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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 2011 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2011 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,197Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
52Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Steering748 complaints

748 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V286000.

Unknown Or Other113 complaints

113 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure111 complaints

111 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V171000, 24V031000.

Engine104 complaints

104 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System95 complaints

95 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train64 complaints

64 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension24 complaints

24 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 19V435000, 21V746000.

Visibility23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 11V063000.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

11V063000Reported February 2, 2011 - 1,658 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on February 2, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 1,658 vehicles across all affected models.

14V286000Reported May 29, 2014 - 179,027 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 29, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 179,027 vehicles across all affected models.

15V171000Reported March 24, 2015 - 194,484 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 24, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 194,484 vehicles across all affected models.

19V435000Reported June 10, 2019 - 1,194,173 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 10, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 1,194,173 vehicles across all affected models.

21V746000Reported September 22, 2021 - 150,723 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on September 22, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 150,723 vehicles across all affected models.

24V031000Reported January 19, 2024 - 1,889,110 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on January 19, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 1,889,110 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA17002Opened July 27, 2017 - Closed January 17, 2023

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA17002Opened July 27, 2017 - Closed January 17, 2023

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE12017Opened June 19, 2012 - Closed June 12, 2014

Electric power steering failure. Resulted in recall campaign 14V286000.

PE16008Opened July 1, 2016 - Closed September 12, 2017

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE16008Opened July 1, 2016 - Closed September 12, 2017

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE23001Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed February 8, 2024

Windshield trim molding Item detachment. Resulted in recall campaign 24V031.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

201120
2012141
201398
201489
201567
201659
201791
201870
201973
202044
202153
2022103
202384
202496
202582
202627
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.