2011 Ford Explorer Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Structure:body:roof and pillars

Recall Number: 

24V031000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

24S02

Number of vehicles affected: 

1889110

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 2, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Suspension:rear

Recall Number: 

21V746000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

21S43

Number of vehicles affected: 

150723

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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

Recall Number: 

19V435000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

19S17

Manufactured from: 

2010-05-17 to 2017-01-25

Number of vehicles affected: 

1194173

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, 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.

Suspension:rear

Recall Number: 

17E048000

Manufactured from: 

2016-12-19 to 2017-02-17

Number of vehicles affected: 

630

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

Defect Consequence: 

A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Structure:body:door

Recall Number: 

15V171000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

15S11

Manufactured from: 

2011-02-01 to 2012-01-31

Number of vehicles affected: 

194484

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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

Recall Number: 

14V286000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S06

Manufactured from: 

2010-05-17 to 2012-02-28

Number of vehicles affected: 

179027

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Steering

Recall Number: 

14E001000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

13S14

Number of vehicles affected: 

300

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.

Defect Consequence: 

The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 24, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.

Seats

Recall Number: 

11V063000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

11C15

Number of vehicles affected: 

1658

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Corrective Action: 

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.