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

2011 Ford Explorer - trim around the windshield has separated and pieces have disconnected when driving. Sections become loose and are slapping the windows which is a driving distraction. Will windshield be secure if trim around edges comes off?

NHTSA ODI 11558651

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension). The contact stated that on two occasions while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle began jerking to the right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 205,000.

NHTSA ODI 11557820

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Electric Power Steering Assist message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. 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 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11557685

Started vehicle & "Power steering assist default" warning light came on. All steering ability was lost, vehicle was rendered unsafe to operate.

NHTSA ODI 11556607

Power Steering Assist Fault light came on signaling loss of power steering when starting the vehicle last week. It is not being driven due to no power steering. Fortunately it was not being driven at the time but could have resulted in inability to steer in traffic. The vehicle has not been inspected since the EPSA light came on as it is difficult to drive. The fault light came on once about 2 months ago but it went off after restarting the car. The vehicle now continues to show the fault light every time the car is turned on.

NHTSA ODI 11556385

While driving the vehicle on a busy street, proceeded to steer car to turn at an intersection and the steering started failing and was extremely hard to steer. The message appeared electronically, saying service power steering now and car then shut down. We immediately got car to independent mechanic. Was not aware of any vehicle recall, but seems to be repaired. Happened very recently. Early Nov. 2023.

NHTSA ODI 11555865

Going down road about 40 mph when power steering was lost with lots of warning.

NHTSA ODI 11553504

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that electronic power steering intermittently failed to operate as needed. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. After shifting into gear, the message disappeared. While driving, the power steering was operating sluggishly. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552964

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the power steering system fault and traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552825

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn at a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and drove straight towards oncoming traffic. The message "Service Power Steering Now" was displayed. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel and depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, preventing a crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall due to the manufacture date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 195,600.

NHTSA ODI 11552604

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Default" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle several times until the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the failure could not be duplicated since the message was no longer displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact was able to drive to a second dealer, Pruitt Ford (912 Sheppard Rd, Burkburnett, TX 76354) and was informed that the failure could not be duplicated because the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the power steering was no longer operable. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), which was previously performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 11551477

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11549368

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH while turning right and exiting a ramp, then when idle a message stated "Low Oil Pressure" illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred while test-driving the vehicle to determine if the repair was successful. The vehicle was re-examined and diagnosed that the water pump had failed causing the engine coolant and oil into the engine causing the engine to seize completely. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred them to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549175

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The messages "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Advance Trac" were displayed. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11548467

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning as needed, and the power steering assist fault message was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became an intermittent occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11548521

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became firm while making lane changes. The contact stated that power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been intermittent but gradually became a recurring failure. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the vehicle was turned off and restarted however, the steering functionality had not return. The contact stated that the failure had become a constant failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that there was a Manufacturer’s Recall Number: 15N01 (Steering) EPAS Steering Efforts associated with the failure; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty for the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ODI 11547130

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check charging system warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where several unknown parts were replaced; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E001000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11545981

Trim on left side A-pillar detached at highway speeds causing further damage to vehicle. The plastic trim and rubber seal detached and were damaged along with door trim and left marks on the driver window glass and upper door sash from the rubber seal.

NHTSA ODI 11545258

I was driving on my way to take my kids to school and my wheel locked on me, with a warning message "power steering assist". I was in traffic turning at the red light and almost crashed into the freeway bend.

NHTSA ODI 11544669

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized inadvertently while there was incoming traffic. The vehicle made a beeping sound, and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the contact was able to pull to the side of the road after several attempts. The stated that that she pulled into the nearest parking lot, then drove the vehicle to work; however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure through voicemail. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V286000 (Steering) and 14E001000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,560.

NHTSA ODI 11544713

While driving the power steering locked up on me. The icon power steering assist was displayed. A updated recall is needed to fix the action to avoid damages or fatal accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11544089

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, an alarm sounded, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Default" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while her husband was driving on one occasion. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11542713

While driving at 60 miles per hour, a warning appeared stating "service power steering soon". I immediately found a place to pull over, but within minutes, it stated "service power steering now" - the steering capability ceased and locked up. It is known this is a recall amongst the 2011 ford explorers, yet mine was not recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11542422

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing and exiting the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with steering module failure. The contact was informed that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA ODI 11541417

When I turned my Ford Explorer on yesterday, the Power Steering Fault light came one. This has happened in the past, but when I shut off and restart my car, it has always reset and worked. But yesterday, it didn't reset. Besides the power steering, the Advance Trac light is also on. My blinkers will not stay engaged unless I hold the lever. I can't get in to the Ford Dealer for a month. It is very difficult to drive without the power steering working. The warning lamps came on when I started the car. Thankfully this didn't go out when I was driving.

NHTSA ODI 11541461