| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2011 Ford Explorer repairs by problem area
Engine (15%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (6%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (38%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (19%)
Other (11%)
Chart based on 142 repairs.
2011 Ford Explorer repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (1%)
$500 - $999 (3%)
$100 - $499 (33%)
< $100 (63%)
Chart based on 96 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 Ford Explorer
Engine not specified
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States Apr 2011 - May 2011 | |||
| May 201113000 mi | 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 Mar 2011 - Jul 2011 | |||
| Apr 20111000 mi | software update | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States Mar 2011 - May 2011 | |||
| May 20112000 mi | 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 Colorado, United States Oct 2011 - Feb 2016 | |||
| Mar 20126000 mi | 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... | ||
| Oct 201552300 mi | Fuel gauge isn't working - I've taken it in for repairs but have had to reschedule due to heavy volume of vehicles needing work, ahead of mine. I am still waiting to get it looked at to see how much it will cost and if covered under warranty | ||
| Feb 201654000 mi | We did not have the fuel gauge repaired before trade-in as it was an easy fix for them (we were told), and could be an expensive one for us. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Georgia, United States Mar 2014 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jul 2015125500 miUS $285 | Strut plates were replaced due to an issue where the suspension felt loose while coming to a stop and was causing the brakes to become warped. | ||
| Dec 2017190000 miUS $150 | Exterior keypad entry was working very intermittently. Replaced the keypad panel. | ||
| Ford Explorer in New Jersey, United States Jul 2011 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Oct 20116000 mi | keyless entry pad replaced | ||
| Jun 201343000 mi | MYFordTouch | ||
| Mar 201581000 miUS $100 | Oil leaking - updated gasket | ||
| Aug 2016119000 miUS $219 | Rear brakes.... Pin slide rusts and freezes.... One side worn down down....not a caliper issue and is a know explorer issue... Ford has replaced brake pad/slide design.... However refuse to accept responsibility | ||
| Dec 2016126000 miUS $100 | Replaced actuator | ||
| Ford Explorer in Missouri, United States Aug 2012 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Sep 201226000 mi | car lurches upon acceleration. dealer doesn't know what causes it. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States Aug 2011 - May 2019 | |||
| Mar 201677000 miUS $472 | Rear shocks | ||
| Sep 2017101000 miUS $170 | Needed new battery | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada Jul 2011 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Nov 201225940 mi | window post applique on passenger side - rattle noise on highway | ||
| Dec 201350220 mi | right side A pillar molding had spider cracks, probably because installed incorrectly during earlier repair. Replaced under policy warranty with partial relief | ||
| May 201456380 miC $125 | Overheated. Engine cooling fan stopped working. Replaced under extended warranty. | ||
| Ford Explorer in California, United States Oct 2011 - Mar 2012 | |||
| Dec 20118000 mi | 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 201212000 mi | Sync upgraded Wind noise repaired for 3rd time. | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States Apr 2012 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Jun 201218000 mi | 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. | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States Jan 2015 - Feb 2017 | |||
| Nov 201545700 miUS $300 | Bad ignition coil replaced | ||
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States Feb 2011 - May 2018 | |||
| Mar 20113000 mi | Repaired trim Radio intermittently receiving signals. | ||
| Dec 201120000 mi | microsoft sync system has many issues and needs update that is very time consuming and not user friendly | ||
| Jan 201222000 mi | leak from cooling system/heater core. Had to remove dash to replace part! | ||
| Oct 201231300 mi | loose rear-view mirror Replaced rear view mirror | ||
| Dec 201233000 miUS $150 | Dead battery | ||
| Aug 201352300 miUS $100 | blend door actuator stripped and had to be replaced | ||
| Feb 201460000 miUS $100 | shifter not going into park always. needed adjustments. | ||
| Feb 201590000 miUS $300 | 120 volt outlet repaired Backup camera replaced | ||
| May 2016111000 miUS $500 | Replace pads and rotors | ||
| Nov 2017145000 miUS $200 | Oil pressure sensor failed and was replaced. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States Apr 2011 - Dec 2020 | |||
| Jan 201331000 mi | Back hatch does not open all the way. Problem with gas shocks. | ||
| Mar 201332000 mi | 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) | ||
