAN TERMS, THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND DID A 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT TOOK ONLY 1 FULL DAY SINCE THE PARTS WERE ORDERED OVERNIGHT. I HOPE THAT HAS SOLVED THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE CONCERN AND SERVICE MY LOCAL FORD DEALER PROVIDED. *JS

2011 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED. STARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ALARMS SOUNDING AND STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, YET CAR WOULD BACK UP ...STRAIGHT. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WHEN CAR WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT SEEMED TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION SLIP OR JUMP. AFTER WAITING FOR AN HOUR FOR TOW TRUCK THE EXPLORER STARTED FINE AND STEERING SEEMED TO WORK. TOO NERVOUS TO DRIVE. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. *TR

WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP LIGHT, I FELT A CLUNK IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN MY 2011 EXPLORER LOST POWER STEERING. I SLOWED AND TURNED (WITH ALL MY STRENGTH) TO STOP ON A SIDE STREET. THE "POWER ASSIST FAILURE" LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS THE LITTLE TRACTION CONTROL CARS ON THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE DISPLAY SCREEN. THE LIGHTS ON THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE CENTER-CONSOLE DID NOT WORK EITHER. A MESSAGE ALSO APPEARED TO SERVICE ADVANCETRAC IMMEDIATELY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THEN STARTED IT UP TO DRIVE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. OF COURSE, THEN THE VEHICLE RESET EVERYTHING AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. THE FORD DEALER COULD NOT DETECT ANY ERROR MESSAGES DURING THEIR COMPUTER CHECK-UP. THEY SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, DON'T TURN THE CAR OFF SO THEY CAN RUN A CHECK-UP ON IT WHILE THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. SO NOW I AM PRAYING EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. *TR

FORD EXPLORER 2011 HAS LOST POWER STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS 3 OR 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. STEERING IS RESTORED AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING. STABILITY CONTROLS MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTORE THEMSELVES OR MAY NEED TO HAVE THE CAR TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTORE. *TR

AS WE WERE SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN ON A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LITERALLY JERKED OUT OF MY HUSBAND'S HANDS, STRAIGHTENING THE WHEELS. A WARNING BELL WENT OFF AND THE DASH DISPLAYED "POWER ASSIST FAILURE." IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE WHEEL. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER HAD A PREVIOUS EXPLORER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER IDENTICAL INCIDENTS RECORDED ON THIS SITE AND OTHER INTERNET FORUMS, ALL EVENTUALLY REPAIRED IN THE SAME MANNER. FORD, HOWEVER, WILL NOT APPROVE WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AT THE DEALERSHIP OR RETRIEVE AN ERROR CODE, SAYING THEY "CAN'T FIX SOMETHING IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM REALLY IS." THEY WANT US TO DRIVE A CAR WITH A SERIOUS AND FRIGHTENING SAFETY ISSUE UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY OR CAUSES AN ACCIDENT FOR WHICH THEY WILL DENY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE "THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO REPAIR." FORD'S REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER ALSO REFUSED TO DOCUMENT THE COMPLAINT OR DENIAL IN WRITING. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REGAINED STEERING AND BRAKE POWER AFTER RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

THE CHROME ON THE VEHICLE (BACK PANEL, WHEELS, DOOR HANDLES, GRILL AND SIDE BUMPERS) ARE ALL CORRODING. FORD IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY SAYING IT IS "ENVIRONMENTAL" EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 8 MONTHS OLD. THE VEHICLE WILL INEVITABLY RUST COMPROMISING THE VALUE AND SAFETY. *TR

2ND TIME IT HAPPENS FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR ABOVE THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SUV WAS UNABLE TO STEER , PULL OVER AND TURN CAR AND RE STARTED AND GAIN STEERING TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER RESET THE LIGHT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OK . AT 5000 MILES IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT HAPPENS WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD . THIS TIME UNABLE TO DRIVE IT TOW HOME . TALK TO FORD AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND WE LOOK IN TO IT BUT , I THINK IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR NOT TO HAVE A SAFETY BACK UP PLAN WHEN THIS FAIL . AND VERY UNSAFE KNOW IT COULD HAPPEN ANY TIME WITH NO WARNING . EVEN IF FORD CLAIM IT WILL FIX IT .WHAT WILL PREVENT FROM THIS HAPPENING AT A VERY ODD TIME AND IT MAY CAUSE LOTS OF INJURY. THEY SAID IT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINT FOR THEM TO LOOK IN TO THIS . BUT I SAID 1 COMPLAINT WITH MULTIPLE OCCURRENCE SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE TO AT LEAST PAY ATTENTION OR LOOK IN TO A SAFETY PLAN IN CASE IT DOES FAIL. *TR

WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, THE CAR ACCELERATED UP A HILL REACHING A SPEED OF CLOSE TO 90 MPH WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING CAR. ONLY BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WAS IT POSSIBLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. ONCE OFF THE ROAD THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN IN THE 6000 TO 7000 RPM RANGE. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE SPEED. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT THESE HIGH RPM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER THAT EVENING (INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE EVENING). THE NEXT MORNING, I WENT TO THE CAR DEALER AND STARTED THE CAR. IT RAN FINE. FORD DID REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE BUT WE ARE CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, THE STEERING RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,100.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DIRT OR WATER, PARTICLES WOULD SEEP INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

"POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" HAS COME ON 7-10 TIMES TO DATE AS OF 1-26-2012 . AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RE-STARTING THE ENGINE, THE WARNING WENT AWAY AND I REGAINED POWER STEERING. I AM GETTING A WARNING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR 4-5 TIMES THE WARNING LIGHT GOES AWAY. I AM SO AFRAID OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. SO FAR IT'S HAPPENED GOING MINIMAL SPEEDS 10-45 MPH. WHAT DOES ONE DO IF THIS HAPPENS GOING 70 ON AN INTERSTATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS EXTREMELY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ADJUST THE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. UPDATED 02/13/12

THE FORD SYNC SYSTEM DECIDED TO DO AN UPGRADE AND DISABLED ALL RELATED FEATURES FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THIS INCLUDED AUDIO, CELL PHONE LINK, RADIO, HEATER AND THE REAR VIEW CAMERA! IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN AND APPEARS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WHICH IS WHEN THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS VERY LIKELY TO BE NEEDED. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER ON 11/21/11 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AT WHICH TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS CAP (BUT THIS CAR HAS A CAP-LESS GAS TANK) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND BACK ON WITHIN 1 WEEK, TOOK IT BACK ON 11/26/11 AND AT THAT TIME THEY SAID THEY GOT THE SAME READING WITH THE GAS CAP ISSUE AND THEY CHANGED A SOLENOID. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF ONLY TO GO BACK ON 3 DAYS LATER. DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT DEALER ON 12/3/11 FOR 3RD TIME AND NOW THEY TOLD ME THEY KEEP GETTING SAME ERROR CODE AND THEY SENT ISSUE TO TECH'S IN DETROIT FOR ASSISTANCE. I WILL BE DROPPING MY CAR OFF TODAY (12/7/11) AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR

I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, AS I WAS BRAKING THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING, AS I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT COLLAPSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, JUST BEFORE THE CAR HIT THE GARAGE DOOR WHICH WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGED, FULLY, STOPPING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ONLY, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND INSTEAD OF HITTING THE GARAGE DOOR IT STRUCK A CONCRETE COLUMN TO THE IMMEDIATE RIGHT OF THE GARAGE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR DID NOT ENGAGE SO I WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. WE CONTACTED FORD, FILLED OUT AND RETURNED THE PAPERWORK THEY REQUESTED, AFTER ALMOST FOUR MONTHS OF THE VEHICLE SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON FORD THEY DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM NOT SURE HOW THEY COULD COME UP WITH THAT ASSUMPTION AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN DRIVABLE CONDITION AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP FORD NEVER CHECKED IT. WE HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE ONE SKID MARK FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND NONE FROM THE OTHER THREE TIRES. *TR

SINCE I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER IN APRIL 2011, I HAVE HAD TO SEE MY DOCTOR FOR VERY EXTREME LOWER BACK PAINS, I ALSO HAVE TO GO WEEKLY FOR CHIROPRATIC CARE, ACUPUNCTURE AND TRACTION FOR STRETCHING THE VERTEBRAE IN MY BACK. THE NERVES ARE CONSTANTLY PINCHING AND CAUSE SHARP PAINS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT. I AM NEARLY DISABLED BECAUSE OF THESE SEATS. I CANNOT WORK DUE TO THE PAIN AND FEAR I WILL BECOME PERMANENTLY DISABLED VERY SOON. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR, SO IT MUST BE REMEDIED A.S.A.P.. I HAVE DRIVEN MY DAUGHTERS BORROWED CAR AND HAVE NO PAINS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES I DRIVE. *KB

