2011 Ford Explorer Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 open recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, however old the vehicle is.

Recall data as of Oct 16, 2026 — NHTSA. For a live answer, run the check yourself, or see the latest recalls.

Suspension Rear

What's wrong:
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.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 19V435000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Jun 10, 2019.

Wheels Hub

What's wrong:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Risk:
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
What to do:
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign 17E048000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Aug 28, 2017.

Body Door

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

What's wrong:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk:
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
What to do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.

NHTSA campaign 15V171000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Mar 24, 2015.

Steering

What's wrong:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
Risk:
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
What to do:
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.

NHTSA campaign 14E001000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Jan 6, 2014.

Electric Power Assist System

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

What's wrong:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Risk:
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
What to do:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

NHTSA campaign 14V286000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported May 29, 2014.

Seats

What's wrong:
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Risk:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
What to do:
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign 11V063000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Feb 2, 2011.

Suspension Rear

What's wrong:
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. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk:
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 21V746000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Sep 22, 2021.

Body Roof And Pillars

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

What's wrong:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk:
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 24V031000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Jan 19, 2024.

Owner complaints

1196filed with NHTSA · 43 in the last 12 months
Filed by yearpeak 2022
151617181920212223242526
Steering
742
Structure
110
Electrical System
95
Engine
83

30 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 15 injuries

Reported by owners to NHTSA and not verified. Complaints often surface a problem months before a recall.

See the complaints at NHTSA

Other Ford Explorer years

Every year links to that vehicle's full recall page.

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

Ford Explorer, every year

How recall repairs work

  • Repairs are free at any franchised Ford dealer — regardless of the vehicle's age or whether you bought it new.
  • Bring the NHTSA campaign number; it's printed on each recall above and on the sheet you can print here.
  • Call ahead: some recalls are announced before parts are available, and the dealer can tell you when yours are in.
  • Your VIN tells the dealer whether your exact vehicle is affected — the free check accepts one and never stores it.

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