Home · 2011 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,191)Crash / fire / injury (40)Steering (737)Body & structure (110)Electrical system (94)Engine (83)Transmission & drivetrain (64)Airbags (44)Fuel system (40)Brakes (28)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (28)Suspension (24)

Newest first · 1,191 complaints · page 4 of 48

Mar 28, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and a second dealer, Serra Ford Kalkaska (408 W Mile Rd, Kalkaska, MI 49646), were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11651360

Mar 27, 2025Steering

The contact’s daughter owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The warning light had escalated from yellow to red. The driver continued driving the vehicle; however, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11650991

Mar 26, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11650741

Mar 25, 2025AirbagsBody & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the air bag warning light being illuminated and the dealer diagnosed that the front passenger’s side air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was ordered; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted regarding NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); in February 2024 and the contact was informed there were no parts available for the recall repair. In July 2024 the contact received a letter stating that parts were available, and an appointment was scheduled for October 2024. At the time of the appointment, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11650563

Mar 20, 2025

Back up camera has not worked for the last 4 years.

NHTSA ODI 11649545

Mar 11, 2025SteeringEngine & cooling

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11647585

Mar 7, 2025

We have been waiting for this part from Ford for over 1 year. I am told by the dealership that they have been limiting the number of parts the dealerships can order. The same dealership order 100 and has only received 5 to date. This is unacceptable. When a part is recalled because of safety it should not be over a year to receive the part. Why are they not being held accountable. My sons car has trip that has fallen off and or flaps in the wind.

NHTSA ODI 11647080

Mar 6, 2025Steering

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn in either direction. The contact was able to veer over to the shoulder of the road. The message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the contact was informed that the repairs were denied by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. In addition, the local dealer diagnosed the vehicle and linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11646834

Mar 3, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rubber gaskets underneath the front driver's side and passenger's side of the windshield A-Pillar trims were flapping against the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that both trims needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact used tape to secure the trims. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11646008

Feb 27, 2025Steering

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and determined that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11645429

Feb 26, 2025SteeringWheels

Power steering assist fault, and power steering EPS system failed while driving! Was replaced by Ford in 2015 and has already locked up while driving! Tire pressure sensor constantly stays on even after replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11644998

Feb 20, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11643878

Feb 19, 2025SteeringCrash

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash into a gate where it came to a stop. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. No warning light was illuminated. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11643737

Feb 14, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield A-pillar trim had become loosened. The contact glued the trim back in place. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11642690

Feb 13, 2025Steering

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering assist rack. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 185,000.

NHTSA ODI 11642531

Feb 4, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11640588

Feb 4, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a piece of the front driver’s side A-pilar trim detached and blew off onto the highway. The contact stated that a piece of the driver’s side A-pilar trim remained attached; however, the vehicle was temporarily repaired with tape. The local dealer was contacted; however, parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11640677

Feb 3, 2025Steering

The contact owned a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); because the mileage was over 150,000. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.

NHTSA ODI 11640371

Jan 31, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11639962

Jan 29, 2025

When I contacted my local dealership I was notified there was a recall for the power steering. However the recall was only good until 150,000 miles. Yet I have owned this vehicle for 2 years and NEVER BEEN CONTACTED

NHTSA ODI 11639352

Jan 21, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was a sound of air coming from the driver’s and passenger’s side of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions where it was determined that the upper A-pillar trims and clips needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ODI 11637442

Jan 20, 2025Steering

I was driving down a highway at 55 MPH and my traction control lights came on. Next my assist power steering warning light came on which was yellow. Then the red assist power steering warning came on and I lost all power steering. The dealership did confirm the problem was my steering angle sensor, but said this did not fall under the recall anymore because I have too many miles.

NHTSA ODI 11637115

Jan 15, 2025

Back up camera. when back up is engaged, picture on backup monitor is reversed, left becomes right and and right becomes left. This happened ab out two months ago and will happen every time shift is placed in reverse. This is a safety issue and particularly for my wife because she always depends on the back up camera. Yesterday I inquired with my local Ford Dealer, but they informed me that there is no recall by Ford for my model (They told me that there is one for the 2023 year and up for failing back up camera, but this even worse, because when the camera fails, it's known right away that you have to depend on the side and review mirrors. Please advise

NHTSA ODI 11636076

Jan 14, 2025Steering

Power steering has gone out on car. There was a previous recall but I was told it has expired. I am not over the miles allowed to claim the recall on the power steering. It is not safe to drive this car without properly being fixed. The recall should still be applied regardless of its expiration as I have not exceeded the milage. I don’t feel it is safe to have an expired recall on a car, especially if the milage is so low.

NHTSA ODI 11635782

Jan 8, 2025Steering

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel failed to move as intended. The service power steering now warning light illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's place of business and had not been driven since the incident. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 168,281.

NHTSA ODI 11634819

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →