2011 FORD EXPLORER Electrical System Problems
88 NHTSA complaints on file
All Electrical System Complaints — Page 2
CAR WAS FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OVER HEATING SIGN WENT ON IN THE CAR . I PULLED OVER ON THE FREEWAY CALLED A TOW TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE HAD A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AT MY HOUSE I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AND THE WATER TANK WAS NOT HOLDING WATER BECAUSE OF IT. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO MY CAR I TURNED IT ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR CAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO CAUSE ANYMORE DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC CAME BACK TO MY HOUSE AND TOLD ME IT WAS NOW LEAKING WATER AND OIL TO TAKE IT IN RIGHT AWAY. I HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR UNTIL THAT POINT. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY TELL ME THAT...
THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM COMES ON WHILE DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEED AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HARD AND THEN EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN AND IF YOU ARE LUCKY YOU MIGHT MAKE IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY SCARY AS I LIVE IN A RURAL AROUND WHERE YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET OVER IN AN APPROPRIATE AREA. IN THE PAST I COULD LET IT SET FOR A MINUTE AND RESTART IT AND WOULD BE FINE. RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED FOR IT TO RUN AGAIN AND THEN SEEMS FINE. JUST LAST NIGHT/THIS MORNING IT WAS SO BAD THAT WE HAD TO LET IT SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE WE COULD GET IT TO JUMP START IT AGAIN. I HAVE SAW THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WHEN I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER IT SAYS THERE IS NO RECALLS BUT WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR RECALLS IT MENTIONS...
THERE ARE ALLOT OF ISSUES GOING ON WITH THE TRUCK WE HAVE JUST HIT AROUND 70K MILES, THIS STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR IS NOT LATCHING CORRECTLY UPON BEING CLOSED. THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN FAULTY FOR SOME TIME NOW A/C DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY/ REMOTES AND LIGHTS ON CAR ON CONSTANTLY FLICKERING... HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE ISNT IN MOTION AND WHEN IN MOTION
THE STEERING HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY, SOMETHING JUST DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALSO - THE SYNC SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND THE SCREEN RANDOMLY REBOOTS AND IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. LASTLY THE CAR SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN KEYS ARE IN THE CAR, SO EVERY TIME YOU GO TO START THE CAR DOES NOT WORK. HOW THIS IS UNSAFE - IS IN COLD WEATHER YOU HAVE YOUR KEYS IN HAND AND THE CAR WILL NOT START, WHICH MEANS YOU COULD BE LEFT IN THE COLD AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT SAFE.
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH, IN A DOWN-POUR RAIN, ON A STATE HWY, ON A STRAIGHTAWAY, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHEN THE "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (CHECK BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL). STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. CAUSE AT THIS TIME IS UNKNOWN.
FAULTY ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITHIN THE GEAR SHIFTER KNOB PERIODICALLY INDICATES THAT CAR IS NOT IN "PARK" WHEN THE CAR IS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THIS IS WORRISOME SINCE YOU ARE ALWAYS AFRAID YOUR CAR WILL ROLL AWAY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS PERIODICALLY FOR ME AND IS REMEDIED TEMPORARILY BY FRANTICALLY "CLICKING" THE GEAR SHIFTER SWITCH UNTIL THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.
