3.1% of complaints about the 2011 Ford Explorer came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2011 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (747 complaints), typically at 7.8 yr or about 68,000 miles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. 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.
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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 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
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.
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