Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms: added 21R01 and 21R02 REASON FOR PROVIDING A NO-COST, ONE-TIME REPAIR: added 21R01 and 21R02 OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE: added mailing schedule for 21R01 and 21R02 OASIS ACTIVATION: added 21R01 and 21R02
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Ford Explorer suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Ford Explorer have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Explorer | 4 |
| 2008 Explorer | 3 |
| 2010 Explorer | 4 |
| 2011 Explorer (this page) | 10 |
| 2012 Explorer | 14 |
| 2013 Explorer | 55 |
| 2014 Explorer | 82 |
| 2015 Explorer | 63 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Toe Link Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S32, some of the affected vehicles exposed to a highly corrosive environment where road salt is used extensively during winter months, have experienced a seized toe link ball joint resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with Rear Wheel Knuckles that have been Replaced Rear Toe Link Inspection/Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S43, some of the affected vehicles that have had one (or both) rear wheel knuckle(s) replaced and were sold or operated in certain traditional corrosion areas where road salt is used extensively during winter months, may experience a seized toe link ball joint resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the rear wheel knuckles for six (6) months from the Repair Order (RO) opening date for field service actions 21S32 or 21S43 provided that the RO opening date occurs on or before July 31, 2023. This is a one time repair. In some of the affected vehicles exposed to a corrosive environment where road salt is used during winter months, the rear toe link ball joint located in the rear knuckle could seize. A seized toe link ball joint could wear out and develop a knocking noise after installation of the updated toe links in the FSAs 21S32 or 21S43
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This SKU is a Suspension Lateral Link. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to revise the design similar to the OEM supercession associated with 19V435. We have received no defects associated with the current design.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Explorer has a documented suspension problem pattern. Front control arms snap during normal driving without impact; one mechanic found the metal was less dense on one side, indicating a casting or fabrication defect rather than wear. Multiple owners report strut and spring assemblies making creaking and clanking noises and failing prematurely. One owner lost power steering control on a highway while driving with family in December 2022—Ford issued Recall 19V435000 for that defect in May 2014, but the dealer initially refused coverage even though the car fell within the recall window.
Sway bar links have failed even after recall repairs were performed, and at least one owner reported seeing severed welds in suspension components during cold weather (-25°F), resulting in loss of control. Strut mount bearings are degrading and affecting steering.
Two separate recall campaigns (19V435000 for power steering, 21V746000 for suspension) have been issued, but multiple owners state that parts for Campaign 21V746000 remain unavailable or not visible in dealer systems months or longer after the recall was issued. Owners have paid out-of-pocket for repairs Ford should have covered, and dealers have sometimes refused assistance or stated the recalls were not in their system.
Same Ford Explorer suspension reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Control arm cracking/breakage
Front control arms snapping during normal driving without impact. One owner's mechanic noted the metal was less dense and more hollow on one side of the break, suggesting a casting or fabrication defect. Owners report clean breaks without jagged edges, indicating material weakness rather than fatigue from impact.
When: Various mileage; one at routine maintenance (October prior to failure); another at approximately 126,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of vehicle control risk; Sudden snapping during U-turn or normal driving
Repairs/costs cited: Both front control arms replaced due to casting defect concerns; owners paid out-of-pocket
Strut and spring assembly failure
Front strut and spring assemblies making creaking/clanking noises and failing during normal operation. Multiple owners report similar issues and suspect manufacturing defects. One owner experienced both front right strut/spring failure and later noted backup camera issues.
When: During normal driving, no specific mileage cited
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking/clanking noise on front right near tire; Vehicle making squeaking and popping sounds
Repairs/costs cited: Both front and left struts replaced by mechanic
Power steering system failure
Power steering loss during highway driving, creating sudden difficulty controlling the vehicle. Owner reported Ford issued Recall Campaign 19V435000 (May 2014) for 2011–2013 Explorer power steering defects, but Ford initially refused to cover the repair despite the vehicle being within the recall timeframe.
When: December 2022, during normal family driving
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loss; Hard steering requiring significant effort; Risk of loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Ford initially refused warranty coverage; owner had to pay out-of-pocket
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Recall Campaign 19V435000 for power steering defect (2011–2013 models, May 2014); however, dealer initially denied coverage despite vehicle being within recall timeframe
Sway bar link failure
Sway bar links requiring replacement after recall repair was already performed. Failure occurred post-recall, suggesting either incomplete original repair or ongoing defect. Owner reports squeaking and popping sounds at approximately 126,000 miles.
When: After recall repair; approximately 126,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking and popping sounds while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Sway bar links needed replacement; vehicle not repaired at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 19V435000 (Suspension) previously performed; case opened with manufacturer after failure
Suspension weld cracking
Owner reports severe loss of control and observed cracked or severed welds in suspension components during extremely cold weather (-25°F). Owner provided video documentation. Dealer refused to assist.
When: January 27, 2017, at -25°F ambient temperature
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of vehicle control; Visible cracks/severed welds in suspension
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to help; no repair attempted
Strut mount bearing failure
Strut mount bearing degradation affecting steering control and function.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Degraded steering control
Recall parts unavailability (Campaign 21V746000)
Multiple owners received recall notifications for Campaign 21V746000 (Suspension) but parts were unavailable or not showing in dealer systems for extended periods. Owners reported the manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframes for providing parts or repair completion. One owner stated the VIN tool showed no open recall despite receiving the notification.
When: Recall issued; unclear when owners attempted repair
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to complete recall repairs due to parts shortage
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; parts on back order or unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 21V746000 (Suspension) issued but parts unavailable; dealers confirmed back order status; one dealer stated recall not shown in system
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 126,928 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.