2011 FORD EXPLORER Recalls — Canada & USA

The 2011 Ford Explorer has 14 recalls, the most serious being rear suspension toe links that can fracture and cause sudden loss of steering control, along with a separate risk of complete steering lockup if a replacement steering gear assembly containing a defect was installed after September 2013. Recalls 1, 3, 7, and 14 all describe the same underlying toe link fracture issue, with some filings specific to certain U.S. states or Canadian prairie provinces where road and soil conditions accelerate the failure. On the steering side, the electric power steering system can also lose its assist without warning at lower speeds, requiring significantly more effort to turn the wheel. Two door handle recalls cover the same defect: the interior door handle return spring can unseat and leave the handle partially extended, allowing the door to unlatch in a side impact. The second-row 60% seat with a manual recliner may have components out of specification, meaning the seatback may not hold properly in a crash and could allow an occupant to be thrown forward. The A-pillar trim on either side of the windshield may not be properly clipped in place and can detach while driving, creating a road hazard for other vehicles. A compliance label recall affects certain Canadian-market vehicles where the vehicle type is incorrectly identified on the required label.