Problems · by component

2011 Ford Explorer fuel/propulsion system problems

35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Explorer cite fuel/propulsion system, 3% of all 1,197 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
35
3% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The fuel sending unit goes bad due to the split tank and differential and drive train have to be taken apart and dropped in order to change. Costing over $1,000.00. You can not go under half a tank of gas and if you do you just run out of gas immediately causing you to stop on highways side roads etc.Its very dangerous to have a vehicle that will just all of a sudden run out of gas and no one is paying to get them fixed because of the pricepoint charged to repair. This is Fords faulty work 1000%”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11568553
“9/25/22 My 2011 Ford Explorer xlt would start jerking when pushing on the gas paddle and then would start losing speed or power. Today is the third day this has happened so I looked on YouTube and entered my symptoms of my car and it suggested it could be my (electronic position sensor). And YouTube told me there is an extended warranty on this part. I have 140000 miles this vehicle. This vehicle has not been inspected or confirmed by a dealership as of yet. There was no warning when this problem began and no warning lights on the dashboard. I am very hesitant in driving this vehicle around town , fearing it may stop completely.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2022Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11487008
“The vehicle has been in for service at Downs Ford Dealership twice in the past two years for the same issue and has yet to be resolved. When the gas tank is filled with gas, there is overwhelming smell of gas that doesn’t get better until the tank is about half full. The first time the car was in for service, I was told that the gas tank needed to be replaced but they were having trouble finding one. They said to take the car home and they would call when they found one but they never called. The vehicle was brought in a 2nd time to fix the issue in July of 2021. At that time we were told a valve needed to be replaced and charged $500 but it has not fixed the issue. I’m frustrated and tired of wasting $ and time without my car when they don’t seem to be able to fix it. Consumer would like to would like to withdraw the complaint.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2022Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11456797
“No warning when the fuel relay gasket attached to the pump assembly fails and allows fuel vapor to fill the cabin of the car. Owner safety is at risk of possible fire. I know of 2 Ford dealerships that are aware of the safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2021Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11445337
“AS A REPAIR SHOP OWNER, THE VEHICLE OWNER STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. I NOTICED FUEL STAINS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK SO I REMOVED THE TANK AND FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. I FOUND THE STEEL LOCK RING RETAINING THE MODULE TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED AND THE RESULTING RUST 'BLOOM' HAD CRUSHED THE PLASTIC FLANGE CAUSING THE FUEL LEAK. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON ANOTHER CAR ( 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN [XXX]) JUST LAST WEEK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER SHARING THE PICTURES WITH A DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION GROUP, OTHERS HAVE SEEN THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND CANADA, ESPECIALLY IN THE "RUST BELT" STATES. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO APPLY TO ANY FUEL SYSTEM WITH A PLASTIC FUEL PUMP MODULE AND A STEEL LOCK RING IN A RUST PRONE AREA. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11363135
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JONES FORD CASA GRANDE (1932 N PINAL AVE, CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122, (520) 836-3100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOCKING CONSISTENTLY, AND THE INTERLOCK AND ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE GEARS AND ALIGNMENT WERE RESET. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NECK ASSEMBLY ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE EVAPORATOR CANISTER WAS REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2019Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11289272

Showing 6 of 35 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.