What 1,191 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

While driving and making a turn, the power steering assist went out causing it to be very difficult to navigate the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11540019

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on five different occasions while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that on one occasion, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred a week later. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11539347

I am getting a Power Steering Assist Fault on my vehicle and do not have any steering control. This is very dangerous and happens multiple times a week. The price to fix this fault is outrageous and I cannot afford it. I have done some research on the Power Steering Assist Fault and see that it has been brought to Fords attention at a high level and nothing was done with the 2011. Recalls were done with 2013 and up.

NHTSA ODI 11537379

The power steering assist went out while driving and Ford has a recall for it but when I took it to the dealership (Seth wadley ford) said it’s not that part and I don’t believe them

NHTSA ODI 11537095

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was at the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and was not currently included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11537252

I was driving on interstate 95 when the trim that covers the driver's side A pillar began to flap for a few seconds before flying off the car. It smashed the B pillar and cracked it before ultimately flying directly at the car behind me narrowly missing it. It was difficult to maintain control of the vehicle due to the sudden noise, it felt like the car was suddenly under attack.

NHTSA ODI 11535979

There are exhaust gases entering the vehicle cabin. This is primarily at startup, while sitting at idle in traffic and under acceleration. After visual inspection it appears to be coming from a cracked passenger side exhaust manifold. This is an obvious safety issue and I believe it should have been included in TSB 14-0130 but was told my VIN was not included.

NHTSA ODI 11535821

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534564

The Electronic power steering went out for the third time while trying to park at grocery store parking lot. We have paid for 3 replacements and reprogramming now for the 3rd time it’s out again.

NHTSA ODI 11534581

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local service center who replaced the steering column and rear suspension tow link. Recently while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering failure reoccurred, and the warning message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534624

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions where the steering module and steering column were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,859.

NHTSA ODI 11534015

While operating vehicle on an interstate all power steering, advancetrac, abs, and traction controls shut down. I lost all power steering. Electronic power steering system. There is an open recall on this issue but for claims my vehicle vin is not included in said recall. I was able to get vehicle back home safely but the 2011 ford explorer is my wife's/kids transportation thankfully I was behind the wheel when it shut down but if it had been my wife it would have ended differently. Vehicle only has 118,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11534062

I have lost all electrical power steering assist and it has become unsafe to drive. I need it fixed asap

NHTSA ODI 11533820

The power steering light came on and we lost our power steering afterwards.

NHTSA ODI 11532577

The Power Steering Assist Fault warning light comes on and I lose power steering. I must turn the car off to get it turned back on. I’m worried about the safety

NHTSA ODI 11531097

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the power steering failed to operate as needed with the power steering and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11529804

On my 2011 Ford Explorer, the power steering went out while driving. The wheel suddenly tightened and I was unable to turn the wheel. Also, the Terrain Management Fault light and Service AdvanTrac light ignites right before the wheel stiffens. The wheel would stiffen or loosen while driving and causing the wheel to jerk and the car to potentially glide into another lane. After turning off the vehicle and letting it sit for a while the steering wheel may loosen temporarily. I took the vehicle to Ford after visiting their website and seeing there was a customer satisfaction program regarding the EPAS Power Steering. The Ford dealership informed me that the program expired in February of 2021 and I would need to pay over $3000 to have the issue fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11528945

Daughter drives this vehicle to college...4hrs via highway. On a recent trip home, her passenger side windshield trim flew off and nearly it the car behind her. I gave her a hard time about not stopping to pick it up but you can't just do that on the interstate. Looking around, we see lots of Ford Explorers with missing windshield trim. The rubber windshield seal underneath looks in bad shape now and I'm concerned that it could fail allowing the whole windshield glass to separate from the car. Love for you to come and inspect the vehicle. There were no warning lights or messages letting us know there was a problem before the trim separated but we obviously know there is a problem based on the numerous examples we see on the road. Please have Ford address this with a recall. It is unacceptable that this part fails so regularly on Ford Explorers.

NHTSA ODI 11526673

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist with the power steering fault message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526218

Light came on saying power steering assist fault

NHTSA ODI 11524307

My rear view camera was replaced in August 2019 as it stopped working. It was an expensive costing $1000 to repair. It just stopped working again. Car has 100500 miles and this is excessive for what I consider a safety feature in a car this large. I was just told by Ford the backlog for a new camera nationwide is greater than 240 units and some customers have waited over 6 months. I searched online and found many complains on model years 2011 forward due to a bad design flaw that allows moisture in a wiring harness causing corrosion / failure. In my opinion, Ford needs to step up to root cause and provide options other than a complete replacement that only temporarily solves the issue

NHTSA ODI 11523715

The dash lights go off then it's says starting rebot. Air bag lights stay on. Check engine light on says miss firng. All Carfax report was forged. Dealer said needs new engine but was not told by seller. No one will fix it they say not worth the price for car. I over paid big time. Got lied too.

NHTSA ODI 11523289

Front left window trim coming off.

NHTSA ODI 11522579

March 2020, first time the Power Steering Fault message appeared on the Instrument Message Area. I have immediatly contacted Ford in Germany. They said there is no recall for my car regarding steering items. November 2020 onwards until April 2023 the message Power Steering Faul appeared every 3-6 months. Again. November 2020 I have contacted Ford without success; the answer was the same: No recall for your car. Until April 2023 after turning off the car and waiting for 1-2 minute and turning on the message disappered and the steering mode was again reverted to normal and the steering effort was as expected. But in April 2023, after parking the car the power steering message appeared again and it was not possible to get rid of them. I have again contacted Ford in April 2023, immediatly after the occurance, and the answer was still the same: No recall and they can do nothing for me because it is just an assumption form my side. The steering effort was such high that it was not possible to really turn the steering wheel. I called the ADAC to bring the car to the Ford Service close to my home. They have change d the complete steering gear and they said I must pay for it because of no recall. I'm located in Germany and not in the USA.

NHTSA ODI 11522667

The power steering assist of the vehicle went out while driving and warning lights came on unexpectedly. Vehicle was difficult to steer but was pulled over safely and shut off. Started engine again and issue was no longer present. Drove to mechanic who pulled the codes. Showed "Loss of Motor Position Sensor" error code among others. After research, found that this was part of Recall 14V286000 of which we had the software update prescribed by Ford. Contacted the Ford dealership who said we were just outside the mileage where Ford extended coverage for this issue to 150,000 miles. Called Ford Customer Service and they also said that this was a one time recall and no further action was available. For this issue, we had the prescribed software upgrade but it was ineffective for the issue and the issue still occurred. Now I have to have the expensive part repair of which they would have covered the repair under recall.

NHTSA ODI 11522327