2011 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10381116 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384018 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384824 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386801 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10408859 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10410614 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417931 at NHTSA ↗

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. *T…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417932 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)

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."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Reported: 2014-05-29 (May 29, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

Reported: 2015-03-24 (March 24, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.

Reported: 2019-06-10 (June 10, 2019)

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.

Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

Reported: 2021-09-22 (September 22, 2021)

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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.

Reported: 2024-01-19 (January 19, 2024)

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.

Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.