MORE LIKE ADAPTIVE 'CURSE' CONTROL. MY 2011 EXPLORER LIMITED 4X4 WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE ALWAYS CATCHES THE REAR OF SEMI TRUCKS IN OTHER LANES, CAUSING IT TO APPLY FULL BRAKES AND PEOPLE BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASH INTO ME. MY 2011 LIMITED IS TOTALLY FACTORY ORIGINAL, NO TOW BARS. HERE IN CALIFORNIA THE SEMI TRUCK SPEED IS 55 WHILE AUTOS CAN GO 65-70MPH (AND IN MOST CASES EVERYONE GOES 80+). SO WHEN I'M GOING ALONG AT 65-70 WITH NO VEHICLES HEAD OF ME IN MY LANE AND THE THING GOES 100% BRAKES I ALMOST CRASH. I ALSO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY DISABLED BECAUSE OF AN ERROR IN THE SYNC MODULES. THE SYNC COMPUTER MODULES CONTROL THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE, STABILITY CONTROL, BACK UP DETECTION SYSTEM, AUTO WIPERS, AUTO PARKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC, ETC. I FEAR THAT THE SRS IS ALSO TIED INTO THESE SAME SYNC COMPUTER MODULES. FORD CLAIMS THE SYNC SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY RESETS/REBOOTS ITSELF EVERY 24 HOURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OFF TO AVOID SYSTEM OUTAGES. WHAT HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME IS THE SYSTEM WILL RUN (EVEN THOUGH THE SCREEN IS OFF) FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL, WHILE DRIVING, THE SYNC COMPUTER CRASHES JUST LIKE HOME COMPUTERS & CELL PHONES DO IF LEFT ON CONTINUOUSLY. WHILE THIS CRASH IS TAKING PLACE THE TOUCH SCREEN FREEZES, MUSIC PLAYING WILL STOP, OR CHANGE VOLUME, OR CHANGE TRACK, OR CHANGE SOURCE; WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING, CRUISE CONTROL WILL SHUT OFF, BACKUP CAMERA SYSTEM GOES DOWN OR SCREEN FREEZES WHILE BACKING UP, 4X4 IS DISABLED, CENTER DISPLAYS WILL GO BLANK. MY

I PULLED INTO A PARKING STALL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEY FAILED AND I ONLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE GLASS DOORS OF A CLOSED BUSINESS. I DID NOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS STOPPED DUE TO THE BUSINESS' GLASS FRONT DOORS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 37 YEARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED OTHER EXPLORERS FROM OTHER YEARS (2005, 2007 & 2009) ALSO HAD SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES AND FORD COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS ON THOSE CARS, BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. SEE WWW.EDMUNDS.COM & TYPE IN "EXPLORER BRAKE FAILURE". CHECK OUT POSTS #12, 37, 38, 39, 40 AND 42. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THEY CLEARLY FAILED. I DON'T WANT SOME INNOCENT PERSON HURT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE DOWN THE ROAD. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

LETTER FROM RE FEW DEFECTS IN MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER REMAIN AFTER THE DEALERS REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THESE ISSUES DISTRACT ME WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS A CONCERN TO MY SAFETY AS WELL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAIN ISSUE WAS THE STEERING; THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STRAIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE SHIFT INCREASED WHEN INCREASING SPEED. ALSO, THE A/C UNIT CHANGED TEMPERATURES BY ITSELF. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TOUCH AND SYNC DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AS HIS PHONE AND OR MP3 PLAYER KEPT GETTING DISCONNECTED. WHEN USING THE SYNC SERVICE TO REQUEST DIRECTIONS IT KEPT MISINTERPRETING THE COMMANDS, AS WELL AS DISCONNECTING WHEN DOWNLOADING A ROUTE. ON ONE OCCASIONS, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE SCREEN WENT BLANK. *JB

I AGREE ABOUT THE MICROPHONE ON THE MY TOUCH SYSTEM. IT PICKS UP WIND NOISE, AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING FAN NOISE & WHEN IT RAINS, DRIVER CAN NOT BE HEARD. IT SEEMS THAT THE ROOF DOES NOT HAVE INSULATION TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SPEAK TO THE MICROPHONE WITHOUT SHOUTING. I DID MENTION THIS TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS THE WAY IT COMES FROM THE FACTORY. *KB

THE ABS SYSTEM IS COMMANDING INPUTS TO THE BRAKES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TORQUE. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS. THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND THE CAR IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

