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

POWER STEERING POWER LOST HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ODI 11016063

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ISSUE - OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS, MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER HAS STALLED LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO CONTROL MY SPEED. LUCKILY THE TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, I HAVE BEEN ON CITY STREETS DRIVING 30-40 MPH. A WARNING GOES OFF STATING "AWD OFF" AND THEN A PICTURE OF A WRENCH APPEARS AND I LOSE ALL SPEED AND AM FORCED TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD. I AM ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN START BACK UP. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE ERROR CODE AND SAID IT WAS LIKELY A FLUKE. SINCE THAT VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP, MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. TODAY, IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES WHICH HAS LEFT ME TO FEAR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE FOR SAFETY REASONS. AFTER DOING ONLINE RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THE ISSUE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ETB ISSUES THAT FORD OPENED UP "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03" BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT DID NOT INCLUDE FORD EXPLORERS.

NHTSA ODI 11016070

ALL OF THE WINDSHIELD TOP MOLDING AND HALF THE RIGHT SIDE HAS BLOWN OUT OVER LAST 2 HIGHWAY TRIPS. WINDSHIELD IS ORIGINAL AND HAS NEVER BEEN WORKED ON. USUALLY OCCURRS AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH OR ABOVE

NHTSA ODI 11015341

I HAVE, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HAVE GOTTEN VERY VERY TIRED WHILE DRIVEING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE ALMOST FALLEN ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVING AND HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP WHILE IDILING IN THE DRIVEWAY. NOT TO MENTION THE EXCRUCIATING HEADACHES IVE SUFFERED FROM RECENTLY ALONG WITH NAUSEA, NOT TO MENTION THE SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CABIN.

NHTSA ODI 11014986

I HAVE A REALLY BAD EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN OF MY EXPLORER. DURING A 2500 - 5000 RPM ACCELERATION, YOU CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. MY MOTHER HAS BECOME SICK RIDING IN THE VEHICLE AND VARIOUS PEOPLE WHO I HAVE DRIVEN ON LONG ROAD TRIPS WITH IN THE EXPLORER HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT HEADACHES. COMMUTING DAILY WITH MY EXPLORER RECENTLY HAS MADE ME FEEL VERY NAUSEOUS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD IN 2013 AND 2014 ABOUT THE EXHAUST ODOR ISSUE BUT THEY SAID I DID NOT HAVE IT WITHOUT TESTING FOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS. I HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED IN DEALER RECORDS AT FORD KOONS OF SILVER SPRING. BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE THAT FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX, AND I BELIEVE MY FAMILY AND I ARE DEVELOPING HEALTH PROBLEMS DUE TO THESE CONCERNS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR TESTED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE IF POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11014568

STRONG FUME / EXHAUST SMELL IS PRESENT WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY WITH THE A/C IN EITHER RECYCLE MODE OR NORMAL MODE. LIGHTHEADEDNESS CAN BE PRESENT AT TIMES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. THIS EXHAUST SMELL HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND DOESN'T SEEM TO GO AWAY OR CHANGE.

NHTSA ODI 11013970

EXHAUST LEAKING INTO CABIN FROM BROKEN HEADER HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE 2012 FORD DID NOTHING HARD ACCELERATION CABIN SMELL IS VERY STRONG

NHTSA ODI 11013609

EXHAUST FUMES ENTER CABIN DURING HARD ACCELERATION. CONDITION HAS EXISTED SINCE NEW IN MAY OF 2011. A/C ON OR OFF, RECIRCULATION ON OR OFF. REQUIRES ROLLING DOWN WINDOWS TO REMOVE FUMES. CONDITION CAN BE DUPLICATED AT ANY TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11013633

"POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" I WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" CAME ON THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL I WAS ABLE TO REVERSE BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE AVOIDING THE DANGER OF ALL THE PASSING CARS AND PEDESTRIANS AROUND

NHTSA ODI 11013666

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,826.

NHTSA ODI 11013650

SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER, I NOTICED A CARBON MONOXIDE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND MY DAUGHTER WAS ALWAYS "TIRED" WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I OPENED THE WINDOWS. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN THE CAR FOR YEARS. I KEEP A COMFORTER IN THE CAR FOR COLD DAYS WHEN I NEED TO KEEP THE WINDOWS DOWN. I'M GLAD HIS ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO DRIVE THEIR CHILD AROUND UNTIL THEY FALL ASLEEP.

NHTSA ODI 11012741

SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING HARD (IE, TO MERGE ON THE FREEWAY ETC). HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT IT (USED) IN 2013).

