Structure: roof and pillars
Free remedy
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.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2011 Ford ExplorerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 1,197 owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer. Most complaints involve steering (743) and structure (110). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jan 2024
Owner complaints
1,197
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Suspension: rear
Remedy pending
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.
Suspension: rear
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1,197 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2011 – Oct 2026
- Steering743
- Structure110
- Electrical system95
- Engine83
- Power train64
- Air bags44
- Fuel/propulsion system35
- Electronic stability control (esc)28
- Suspension24
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Explorer model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,468 |
| 1997 | 1,789 |
| 1998 | 2,099 |
| 1999 | 1,465 |
| 2000 | 1,078 |
| 2001 | 730 |
| 2002 | 3,613 |
| 2003 | 1,313 |
| 2004 | 1,408 |
| 2005 | 568 |
| 2006 | 635 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1,197 |
| 2012 | 830 |
| 2013 | 2,237 |
| 2014 | 1,684 |
| 2015 | 1,814 |
| 2016 | 2,464 |
| 2017 | 1,713 |
| 2018 | 733 |
| 2019 | 302 |
| 2020 | 1,247 |
| 2021 | 452 |
| 2022 | 271 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 44 |
- Crashes reported
- 30
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 15
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
743 reports19 crashes
“Estaba estacionado poniendo gas a mi exprorer y cuando la encendí el volante se puso muy duro y me marco el código P07AE-09 y también apareció falla en el sistema de dirección asistida.”
Structure
110 reports2 crashes
“The pillar covers fell of the vehicle when driving last week. Both plastic covers are on the side of the interstate. I was told and found there is a recall for the clips on these covers, but when I searched, they are not listed for this vehicle. There appears to be an issue with this recall and the explorer.”
Electrical system
95 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The power steering has fully stopped working , the car cannot be steered, this started to happen on the road, I had to steer the entire weight of the car myself, at fast speed it was difficult but not impossible, at slow speed and zero speed or while the vehicle is stationary it was impossible or unmovable to steer. there were no warning lamps about this, the Ford dealer has not detect this in my vehicle's previous recall, further vehicle has two more recalls this year, that have been cited this year by the dealer. this needs to be addressed on their recalls because this can cause a very severe problem on the road”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Explorer FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Explorer 4WD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Explorer 4WD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
- 20mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Ford Explorer as of Nov 7, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2011 Explorer questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?
8 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2011 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners filed 1,197 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (743), structure (110), electrical system (95). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2011 Ford Explorer get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Ford Explorer at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026