2011 Ford Explorer Visibility Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after parking in the garage and turning the engine off, approximately 5 minutes later a loud noise came from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear hatch window had exploded and glass shards fell into the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that at the time of the failure the rear window defroster was not activated. The manufacturer and local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 227,000.

NHTSA ID

11738141

Incident

May 14, 2026

Mileage

227,000 mi

The exterior A-pillar trim panel on my 2011 Ford Explorer has detached multiple times while driving. The first incident occurred when the original panel flew off into traffic, creating a safety hazard for other road users. Since then, I have been using a temporary replacement panel, which also continues to detach while driving, further escalating the safety risk. I have been attempting to resolve this issue for over three months by contacting every Ford dealership in the Bay Area. Each dealership claims they do not have the parts necessary to complete the recall repair, despite Ford's assertion that parts are available. As a result, the recall remains incomplete, and the issue persists, creating ongoing safety risks for myself and others on the road. No warning lamps or messages preceded the incidents. The problem has not been reproduced or inspected by a dealer due to the unavailability of parts. This unresolved recall places myself and other road users at continued risk of potential crashes caused by flying debris from my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11625712

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the windshield wipers were in the on position, the wipers went off the vehicle and had to be pushed back into place. There was an unknown yellow warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while making a turn, the driver's and passenger's front wheels detached on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle received an unstated repair. There was an abnormal sound while driving at various speeds. While shifting gear, the vehicle jumped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the result of the diagnostic test was unknown. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11574904

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Mileage

104,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11508953

Incident

Dec 24, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

Windshield trim panels came loose and were slapping the drivers and passengers side windows. Read article in paper with 164 complaints. Cost me over $800 to replace

NHTSA ID

11505243

Incident

Jun 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) had become defective which caused the front and rear defrosters to not operate as needed. The contact also stated that the APIM failure had caused the rear backup camera to not function. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11450010

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the sun roof exploded unexpectedly. There was no impact to the sun roof that could have caused it to shatter. The sun roof shards fell inside the vehicle onto the contact and her children however, there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the sun roof frame had separated and was defective. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and concluded that it was a manufacturing defect. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11418852

Incident

May 25, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER SAM SCISM MOTORS (5019 FLAT RIVER RD., FARMINGTON MO) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11302170

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER FROM THE MOON ROOF CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEVITTOWN FORD (3195 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE, LEVITTOWN, NY 11756, (516) 336-4718), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,800.

NHTSA ID

11289826

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

47,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH THE SUN ROOF IN THE CLOSED POSITION, WATER LEAKED FROM THE SUN ROOF INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. COURT ST. FORD (558 WILLIAM LATHAM DR, BOURBONNAIS, IL) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID

11229528

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATING UNIT FAILED CAUSING THE WINDOWS AND THE WINDSHIELD TO BE UNABLE TO DEFROST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (AUTONATION FORD NORTH CANTON, 5900 WHIPPLE AVE NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720, 1-877-346-8338) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT 1 OF THE 4 MOTOR BLENDERS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A DISCOUNTED RATE BUT APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED WHERE ANOTHER 1 OF THE 4 MOTOR BLENDERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE SECOND MOTOR BLENDER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM PURCHASED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER 2 MOTOR BLENDERS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,416. *TT *JB

NHTSA ID

11142111

Incident

Oct 17, 2017

Mileage

29,416 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BLOWING COLD AIR INSTEAD OF HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION FORD NORTH CANTON (5900 WHIPPLE AVE NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720 (330) 238-3206) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING MOTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,416. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP HAS LIST OF MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SIMILAR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND TV NEW STORY WITH SAME PROBLEM AND CONSUMER REPORT HAS RECORD OF POOR PARTS UPDATED 8/20/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11046327

Incident

Oct 27, 2017

Mileage

29,416 mi

ALL OF THE WINDSHIELD TOP MOLDING AND HALF THE RIGHT SIDE HAS BLOWN OUT OVER LAST 2 HIGHWAY TRIPS. WINDSHIELD IS ORIGINAL AND HAS NEVER BEEN WORKED ON. USUALLY OCCURRS AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH OR ABOVE

NHTSA ID

11015341

Incident

Aug 14, 2017

Mileage

53,250 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SAW A PIECE FLY OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD AND INTO TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT STOPPED TO INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD AND NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE WAS CONNECTED TO THE PANEL OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT CALLED ALL STAR LINCOLN FORD (17742 AIRLINE HWY, PRAIRIEVILLE, LA 70769, (225) 490-7645) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE A PHOTO OF THE WINDSHIELD AND TO SEND IT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11003482

