Loss of power steering
2011 Ford Explorer steering problems
moderate 736 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
736
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
19crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 736 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 62% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 736 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
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 brake and muscle the steering away from the impending crash. This power steering issue has started to occur briefly…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to reverse out of the driveway, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering fault warning message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the…
Driving in the mountains at night, proceeding up a steep and icy grade, the vehicle gave a warning signal about a power steering problem and immediately the power steering unit failed. The extremely difficult steering capability of this vehicle during this failure, forced us to creep along a major highway to finish the eight miles to the nearest town. After researching this problem, I stumbled…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering was inoperable. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "service power steering now" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off the highway and into her husband's place of business. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000…
the electric power steering failed due to manufacture recall on my exact year and model
After bringing my car in on 9/15/14 to address the Ford explorer 2011 recall, sheehy Ford in springfield, va declared my parts ok and reprogrammed my pscm (I had never had a single issue with my power steering)...I subsequently drove to kentucky (from burke, va) and several other places...eventually driving to my parent's house in vienna, va (about 30+ minutes away) for thanksgiving day…
My steering wheel is not moving and I have a warning coming on saying Power Steering Assist Fault. I called the dealership because it was a recall on the truck in 2014 and the owner back then never went and got it fixed. The dealership is refusing to fix the recall
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford explorer. While the contact was attempting to steer out of a parking space, the power steering failed and "power steering fault" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to moses Ford inc (2001 maccorkle ave, st albans, wv 25177) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 736 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 568 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,081 and 129,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,081; a quarter make it past 129,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.