• January 19, 2024Body and structure

  Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach

  NHTSA campaign 24V-031 · 1,889,110 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: 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.

• September 22, 2021Suspension

  Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

  NHTSA campaign 21V-746 · 150,723 vehicles potentially affected · Suspension

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: 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.

• June 10, 2019Suspension

  Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture

  NHTSA campaign 19V-435 · 1,194,173 vehicles potentially affected · Suspension

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: 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.

• March 24, 2015Body and structure

  Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat

  NHTSA campaign 15V-171 · 194,484 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: 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.

  The 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.

  The remedy: 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.

• May 29, 2014Steering

  Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

  NHTSA campaign 14V-286 · 179,027 vehicles potentially affected · Steering

  The defect: 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.

  The 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.

  The remedy: 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.

• February 2, 2011Seats

  Center recliner mechanism/FMVSS 207

  NHTSA campaign 11V-063 · 1,658 vehicles potentially affected · Seats

  The defect: 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."

  The risk: In the event of a crash, the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.

  The remedy: 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.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Explorer built in 2011. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Ford Explorer model years

• 2026 14
• 2025 20
• 2023 15
• 2022 24
• 2021 26
• 2020 33
• 2019 6
• 2018 7
• 2017 13
• 2016 14
• 2015 8
• 2014 6
• 2013 11
• 2012 5
• 2010 1
• 2008 1
• 2007 1
• 2006 1
• 2003 2
• 2002 5
• 2000 9

Common questions

Does the 2011 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 campaigns for the 2011 Ford Explorer: 24V-031 (Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach); 21V-746 (Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture); 19V-435 (Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture); 15V-171 (Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat); and 2 more.

How do I know if my 2011 Ford Explorer has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Will the dealer charge to fix the 2011 Ford Explorer?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Ford dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.