WHEN STARTING, NON OF THE SAFTY FEATURES WORK, NO BACKUP CAMERA, PROXIMITY ALERTS, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONS; NO OF THE INFO/SAFETY SYSTEM WORKS. AFTER DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS, "SYNC" COMES ON SCREEN AND YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE SYSTEM IS DOING MAINTENANCE ON ITSELF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ALL APPEARS REPAIRED. YOUR CAR SHOULD NOT REBOOT AT INCONVENIENT AND UNSAFE TIMES
WHILE IDLING AND WHILE GETTING CAR UP TO SPEED THE AC COOLING MAKES A WEAK SOUND AND DOES NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR. WHILE IDLING THE CAR OVERHEATS WHEN THE AC IS ON AND BLOWS HOT AIR. DUE TO THE EFFECT THIS IS A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT THE AC SHOULD STILL BE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION GIVEN IT'S ONLY USED 2-3 MONTHS A YEAR SINCE OWNERSHIP. CAR WILL ALSO OVERHEAT WHILE IT'S BLOWING HEAT DURING WINTER MONTHS. ENGINE COOLANT IS AT OPTIMUM LEVELS AND CAR WILL SMOKE WHILE EXHAUST IS ON. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE AS READING NUMBERS REVIEWS ON-LINE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH ALL FORD MODEL VEHICLES, AVERAGE COSTS TO REPAIR ARE OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE WHAT SHOULD BE A NEW AC SYSTEM, WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DUE TO KNOWN FAILURE...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCE AN ISSUE WITH THROTTLE RESPONSE. A WRENCH WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THAT POINT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHUDDERING AND THE INTERNAL SYSTEMS SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 5MPH. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE, I SHUT THE CAR OFF, PULLED THE KEY, REINSERTED THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED UP NORMALLY, BUT IMMEDIATELY EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I CHECKED THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND FOUND THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT INDICATES A "POWERTRAIN FAULT". I CONTACTED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THINKING THAT A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A "POWERTRAIN FAULT" WOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, AND CHARGED ME OVER...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING AND COMPUTER FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG, AND SECURITY SENSORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO RESET THE MASTER CONTROLS. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED COMPUTER FAILURE. THE FIRMWARE WAS UPDATED MULTIPLE TIMES, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED MONTHS LATER AND INCLUDED VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORTS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR MONTHS TO DETERMINE IF THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THE FIRMWARE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V286000 (STEERING) AND 14E001000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
ON JUNE 16TH, 2014, I WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD AND 18 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL IT OR EVEN TURN THE WHEEL. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JUNE 19TH, 2014 HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. *TR
UPON MEDIUM TO HEAVY ACCELERATION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE CABIN IS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE ENGINE. THIS INJURES THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF THE PASSENGERS. THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX (AFTER MY FAMILY HAS BEEN BREATHING POLLUTED AIR FOR ALMOST TWO AND A HALF YEARS). FORD HAS FINALLY ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND SEND ME A LETTER THAT SAID. [XXX] FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION MARCH 7, 2014 [XXX] [XXX] SUBJECT: CUSTOMER CONCERN - EXHAUST ODOR ON 2011-2014 EXPLORER, EDGE OR MKX WE THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DISCUSS THE CONCERN OF EXHAUST ODOR IN YOUR VEHICLE. TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERN ABOUT EXHAUST ODOR, WE HAVE PERFORMED SEVERAL INSPECTIONS AND SEALING ACTIONS WHERE APPLICABLE ON YOUR VEHICLE TO HELP MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF ODOR COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WITH THESE CHANGES YOU MAY STILL EXPERIENCE ODOR UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS...
AT APPROX 1430 ON JUNE 2ND ON HIGHWAY ON RAMP ACCELERATING HAD THE SERVICE ADVANCETRAC WARNING LIGHT AND CHIME COME ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT AND CHIME COME ON AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHER AND LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND FORCED MY EXPLORER TO THE SHOULDER. ONCE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY I CLEARED THE FAULTS, I WISH I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CELL PHOTO OF FAULT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER ISSUES FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE APPROX 25 TO 30 MIN. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, AN ELECTRICAL LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR AND IT WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AT WHICH POINT, POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN AROUND 20 MINUTES LATER AND THEN RECTIFIED ITSELF AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND SPOKE WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND COULD NOT "REPLICATE THE ISSUE". THIS WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL. I AM NOW LEARNING THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BACK IN JANUARY AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
THE CAR BASICALLY SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOSE POWER STEERING. NO WARN LIGHTS JUST CUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD US THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO FIX. I TOOK TO THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED THE ISSUE TO FIND OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY OPENED A CASE FOR US. THEY CAME BACK WITH $1,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT IT WILL STILL COST US $1,000 FOR SOEMTHING I FEEL IS NOT A PART THAT "WEARS OUT". IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF REPLACING THE PART BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. *JS
WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY OF 2011 AND HAVE BEEN THE EXCLUSIVE USERS OF THE CAR EVER SINCE. OUR VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THREE TOTAL LOSSES OF POWER STEERING ABILITY SINCE JULY 8, 2013. WHEN AN EVENT OCCURS, THE "POWER STEERING FAILURE" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. TWO OF THE OCCURRENCES HAVE TAKEN PLACE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ONE INSTANCE, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH OUR YOUNG SON AND STRUGGLED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. FORD ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BY INSTALLING TWO SEPARATE NEW STEERING COLUMNS INTO THE VEHICLE, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND SEEMS TO HAVE HAD COLLATERAL EFFECTS ON OTHER ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. I HAVE ADVISED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM BUT AS OF 11/20/2013 I HAVE NOT HAD ANY KIND OF AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSE....
