2011 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1481 complaints
1481
Total Complaints
65,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
48
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
30,000
25th Percentile
65,000
Median Mileage
110,304
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
719
Unknown Or Other
111
Electrical System
89
Engine
82
Power Train
62
Structure
54
Body
47
Air Bags
44
Fuel/Propulsion System
35
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
28
Severity Assessment
48
Crashes
4
Fires
30
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"LEAR CORPORATION AND FORD ALREADY KNEW THAT A SPACER/WASHER WAS LEFT OFF THE EXPLORER BY THREE ROTATING LEAR EMPLOYEES ON THE NIGHT SHIFT. THESE EMPLOYEES WERE NOT PENALIZED IN ANY WAY. THE SHIFT STINKS OF NEPOTISM AND EVERY OTHER EOE/EEO MISDEED. OTHER EMPLOYEES, NOT MEETING NUMBERS(NOT QUALITY ISS..."
"I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND THE SUN VISORS DO NOT ALLOW ME TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS TO BLOCK THE SUN. WHEN THE VISOR IS FULLY OPENED I CANNOT MAKE 1/4 OR 1/2 INCH ADJUSTMENTS. I ALMOST HAVE TO BRING THE VISOR HALF WAY DOWN BEFORE IT HOLDS IN PLACE. THEN IT BLOCKS MY VIEW OF TRAFFIC. I'VE NO..."
"TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO PRESSED THE BRAKE HIS FOOT REST ON A BAR THATS NEXT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGN AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER IT. T..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
719 complaints
25th: 29,274 mi
Median: 66,800 mi
75th: 123,500 mi
Unknown Or Other
111 complaints
25th: 44,000 mi
Median: 75,000 mi
75th: 90,000 mi
Electrical System
89 complaints
25th: 30,625 mi
Median: 57,150 mi
75th: 98,850 mi
Engine
82 complaints
25th: 46,000 mi
Median: 83,000 mi
75th: 113,000 mi
Power Train
62 complaints
25th: 27,500 mi
Median: 47,112 mi
75th: 82,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 127
CA: 107
FL: 86
NY: 80
OH: 72
VA: 70
MI: 68
GA: 67
PA: 65
IL: 52
Who Files Complaints?
0.7%
Original Owners
99.3%
Second+ Owners
Ford Explorer — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 764 | 70 |
| 1992 | 848 | 54 |
| 1993 | 1151 | 98 |
| 1994 | 1531 | 124 |
| 1995 | 1048 | 107 |
| 1996 | 1818 | 248 |
| 1997 | 2149 | 180 |
| 1998 | 2374 | 219 |
| 1999 | 1737 | 143 |
| 2000 | 1203 | 115 |
| 2001 | 500 | 82 |
| 2002 | 4095 | 178 |
| 2003 | 1368 | 70 |
| 2004 | 1647 | 69 |
| 2005 | 604 | 30 |
| 2006 | 788 | 18 |
| 2007 | 271 | 14 |
| 2008 | 215 | 8 |
| 2009 | 49 | 8 |
| 2010 | 155 | 13 |
| 2012 | 1013 | 14 |
| 2013 | 2757 | 61 |
| 2014 | 2011 | 48 |
| 2015 | 2138 | 52 |
| 2016 | 2940 | 56 |
| 2017 | 1927 | 53 |
| 2018 | 819 | 23 |
| 2019 | 306 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1544 | 50 |
| 2021 | 492 | 21 |
| 2022 | 308 | 25 |
| 2023 | 126 | 11 |
| 2024 | 21 | 0 |
| 2025 | 111 | 11 |
Active Recalls (8)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Rear
Campaign 19V435000 | 10/06/2019
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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
Hub
Campaign 17E048000 | 28/08/2017
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Door
Campaign 15V171000 | 24/03/2015
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.
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
Campaign 14E001000 | 06/01/2014
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 14V286000 | 29/05/2014
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.
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 charg
Seats
Campaign 11V063000 | 02/02/2011
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
Rear
Campaign 21V746000 | 22/09/2021
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Roof And Pillars
Campaign 24V031000 | 19/01/2024
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28