2011 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems

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 automotive wrote down everything that needs to be replaced this is a hazard to be on the road, if I could afford another car I would have one I keep sinking money into this one, because of Link Ford and their mistake me and my car should not have to suffer for it or anyone else on the road because this is a hazard my car is going to kill someone if I would have had the recall replaced, I wouldn't have had to spend an additional $1,400 on parts and labor that never even got put in because they can't put them in until this is repaired I can't even get a front end alignment because of this the entire rear suspension is sagging to the ground and my tires tilt in about 42°. I have the printout from both Link Ford in mining and 5 star automotive in Superior WI because of the 22 times I've gone in the ditch due to my suspension and steering locking up I have a short in the ground wire somewhere that is now fried my ECU so when I put it in a $90 boot every time it lights on fire within 30 seconds I'm in closing that picture as well of the one I just put in little over an hour ago.

NHTSA ID

11695632

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11695270

Incident

Oct 23, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11604732

Incident

Jul 22, 2024

Mileage

110,304 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11557820

Incident

Nov 24, 2023

Mileage

205,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11534624

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

Mileage

180,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11521493

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

Mileage

126,000 mi

When driving and get up to 60mph car shakes and moves side to side hard to control.

NHTSA ID

11518629

Incident

Apr 10, 2023

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

NHTSA ID

11502700

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11500281

Incident

Oct 24, 2022

Hello, FORD in Woodbridge VA. I was driving with my daughter home. And all of a sudden the steering wheel locked or got really hard to turn. I was just a block away from home thank God so I immediately pulled over. The warning sign that came up said power steering. It was after hours so the next morning i called Ford to take my vehicle in for the recall and dropped it off. * I was told that although it's a recall it had expired so my claim was denied and the cost of repairs is $2700. I am outraged that a manufacture safety issue that's out of my control has an EXPIRATION date. There should NOT be expiration on something that has a recall on it. Not only did they tell me it's expired, regards to the repair, no discount was offered knowing they have that issues and when asked if I would be able to get a loaner veh during repairs they stated they couldn't provide me a loaner if my vehicle was under repairs as they don't provide loaners. When I asked for that in writing they then stated they just didn't have any loaners available. I could of killed someone, my myself or my child at how the steering wheel tightenocked up during my driving. My child has cerbal palsy, disabled and has therapy appts and certain needs each day that required me to have transportation. if my vehicle is under repairs, whether for recall or not I should be provided a loaner vehicle. I am not asking for coverage on wear and tear . Coverage on cosmetics. This is a known issue and I am being punished cuz it's "expired"? My car is in decent condition. Even though the car is over 10 year old, I have not had this vehicle for 10 years. It shouldn't be a expiration on major safety issues. And if 10 years is the date it should be 10 years from ownership. I haven't owned this vehicle for 10 years. This is not okay to charge money for issues the manufacturer know is a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11488243

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

NO INCIDENTS YET. I HAVE HAD A POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING CAME ON. IT IS OFF NOW I HAVE CONTACTED FORD IN DETROIT, RECALL EXPIRED EVENTHOUGH MY CAR HAS ONLY 124,100 MILES ON IT.IT WILL COST ME $2300. TO FIX IT WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS. I PURCHASED THIS USED CAR IN DEC,2021 AT KEARNEY MOTORSPORTS IN LOUISVILLE KY. NOW I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE SUSPENSION. I FIND THIS CAR VERY UNSAFE AND REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS, ESPECIALLY THE POWER STEERING. PLEASE ADVISE, OH I DID REPORT THIS TO KYDOT.

NHTSA ID

11462390

Incident

Apr 27, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11453413

Incident

Nov 4, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11452381

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

AS I WAS IN MOTION DRIVING MY SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IHAS HAS THIS ISSUE OF LOOSING POWER STEERING IN THE PAST AUGUST OF 2019 AND THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED FEBRUARY OF 2018. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2019 AND WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING RACK AT MY COST! I HAVE SINCE HAD THIS ISSUE AGAIN NOVEMBER 3RD. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP IN 2019 CREATED A FRAUD CLAIM FOR REPROGRAMING THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE NOTHING WITH THE ISSUE THAT I INITIALLY BROUGHT IN WITH. IM SCARED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE UNETHICAL CLAIM BARNES BAKER AUTOMOTIVE OF TRENTON, MO HAS CLAIMED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME AND I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE SUSPENSION RECALL HAS EVEN BEEN PREFORMED. THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN PERFORMED BUT, IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. FORD IS CLAIMING THIS IS NOT A RECALL RELATED ISSUE WHICH THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A ONGOING P[ROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!

NHTSA ID

11373171

Incident

Nov 3, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

MY SON WAS DRIVING AND MADE A U TURN ON A CITY STREET AND DURING THE END OF THE U TURN THE PASSENGER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED NEAREST TO THE WHEEL. THE CAR DID NOT HIT A CURB OR RUN OVER ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE BREAK. THE LOCAL POLICE DEPT, TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND MYSELF INSPECTED THE AREA AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT WAS "HIT" TO CAUSE THIS. ONCE THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CONTROL ARM WHEN IT WAS ON THE HOIST THEY POINTED OUT TO US THAT THE METAL CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS CAST OR WASN'T FABRICATED CORRECTLY. THE METAL WAS LESS DENSE AND MORE HOLLOW ON ONE SIDE OF THE BREAK THAN THE OTHER SIDE. THE BREAK WAS A CLEAN BREAK WITHOUT JAGGED EDGES. THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BROKEN CONTROL ARM. WE WHERE LUCKY SINCE MY SON DRIVES THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH SPEEDS ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS AND IF THIS FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE AT THOSE SPEEDS HE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF HIS CAR AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A LOSS OF LIFE. WE HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WORK DONE ON THE CAR IN OCTOBER AND THE MECHANIC SAID HE SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THEN AND SUGGESTED THAT SINCE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO AN ORIGINAL PART AND PROBABLY CAST AT THE SAME TIME AND USING THE SAME METHODS THAT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM GAVE OUT SIMILARLY. WE OPTED TO PAY THE ADDED COST TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS SINCE OUR SON'S SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT.

