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2011 Ford Explorer body problems

110 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 101,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
110
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
101,000
crashes
2
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Body
    50
  • Body: roof and pillars
    2
  • Interior panels: door
    1
  • Body: hatchback/liftgate
    1
  • Body: door
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer body problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Ford Explorer body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Water leak 11

Related recalls

Structure: body: roof and pillarsReported January 19, 2024 · 1,889,110 vehicles affected
What is 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.
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.

Recall number 24V031000 · Recall details

Structure: body: doorReported March 24, 2015 · 194,484 vehicles affected
What is 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.
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.

Recall number 15V171000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Windshield trim molding Item detachmentOpened January 27, 2023, closed February 8, 2024

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the federal safety agency. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V‑031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE23001

What 2011 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Body · CO

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Body · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the dealer and manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the trim piece was almost detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Body · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side exterior A-Pillar Applique Trim detached. The contact stated that the exterior A-Pillar Applique Trim was flapping and hitting the ground. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact was advised to remove the detached exterior A-Pillar Applique Trim. The contact received a recall notification, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1000,000.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Body · SD

In early 2024, we learned our 2011 Ford Explorer was under open recall (the federal safety agency #24V031) for the A-pillar windshield trim, which could detach and create a road hazard. For two years, our Ford dealer said repairs could not be done due to parts availability. The A-pillar trim detached three separate times, including once at 75 mph on a highway, causing fear and danger. The vehicle’s elderly owner stopped driving for safety. On May 26, 2026, a non-Ford mechanic attempted a repair due to the delay at Ford, but the part broke during that attempt. The recall remains incomplete, and we have ongoing safety concerns, out-of-pocket expenses, and no timeline for a real fix.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Body · 135,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim clip detached, and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer where a temporary repair was performed using tape to secure the trim. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Body · 116,035 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side A-pillar trim on the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 116,035.

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Body · NC

Loose/Detached Bilateral Exterior C-Pillar around the rear window. Both sides are lifted and very loose with the potential to cause driver to lose control if detached resulting in damage to other vehicles on the road or even a traffic collision… this is a safety defect

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Body · 52,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact became aware that the passenger’s and driver's side A-pillar trims had started to crack, and the pieces were loose. The contact used tape to secure the A-pillar trims. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Body · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that for two years, the dealer was repeatedly contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Body, Suspension · MS

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the driver’s side windshield started to detach. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 21V746000 (Suspension); however, the parts to perform the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Questions about the 2011 Ford Explorer body

Does the 2011 Ford Explorer have body problems?

Owners have filed 110 complaints about the body of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2011 Ford Explorer body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 101,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Ford Explorer body?

Yes, 2 recalls: 24V031000, 15V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have the most body problems?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (661 complaints), 2016 (592 complaints) and 2002 (486 complaints).

Other 2011 Ford Explorer problems

Steering 743Engine 100Electrical 95Transmission 64Airbags 44Fuel system 40Driver assistance 37Brakes 28Suspension 24Visibility 23Acceleration 18Seat belts 14Wheels 9Seats 7Lights 6Tires 2Locks 1

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