2011 Ford Explorer Problems and Repair Histories
2011 Ford Explorer problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Ford Explorer
2011 Ford Explorers for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2011 Ford Explorer problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2011 Ford Explorer problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2011 Ford Explorer problems and repair histories that follow it.
Ford Explorer Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2011 | Ford Explorer | 21 Explorers, 9.9 months of data per Explorer, average 19700 miles Small sample size. Join or 21 Explorers, 9.9 months of data per Explorer, average 19700 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 2011 Ford Explorer problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2011 Ford Explorer
Engine not specified
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 11000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 13000 | 0 | Electronic cooling fans stopped working cuasing the car to overheat when stopped. Additionally, the air conditioning stopped working directly related to the cooling system. The MYFORD SYNC system completely crashed. NAVI stopped working, phone would not stay paired, HVAC controlls would not work during system crash. System would indicate several USB connection when on 1 was plugged in. Loud wind noise in the upper right hand side of the windsheild. Wind noise is more noticalbe during windy conditions. |
| Ford Explorer in Missouri, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 1000 | 0 | software update |
| Jul | 2011 | 7000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 2000 | 0 | Car made screeching noise from engine right after ignition. Dealer could not replicate. |
2011 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Ford Explorer in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2011 | 6000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 8000 | 0 | Nav system fault, Ford says they should have an update by Janaury, no solution currently. Screen goes black, no access to AC/Fan/Radio/Phone/Nav |
| Mar | 2012 | 12000 | 0 | Sync upgraded Wind noise repaired for 3rd time. |
| Ford Explorer in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 6000 | 0 | keyless entry pad replaced |
| Dec | 2012 | 32000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2012 | 6000 | 0 | Brakes had been squealing off and on since purchase. Finally had an opportunity to take it in to have it looked at - not sure what they did; said there were no problems or issues with brakes. Still squeals... |
| Jun | 2012 | 9000 | 0 | Brakes were still squealing after March repair trip; machined front rotors, replaced front pads (this was a fix from Ford as others had same problem). |
| Mar | 2013 | 23000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2012 | 16000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 18000 | 0 | Roaring noise was corrected by replacing plastic piece at bottom of windshield The computer software has an issue; when hang up from phone call using Sync system the radio comes on - even when the radio WAS NOT on prior to the phone ringing. At that point, can't turn the radio off except by voice command. |
| Sep | 2012 | 21000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 4000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 5000 | 0 | audio for the DVD system on rear headrests does not work through thru the vehicle radio as indicated in the user guide, transmitted over a "unused" frequency which apparently is not really unused depending on the locale you are in. static. |
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 20300 | 0 | Fix to front brake disc pads under warranty (TSB procedure 111029A) |
| Jan | 2013 | 31000 | 0 | Back hatch does not open all the way. Problem with gas shocks. |
| Mar | 2013 | 32000 | 0 | Back hatch does not open all the way. Problem with gas shocks. Upgrade/fixes to Ford sync (dashboard controlling bluetooth phone connections, directions, climate, etc) |
| Ford Explorer in Missouri, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2012 | 26000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 26000 | 0 | car lurches upon acceleration. dealer doesn't know what causes it. |
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 3000 | 0 | Repaired trim Radio intermittently receiving signals. |
| Dec | 2011 | 20000 | 0 | microsoft sync system has many issues and needs update that is very time consuming and not user friendly |
| Jan | 2012 | 22000 | 0 | leak from cooling system/heater core. Had to remove dash to replace part! |
| Oct | 2012 | 31700 | 0 | loose rear-view mirror |
| Dec | 2012 | 33000 | 150 | Dead battery |
| Mar | 2013 | 43000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2013 | 20000 | 0 | Power folding 3rd row seat stuck. Dealer found that sound insulation was interfering with seat operation. Said it is a known problem Wind noise around a-pillar areas MyFord Touch update. serious squealing on left front brake. Ford would not cover the pad replacement even though it would resolve the problem and I was not willing to pay for it. |