NHTSA ODI 11012257

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, LEVITTOWN FORD LLC 3195 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE, LEVITTOWN, NY 11756, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE PRESENT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A LITIGATION WAS CURRENTLY PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 11/13/17 *BF UPDATED 11/16/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11011943

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNRISE FORD OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD (5500 LANKERSHIM BLVD, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601 (818) 980-9800), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166.

NHTSA ODI 11012169

WE HAVE A EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN AREA WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, MOSTLY WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL IS OPERATING AND MORE SO WHEN THE REAR AIR IS IN OPERATION. WE HAVE REPORTED IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER (FUTURE FORD OF ROSEVILLE CA.) AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM. WE TRY TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED OPEN AS IF YOU DONT WE GET BURNING SENSATION IN THE EYES AND OTHER IRRATATIONS FROM IT. WE HAVE ALSO TRYED TO TRADE OFF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN OFFERED LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT THE VEHICLE BLUE BOOKS FOR . WE WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM ADDRESED

NHTSA ODI 11012184

MY EXPLORER HAS HAD AN EXHAUST SMELL IN THE PASSENGER AREA. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO SEARS AUTO AND FORD DEALER AND BOTH TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, YET I CONTINUE TO SMELL THE EXHAUST WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND UP HILL, WITH MY AC ON. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE I AM NOW SEEING THAT POLICE AND OTHER EXPLORERS ARE HAVING THEM SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11011616

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (TROPICAL FORD IN ORLANDO, FL) AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI 11011644

GOT MY EXPLORER NEW IN 2011 HAD EXHAUST FUMES COMING IN TO CABIN TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THAT PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING OVER 3000 RPM STRONG ODOR COMES INTO CABIN. DEALER TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. THEY SAID WAS BECAUSE IT WAS NEW EVENTUALLY WOULD CLEAR UP...TIRED OF BEING STONEWALLED BY FORD ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON OUR BEHALF YOU HAVE THE POWER TO FORCE FORD TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND MAKE IT SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO USE THIS SUV SAFELY. WE CANT AFFORD TO GET A DIFFERNT VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE TAKE QUICK ACTION ON THIS MATTER I DONT WANT PASS OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS TRUCK...

NHTSA ODI 11011578

FUMY ODOR WHEN ACCELLERATE

NHTSA ODI 11011432

WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS AND MANY TIMES I PULL OVER TO TAKE A BREATHER. I MENTIONED TO A FRIEND TODAY THIS PROBLEM AND HE TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AS CARBON MONOXIDE MAY BE THE PROBLEM. I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT THAT BUT DISMISSED IT. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH MY OTHER VEHICLES. I AM GOING TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOW BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. PLEASE MAKE FORD REPAIR THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11011397

OUR ELECTRICIAL POWER ASSIST STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSE AND ACCIDENT HAS BEEN SEEN 2 TIMES TO BE FIXED AND KEEPS DOING IT

NHTSA ODI 11010910

RESTRAINTS INDICATOR LAMP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SETUP THIS FRIDAY WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, BUT WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, I FOUND THAT A TON OF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. A MAJORITY WERE RESOLVED BY FIXING A CONNECTION UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.

NHTSA ODI 11010877

MY STEERING WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY RADIO AND SCREEN GOES OUT SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11010585

GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND CONSOLE SCREEN NEVER TURNED ON. NO HANDSFREE PHONE CONNECTION, NO RADIO, NO NAVIGATION, NO BACK UP CAMERA. DID NOT COME BACK AFTER MORE THAN 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING. APIM FAILURE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD KNEW THIS PART WAS POOR BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON IT UP TO FIVE YEARS BUT WOULD NOW ALLOW REPLACEMENT UNDER THE WARRANTY UNLESS THE APIM FAILED. $1300 REPAIR. APPLIES TO FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12M01 AND NHTSA ID NUMBER 10044905.

NHTSA ODI 11006553

I'VE REPORTED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, AN ALARM ALERT SOUNDS AND I GET A WARNING LIGHT THAT SAYS, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND I CAN'T MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO RE-START MY CAR 1-5 TIMES FOR IT TO START WORKING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A LIABILITY. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T PULL A CODE. HOWEVER LITERALLY AN HOUR AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR, I GOT THE WARNING AGAIN AND I TOOK A PICTURE OF IT WITH MILEAGE SHOWING TO SHOW IT HAPPENED AFTER. THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO BE TOLD MY CAR IS FINE. IT IS NOT. SINCE TAKING IT IN, MY REAR VIEW CAMERA WILL NOW NOT WORK. I HAVE MADE FORD AWARE OF THIS STEERING ISSUE AND WANT IT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. CLEARLY THE RECALL DID NOT ACCURATELY HIT ALL VIN NUMBERS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN PAST 6-8 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11006363