2011 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Explorer years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Ford Explorer has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering accounts for 62% of its 1,197 complaints, with 6 recalls filed and median failure mileage at 70,000.
- Complaints
- 1,197
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 30 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2011 Ford Explorer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering742 (62%)
- Other118 (10%)
- Structure & Body116 (10%)
- Engine113 (9%)
- Electrical System99 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (5%)
- Brakes57 (5%)
- Airbags44 (4%)
- Fuel System40 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires35 (3%)
What owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly locks up or loses response, sometimes at highway speed, causing loss of control.
- Power steering cuts out with no warning light, followed by the vehicle drifting off the road.
- Brake pedal sinks to the floor with little or no stopping power, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Front or rear brakes overheat and smoke after highway driving, with squealing noise reported.
- Heated seat overheats and burns a hole through the seat fabric.
- Airbag warning light repeatedly turns on despite multiple dealer visits.
2011 Ford Explorer recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
- NHTSA 21V746000Sep 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires150,723 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
- NHTSA 19V435000Jun 10, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,194,173 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
2011 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Explorer carries a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It is not the worst Explorer year, but steering problems stand out.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Ford Explorer?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 62% of all complaints (742 of 1,197), with a median failure mileage of 68,000 and 19 reported crashes.
- Does the 2011 Ford Explorer have a steering recall?
- Yes. Recall 14V286000 covers 2011-2013 Explorers built from May 17, 2010 through February 28, 2012 for an intermittent connection in the electric power steering system, remedied with a software update to the Power Steering Control Module.
- How does the 2011 Explorer compare to other years?
- The 2011 Explorer's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than 2010 (20, Best) and 2012 (47, Good), but better than 2013 (93, Avoid) and 2016 (100, Avoid), the worst year on record.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer, covering steering, structure & body, and suspension components.