2011 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 0 | ABS activated causing sudden slowdowns when taking 3-4 degree turn at 38-42 miles/hr. Replaced part BB5Z*3F818*A Sensor - Steering Rotation | |
| Jun | 2011 | 8000 | 0 | replaced passenger seat airbag wiring assembly... wires broke from moving the seat full forward |
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 1000 | 0 | MyFordTouch had some issues. Dealer said that they needed to update the software. Problems were, cell phone would not sync, clock not keeping time. |
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 20000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 54000 | 0 | Clunk when accelerating from a partial stop. Hesitation when shifting. Dealer rebuilt valve body. Navigation System randomly shuts down |
| Feb | 2013 | 55000 | 0 | 1-2 shift clunked when accelerating from around 20mph (like leaving a toll booth). Dealer re-flashed ECM, said it didn't take the first time. |
| Mar | 2013 | 56000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 2480 | 0 | Active Park Assist not working. Diagnosed right front sensor faulty. Replacement part ordered. Replaced right front sensor to correct fault in Active Park Assist. |
| Jan | 2012 | 4740 | 0 | Rain sensing wipers would sometimes do a random wipe when there was no reason for it. Dealer replaced the processor. |
| Mar | 2012 | 5580 | 0 | A performance upgrade was installed for MyFord Touch (MFT). Many owners experienced various problems with MFT and Ford redesigned and worked on the software package. New navigation card was also installed. |
| Apr | 2012 | 5580 | 0 | Customer Satisfaction Program 12B36. Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module to randomly run cooling fans at high speed to prevent possible contamination of the internal electrical contacts of the cooling fan motors. |
| Nov | 2012 | 7120 | 0 | MyFord Touch software update and installation of a new A4 SD card for the navigation. |
| Mar | 2013 | 8060 | 0 | Over the past few months I had to trickle charge the battery several times since it was low. Never failed to start the car. Battery was tested when I went for season tire change and the result was that the battery was replaced. |
| Ford Explorer in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 0 | MFT (My ford Touch) multiple reflashs. Still very buggy but getting better. Reflashs done in May and in July. Windshield noise, dealer unable to verify. | |
| Jul | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 2000 | 0 | both LED's on side view mirrors replaced due to condensation build up in them |
| Sep | 2011 | 2000 | 0 | replaced a module in the sync system preventing pretty much everything from working, also replaced the side mirrors again for condensation in the led lights |
| Nov | 2011 | 3000 | 0 | both side mirror replaced again due to moisture in the side indicator led's built into the mirrors. Performed tsb on the a-pillars for the rattling noise. tsb resolved the noise. |
| Apr | 2012 | 5300 | 0 | Side mirror led on passenger side filled with water again. Mirror replaced again, for the third time. |
| Dec | 2012 | 10000 | 0 | A-pillar trim making noise again. Replaced with revised parts--Ford TSB. New designed parts are supposed to fix the problem--so far so good. |
| Jan | 2013 | 10000 | 0 | Exterior black trim piece on the inside top edge of the tailgate came loose at one end. Piece was double sticky taped back in place (that is how it was originally installed--no fasteners). |
| Mar | 2013 | 11000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 3000 | 0 | Water present in the right mirror turn signal indicator light. The exterior trim piece on the A-Pillar was buzzing at high speed. Attempted to pickup vehicle three times in 4 days but immediately returned with the problem. A rental was provided. |
| Mar | 2012 | 15000 | 0 | A trim piece on the outside of the A-pillar was buzzing at speed. A new redesigned trim piece has been made available to fix the problem. |
| Jun | 2012 | 20000 | 0 | TSB with electrical connector on fan. This repair was during a routine oil change. |
| Mar | 2013 | 36000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 10000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 13000 | 0 | Condensation on mirror indicator lights. |
| Apr | 2012 | 16700 | 0 | Performance Update for Sync required visit to Dealer for most 2011 Explorers. Left turn signal lamp condensation. |
| Feb | 2013 | 27300 | 0 | Master headrest DVD player (driver side) was resetting randomly and having issues with "Surround Around" (FM Modulation). Wiring Harness under the driver seat was loose causing intermittent failure. Repaired by dealer. |
| Mar | 2013 | 28000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2012 | 23000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 23000 | 0 | Reported vibration/rubbing noise when braking at high speeds (above 50 MPH). Dealer turned the rotors which was covered under warranty |
2011 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 7000 | 0 | sync system voice recognition does not work very well |
| Jan | 2012 | 15000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2011 Ford Explorer Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer
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