2011 Ford Explorer engine problems

ENGINE

While stopped at a stop sign my engine suddenly died, before restarting a low oil pressure light came on but went out immediately. I was approximately 40 miles from home when I got to my destination. The car was showing no signs of issues, no warning lights or errors. When I went back out to start it and head home it would not start. I had to pay additional expense beyond my insurance road side coverage due to the distance. I have had an independent mechanic going over the vehicle since it died. Starter has been replaced because it appeared to be the issue. (the original was bad) Once replaced while attempting to start it he found out the engine had locked up. I bought the vehicle March 30, 2026 & this happened on June 10, 2026. The vehicle had 132,344 miles on it when bought and 135,716 when it seized up. After looking through other reports I have found this to be a reported issue.

NHTSA complaint #11744176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11700688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA complaint #11647585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Burnt exhaust smell in cabin after hard acceleration. The smell is overwhelmingly bad causing nose and eye burning and coughing. To remedy the smell the windows have to be rolled down to air out the cabin.

NHTSA complaint #11632296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the water pump was leaking, and the contact replaced the water pump himself. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned with an ODB scanner an engine overheating code was retrieved. The contact stated that the radiator cooling fan failed to turn on. The contact stated he had installed a new temperature sensor, but the vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11594371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My son was on the highway and his Ford Explorer 2011 just stopped, he could have been killed! He was able to get off safely and had car towed. Our mechanic told us today it is the Water Pump leakage and we need to take to Ford. We called Ford and they said at least $5,000 to repair possibly more. This is a huge safety concern when the act can just stop dead on highway. There are no safety recalls on this water pump. My son was lucky to make it off the highway alive.

NHTSA complaint #11591572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The internal water pump failed in my 2011 Ford Explorer without any warning signs and the coolant then leaked into my engine causing catastrophic engine failure. We were driving on a busy highway and the Ford Explorer simply started shutting down in the left lane. Nothing would happen when I pushed the gas petal and suddenly all the lights started flashing and heat went to above high. I was barely able to get over to the shoulder as smoke started to come out of the front of the engine. We were extremely afraid of getting hit since the car stalled on the highway only feet from the exit ramp. The car was towed and diagnosed at the Ford Dealership: Internal water pump failed causing engine failure - water mixed with oil. The car received state inspection and oil changed 17 days prior. Paid for engine replacement at the Ford Dealership with costs over $11,000.

NHTSA complaint #11578002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was cracked and the oil sending unit was damaged. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA complaint #11570310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was cracked and the oil sending unit was damaged. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA complaint #11570310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump and determined that water had leaked into the engine and mixed with the engine oil, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11567572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH while turning right and exiting a ramp, then when idle a message stated "Low Oil Pressure" illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred while test-driving the vehicle to determine if the repair was successful. The vehicle was re-examined and diagnosed that the water pump had failed causing the engine coolant and oil into the engine causing the engine to seize completely. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred them to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #11549175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH while turning right and exiting a ramp, then when idle a message stated "Low Oil Pressure" illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred while test-driving the vehicle to determine if the repair was successful. The vehicle was re-examined and diagnosed that the water pump had failed causing the engine coolant and oil into the engine causing the engine to seize completely. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred them to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #11549175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

There are exhaust gases entering the vehicle cabin. This is primarily at startup, while sitting at idle in traffic and under acceleration. After visual inspection it appears to be coming from a cracked passenger side exhaust manifold. This is an obvious safety issue and I believe it should have been included in TSB 14-0130 but was told my VIN was not included.

NHTSA complaint #11535821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The dash lights go off then it's says starting rebot. Air bag lights stay on. Check engine light on says miss firng. All Carfax report was forged. Dealer said needs new engine but was not told by seller. No one will fix it they say not worth the price for car. I over paid big time. Got lied too.

NHTSA complaint #11523289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact’s wife notified the contact, and the contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The contact then stated that he allowed the vehicle to cool down, restarted the vehicle, then coasted the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and caused the coolant to leak into the engine and damaged the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

NHTSA complaint #11519857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact’s wife notified the contact, and the contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The contact then stated that he allowed the vehicle to cool down, restarted the vehicle, then coasted the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and caused the coolant to leak into the engine and damaged the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

NHTSA complaint #11519857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Was driving down the highway and my car lost power and put me in a very dangerous situation. Looking into the issue, i found out the waterpump was damaged in which is inside the engine and extremely expensive repairs (3000) dollars or more but the engine has been compromised with alot of coolant into the oil. My car is down and im still paying on it so im in very tough situation and believe the manufacturer should fix this situation.

NHTSA complaint #11512681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a popping sound then the vehicle stalled. The contact then stated that he attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but not assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #11497323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The electric power steering continuesly Fails. The chain driver water pump failed while driving almost causing an accident with me and my son.

NHTSA complaint #11474872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while a friend was driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver inhaled an excessive amount of carbon monoxide. The friend accidentally drove into a ditch. The vehicle was pulled out of the ditch by nearby residents. The driver was not injured. There were minor damages to the passenger’s side front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed a failure with plugs underneath the engine. The plugs were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #11466348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine temperature hot warning light illuminated as the vehicle began to stall. The contact pulled off to the side of the road as a white smoke started coming from the vehicle. The contact waited for the vehicle to cool down before opening the hood and discovering that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant in the reservoir; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact then called a family member who was able to jumpstart the vehicle; however, after several miles of driving, the failure recurred. The contact coasted the vehicle into a Walmart parking lot where she purchased more coolant; however, the coolant immediately leaked out of the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and it was determined that the water pump had malfunctioned which led to the engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred her to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it remained in their possession and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA complaint #11461432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The low coolant message was displayed. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the road. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine had seized. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11459981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Every time we put the car in park, it would not register that it was in park and warning kept flashing that said shift to park. We had to just turn off the car most of the time and sometimes wiggling the shifter would work any time the "Not in Park" sign comes on when I know the gear is in park. I believe this can cause serious damage to property or cause death since the vehicle can roll. I believe Ford Motor Co should own up and recall all vehicles for service much for This is a known problem that has been know to happen to 2011 Edge and Explorers. The switch in the console shifter tends to fail prematurely. If the light does not light up the computer thinks the car is NOT in Park and alarms go off. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA complaint #11457679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE SMELLS OF SMOG/GAS AFTER JUST A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING AND CAUSES HEADACHES FOR ME AND MY KIDS

NHTSA complaint #11416364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DRIVING AT 35+ ENTERING ON RAMP MPH THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND JUST STOPPED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS WENT OFF BEFOREHAND. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE LOW PRESSURE LAMP TOO AND AN ALARM SOUNDED. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO (TOLD ME MY ENGINE WAS MILKY DESTOYED)TWO DEALEARS THEN TO FORD. THEY CALLED THIS MORNING AND SAID THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED $8,000.00. HAD TO GET A $10,000 LOAN. [TO REPLACE STEERING AND ENGINE] THIS IS THE FIRST ONE (IT SEEMS TO BE HEADED IN THE SAME DIRECTION BUT ONLY SOONER) *PLEASE HELP ME I CAN'T AFFORD THIS AGAIN**WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON. TOOK IT TO FORD AND HAD THE POWER STEERING REPLACED AT A COST OF $1800.00. THEN, LESS THEN 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. AND AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS UNTIL THE POWER STEERING WEN OUT. FORD SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY TIRES HAD LOW TREAD AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY FRONT TIRES, WHICH WE HAD THEM DO. 8 MONTHS AGO, THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO WHEN PLACED IN PARK VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY SHOWING A LOW PRESSURE OIL LAMP. HAPPENED IN MY FIRST ENGINE NOW IT'S HAPPENING IN THIS NEW ONE AND ITS NOT 2YRS OLD YET JUST GOT THE NEW ENGINE MAY/ JUNE OF 2019. THE FIRST ENGINE WASN'T 10 YEARS OLD . THE FIRST ENGINE ALL THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 2016 AND 2019 ONGOING UNTIL 2019 I GUESS THE WATER PUMP GAVE UP.O1 O1 2020 FOR THE SECOND ENGINE ON THE SAME COURSE AS THE FIRST

NHTSA complaint #11405841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND JUST STOPPED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS WENT OFF BEFOREHAND. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AN ALARM SOUNDED. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO FORD. THEY CALLED THIS MORNING AND SAID THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED $8,000.00. 8 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON. TOOK IT TO FORD AND HAD THE POWER STEERING REPLACED AT A COST OF $1800.00. THEN, LESS THEN 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. AND AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS UNTIL THE POWER STEERING WEN OUT. FORD SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY TIRES HAD LOW TREAD AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY FRONT TIRES, WHICH WE HAD THEM DO. 8 MONTHS AGO, THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11396266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 3 YOUNG KIDS ON A BUSY ROAD, MY WATER PUMP FAILED AND CATASTROPHICALLY DAMAGED MY ENGINE. MY CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING, WITH NO WARNING. WE WERE ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO MAKE AN ABRUPT STOP. HAD HE HIT MY CAR, WE WOULD HAVE SPUN BECAUSE OF THE FORCE. THE WATER PUMP FAILS AND BECAUSE IT'S INSIDE THE ENGINE, IT DAMAGES THE ENGINE IN SECONDS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM PUTS PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF KIDS. LEAVES YOU STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET. WITHOUT WARNING THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN PREVENT PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER THIS WAY. FORD STATES THAT WATER PUMPS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE AND ITS MANUAL DOESN'T STATE THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER CERTAIN MILES. REPAIR SHOP IS QUOTING 6,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11348553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, THE WATER PUMP WAS PLACED ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED, COOLANT ENTERED THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. JEFFERSON MOTOR CO INC, LOCATED AT 141 LEE ST, JEFFERSON, GA 30549, (706)367-5217, WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $8,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA complaint #11317667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE REACHES 50MPH, I EXPERIENCE HESITATION AND/OR A PUTTING SENSATION THAT CONTINUES UNTIL I ACCELERATE TO 60MPH OR DROP TO 49MPH OR BELOW. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KOONS FORD OF BALTIMORE FOR SERVICE, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT OIL HAS BEEN SEEPING INTO MY AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND SATURATING MY AIR FILTER. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW ON THE FACTORY INSTALLED VALVE COVER GASKET. I LEARNED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURS ON SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES INCLUDING 2011-2013 EXPLORERS AS THE DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER WAS USED ON THOSE MODELS AT THE TIME THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE EXISTING VALVE COVER REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED VALVE COVER THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO RESOLVE THE OIL LEAKAGE/OIL SEEPAGE ISSUE. MY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AS THEY DEFINE THE REPLACEMENT PART AS "BETTERMENT" TO THE VEHICLE OR INSTALLATION OF AN UPGRADED PART. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT KOONS, THE VALVE COVER INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IS OBSOLETE AND WOULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN IF IT WERE STILL AVAILABLE. I MUST HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED VALVE COVER INSTALLED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE, STOP THE OIL FROM SEEPING IN AND AROUND THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND THROTTLE BODY AND TO ALSO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $700. I CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATE OFFICE AND LEARNED THAT THEY COULDN'T OR WOULDN'T BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #11317342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.