2011 Ford Explorer Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 116 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer, 10% of all complaints for that year, with a median failure mileage of 101,000. Three related recalls cover A-pillar trim clips, interior door handle springs, and second-row seat recliner mechanisms.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 116
- 10% of 1,197
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 101,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Rear liftgate glass reported shattering on its own with no impact.
- Water leaks into the cabin through the rear passenger seat belt area and around the driver's side floor during rain or wet driving.
- Chrome trim on the back panel, wheels, door handles, grille, and side bumpers corrodes at low mileage.
- Heated front passenger seat overheats and burns through the seat fabric.
- Driver and passenger seat design causes arm and lower back discomfort during extended use.
When 2011 Ford Explorer body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 8, 2011, latest Jun 22, 2026.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer
- 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 15V171000Mar 24, 2015Structure & Body194,484 vehicles
Structure:body:door
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
- NHTSA 11V063000Feb 2, 2011Structure & Body1,658 vehicles
Seats
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 explorer vehicles manufactured from july 15, 2010, through december 13, 2010, equipped with second row 60% seats with manual recliner mechanisms that may have components that are out of dimensional specification. These seats fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the seats free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Structure & Body complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA lists 116 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Explorer, which is 10% of the 1,197 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for structure or body issues on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Three recalls touch this area: campaign 24V031000 for A-pillar trim clips, 15V171000 for interior door handle return springs, and 11V063000 for second-row seat recliner mechanisms.
- At what mileage do 2011 Explorer structure and body problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2011 Explorer is 101,000 miles.
- Did the 2011 Explorer's structure and body complaints cause crashes or fires?
- NHTSA records show 2 crashes and 1 fire tied to Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Explorer, with no injuries reported.
- How does the 2011 Explorer compare to other years for this problem area?
- The 2011 model's Structure & Body complaints are 10% of its total complaints, lower than the share seen in 2016 (25%), 2017 (40%), 2018 (40%), and 2019 (52%).