NHTSA ID

11309053

Incident

Jan 31, 2020

Mileage

145,639 mi

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WE NOTICED A SQUEAKY NOISE IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE EACH TIME WE WOULD ACCELERATE, HIT A BUMP, OR MAKE A TURN. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED PARTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK CARE OF MOST OF THE ISSUE BUT STILL OCCASIONALLY SQUEAKS AS WE BRAKE. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11253171

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

128,000 mi

ALMOST WRECKED VEHICLE THE OTHER DAY. OUT OF NO WHERE, NO CONTROL OF STEERING/BACK END OF CAR. BACK END FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. FISHTAILING AND THEN WHOLE CAR FEELS OUT OF CONTROL. WHEELS SQUEAL WHEN TURNING, CHANGING LANES. STEERING WHEEL COCKED AT 2 O'CLOCK POSITION. DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, BUMPS, CRACKS AND BACK END SWAYS OUT. TRACTION CONTROL ON BUT ISN'T RESPONDING. CAR WITH SWERVING LINES BEHIND SHOWS ON DASHBOARD. I SAW RECALL NOTICE 19S17 FOR SUSPENSION ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING BUT MY VIN# ISN'T LISTED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11252766

Incident

Aug 31, 2019

Mileage

125,050 mi

STRUT MOUNT BEARING FAILING AFFECTING THE STEERING OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11244072

Incident

Aug 8, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

RIGHT FRONT AXLE/CONTROL ARM FAILING (SNAPPED CLEANLY IN 2) 3 TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS. FIRST TIME MAY HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT TO LOW SPEED FRONT END COLLISION. SECOND & THIRD TIMES DRIVING LESS THAN 25 MPH WITH NO COLLISION UNTIL AFTER HEARING THE SNAP & SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF STEERING. SECOND TIME FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP & TURNING LEFT ON A CITY STREET.THIRD TIME I'D BEEN DRIVING STRAIGHT APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE ON A CITY STREET WITH SPEED NO GREATER THAN 25 MPH. LAST TWO REPLACEMENT/REPAIR DONE BY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY.

NHTSA ID

11235001

Incident

May 5, 2019

Mileage

820,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD IN MOTION WHEN I HEARD A CREAKING/CLANKING NOISE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE TIRE. AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE WAS, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY FRONT RIGHT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY. I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE BOTH THE FRONT AND LEFT STRUTS. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS , I BELIEVE THAT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY ARE MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. WHILE BACKING UP MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WAS BLANK AND NOT WORKING. AFTER MONITORING THE OPERATION OF THE BACK UP CAMERA, IT HAS BECOME AND INTERMITTENT ISSUE, IT COMES AND GOES. NOW, MY BACK UP CAMERA IS WORKING BUT THE BACK UP CAMERA GUIDELINES ARE NOT THERE. AFTER READING MANY BLOGS, THERE' S ALOT OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE BACK UP CAMERA. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11002690

Incident

Jun 23, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY CAR LOST CONTROL. THIS WAS REALLY SCARY. I SAW SEVERED CRAVING FOR WELD. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS -25. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. HE REFUSED TO HELP ME. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I FEAR FOR THE LIVES OF THEIR LOVED ONES. DATE OF INCIDENT: 27 JANUARY 2017 VIDEO SCENE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=59M8A1KXYPO I'M FROM RUSSIA. HOPE ONLY ON YOU. MY ADDRESS [XXX] TELEPHONE [XXX] I DO NOT WISH THAT EVEN SOMEONE HURT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10948780

Incident

Jan 27, 2017

Mileage

74 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

10568345

Incident

Mar 5, 2014

Mileage

93,000 mi

PLEASE REFERENCE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10475098, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012. THE PROBLEM IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT OCCURS INSTANTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED BY MY FORD DEALER LAST FALL (SEPTEMBER, 2012) BY REPROGRAMMING A CONTROL UNIT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN RECURRING AGAIN, ALMOST WEEKLY (THREE TIMES IN FOUR WEEKS). I FEEL THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BY HERSELF. SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING ASSIST. LUCKILY SHE WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND COULD BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. IF SHE HAD BEEN TURNING A CORNER OR ROUNDING A CURVE, SHE WOULD HAVE GONE OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND FIGURE OUT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10533476

Incident

Jul 7, 2013

Mileage

10,100 mi

LETTER FROM RE FEW DEFECTS IN MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER REMAIN AFTER THE DEALERS REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THESE ISSUES DISTRACT ME WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS A CONCERN TO MY SAFETY AS WELL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAIN ISSUE WAS THE STEERING; THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STRAIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE SHIFT INCREASED WHEN INCREASING SPEED. ALSO, THE A/C UNIT CHANGED TEMPERATURES BY ITSELF. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TOUCH AND SYNC DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AS HIS PHONE AND OR MP3 PLAYER KEPT GETTING DISCONNECTED. WHEN USING THE SYNC SERVICE TO REQUEST DIRECTIONS IT KEPT MISINTERPRETING THE COMMANDS, AS WELL AS DISCONNECTING WHEN DOWNLOADING A ROUTE. ON ONE OCCASIONS, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE SCREEN WENT BLANK. *JB

NHTSA ID

10427390

Incident

Sep 1, 2011