Incident

Jun 27, 2017

Mileage

7,800 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

I HAD STARTED THE CAR BEFORE OUR TRIP WITH THE REMOST START AND IT WARMED UP FOR 10 MINUTES. WE WERE ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO OUR TRIP AND DRIVING DOWN THE I-96 EXPRESSWAY IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI NEAR EXIT 43 (28TH STREET), 65 MPH, 9:45PM, 32-33 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND RAINING, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON AS WELL AS AUTO TEMP CONTROL AT 70 DEGREES. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REAR WINDOW LOUDLY EXPLODES INWARDS AND SHOWERS OUR 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH GLASS (SHE WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER IN THE THIRD ROW) AS WELL AS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF IMPACT, NO SNOW OR ICE IN THE CAR, NO ROCKS, NO BULLETS. WHERE IT OCCURRED THERE WERE NO OVERPASS OR SIGNS OVER THE ROAD (NOTHING COULD HAVE FALLEN ON OUR CAR). AFTER INSPECTING THE WINDOW, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE WHOLE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED WITH A LARGE GAPING HOLE IN THE LOWER MIDDLE (12" X 18") WITH MOST OF THAT GLASS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER HAD CAME THROUGH THE HOLE AND WAS INSIDE THE CAR (BUT STILL ATTACHED TO ITS OUTSIDE POSITION). THE EDGES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR WINDOW HAD BROKEN OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10937420

Incident

Dec 25, 2016

Mileage

88,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10783380

Incident

Oct 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE A-PILLARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.

NHTSA ID

10695473

Incident

Dec 31, 2014

Mileage

18,500 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SINCE THE PREVIOUS DAY. I OPENED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND GOT INTO THE CAR. I PUT THE KEYS INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT I CLOSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. AT THIS MOMENT I HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND. I LOOKED INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW A LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS OF THE UPPER CENTER PORTION OF THE REAR WINDOW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE REMAINING GLASS WAS SHATTERED AND SPIDER WEBBED. THERE WAS GLASS ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10631325

Incident

Sep 6, 2014

Mileage

36,648 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *JS

NHTSA ID

10616829

Incident

Jul 27, 2014

Mileage

49,982 mi

AS I AM OUTSIDE TALKING TO A NEIGHBOR I HEAR A WEIRD SOUND, THEN I SEE PIECES OF DEBRIS ON THE GROUND NEAR THE REAR OF MY 2011 EXPLORER, AS I GET CLOSER I SEE PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS JUST CRUMBLING BEFORE MY EYES AND FALLING ONTO THE GROUND. AS I LOOK UP MY REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE GLASS IS JUST SHATTERED. I CANT BELIEVE MY EYES BECAUSE I KNOW NOBODY OR NO OBJECT HIT THE GLASS. THIS HAS TO BE A FORD DEFECT IN THE GLASS AND HAS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THEM. HOWEVER THEY ARE DENYING ME THE RIGHT TO BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD PURCHASED. THE EXPLORER BARELY HAS 11,000 MILES ON IT. AND I AM JUST SICKENED OF FORD FOR NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10519341

Incident

Jun 8, 2013

Mileage

11,200 mi

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. AT FIRST EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT THEN AT ABOUT FOUR MONTHS WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW NOT ROLLING UP. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THAT ISSUE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THEN WE TAKE IT IN FOR THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION) & OUR TIRES HAD INSIDE CUPPING IN WHICH THE DEALER DOES NOTHING ABOUT & STILL HAVE NOT. AT AROUND 22K MILES MY WIFE NOTICES THE VEHICLE STARTING TO JERK WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING. OVER THE PAST 8K MILES THIS GETS WORSE & GETS TO WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT NUMEROUS TIMES (STILL OR MOVING). I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. NOT SURE THE CAUSE YET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476898

Incident

Feb 15, 2012

Mileage

22,000 mi

I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND THE SUN VISORS DO NOT ALLOW ME TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS TO BLOCK THE SUN. WHEN THE VISOR IS FULLY OPENED I CANNOT MAKE 1/4 OR 1/2 INCH ADJUSTMENTS. I ALMOST HAVE TO BRING THE VISOR HALF WAY DOWN BEFORE IT HOLDS IN PLACE. THEN IT BLOCKS MY VIEW OF TRAFFIC. I'VE NOTIFIED CHAMPION FORD KATY AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I CAN MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THE VISOR IS FACING ME. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS MANUFACTURED OR INSTALLED BACKWARDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384018

Incident

Feb 10, 2011

Mileage

4 mi