| Jun 201335000 mi | 2nd time to dealer to resolve this issue. Upgrade/fixes to Ford sync (dashboard controlling bluetooth phone connections, directions, climate, etc) | ||
| Oct 201340200 mi | Under engine air deflector failed and became detached. Appears to have been improperly reattached during oil changes. | ||
| Jun 201453000 miUS $45 | Ignition was stuck on Saturday; resolved by Ford Roadside assistance. Took to dealer on Monday, 7/14; unable to duplicate or find any issues. Charged for 1/2 hour labor. | ||
| Dec 2017109500 miUS $45 | Replaced both front head lights - one was burned out. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Georgia, United States May 2017 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jun 201748000 miUS $310 | Positive battery terminal (aka circuit breaker assembly) corroded. Dealer quoted battery harness cable replacement at 701.42. I refused the service and found the needed part number in an on-line Ford user forum-Ford OEM part number DA8Z-14526-A (Circuit Breaker Assembly). I ordered the part myself at a cost of 40.93. It took less than 15 minutes to replace. I informed the dealer and they were ambivalent about it. Left blower motor door clicking noise - had to have motor replaced $229.00 | ||
| Ford Explorer in Colorado, United States Jul 2011 - Aug 2011 | |||
| Aug 20115000 mi | 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 Massachusetts, United States Feb 2015 - Sep 2020 | |||
| Apr 201729000 miUS $1144 | two plates in transmission were change out shifter assembly replaced | ||
| Ford Explorer in Texas, United States May 2011 - Feb 2015 | |||
| Apr 201320000 mi | 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. | ||
| Aug 201325000 mi | Battery died. Replaced under warranty. MFT update passenger side power third row seat jammed. Seat is stuck halfway between folded flat and upright. Cannot move manually either. Dealer says new tracks must be installed. Parts ordered. Still waiting after 2 weeks. | ||
| Sep 201326000 mi | waited 4 weeks for parts. dealer finally called and said parts had arrived. installed new tracks and a latch on the power folding 3rd row seats. | ||
| Jun 201434000 mi | Reprogram MFT due to hanging nav system and overall poor response and performance. 3rd row power seats stuck during unfolding process. This is the 3rd time this has happened to this vehicle in 3 years. | ||
2011 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Utah, United States Dec 2013 - Apr 2014 | |||
| Dec 201325000 mi | Axle replacement and CV joints replaced Cooling fan replaced | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada Apr 2013 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Apr 20138060 mi | Windshield wipers would wipe on occasion by themselves. Replaced the processor as per TSB. This was done for the second time and still did not completely address the issue. Suspect intermittent problem in the wiper control stalk. | ||
| Mar 201410540 mi | As reported earlier, a TSB for the Randon/Uncommanded windshield wipe was done but the issue reappeared shortly thereafter. Suspect a problem with the windshield wiper control stalk since other Explorers have had them replaced as well. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States May 2014 - Oct 2015 | |||
| Dec 201470000 miUS $100 | Shifter assembly repaired to fix occasional false reports where the vehicle did not realize it was in park. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Pennsylvania, United States Jan 2018 - Sep 2018 | |||
| Jul 2018101000 miUS $420 | Steering link frozen tried removing tie rods to isolate dealer replaced rack no charge then found the link frozen | ||
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States Sep 2014 - Nov 2016 | |||
| Oct 2014108200 miUS $50 | Replaced backup camera | ||
| Dec 2014109000 miUS $40 | Replace auto park assist sensor that had failed in front right bumper position | ||
| Ford Explorer in Texas, United States Jun 2015 - Oct 2017 | |||
| Sep 201569000 mi | Power Steering went out and all terain light came on. They did "adjustments". Got car back next day & it happened again! Returned car & they replaced steering geer unit. | ||
| Aug 201691000 miUS $450 | Drive arm wore out causing strut to break into pieces. Replaced drive arm and one strut (front end) | ||
| Feb 2017116000 miUS $40 | Severe water leak from all 6 main posts and also coming out of overhead console lights. We sealed all main seals on roof as well as sealed all around the roof rack rails with silicone. That fixed SOME of it but 2 weeks later we had to completely seal the sunroof shut! But now we havent had a single leak since. | ||
| Oct 2017121000 miUS $250 | Low oil pressure light kept coming on in an Erratic manner. The throttle body was replaced because it was clogged with metal dust build up. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Oregon, United States Jul 2015 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Sep 201585000 miUS $50 | Vibration hum coming from front end, dealer could not find a problem. | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States Jan 2015 - Mar 2018 | |||
