Is the 2011 Ford EXPLORER reliable?

The 2011 Ford EXPLORER has 1494 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Ford EXPLORER?

Top problems: STEERING (742 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (126 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (111 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Ford EXPLORER?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): SUSPENSION:REAR, WHEELS:HUB, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, SEATS, SUSPENSION:REAR, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Ford EXPLORER?

The 2011 Ford EXPLORER gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Ford EXPLORER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Ford EXPLORER is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Ford EXPLORER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Ford EXPLORER has 1494 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 1024. The most common issue is steering problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: power steering failure while driving. turning vehicle off and on then causes power steering to work again. has happened multiple times. dealer did not find an issue at first visit. scheduled for second dealer visit. we fear significant loss of control while driving. *tr. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 33 crash reports 20 injuries

1494

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

742 complaints

50%

• POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON THEN CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALER DID NOT FIND AN ISSUE AT FIRST VISIT. SCHEDULED FOR SECOND DEALER VISIT. WE FEAR SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
• 2011 FORD EXPLORER 4WD IS PROGRAMMED TO SEND 100% POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. UPON SUDDEN ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY GOING UPHILL THE SUBSEQUENT TORQUE STEER IS OVERWHELMING TO THE DRIVER. CAN BE SO SEVERE IT CAN RIP THE WHEEL FROM THE HANDS OF THE DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO ADDRESSED W
• POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND TURNING A CORNER. MANUAL STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 19 crashes

“POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON THEN CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALER DID NOT FIND AN ISSUE AT FIRST VISIT. SCHEDULED FOR SECOND DEALER VISIT. WE FEAR SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Ford EXPLORER

Based on 1,099 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

266

30-60K

246

60-100K

235

100-150K

200

150-200K

117

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 579 reports

0-30K

143

30-60K

128

60-100K

100

100-150K

104

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 38K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 54K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

SUSPENSION:REAR10/06/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Risk: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Ford EXPLORER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Ford EXPLORER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford EXPLORER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2011 EXPLORER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1494 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON THEN CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALER DID NOT FIND AN ISSUE AT FIRST VISIT. SCHEDULED FOR SECOND DEALER VISIT. WE FEAR SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO PRESSED THE BRAKE HIS FOOT REST ON A BAR THATS NEXT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGN AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER IT. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DIRT OR WATER, PARTICLES WOULD SEEP INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: COOLING FANS FAILED, ENGINE OVERHEATED RAN ROUGH AND THEN STOPPED RUNNING. 3/4 GALLONS OF ANTI-FREEZE BOILED OUT OF OVERFLOW AND ON TO ENGINE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)