Transport CanadaMedium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 14 recalls, 1184 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Ford Explorer.
19–20 mpg combined
11.8–12.4 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
Steering is the overwhelming story with the 2011 Explorer, accounting for more than half of all complaints filed. Owners consistently describe the power steering suddenly becoming very heavy or completely locking up while driving, often mid-turn or in intersections, with little or no warning. The electric power steering system is the focus here, owners report the wheel going stiff unexpectedly, requiring significant force to complete a turn. Some note a warning message appearing on the instrument cluster, while others say no warning came at all. Structure complaints are the second most reported category, and two distinct issues show up across multiple reports: the rear hatch window spontaneously shattering while the vehicle is parked, and interior trim pieces, particularly A-pillar clips, detaching on their own. The exploding rear glass tends to be described as occurring without any apparent impact or cause.
1,184
Total Complaints
30
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Ford Explorer has 14 recalls, the most serious being rear suspension toe links that can fracture without warning, causing a sudden loss of vehicle stability and steering control.
The toe link issue appears across multiple filings, including one specific to vehicles registered in certain northern U.S. states and another affecting vehicles operated in parts of the Canadian prairies where soil buildup accelerates the fracture risk. On the steering side, replacement steering gear assemblies installed after September 2013 can develop a defect that causes the steering wheel to lock up entirely, and separately, the electric power steering system can lose its assist without warning, requiring significantly more effort to steer at low speeds. Both steering issues raise the risk of a crash.
Second-row 60% seats with manual recliner mechanisms on certain early-production vehicles may have out-of-spec components that allow the seatback to collapse in a crash rather than hold the occupant. Interior door handles on some vehicles have a return spring that can unseat, leaving the handle partially extended and allowing the door to unlatch in a side impact. The A-pillar trim on either side of the windshield can detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. There is also a compliance label recall affecting certain Canadian-market vehicles where the vehicle type is listed incorrectly on the label.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The trim covering the A-pillar (the support post on either side of your windshield) may not be securely attached and could loosen or separate from your vehicle.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the A-pillar trim and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clips holding the A-pillar trim in place may not be properly engaged, which can allow the trim to come loose and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the A-pillar trim and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A replacement ball joint in the rear suspension can seize and cause the toe link to crack, affecting vehicle handling.
What the fix does
Dealer inspects for the faulty ball joint and replaces it along with the knuckle or toe link as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe links can break, especially on vehicles driven on rough roads. A broken toe link causes sudden loss of vehicle stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will install improved rear suspension toe links to replace the original ones.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe links can crack under stress, affecting rear suspension alignment and control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect the rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckles if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Soil buildup in certain prairie regions can block the rear suspension toe link from moving freely. This causes stress that may crack the link, affecting how the vehicle handles and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the toe links with redesigned parts that prevent soil accumulation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The return spring in the interior door handle can become unseated, preventing the handle from returning to its resting position after use. This may cause the door to unlatch during a side impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the interior handles and repair or replace them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spring inside the interior door handle may come loose, preventing the handle from returning to its resting position after you pull it.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair or replace all four interior door handles at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose electrical connection in the power steering system may interrupt the motor position sensor signal, causing the power steering assist to shut down without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power steering control module software. If sensor signal loss is recorded, the steering rack assembly will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering system may suddenly lose assist without warning, forcing you to steer much harder, especially at low speeds, increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Your dealer will reprogram the steering system's computer with updated software to maintain steering function and alert you if a fault occurs.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Replacement steering gear assemblies installed after September 1st, 2013 may lock up, preventing you from steering the vehicle.
What the fix does
Affected parts will be replaced. Owners will be contacted based on warranty and service records.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's compliance label incorrectly identifies the vehicle type as 'TRU/CAM' instead of the correct 'MPV/VTUM', which does not meet Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
What the fix does
No action will be taken due to the inconsequential nature of this non-compliance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Second row 60% seats with manual recliners may have parts built outside specification, causing them to not meet safety standards for seating systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair or replace the seats at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The second row 60% seat's manual recliner mechanism may have parts that don't meet safety standards. In a crash, the seatback might not be strong enough, risking injury to the person sitting there.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the manual recliner mechanism on the second row 60% seat.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