COOLING FANS FAILED, ENGINE OVERHEATED RAN ROUGH AND THEN STOPPED RUNNING. 3/4 GALLONS OF ANTI-FREEZE BOILED OUT OF OVERFLOW AND ON TO ENGINE. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND TURNING A CORNER. MANUAL STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

2011 FORD EXPLORER 4WD IS PROGRAMMED TO SEND 100% POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. UPON SUDDEN ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY GOING UPHILL THE SUBSEQUENT TORQUE STEER IS OVERWHELMING TO THE DRIVER. CAN BE SO SEVERE IT CAN RIP THE WHEEL FROM THE HANDS OF THE DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO ADDRESSED WITH PROGRAMMING TO BETTER DISTRIBUTE POWER TO ALL 4 WHEELS. *TR

WE HAVE PURCHASED A 2011 EXPLORER, WITH THE BLUETOOTH ACTIVATED, THE PERSON DRIVING CANNOT BE HEARD BECAUSE OF BACKGROUND NOISE. FROM MY INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE ROOF AREA ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO NOT HAVE ANY INSULATION, THE WIND NOISE IS BEING PICKED UP BY THE SPEAKER ABOVE THE DRIVERS HEAD. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM, WHEN IT IS RAINING THE NOISE FROM THE RAIN SOUNDS LIKE A TIN ROOF OF AN OLD HOUSE. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THEY CAN DO WITHOUT FORD HAVING MORE COMPLAINTS. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON THEN CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALER DID NOT FIND AN ISSUE AT FIRST VISIT. SCHEDULED FOR SECOND DEALER VISIT. WE FEAR SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

MY NEW FORD EXPLORER IN ENGAGING THE BRAKES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. IT APPLIES ONE BRAKE AT A TIME AT ALL SPEEDS. IT TORQUES THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL. *TR

ARM RESTS FOR DRIVER'S SEAT TOO FAR FROM SEAT, ESPECIALLY ON THE LEFT, AND PROVIDE NO SUPPORT. NOT A PROBLEM FOR LOCAL DRIVING BUT ON LONG TRIPS CAUSES ARM FATIGUE. *KB

THE ACUTE ANGLE ON FORD EXPEDITION ARE UNSAFE AND CAUSE SEVERE MUSCLE FATIGUE AND STRESS. FORD PROVIDES NO EXPLANATION AS TO THEIR PURPOSE, NOR DO THEY PROVIDE ANY GUIDELINES AS TO THE PROPER ADJUSTMENT OR FIT. I AM NOT ONLY ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED AT FORD BUT ALSO THE GOVERNMENT. WHERE ARE YOU GUYS? WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL THE TAX MONEY WE'RE SENDING YOU? WHERE'S THE TESTING AND OVERSIGHT? PS YOU DID NOT INCLUDE THE FORD EXPEDITION IN YOUR LISTS SO I HAD TO CHOOSE THE EXPLORER. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WHEEL BEARING HUBS ARE BAD AND IS A ON GOING ISSUE. *TR

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO PRESSED THE BRAKE HIS FOOT REST ON A BAR THATS NEXT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGN AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60. PM

I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND THE SUN VISORS DO NOT ALLOW ME TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS TO BLOCK THE SUN. WHEN THE VISOR IS FULLY OPENED I CANNOT MAKE 1/4 OR 1/2 INCH ADJUSTMENTS. I ALMOST HAVE TO BRING THE VISOR HALF WAY DOWN BEFORE IT HOLDS IN PLACE. THEN IT BLOCKS MY VIEW OF TRAFFIC. I'VE NOTIFIED CHAMPION FORD KATY AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I CAN MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THE VISOR IS FACING ME. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS MANUFACTURED OR INSTALLED BACKWARDS. *TR

LEAR CORPORATION AND FORD ALREADY KNEW THAT A SPACER/WASHER WAS LEFT OFF THE EXPLORER BY THREE ROTATING LEAR EMPLOYEES ON THE NIGHT SHIFT. THESE EMPLOYEES WERE NOT PENALIZED IN ANY WAY. THE SHIFT STINKS OF NEPOTISM AND EVERY OTHER EOE/EEO MISDEED. OTHER EMPLOYEES, NOT MEETING NUMBERS(NOT QUALITY ISSUES) ARE BEING WALKED OUT. THIS LEAR FACILITY, IN HAMMOND, INDIANA, RECEIVES A $5000 FEDERAL TAX CREDIT FOR EACH NEW W2 FORM TURNED IN. *TR