Is the 2011 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer are in line with other Explorer years. Steering and body structure stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 743 (62%) | 31k–129k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 110 (9%) | 50k–140k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 95 (8%) | 30k–101k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 95 (8%) | 44k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 64 (5%) | 30k–86k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 44 (4%) | 42k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 40 (3%) | 37k–71k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 28 (2%) | 14k–72k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipers | 23 (2%) | 28k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 14 (1%) | 45k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 24 (2%) | 94k–157k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Stability control | 28 (2%) | 15k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 18 (2%) | 12k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,198 complaints: 30 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 49 say the car was towed.
37 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Exhaust fumes enter the passenger compartment when the ac is running at highway speeds and at any speed when the engine is taxing ie going up a steep grade.
Upon heavy acceleration such as when pulling onto a highway, or passing another vehicle on the road, an exhaust/fuel smell will enter the vehicle and be very noticeable to everyone in the vehicle.
Long story short, I pulled out of my neighborhood got about a quarter of a mile down the road. Heard the drive belt squeal for about 15 seconds, followed by check engine light, and extreme engine knock.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer: 8
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end. A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
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. 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 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. 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 affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle. The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
These seats fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "Seating systems." In the event of a crash, the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 67
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A…
Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive…
Ford/lincoln: an accumulation of oil, in left hand valve cover baffle, migrating through fresh air intake of positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
Electric power steering failure
Neighbouring years
2010 Explorer: 115 complaints, keep it · 2012 Explorer: 830 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer year
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Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2011 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (743), body structure (110), electrical system (95), engine (95), transmission and drivetrain (64).
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 24V-031), Suspension (NHTSA 21V-746), Suspension (NHTSA 19V-435), Wheels (NHTSA 17E048000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.