While stopped at a stop sign my engine suddenly died, before restarting a low oil pressure light came on but went out immediately. I was approximately 40 miles from home when I got to my destination. The car was showing no signs of issues, no warning lights or errors. When I went back out to start it and head home it would not start. I had to pay additional expense beyond my insurance road side coverage due to the distance. I have had an independent mechanic going over the vehicle since it died. Starter has been replaced because it appeared to be the issue. (the original was bad) Once replaced while attempting to start it he found out the engine had locked up. I bought the vehicle March 30, 2026 & this happened on June 10, 2026. The vehicle had 132,344 miles on it when bought and 135,716 when it seized up. After looking through other reports I have found this to be a reported issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744176 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The contact owned a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the vehicle caught fire. The contact was in her residence, and a neighbor knocked on her door, making her aware that the vehicle had caught fire. The fire has been extinguished by the local fire department. The fire department indicated that the failure may have occurred due to a wiring malfunction in the vehicle. A police report was not filed, but a fire report was filed and was unavailable. There were no injuries reported. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11726405 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Entire braking system on this 2011 with only 140,000 miles apparently all failed simultaneously. Dealer required replacement of rear brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake booster, master cylinder and wanted to replace the entire ABS control assembly - which I declined. Brakes had a "soft pedal" when I took it into the dealership and when I left the dealer apparently sabotaged the brake system as it was undrivable at that point. Dealer even requested I waive my rights prior to taking the vehicle (see attached). It appears Ford manufactured a vehicle that their own technicians can't figure out to properly repair without replacing the entire system that fails with low miles.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11456986 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Car has a history of showing a P07AE-09 code in the power steering control module. When the code logs in the computer the car loses power steering assist while driving causing the steering to be hard to turn. Upon researching the cars recall work we seen that the car had the power steering control module software updated but no steering gear changed. My wife and children ride in this car and I'm afraid that this is going to cause a serious accident.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762453 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the air bag warning light being illuminated and the dealer diagnosed that the front passenger’s side air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was ordered; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted regarding NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); in February 2024 and the contact was informed there were no parts available for the recall repair. In July 2024 the contact received a letter stating that parts were available, and an appointment was scheduled for October 2024. At the time of the appointment, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11650563 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The pillar covers fell of the vehicle when driving last week. Both plastic covers are on the side of the interstate. I was told and found there is a recall for the clips on these covers, but when I searched, they are not listed for this vehicle. There appears to be an issue with this recall and the explorer.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745751 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov