2011 Ford Explorer transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

During a red-light, as I was coming to a stop, the vehicle gave the warning saying “service power-steering now” and “traction control off.” I was unable to turn the steering wheel much due to it being so heavy. My official complaint: Vehicle: 2011 Ford Escape XLT Safety Recall: NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000 (Ford Recall 14S05) Issue: Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist (EPS) / Steering Torque Sensor Fault I am submitting this complaint regarding an unresolved safety defect involving my 2011 Ford Escape XLT. This vehicle is subject to a federally recognized safety recall for loss of electric power steering assist: NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000, Ford Recall 14S05, which involves the electric power steering (EPS) system and steering torque sensor faults that can cause the vehicle to suddenly lose steering assist. The safety issue covered under this recall is still present and represents an ongoing risk. The vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, which makes the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn and increases the risk of a crash, especially at lower speeds, in traffic, or during turns. On February 13, 2026, I had a scheduled appointment at Kingman Ford (Arizona) at 3:00 PM specifically to address this safety recall issue and the continuing steering assist problem. Kingman Ford declined service and refused to perform any recall-related repair, stating they could not provide service related to the recall. After the dealership refusal, I contacted Ford Corporate Customer Service directly. Ford Corporate also declined to provide any repair assistance, and stated they had no knowledge of any federal directives or requirements regarding safety issues connected to this recall. Because this is a federally recognized safety recall and the defect continues to occur, I am requesting that NHTSA document this as a recall remedy failure / unresolved safety defect, and review Ford’s refusal (and the dealership’s refusal) to correct a known steerin

NHTSA complaint #11717906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The wheel locks in low speeds. It does not happen often, maybe about 3 times per year. I have brought this up to Ford dealer in Encinitas CA for several years and the problem is seldom that they did not find anything wrong with it. Recently I found the recall online and brought it to their attention. I never received the notice of recall back in 2015. They are refusing service because it has been more than 10 yrs since the recall and my vehicle is at 180,000 miles. I use the car to carpool my kids and other people's kids. Please help fix the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11710555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

As I was driving, a “service Power steering” warning came on along with another warning about my power assist being lost. I have taken my car to see a mechanic a total of 4 times for this same issue and need answers or reimbursement.

NHTSA complaint #11627816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The power steering system fault failed .Yes, the power steering system is available for inspection upon request.The failure of the power steering system put my safety and the safety of others at risk because it became extremely difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds, which could have led to a loss of control and potential accidents.Yes, the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by SUBURBAN FORD OF TROY .The vehicle has been inspected by SUBURBAN FORD OF TROY.There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. The issue first appeared suddenly while driving on September 14, 2024.

NHTSA complaint #11616073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering and 4WD suddenly failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The 4WD was independently deactivated. During the failure, the message "Service Power Steering" and "Service Power Track" were displayed. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11595560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the windshield wipers were in the on position, the wipers went off the vehicle and had to be pushed back into place. There was an unknown yellow warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while making a turn, the driver's and passenger's front wheels detached on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle received an unstated repair. There was an abnormal sound while driving at various speeds. While shifting gear, the vehicle jumped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the result of the diagnostic test was unknown. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #11574904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION CASE/HOUSING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on five different occasions while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that on one occasion, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred a week later. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11539347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

When driving and get up to 60mph car shakes and moves side to side hard to control.

NHTSA complaint #11518629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Driving along and the power steering assist went out. I called dealer and they said if it was over 10 years they didnt have to repair it. According to your website, It has a 15 year window. Please advise

NHTSA complaint #11484501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

POWER TRAIN

Between 7/17/20 and 9/7/20 car stalled five times and stopped moving while in drive mode with no warning. Dealer kept car from 7/30/20 to 8/7/20, but problem was not fixed. Car returned to dealer 9/8/20 and kept by them until 9/16/20 when it was returned with problem apparently fixed. No problem since. Diagnosed Throttle Body Failure. Have verifying work order and invoice.

NHTSA complaint #11434650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 75 FROM GAINESVILLE FL TO LOGANVILLE GA MY POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT ! THANKFULLY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR , BUT EVEN AFTER PULLING OVER AND CUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF TO TRY TO RESET IT IT DID NOT WORK!

NHTSA complaint #11376964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY POWER STEERING TOTALLY WENT OUT. IT KEPT SAYING POWER STEERING FAULT AND JUST STOPPED WORKING. THEN IT STARTED SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT TRAC TERRAIN FAULT OR SOMETHING. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2018 AND THEN FOUND OUT TODAY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM FOR POWER STEERING. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR IN OKLAHOMA AND NOW LIVE IN ALABAMA. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN WEIRD ON ME BEFORE BUT TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT WOULD FIX IT, BUT IT HAS WENT OUT SAYING FAULT WHILE I WAS GOING AROUND A TURN AND I HAD TO BRAKE QUICKLY, THROW ON MY HAZARDS, TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. BUT NOW NOTHING IS FIXING IT, I HAD TO TOW IT TO MY HOUSE FROM AN HOUR AWAY BECAUSE I WAS STUCK AT WORK AT 1AM. I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN MY FAMILY ABLE TO WORK AND WORK ABOUT 52HOURS A WEEK AND DON'T KNOW I CAN AFFORD TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAT APPARENTLY WAS KNOWN BUT NOT FIXED IN MY VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO ME (NOT YOUR FAULT, THE DELEARSHIPS FAULT, BUT THEY ARE 10 HOURS AWAY...)

NHTSA complaint #11374287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ENTERED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE HOWEVER, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT TONY SERRA FORD (40905 HIGHWAY 280, SYLACAUGA, AL 35150 (256) 245-5000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

NHTSA complaint #11366395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE JUST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DING LOUDLY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DISPLAY WHILE TELLING ME I HAVE AN ERROR. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING DID GO OUT BRIEFLY BUT CAME BACK.

NHTSA complaint #11245230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

RANDOMLY HAS A AWD FAULT WARNING. LOSES TRANS POWER. REQUIRES STOP. SHUT OFF & RESTART. DANGEROUS! HAS HAPPENED OF FREEWAY SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER FOUND NO RECORD SAVED???? JUST HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY!!!

NHTSA complaint #11220534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

EVERY TIME I GO IN THE HIGHWAY AND I GO 60 MILES PER HOUR I START SMELLING THE EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE MY CAR START FEELING KIND OF DIZZY WITH HEADACHES TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER CHECK THAT AND IT'S DOING IT AGAIN EXHAUST SMELL COMES INSIDE OF CAR REALLY BAD

NHTSA complaint #11192082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

SECOND (2ND) OCCURRENCE. VEHICLE AS BACKED INTO DRIVEWAY AND PARKED WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20,2019. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00 AM, IT WAS OBSERVED THE THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROX. 13 FEET ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 16 INCHES MORE WITH THE BACK BUMPER RESTING AGAINST THE WALL. THIS EVEN IS DOCUMENTED WITH PICTURES. FIRST (1ST) OCCURRENCE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOSE FIRST IN DRIVEWAY ON FEBRUARY 11, 2019. FEBRUARY 12, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 AM, MY WIFE HAD ASKED IF WE HAD MOVED THE VEHICLE FORWARD BECAUSE THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND IN PARK. THE WEATHER ON BOTH OCCURRENCES WAS SNOW THEN RAIN. UNABLE TO ATTACH PHOTOS DUE TO FILE SIZE.

NHTSA complaint #11181737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY ALLEY AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD AN ORANGE WARNING LIGHT WITH A WRENCH COME ON THE DASHBOARD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AND NO ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM BUT THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER OR YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11144775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER (65,000 MILES) WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO MY GAS, BREAK AND STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS GOING CLOSE TO 10-15 MILES PER HOUR AND I MANAGED TO VEER ONTO SOMEONE'S LAWN AND HIT THE EMERGENCY BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE THAT CAUSE A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. NO SENSORS WENT OFF PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN MY CAR REPAIRED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #11113280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

SHIFTER DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO PARK AND WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. WILL NOT ENGAGE MY SEAT TO SLIDE BACK AFTER PUTTING IT INTO PARK. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY EVERY TIME. ALTHOUGH, THE PERSON WHO REALISED IT WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO PARK WAS THE FORD DEALERSHIP. AND NOW IVE NOTICED IT EVERY TIME. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I RESTART MY CAR IT WELL NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. I MUST APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. FORD HAS NUMEROUS RECALLS ON VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE FORD EXPLORER IS NOT....WHY? AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP I WAS GIVEN THE PARTS LIST FOR THE SHIFTING ISSUES, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY FORD.

NHTSA complaint #11113201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ON 8/24/2017, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, NJ, APPROACHING TOLL GATE NEAR EXIST 114, SUDDENLY THE INDICATOR LIGHTS SHOWED AWD OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST THROUGH THE TOLL GATE BUT COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. I WAS ABLE TO PARK ON ROAD SHOULDER. I DISMISSED INDICATOR AWD OFF WARNING BY CLICK "OK" BUT IT KEPT COMING BACK AND I CANNOT DRIVE FORWARD ANYMORE. MEANWHILE, THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INDICATION LIGHT GOT OFF. I STOPPED ENGINE AND RESTARTED ENGINE, AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS LOSE POWER ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS REPORTED. THERE IS A PE13003 NHTSA RECALL BUT THIS DOESN'T COVER FORD EXPLORER, EVEN I BELIEVE MANY OTHER FORD CARS (LIKE FORD EDGE) SHARE SAME PARTS WITH EXPLORER. IF I LOST POWER WHEN I DRIVE IN HIGH SPEED, I MAY END UP WITH MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT!!!

NHTSA complaint #11019316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ISSUE - OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS, MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER HAS STALLED LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO CONTROL MY SPEED. LUCKILY THE TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, I HAVE BEEN ON CITY STREETS DRIVING 30-40 MPH. A WARNING GOES OFF STATING "AWD OFF" AND THEN A PICTURE OF A WRENCH APPEARS AND I LOSE ALL SPEED AND AM FORCED TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD. I AM ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN START BACK UP. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE ERROR CODE AND SAID IT WAS LIKELY A FLUKE. SINCE THAT VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP, MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. TODAY, IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES WHICH HAS LEFT ME TO FEAR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE FOR SAFETY REASONS. AFTER DOING ONLINE RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THE ISSUE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ETB ISSUES THAT FORD OPENED UP "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03" BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT DID NOT INCLUDE FORD EXPLORERS.

NHTSA complaint #11016070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

CAR LOSSES POWER WHILE IN MOTION. FRIST TIME NEAR MY HOME. SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. STOP, TURN OFF MOTOR THEN BACK ON AND MESSAGE IS GONE. MY CAR HAS DONE THIS TWICE NOW. DO NOT TRUST MY CAR TO DRIVE FAR FROM HOME. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IS HAVING ISSUES AND UNDERSTAND IT'S BEEN RECALLED ON A DIFFERENT FORD CAR BUT NOT EXPLORER. MOST LIKELY SAME THROTTLE ASSEMBLY!

NHTSA complaint #11003973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 2011 FORD EXPLORER AND I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT !!! EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE , I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS. I JUST HAD MY POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED , OUT OF POCKET, UNTIL FORD DECIDED TO RECALL IT. NOW, I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE , WHICH IRONICALLY WENT BAD OUT OF NO WHERE. THE TRANSFER CASE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES AND FORD REFUSES TO RECALL IT . I HAVE HAD MANY MANY PROBLEMS WITH

NHTSA complaint #10995315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WENT TO GO DRIVE THE SUV WHILE DOING ONLY 25 MPH & IT WAS RAVING OUR 3-5 RPM. WHILE DRUG IN THE CITY

NHTSA complaint #10966422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER HAD A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE, WHICH SET ME BACK $2000.00. THE ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN MY FRONT END WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD EXPERIENCE HESITATION WHEN INCREASING SPEEDS, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. WHILE GOING IN REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THE GEAR WOULD LOCK. I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN, IN ORDER TO MOVE. MAZDA HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR TRANSFER CASE, WHICH IS THE SAME TRANSFER CASE ON THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER!!!!!!! THIS CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD. I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK, WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY RECALLED BY FORD AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER TRANSFER CASE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD. THE TRANSFER CASE CAN DISMANTLE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE YOUR ARE DRIVING!!

NHTSA complaint #10949708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

HAVE EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE WITH NO WARNING! I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN A MAIN HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE "ENGINE COOLANT OVERTEMP" CAME ON THEN "LOW OIL PRESSURE" AND MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN! I COULDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I DRIFTED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THAT MY CAR COULD BE TOWED WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT! SHOP DETERMINED WATER PUMP FAILURE AND WATER LEAKED INTO MY ENGINE POOR ENGINE DESIGN ON FORDS PART) AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE WITH NO WARNING! NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OR ANYTHING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. I CALLED FORD TO COMPLAIN BUT ALL THEY DID WAS TAKE DOWN MY COMPLIANT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN!

NHTSA complaint #10923775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.