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

While traveling at freeway speeds a vibration sound could be heard around the front windshield area when a slight cross wind would occur, I was unable to locate the cause until after a couple months of this behavior the passenger side windshield trim piece suddenly departed the vehicle while traveling at 70 mph. The vehicle was serviced at Novus glass and the trim was then replaced. However, the new also began falling off after only a few days, and Novus Glass advised that they see this type of issue all the time, as the plastic tabs that are meant to secure the trim piece often get broken even when installing a new part.

NHTSA ODI 11504830

Driver’s side black plastic A pillar windshield trim piece detached as I was driving on the highway. Startled me but I kept my composure. No other damage. Piece could have hit another vehicle behind me or a motorcyclist. When I stopped I confirmed the piece missing. Seems only held on by tape and Velcro

NHTSA ODI 11505065

I read an article about Ford Explorers and the windshield trim panels coming off. I have had to replace both sides of mine....they didn't fly off but would have if not tended too. The rubber part underneath broke into several pieces and some were missing...who knows where they went. I had to replace both sides....at my own expense....

NHTSA ODI 11504778

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service advancetrac and service power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact then stated that she had to manually operate the signal arm while making left or right turns. The contact then stated that upon parking the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering, the steering column control module, and the electronic steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503360

on december of 2022 the power steering go out during I was driving with my family and the steering it was very hard to keep control of the steering I almost lost control of the vehicle the good news is no car it was around me I try to do my best to get home safety .after the mechanic diagnostic he mention it this ..ON MAY 2014 FORD COMPANY ISSUE A RECALLFOR THE 2011 -2013 FOR EXPLORER FOR A DEFECT ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ..so I contact ford and they tell me I have to repair the total out of my packet becouse they cant see any recall but my car it was made during the time frame the recall it was made I really not understand why they can even look this problem I cant imaging if I was on the higway on high speed I really scared after I deal with this problem

NHTSA ODI 11502700

Was driving on interstate and steering just went out and couldn’t turn

NHTSA ODI 11500716

In a 2011 Ford Explorer the power steering failed in the driveway. it was extremely hard to turn without this function. It was taken to a Ford dealer who has confirmed that is the problem. The vehicle has 166,000 miles on it. This failure has been known for this car for quite some time. The failure rate is high and creates a serious safety issue because you cannot steer the car unless You are very strong. smaller people will be unable to turn the vehicle. The only option is to do a major repair to replace the unit. The dealer offered no help to not under any type of warranty; the cost quoted was $3,200.

NHTSA ODI 11500565

My 2011 ford explorer steering randomly went out . As I researched I realized that there was a safety recall 14s06 for that particular car. Apparently that recall was announced in 2014( before I purchased the vehicle) the previous owner took the truck to the dealership the have the pscm checked and no codes came back so it was only reprogrammed which is suppose to prevent steering loss which is what I am currently dealing with. The dealership is not trying to replace the part free of charge as stated in warranty although they know this is serious safety issue on this vehicle . They are trying to charge me 2800.00 to have the part replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11500281

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "service power steering now" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off the highway and into her husband's place of business. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11499244

the electric power steering failed due to manufacture recall on my exact year and model

NHTSA ODI 11499294

My 2011 Ford Explorer steering randomly went out . As I researched I realized that there was a safety recall 14S06 for that particular car. Apparently that recall was announced in 2014( before I purchased the vehicle) The previous owner took the truck to the dealership the have the pscm checked and no codes came back so it was only reprogrammed which is suppose to PREVENT steering loss which is what I am currently dealing with. The dealership is not trying to replace the part free of charge as stated in warranty although they know this is serious safety issue on this vehicle . They are trying to charge me 2800.00 to have the part replaced. I will continue to find a solution . Nothing about this is morally right

NHTSA ODI 11498011

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497756

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Service Power Steering" warning light illuminated along with several unknown warning lights. The contact stated that she was able to drive to her residence with the warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving up her driveway, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she turned the vehicle off and shifted to park(P), turned the vehicle off and on and the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to a manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts). The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497815

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a popping sound then the vehicle stalled. The contact then stated that he attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but not assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497323

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 10 MPH out of the driveway and entering the street, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that her daughter could not turn the wheel to the right or the left. The contact stated that her daughter informed her that power steering assist warning light was illuminated, and an audible chime was heard. The driver stopped and turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11496615

Driving 25mph or less coming to a stop and warning service advance track soon message appeared, advance track off idiot light then appeared on dashboard, steering suddenly harder to turn. turned car off and on, now no steering.

NHTSA ODI 11494945

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the "Steering Assist Fault" message displayed. The contact stated that after he turned off and restarted the vehicle three times, the power steering operated as needed. The contact was able to continue driving. The failure reoccurred two years later. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493944

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized as the power steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 98,500.

NHTSA ODI 11491946

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel locked up. The message "EPAS Error" was displayed. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall due to the mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA ODI 11491739

The steering went

NHTSA ODI 11491489

2011 Ford Explorer showed "Power Steering Assist Fault" message on dashboard pops up intermittently around 5 times in a span of 6 months of ownership. Latest occasion left driver stranded far from residence while parked since no steering can be done. Driver was put at risk of having to worry that it would happen again while driving on roads. Vehicle has been taken to dealership to get fixed. Dealer has inspected and attempted to reproduce fault but to no avail. Dealer recommended to replace complete steering assembly which cost is out of pocket of customer. Vehicle and VIN is under Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign # 15N01 EPAS STEERING EFFORTS and under NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist states it should be at no-cost to customer to get fixed. Dealer refused and stated campaign expired. Driver looking to get more resources to disprove dealer's claim and to get vehicle repaired since it is a public safety issue they are refusing to address over profit.

NHTSA ODI 11491211

2011 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATED THAT DURING A COLLISION THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11490730

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that occasionally after starting the vehicle, the power steering functionality would be inoperable. The contact stated that after the vehicle warmed up, the power steering functionality would return. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that on one occasion while his wife was driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel lost power steering functionality and started drifting to the right unintendedly. The contact stated that the driver's side of the vehicle crashed into the guard rails. There was no injury sustained. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that the steering wheel regained power steering assist and his wife was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The dealer also informed the contact that he had to pay out-of-pocket for the repair fee because an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11490570

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The electronic power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) failed and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module failed again and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11490357

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failure warning light illuminated on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic code reader was used to retrieve fault codes for the steering torque sensor and control module. The mechanic made the contact aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting a diagnostic test and the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 196,000.

NHTSA ODI 11489944