2011 Ford Explorer Problems

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

Some vehicles may have a replacement ball joint in the rear suspension that can seize and cause a rear toe link to break. A broken toe link can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will inspect for the replacement ball joint and, if found, check its tightness and replace the ball joint, knuckle, and/or toe link as needed, free of charge.

The rear suspension toe links can break under normal stress. If one fractures, the vehicle's handling can change suddenly, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckles if needed, free of charge.

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.

Fix: 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.

A spring in the interior door handle can come loose, so the handle may not return fully to its resting position. In a side-impact crash, the door could unlatch, raising the risk of injury.

Fix: A dealer will inspect all four interior door handles and repair or replace any faulty ones at no cost to you.

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.

Fix: 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 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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge.

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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the seats free of charge.