Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2011 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2011 Ford Explorer has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,197 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #24V031000 Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V746000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V435000 Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17E048000 Hub Unit Bearing may Allow Wheel Detachment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V171000 Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V286000 Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14E001000 Replacement Steering Gears may Lock Steering NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V063000 CENTER RECLINER MECHANISM/FMVSS 207 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 743 complaints
- Unknown or Other 112 complaints
- Structure 110 complaints
- Electrical System 95 complaints
- Engine 83 complaints
- Power Train 64 complaints
Of the 1,197 complaints on file, 30 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 1,197 complaints, owners report 15 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,600–$9,200AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2011 Ford Explorer has a moderate number of complaints and recalls, with issues primarily in the steering and suspension systems. While some problems such as steering failures are common, the evidence for more widespread faults is limited. Consequently, this model year has an average reliability outlook, balanced by the frequency of significant steering-related complaints.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| Rear suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
| Electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $300–$900 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid servicing
- Coolant replacement
- Tire rotations and alignments
- Spark plug replacement
- Air filter changes
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Difficulty steering
- Unusual suspension noises
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Power steering loss
- Vibrations during driving
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2011 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.