2011 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 742 steering complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer, 62% of all complaints filed for the year, with 19 crashes and 2 injuries reported. A related recall, campaign 14V286000, covers a power steering control module software issue.
- Steering complaints
- 742
- 62% of 1,197
- Crashes reported
- 19
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 68,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden, complete loss of power steering assist while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, making the wheel very hard to turn.
- Several report the steering wheel locking up momentarily or the vehicle pulling hard to one side, with a steering warning light illuminating just before the failure.
- Some describe the problem recurring intermittently, requiring the vehicle to be turned off and restarted to restore steering response.
- A few link the power steering failure to a related loss of braking feel, resulting in rear-end collisions at low speed.
- One owner reported the failure occurred despite already having had the power steering control module recall repair performed.
- Median mileage at failure across reported cases was 68,000 miles.
When 2011 Ford Explorer steering complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 8, 2011, latest Sep 6, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 14V286000May 29, 2014Steering179,027 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Steering complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are steering complaints on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA has logged 742 steering complaints for the 2011 Explorer, which is 62% of the 1,197 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a steering recall for the 2011 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Recall campaign 14V286000 covers an intermittent connection issue in the electric power steering system on 2011-2013 Explorers built between May 17, 2010 and February 28, 2012; Ford updates the Power Steering Control Module software as the remedy.
- Do steering problems on the 2011 Explorer cause crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to steering complaints for this year shows 19 crashes and 2 injuries reported.
- At what mileage do steering failures typically happen on the 2011 Explorer?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for steering complaints on this model year is 68,000 miles.