| May 2017101000 miUS $100 | Replaced trim panels on either side of windshield when the driver's side trim piece blew off. New panels snapped into place after pulling off old pieces. | ||
| Sep 2017102000 miUS $170 | Driver's side exterior a-pillar cover came off on a road trip. Second time this has been replaced. This time I replaced the upper and lower pieces together. Feels more solid this time. Common problem with this model from what I read. Got parts off ebay for $170 total. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States Sep 2016 - Oct 2017 | |||
| Oct 201671000 miUS $10 | The small splash guard/wind deflector in front of the rear wheel repeatedly loosens and rattles. The piece is held in place by one screw and 2 plastic expansion plugs. The expansion plugs do not have sufficient material to remain locked in. | ||
| Jun 201779000 miUS $40 | Blower Door Actuator Motor replaced. Cheap plastic gear in the unit had one tooth break off of the gear. Tried super-gluing it back but that did not last. | ||
| Jul 201779000 miUS $55 | Vapor Canister Purge Valve was clogged/dirty. Removed and cleaned to solve the problem, at least for the short term. | ||
| Aug 201781000 miUS $150 | Transmission cooler bypass valve hose connection failed at the valve body. The actual threaded fitting sheared off, not a failure of the hose. Replaced bypass valve and sold the vehicle! | ||
| Ford Explorer in Rhode Island, United States Jan 2012 - Jan 2017 | |||
| Jan 201449000 mi | Rear liftgate would not go all the way up | ||
| Jan 201646486 mi | There are times when the heat on the driver's side does not work, usually after the HVAC controls have been adjusted. Could not duplicate the problem so not fixed. Had car in in May for the same issue and they could not find a problem. Could not duplicate the problem so not fixed. Had car in in May for the same issue and they could not find a problem. | ||
| Dec 201652000 miUS $100 | Replaced both blend door actuators. Had taken vehicle in 3X before for heat issues but "could not replicate" so no repair. Found TSB this time. Only $100 because under extended warranty. Oil leak in front cover. Replaced gasket. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Minnesota, United States Apr 2011 - Jul 2011 | |||
| May 2011 | 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. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States Apr 2011 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Aug 20113000 mi | 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 201215000 mi | 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 201220000 mi | TSB with electrical connector on fan. This repair was during a routine oil change. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ohio, United States Mar 2011 - Jun 2011 | |||
| May 2011 | 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 20118000 mi | replaced passenger seat airbag wiring assembly... wires broke from moving the seat full forward | ||
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States Feb 2011 - Apr 2011 | |||
| Apr 20111000 mi | 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 Colorado, United States Mar 2013 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Apr 201329800 mi | The BLIS system reports frequently that it isn't working and I need to take to the dealer. The dealer won't look at it unless it happens while in their possession and its not a daily occur. Turn car off then on and it resets. Ugh!! | ||
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States May 2011 - Jan 2018 | |||
| Aug 20112000 mi | both LED's on side view mirrors replaced due to condensation build up in them | ||
| Sep 20112000 mi | 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 20113000 mi | 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. | ||
| Jan 20129200 mi | A-pillars making whistling noise since last repair. A-pillars removed and more sealant added. Seems to have fixed it. I found out Ford has redesigned the windshield trim but no one can get it since its on national back order. | ||
| Apr 20125200 mi | Side mirror led on passenger side filled with water again. Mirror replaced again, for the third time. | ||
| Dec 201210000 mi | 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 201310000 mi | 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). | ||
| Jun 201312000 mi | A-pillar trim fastening tab broken somehow. Trim replaced. | ||
| May 201421000 mi | Front sway bar link bushings making noise--clunking over bumps at slow speed. Dealer replaced both sway arm links. | ||
| Jun 201533000 miUS $100 | Right rear wheel bearing replaced--making noise Left rear caliper seized--pads wearing quickly, rotor overheating. Caliper replaced. Right caliper inspected and was fine. Pads replaced on both rear wheels. Left rotor replaced, right machined. | ||
| Jun 201745000 miUS $150 | Seals on rear AC lines failed. Lines had to be replaced. In order to do so dealer had to remove rear subframe. Extended warranty paid for repair--just had to pay deductible. | ||
| Aug 201748000 miUS $100 | Clutch on AC compressor failed, compressor replaced under extended warranty | ||
| Nov 201748000 miUS $150 | Serpentine belt replaced, was squealing and slipping in wet conditions | ||
| Ford Explorer in Oregon, United States Mar 2013 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Apr 201414200 mi | TSB recall | ||
| Oct 201417300 mi | front wiper stops working. | ||
| Sep 201525000 miUS $130 | high water temp warning light on. | ||
| May 201632000 miUS $700 | cooling fan not working | ||
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States Dec 2011 - Aug 2019 | |||
| Jan 201354000 mi | Clunk when accelerating from a partial stop. Hesitation when shifting. Dealer rebuilt valve body. Navigation System randomly shuts down | ||
| Feb 201355500 mi | 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. | ||
| Jul 2015120800 miUS $300 | Rear calipers frozen. Replaced both rear calipers. | ||
| Jan 2017115000 mi | Found that the body seam cracked. Carpet is soaked, temporarily sealed with RTV. Will facilitate a more permanent repair as soon as time permits. The crack is in the top corner near the hatch..not easy to spot for those looking. | ||
| May 2017170000 mi | The water leak returned, and the seam sealer in the rear was still closed up from my previous repair. This time, I was actually able to catch the leak while it was happening, which made identifying the cause much easier. The behavior of this leak was a little different than last time, and the fix was easier. The latest leak was due to a clogged valve on the driver front sunroof drain. Some sand/dirt had gotten up above the wheel liner, and plugged the check valve, preventing the trey around the sunroof from draining completely. Unlike the previous leak, this one manifested by flowing down the drivers side A-pillar and onto the floor. The fix was very simple. Just cut the wheel hard to the right (for a drivers side repair), remove the fender liner push pins, pull the liner back about 6", reach up and run your finger across the check valve to clear it of debris. Ours was undoubtedly due to years of driving on the 4x4 beach at the Outer Banks N.C, and will now be something I check as part of my routine maintenance when we get back from that trip. | ||
| Aug 2017177000 miUS $500 | Replaced the shocks/struts and mounts. They were worn out. They weren't wearing the tires or anything, but it didn't ride like it used too. | ||
| May 2018194000 miUS $400 | Replaced both front Lower Control arms, as the rear bushings were shot. | ||
| Jun 2018196000 miUS $300 | Primary O2 sensors failed. Replaced both upstream O2's and spark plugs while it was apart. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada Feb 2011 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Jun 20112480 mi | 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 20127600 mi | Rain sensing wipers would sometimes do a random wipe when there was no reason for it. Dealer replaced the processor. | ||
| Mar 20125580 mi | 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. | ||
| Nov 20127020 mi | MyFord Touch software update and installation of a new A4 SD card for the navigation. | ||
| Mar 20138060 mi | 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. | ||
| Apr 20138160 mi | Rain sensing wipers would periodically wipe for no reason. Dealer replaced control module. This was the second time it was replaced. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States Nov 2011 - Dec 2017 | |||
| Feb 201213000 mi | Condensation on mirror indicator lights. | ||
| Apr 201215800 mi | Performance Update for Sync required visit to Dealer for most 2011 Explorers. Left turn signal lamp condensation. | ||
| Feb 201327100 mi | 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. | ||
| Dec 201336000 mi | Driver side in-headrest DVD player failed to play DVD or sync with second screen. Sunroof has leaked twice; water dripping from map lights in front of sunroof. | ||
| Nov 201558300 mi | Sirius XM module needed to be replaced - audio would work, but data would not load (ie, traffic data, weather, etc). | ||
| Mar 201659000 mi | Exhaust fumes present in vehicle after aggressive acceleration. Smell especially noticeable after highway merging. Told even though this was a TSB that this item was related to body panels. $900 quote for repair (Extended wrnty not covered) | ||
| May 201660100 mi | Exhaust fumes present in vehicle after aggressive acceleration. Smell especially noticeable after highway merging. Ford covered all but $100 with OoW assistance. | ||
| Sep 201663000 mi | Exhaust in cabin (second trip). | ||
2011 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD
| Ford Explorer in Texas, United States May 2011 - Dec 2014 | |||
| Sep 201449000 miUS $250 | Shifter will not always go into park | ||
2011 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Colorado, United States Feb 2011 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Jul 20117800 mi | sync system voice recognition does not work very well | ||
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See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.
