Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2011 Ford Explorer recalls
Structure: body, roof and pillars
NHTSA campaign 24V031000 · reported January 19, 2024 · Ford Motor Company · 1,889,110 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Suspension: rear
NHTSA campaign 21V746000 · reported September 22, 2021 · Ford Motor Company · 150,723 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
- The risk
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Suspension: rear
NHTSA campaign 19V435000 · reported June 10, 2019 · Ford Motor Company · 1,194,173 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Structure: body, door
NHTSA campaign 15V171000 · reported March 24, 2015 · Ford Motor Company · 194,484 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Steering: electric power assist system
NHTSA campaign 14V286000 · reported May 29, 2014 · Ford Motor Company · 179,027 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
- The risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Seats
NHTSA campaign 11V063000 · reported February 2, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,658 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Sep 6, 2026 · Steering
Car has a history of showing a P07AE-09 code in the power steering control module. When the code logs in the computer the car loses power steering assist while driving causing the steering to be hard to turn. Upon researching the cars recall work we seen that the car had the power steering control module software…
Aug 29, 2026 · Steering
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2011 Ford Explorer, VIN […]. After recently filling the vehicle with fuel, I went to drive it and received a “Power Steering Assist Fault” message on the dashboard. The vehicle then lost power steering assistance, making the steering extremely difficult and…
Jul 31, 2026 · Steering
On Friday 7/24/2026, I was driving and all the sudden my steering went out. Dash flashed No Power Steering Assist / AdvanTrac System Fail. I pulled over immediately to turn around & get home with zero power steering. The amount of strength to steer/control was extreme. To turn was almost impossible. I took my car to…
Jul 31, 2026 · Electrical system
The power steering has fully stopped working , the car cannot be steered, this started to happen on the road, I had to steer the entire weight of the car myself, at fast speed it was difficult but not impossible, at slow speed and zero speed or while the vehicle is stationary it was impossible or unmovable to steer…
Jul 20, 2026 · Steering · 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after starting the vehicle, and the steering wheel locked up. The dealer was…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 6, 2026.