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2011 Ford Explorer Base AWD

The 2011 Ford Explorer Base AWD is a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $30,190 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 290 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 255 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Explorer measures 197.1 inches long on a 112.6-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$30,190 ($43,627 *)
MSRP with Destination$30,995 ($44,790 *)
Destination Charge$805
Engine
Engine Type3.5L Ti-VCT V6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower290 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque255 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeSequential Multiport Fuel Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeIntelligent all-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity18.6 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionStrut front suspension with coil springs
Rear SuspensionMulti-link rear suspension with coil springs
Dimensions & Weight
Length197.1 in
Width78.9 in
Height70.4 in
Wheelbase112.6 in
Cargo Volume21 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front41.4 in
Headroom Rear40.5 in
Legroom Front40.6 in
Legroom Rear39.8 in
Shoulder Room Front61.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear61 in
Hip Room Front57.3 in
Hip Room Rear56.7 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Tested, but no star ratings were published (2011 Ford Explorer SUV AWD).

Recalls

8 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford EXPLORER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jan 19, 2024 · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

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.

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

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.

NHTSA campaign 24V031000

Sep 22, 2021 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

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

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.

NHTSA campaign 21V746000

Jun 10, 2019 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

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

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.

NHTSA campaign 19V435000

Aug 28, 2017 · WHEELS:HUB

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.

Consequence: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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

Mar 24, 2015 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V171000

May 29, 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V286000

Jan 6, 2014 · STEERING

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.

Consequence: The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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

Feb 2, 2011 · SEATS

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."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

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.

NHTSA campaign 11V063000

1,196 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2011 Ford EXPLORER

Owner Complaints

1,196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford EXPLORER (30 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 12 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering742
Unknown Or Other112
Structure110
Electrical System95
Engine83
Power Train64
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 6, 2026 · Steering
“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…”
Aug 29, 2026 · Steering
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2011 Ford Explorer, VIN [XXX]. After recently filling the vehicle with fuel, I went to drive it and received a “Power Steering Assist Fault”…”
Jul 31, 2026 · Steering, Electrical System
“The power steering has fully stopped working , the car cannot be steered, this started to happen on the road, I had to steer the entire weight of the car myself, at fast speed it was difficult but not…”
Jul 31, 2026 · Steering
“On Friday 7/24/2026, I was driving and all the sudden my steering went out. Dash flashed No Power Steering Assist / AdvanTrac System Fail. I pulled over immediately to turn around & get home with zero…”
Jul 20, 2026 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed and the vehicle failed to start. The…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2011 FORD EXPLORER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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