The 2011 Ford Explorer has 1,196 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 742 complaints (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
5.0 / 10
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
8
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Explorer?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Engine: 59 complaints, classified severe
Electrical system: 37 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average
8 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2011 Ford Explorer? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 742 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
body — 98 owner reports
· ~$1,500 to fix
engine — 59 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 45 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 8 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2011 Explorer· airbags
I purchased a "certified" used 2011 explorer base with 3500 miles in march 2014 from Ford dealer. Air bag light illuminated in may and stayed on steady...dealer replaced master module (under warranty) after a week of working on the vehicle. At the time, they told me when the…
When parked in a parking garage I started out and of my spot and down a ramp toward the pay station/booth of the garage to exit. The power steering assist fault came on, I immediately lost power steering and was headed directly toward the pay booth/attendant until I was able to…
In the 2021 Ford Explorer there are multiple leaks due to rain / water damage. The back of the trunk has a leak that has water running down the side into the third row seat it causes rust on to the spare tire, it’s causes fog to be on the inside of the car causing issues to see.…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior A-pillar Trim…
Had a problem with your 2011 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
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
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.0 out of 10 based on 1,196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ford Explorer has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2011 Ford Explorer?
The 2011 Ford Explorer is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Engine: 59 complaints, classified severe; Electrical system: 37 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average; 8 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Ford Explorer?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 742 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,196 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 742 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Explorer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Ford Explorer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,196 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Ford/Explorer.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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