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 55MPH GIVE OR TAKE 5MPH WHEN THE STEERING WENT STIFF AND MADE IT HARD TO STEER THROUGH THE TURNS. IT WAS WORSE WHEN I HAD TO MAKE SLOW TURNS. IF I HAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT QUICKLY I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO AVOID IT. WHEN I GOT TO WORK SHUT THE CAR OFF TURNED IT BACK ON AND I GUESS IT RESET BECAUSE THE STEERING CAME BACK. WHEN I T HAPPENED AGAIN I CALLED THE BREWSTER FORD AND SAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM I ROUGH THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER IF HAPPENED A FEW TIME BUT THEY SAID THEY WONT BE ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING SINCE THERE ARE NO ERRORS WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN THE CHECK IT SAID THEY...
TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED THE WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE POWER STEERING QUIT. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR IT APPEARED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, THE SAME WARNING CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE POWER STEERING QUIT. I WAS TRAVELING AT 35MPH. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT APPEARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AGAIN. WHEN I PREVIOUSLY TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND RESET THE SYSTEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE KEY NOT DETECTED WARNING MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE SHE RECEIVED DIRECTIONS FROM THE DEALER OVER THE PHONE IN HOW TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSTALLED WITH A NO MECHANICAL KEY START SYSTEM. THE IA KEY FAILED, WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE NO KEY DETECTED ALERT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE KEY WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE ERROR MESSAGE REMAINED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED.
I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A WARNING BING SOUND AND SAW THE POWER STEERING FAULT AND ALL TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILURE WARNINGS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. LOST TOTAL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY LIGHTS, STOP ON SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON (HOPING THAT IT WOULD RESET AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE) AND DOING THIS CLEARED THE WARNINGS AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND BEFORE STARTING TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ONCE AGAIN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN RESET THE WARNING AND REGAINED STEERING ABILITY AGAIN. *TR
VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM MONTH 3 OF PURCHASE. COOLING FANS BLEW, SUNROOF RATTLES, BUT THE WORST WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A POP. THE STEERING WHEEL BOLT HAD BROKE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS TO FIX IT. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CORPORATE AND NEVER RECEIVED CALL OR EMAIL BACK FROM THEM. THEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER SEEMED STRAIGHT. IT ALWAYS TURNED TO THE LEFT. IT WENT BACK IN THE SHOP ON 06/12/2013 TO BE FIXED. THEY STATED IT NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT FACT IS IT WAS NEVER FIXED CORRECTLY AS THEY NEVER SAW THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THEN ON 06/15/2013 DRIVNG VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO GET IT PULLED OVER AFTER BEING IN A TOTAL...
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE GAVE ME A WARNING, BUT ONLY AFTER THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO TRY AND GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. TURNING THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON APPEARS TO RESET THE ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A ROAD. BECAUSE THE CHANGE WAS SO UNEXPECTED THE CAR COULDN'T BE TURNED IN TIME TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR, THEN TURN IT BACK ON WHILE BLOCKING TWO LANES OF FRONTAGE ROAD BECAUSE IT BECAME NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. TWO INCIDENTS. THE FIRST OCCURRED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A FRONTAGE ROAD (05/03/13). THE SECOND WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD...
2011 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SYNC MALFUNCTION IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED, THE SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE RADIO AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. THE SYNC HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY THE DEALERSHIP 13 TIMES.
