Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving out of the dealer lot, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was diagnosed with steering gear and steering module failures. The contact was informed that the steering gear and the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 110,304.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local service center who replaced the steering column and rear suspension tow link. Recently while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering failure reoccurred, and the warning message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made squeaking and popping sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sway bar links needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
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.
I had a recall on my 2011 Ford explorer for toe Links and bushings. Since ever since this has been going on I have gone through 38 tires in the rear in the past two years alone no shop will fix my car because the camber is so out of whack I have to have the whole rear suspension redone again when it should have been fixed the first time with the recall link Ford spent 5 minutes going through my car and said that my car didn't qualify for any recall because my car is a front wheel drive and not an all-wheel drive so they did not do the recall now after bringing it to another shop I have the estimate of what it would cost to fix that needs to be done it is an emergency because when I hit a pothole I go in the ditch my friend and his smashed because I can't control my car my steering freezes while driving down the highway and this all has something to do with the rear suspension five Star …
on december of 2022 the power steering go out during I was driving with my family and the steering it was very hard to keep control of the steering I almost lost control of the vehicle the good news is no car it was around me I try to do my best to get home safety .after the mechanic diagnostic he mention it this ..ON MAY 2014 FORD COMPANY ISSUE A RECALLFOR THE 2011 -2013 FOR EXPLORER FOR A DEFECT ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ..so I contact ford and they tell me I have to repair the total out of my packet becouse they cant see any recall but my car it was made during the time frame the recall it was made I really not understand why they can even look this problem I cant imaging if I was on the higway on high speed I really scared after I deal with this problem
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the driver's side windshield started to detach. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 21V746000 (Suspension); however, the parts to perform the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
My 2011 ford explorer steering randomly went out . As I researched I realized that there was a safety recall 14s06 for that particular car. Apparently that recall was announced in 2014( before I purchased the vehicle) the previous owner took the truck to the dealership the have the pscm checked and no codes came back so it was only reprogrammed which is suppose to prevent steering loss which is what I am currently dealing with. The dealership is not trying to replace the part free of charge as stated in warranty although they know this is serious safety issue on this vehicle . They are trying to charge me 2800.00 to have the part replaced.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the recall was not shown in the system. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool showed no open recall.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
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…
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.
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.
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.
Suspension complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,197 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Explorer suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-746 (rear, Sep 22, 2021); NHTSA recall 19V-435 (rear, Jun 10, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Explorer suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.