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

AS I WAS IN MOTION DRIVING MY SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IHAS HAS THIS ISSUE OF LOOSING POWER STEERING IN THE PAST AUGUST OF 2019 AND THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED FEBRUARY OF 2018. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2019 AND WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING RACK AT MY COST! I HAVE SINCE HAD THIS ISSUE AGAIN NOVEMBER 3RD. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP IN 2019 CREATED A FRAUD CLAIM FOR REPROGRAMING THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE NOTHING WITH THE ISSUE THAT I INITIALLY BROUGHT IN WITH. IM SCARED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE UNETHICAL CLAIM BARNES BAKER AUTOMOTIVE OF TRENTON, MO HAS CLAIMED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME AND I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE SUSPENSION RECALL HAS EVEN BEEN PREFORMED. THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN PERFORMED BUT, IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. FORD IS CLAIMING THIS IS NOT A RECALL RELATED ISSUE WHICH THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A ONGOING P[ROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!

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POWER STRESSING WENT OUT ALONG WITH WARNING NOTICES OF SELECT TRACK SERVICE REQUIRED

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MY AIR BAG CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON 3 YEARS, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP A D THEY DISCOVERED THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER HAD SHORTED OUT. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THE SAME LIGHT IS BACK ON FOR WHAT I IMAGINE IS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AGAIN! THE LIGHT STAYS ON FROM THE TIME THE CAR IS STARTED TILL IT'S TURNED OFF.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FIRM AND HARD TO TURN HOWEVER, AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FAMILY FORD, INC., (30 NJ-183, NETCONG, NJ 07857, (973) 347-3000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LIKE THE FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,022.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ENTERED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE HOWEVER, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT TONY SERRA FORD (40905 HIGHWAY 280, SYLACAUGA, AL 35150 (256) 245-5000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL PACKER FORD ROYAL PALM BEACH LOCATED AT 10601 SOUTHERN BLVD, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL 3341, (561) 790-1100, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING STEERING BOX TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

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TERRAIN MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE TRAC LIGHT IS ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS UNABLE TO TURN

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND AND DROVE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

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AS A REPAIR SHOP OWNER, THE VEHICLE OWNER STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. I NOTICED FUEL STAINS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK SO I REMOVED THE TANK AND FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. I FOUND THE STEEL LOCK RING RETAINING THE MODULE TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED AND THE RESULTING RUST 'BLOOM' HAD CRUSHED THE PLASTIC FLANGE CAUSING THE FUEL LEAK. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON ANOTHER CAR ( 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN [XXX]) JUST LAST WEEK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER SHARING THE PICTURES WITH A DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION GROUP, OTHERS HAVE SEEN THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND CANADA, ESPECIALLY IN THE "RUST BELT" STATES. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO APPLY TO ANY FUEL SYSTEM WITH A PLASTIC FUEL PUMP MODULE AND A STEEL LOCK RING IN A RUST PRONE AREA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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THE STEERING IS KNOCKING WHEN TURNING WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN IN MOTION. THE STEERING LOCKS IN MID TURN WHILE IN MOTION.

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HAZARD LIGHTS CUT ON BY THEIRSELVES WHILE I WAS AT WORK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF

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POWER STEERING FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 4 YEARS

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I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK AND I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE THAT'S WHEN MY POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED. IT HAS DONE THAT BEFORE AND I WOULD JUST PUT IT IN PARK SHUT IT OFF THEN RESTART IT AND IT WOULD BE FINE. I'VE TALKED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A RECALL ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT IT'S A CLOSED RECALL. AND THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY'RE WANTING ME TO PAY $77 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST NOW.

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WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ALERT COME ON THE DASHBOARD.

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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 3 YOUNG KIDS ON A BUSY ROAD, MY WATER PUMP FAILED AND CATASTROPHICALLY DAMAGED MY ENGINE. MY CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING, WITH NO WARNING. WE WERE ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO MAKE AN ABRUPT STOP. HAD HE HIT MY CAR, WE WOULD HAVE SPUN BECAUSE OF THE FORCE. THE WATER PUMP FAILS AND BECAUSE IT'S INSIDE THE ENGINE, IT DAMAGES THE ENGINE IN SECONDS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM PUTS PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF KIDS. LEAVES YOU STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET. WITHOUT WARNING THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN PREVENT PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER THIS WAY. FORD STATES THAT WATER PUMPS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE AND ITS MANUAL DOESN'T STATE THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER CERTAIN MILES. REPAIR SHOP IS QUOTING 6,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE.

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THE STEERING FAILED WITH ASSOCIATED STEERING FAIL MESSAGE WHILE MAKE A LOW SPEED TURN MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS I DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL (14S06 & 15N01) ON IT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE VIN WAS SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS, FORD DENIED THE RECALL COVERAGE AS THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED PROGRAM TERMS BY 7,000 MILES. FURTHER REVIEW OF FORDS LETTER TO DEALERS DATED MAY 17, 2019, THE LETTER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED "REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR WARRANTY. THIS WAS STATED IN SUPPLEMENT #3 TO THE SAFETY RECALL 14S06.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. STERLING MCCALL FORD LOCATED AT 6445 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (281) 588-5000, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

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VEHICLE TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE IN MOTION. COMPLETE SHUT OFF

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I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WILL MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, THE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN AND THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WILL FLASH. IF THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STOP FLASHING THE VEHICLE WILL PICK UP SPEED AND DRIVE NORMAL BUT IF THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH FOR A LONG TIME EVENTUALLY THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WILL DISABLE AND THEN THE WARNINGS LIGHTS WILL SAY SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND COLLISION WARNING MALFUNCTION WARNING. IF I LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR HOURS IT MAY RESET BUT IT HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO AT RANDOM TIMES AND SPEED. *TR

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THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR FORD EXPLORES 2011-2013. THE RECALL IS LISTED AS 14S06. I WAS TOLD BY FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED IN THAT RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL THAT. IN JANUARY 2020 MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE STEERING RACK AND ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST ABOUT 3K IN OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR ME TO REPAIR. LESS THEN 3 MONTHS LATER MY POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THIS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE HAVING TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND IT WAS ANOTHER ALMOST $400 FOR THEM TO UPDATE THE MODULE. ALL OF THE ABOVE ISSUES ARE THE SAME ISSUES LISTED IN THE RECALL UNDER 14S06. THE ONLY ISSUE IS MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I'D LIKE TO APPEAL THE DECISION THAT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE VIN LISTING FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

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WHEN TURN CAR ON POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. LIKE IT IS LOCKED UP. TRY NUMEROUS TIMES BY TURNING CAR OFF AND NOTHING CHANGES. I WAS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MURRAY FORD OF KINGSLAND (2030 GA-40, KINGSLAND, GA 31548). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM HOWEVER, THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,980.

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POWER UNIT ASSIST FAULT. POWER STEERING FAILED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AND SHE WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. IT IS THE EXACT ISSUE AS SPECIFED IN THE RECALL. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON BACK FROM THE STORE WHEN THIS FAILED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITH SOME EFFORT AND NOTICED THE FAULT LIGHT ON THE DASH. SHE CALLED ME AND I TOLD HER TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. SHE DID BUT THE FAULT STILL SHOWS. THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND A SAFETY HAZARD.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, THE WATER PUMP WAS PLACED ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED, COOLANT ENTERED THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. JEFFERSON MOTOR CO INC, LOCATED AT 141 LEE ST, JEFFERSON, GA 30549, (706)367-5217, WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $8,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE REACHES 50MPH, I EXPERIENCE HESITATION AND/OR A PUTTING SENSATION THAT CONTINUES UNTIL I ACCELERATE TO 60MPH OR DROP TO 49MPH OR BELOW. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KOONS FORD OF BALTIMORE FOR SERVICE, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT OIL HAS BEEN SEEPING INTO MY AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND SATURATING MY AIR FILTER. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW ON THE FACTORY INSTALLED VALVE COVER GASKET. I LEARNED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURS ON SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES INCLUDING 2011-2013 EXPLORERS AS THE DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER WAS USED ON THOSE MODELS AT THE TIME THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE EXISTING VALVE COVER REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED VALVE COVER THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO RESOLVE THE OIL LEAKAGE/OIL SEEPAGE ISSUE. MY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AS THEY DEFINE THE REPLACEMENT PART AS "BETTERMENT" TO THE VEHICLE OR INSTALLATION OF AN UPGRADED PART. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT KOONS, THE VALVE COVER INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IS OBSOLETE AND WOULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN IF IT WERE STILL AVAILABLE. I MUST HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED VALVE COVER INSTALLED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE, STOP THE OIL FROM SEEPING IN AND AROUND THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND THROTTLE BODY AND TO ALSO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $700. I CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATE OFFICE AND LEARNED THAT THEY COULDN'T OR WOULDN'T BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA.

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