(MY WIFE AS ON HER WAY TO OUR DAUGHTER'S ONE MONTH DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. SHE HAD JUST BEGAN MOVING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER (FOUND TO BE STABILI-TRAC ERRORS AND FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING). SHE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT HARM. AFTER READING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, SHE FOUND THAT WITH THIS ISSUE, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON MAY "CLEAR" THE ISSUE. IT DID TAKE CARE OF THE STEERING ISSUE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DOCTORS. FORD LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND HAS ORDERED ANOTHER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE SAME FAULT HAS HAPPENED AN ADDITIONAL FOUR TIMES SINCE THE FIRST DAY. THAT IS A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS ONLY BEEN ABLE TO TELL...
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE ADVANCTRAK AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE "SERVICE ADVANCTRAK" WARNING APPEARED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK, AND THE "POWER STEERING FAULT" WARNING APPEARED. THE TURN SIGNALS ALSO STOPPED WORKING DURING THESE EPISODES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, ALL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING YESTERDAY. IN ALL CASES, I HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE - UPON RESTARTING, THE WARNINGS DISAPPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW, WITH NO ISSUES FOUND. I HAVE A 3RD APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TODAY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY PARENTS AND MY TODDLER DAUGHTER BACK FROM VISTING A SIBLING (APPROX. 5 HOUR DRIVE) WHEN WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO TAKE A BREAK ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN, I RECEIVED WARNINGS RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ADVANCE TRAC FAILURE. THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THERE APPEARED TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BLINKERS AS WELL. ON TUESDAY, FOLLOWING LABOR DAY) I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT FOR REPAIR. MORE THAN A WEEK LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER WITH FORD UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST AND THAT THERE WAS A WAITING LIST TO GET THE PART AND THERE WERE ALMOST 1000 PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST AHEAD OF ME. I'M GREATFUL THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER, EVEN UNDER THE WARRANTY THEY ONLY HAVE TO...
POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR
THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AROUND 10 MPH PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION. THE SCREEN SAID IT WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT WENT AWAY, HOWEVER IT HAPPENED ONCE MORE LATER AROUND 5 MPH. *TR
THE MANAGEMENT TERRAIN AND POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED 3 TIMES AND AT A DEAD STOP 3 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESET BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTING. *TR
FORD "MYFORDTOUCH" SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT HAS FROZEN, LOCKED UP, AND CONTINUOUSLY REBOOTED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, YOU LOSE ALL FUNCTIONALITY AND ABILITY TO CHANGE RADIO STATIONS, ADJUST CLIMATE CONTROL, USE NAVIGATION, HANDS FREE FUNCTIONS, ETC. WHILE THERE IS SOME MANUAL CONTROLS FOR BASIC OPERATIONS, IT DOES NOT ALLOW FULL CONTROL OF TALL SYSTEMS. FOR INSTANCE, WHEN THE MFT SYSTEM FAILS, YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO TURN ON OR ADJUST THE REAR CLIMATE CONTROLS FOR REAR PASSENGERS. DEALER HAS TRIED UPGRADING SOFTWARE, RESETTING SOFTWARE, REINSTALLING SOFTWARE, AND REPLACING HARDWARE. WHILE THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS BAD AS IT HAS BEEN, IT CONTINUES WITH NO RESOLVE. *TR
THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 4 OCCASIONS IN MY BRAND NEW XLT. THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME (THREE TOTAL) THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RETURNED IT TO ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING, WARNING CHIMES AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC", "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHTS GLOWING WHILE IN MOTION. ALMOST CRASHED THE VEHICLE EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY GAS PEDAL POSITION NEVER CHANGED. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE 4TH TIME, I ALMOST WAS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER AND REALIZED FORD MOTOR CORPORATION IS NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM...
POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2011 FORD EXPLORER WHILE TRAVELING IN NEIGHBORHOOD. STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH REMOTE START TO COOL VEHICLE IN HOT, HUMID HOUSTON, TEXAS ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES BEFORE ENTERING IT. WE DROVE 1.2 MILES TO AN ACQUAINTANCE'S RESIDENCE TO CO-SIGN A CHECK FOR NON-PROFIT PAYMENT. LEFT VEHICLE RUNNING FOR +/- 3 MINUTES IN HIS DRIVEWAY. BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AND DROVE 1/2 MILE WHEN LOST POWER STEERING AND NOTICED TWO MESSAGES ON THE DASH. ONE SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND OTHER "SERVICE AUTO TRACKING". STOPPED ON THE STREET, SHUT OFF ENGINE, AND RESTARTED THE CAR. NO MESSAGE. DROVE 1/4 AND THE EVENT RECURRED AS DESCRIBED. RETURNED HOME AND PARKED CAR AT OUR PERSONAL RESIDENCE. CALLED RUSSELL & SMITH FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 5:03PM AND LEFT MESSAGE. SUSPECT IT IS AFTER HOURS AND WILL NOT HEAR FROM THEM UNTIL MORNING OF JULY 26, 2012. THE MESSAGE...
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" AS WELL AS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". THIS WAS THE SCARIEST FEELING I HAVE EVER HAD. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES.. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR. I WAS TOLD TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. I ADVISED MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 30, 2012 (40197 MILES) AND I MENTION THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR REPAIR. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THIS CAR, WE TRAVEL ALOT AND I AM REFUSING TO DRIVE IT. I WAS AFRAID OF PURCHASING AN AMERICAN CAR BUT LOVED THE NEW FORD EXPLORER LOOK AND BODY. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER PURCHASE...
WHILE IN OPERATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL " LIGHT ARE DISPLAYED. SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TEMPORARILY CLEARED THE FAILURE. FAILED MORE THAN ONCE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REGAINED STEERING AND BRAKE POWER AFTER RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
THE FORD SYNC SYSTEM DECIDED TO DO AN UPGRADE AND DISABLED ALL RELATED FEATURES FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THIS INCLUDED AUDIO, CELL PHONE LINK, RADIO, HEATER AND THE REAR VIEW CAMERA! IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN AND APPEARS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WHICH IS WHEN THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS VERY LIKELY TO BE NEEDED. *TR
MORE LIKE ADAPTIVE 'CURSE' CONTROL. MY 2011 EXPLORER LIMITED 4X4 WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE ALWAYS CATCHES THE REAR OF SEMI TRUCKS IN OTHER LANES, CAUSING IT TO APPLY FULL BRAKES AND PEOPLE BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASH INTO ME. MY 2011 LIMITED IS TOTALLY FACTORY ORIGINAL, NO TOW BARS. HERE IN CALIFORNIA THE SEMI TRUCK SPEED IS 55 WHILE AUTOS CAN GO 65-70MPH (AND IN MOST CASES EVERYONE GOES 80+). SO WHEN I'M GOING ALONG AT 65-70 WITH NO VEHICLES HEAD OF ME IN MY LANE AND THE THING GOES 100% BRAKES I ALMOST CRASH. I ALSO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY DISABLED BECAUSE OF AN ERROR IN THE SYNC MODULES. THE SYNC COMPUTER MODULES CONTROL THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE, STABILITY CONTROL, BACK UP DETECTION SYSTEM, AUTO WIPERS, AUTO PARKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC, ETC. I FEAR THAT THE SRS IS ALSO TIED INTO THESE SAME SYNC COMPUTER MODULES. FORD...
Other 2011 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Steering
718 complaints
Unknown Or Other
110 complaints
Engine
82 complaints
Power Train
62 complaints
Structure
53 complaints
Structurebody
47 complaints
Air Bags
44 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
35 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
28 complaints
Suspension
24 complaints
Service Brakes
21 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
17 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
15 complaints
Seat Belts
14 complaints
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
9 complaints
Visibilitywiper
9 complaints
Wheels
9 complaints
Seats
6 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
5 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
5 complaints
Traction Control System
5 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
4 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinion
4 complaints
Visibility
4 complaints
Exterior Lighting
3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
3 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
2 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
2 complaints
Steeringsteering Control Module
2 complaints
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
2 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
2 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
2 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention
1 complaint
Back Over Prevention Warnings
1 complaint
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
1 complaint
Electrical Systemsoftware
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
1 complaint
Equipmentelectrical
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlights
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
1 complaint
Power Traintransmission Casehousing
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
1 complaint
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
1 complaint
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
1 complaint
Structurebodydoor
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
1 complaint
Structureinterior Panelsdoor
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint
Tirestreadbelt
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshieldcritical Fasteners
1 complaint