We were traveling I-26 from sc back into nc after thanksgiving. My car dinged and said coolant temp was too high. Thankfully I was right at a rest area and immediately pulled in and turned off the car. Tried adding coolant and it poured out the bottom. Had my explorer towed to my mechanic. Turns out the water pump blew. In most cases a water pump replacement is not a big deal. Except whoever designed this engine was not thinking because the water pump is inside the engine. So even to replace the water pump (a part costing less then $200), the labor makes it at closer to $1500. But, also, because the water pump is inside the engine, when it blew, coolant and water went into my engine causing engine failure, meaning the whole engine now needs to be replaced. So a car with 71,000 miles on it needs a whole new engine because of a water pump. I am thankful I was in a position to pull over immediately, because if the engine had gone out on the busy interstate, that could have been a terrible crash. If a water pump can cause engine failure, that is not a car I want to be in with my children. Dangerous not only to us, but to others traveling near us. Ford needs to rethink this design. Not only is it costly to repair, but more importantly it can be very dangerous.
2011 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 100, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that the valve cover was allowing oil to travel through a tube into the air filter. The dealer (townsend sales and service, 340 main st, townsend, ma 01469) stated that ford redesigned the valve cover, which would eliminate the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
I was driving down the highway then all of the sudden the truck overheated at 65 MPH I got off at the next exit and stop the truck next thing I notice is smoke coming from the hood then I call a tow truck to go to a local shop now the mechanic say I need a new engine,I dont have the money to pay for a new engine and the labor the truck is not even pay off yet, unbelievable, now that I read up on this this happen to many other people this is a common problem that hasn't been recall yet smh
I was driving my 2011 ford explorer (65,000 miles) when I suddenly lost all power to my gas, break and steering wheel. Luckily I was going close to 10-15 miles per hour and I managed to veer onto someone's lawn and hit the emergency break. I was told that there was oil leaking into the engine that cause a complete engine failure. No sensors went off prior to the incident and I have only gotten my car repaired at the ford dealership.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While the vehicle was stationary or while driving various speeds, the odor of exhaust fumes entered the cabin of the vehicle. Summerville ford (9700 dorchester rd, summerville, sc 29485, (877) 477-1434) was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact heard an abnormal noise progressing from the area of the alternator assembly and the serpentine belt. While driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power. The contact had to coast the vehicle slowly to be parked at the contact's residence. The dealer (bergey's ford, 700 n bethlehem pike, ambler, pa 19002, (215) 793-3700) indicated that the vehicle would need to be diagnosed. The manufacturer indicated that there was no warranty, recall, or manufacturer campaign; therefore, no solution was offered other than the dealer diagnosing and repairing the vehicle. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
Its a known fact that while driving, the water pumps suddenly break with no prior warning/symptom. Fluids mix as a result, contaminated fluids mandate complete engine replacement . Ford motor co. Will not assume any responsibility or offer one bit of assistance for repair costs when dealerships could have offered water pump replacement as a preventative maintenance item. Dealership is now asking me for $7100.00 to replace engine when this all could have been circumvented with a simple maintenance recommendation from the dealers who know this is going to happen. Vehicle was purchased pre-owned from a ford dealer with a ford 100,000 mile extended warranty (which expired as of my last oil change) and I am still paying off the vehicle itself. Ford had the audacity to say "you can apply for a ford credit card to pay for your engine" when I told them that $7,100.00+ tax is currently outside of my lump sum current budget parameters. Ford assumes no level of accountability for these poorly manufactured cars and the consumers who purchase them are sheer victims. Never will another ford be purchased within my family again if they do not step up to the plate and offer some form of assistance for this all too common malfunction.
2011 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. *ld the consumer stated the engine over heated and failed without warning. The water pump failed. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.
2011 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to personally having solved exhaust smell in vehicle cabin after all attempts failed by dealer and engineering tsb to repair problem. *smd
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. On several occasions, while driving, the contact felt sleepy, nauseous, weak, dizzy, and confused. The contact pulled the vehicle over to rest. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a ford dealer, and to stay out of the vehicle as soon as possible. The contact called foothills automall at (509) 324-8200 (located at 202 e north foothills dr, spokane, wa 99207) where it was confirmed that a recall was associated with the year, make, model vehicle. The contact was referred to gus johnson ford at (509) 924-1000 (located at 8300 e sprague ave, spokane valley, wa 99212) where an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Always got tired when I drove the vehicle. I never felt completely alert when I drove it. I wouldn't take my grandchild anywhere with me in that vehicle because I didn't feel comfortable or safe driving in it with others. One day I got really light headed and the next thing I knew is I wrecked the vehicle into the side of an over pass wall at 35 MPH. I no longer have the vehicle, but I never knew why it happened. Did the vehicle have a cabin monoxide leak? When I had the accident I was so out of it that I thought a car was beside me or something. All I know is I never felt safe driving it with the way it made me feel...updated 12/13/17 *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. A few minutes later, the low oil pressure indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to perry ford of poway (12740 poway rd, poway, ca 92064) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced, and also the water pump failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
My vehicle has strong exhaust fumes coming in it as I drive which makes me let down windows to receive fresh air.I took it to the ford dealer and they wouldn't fix it but they had police explorers there fixing the same problem.
I have 2011 ford explorer, which I take into the local ford dealership for maintenance regularly. I have had me explorer a little over 2 years. Ever since I purchased my explorer and I would take it in for maintenance, I would tell them I smell exhaust fumes on the inside of my vehicle. Only once did they check it for me. At that time, they said the guy couldn't smell anything. Well, today 8-24-17, I had to take it in for another issue. My explorer engine would completely shut off when I would decelerate. Needless to say that was a serious issue while driving...they are repairing today. But, I also ask them to check for exhaust smells once again. Well today, I guess someone smelled the exhaust because they told me they could fix it at a cost over $200.00. Said it was an update for the exhaust module or something like that. I have an issue with paying that, since I know that there has been several complaints about this very issue with my model of ford explorer and that there is a class action lawsuit against ford to resolve this issue. The reason I know this is because when they initially said they didn't smell anything I googled to see if anyone else had this problem and they did. When I ask the dealership today why I would have to pay that, they said because my vehicle is not a police vehicle and there is no recall on my vehicle for the exhaust problem. So, I guess if my vehicle was a police vehicle, it would be repaired by ford for free. Point blank, I would like my 2011 ford explorer repaired by ford at no cost to me for the exhaust problem.
Strong fume / exhaust smell is present when accelerating onto the highway with the A/C in either recycle mode or normal mode. Lightheadedness can be present at times associated with accelerating the vehicle. This exhaust smell has been present for several years, and doesn't seem to go away or change.
Exhaust leaking into cabin from broken header has been like this since 2012 ford did nothing hard acceleration cabin smell is very strong
Smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin when accelerating hard (ie, to merge on the freeway etc). Have noticed the issue since we first bought it (used) in 2013).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford explorer. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, levittown ford llc 3195 hempstead turnpike, levittown, ny 11756, where it was determined that exhaust fumes were present in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a litigation was currently pending. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Updated 11/13/17 *bf updated 11/16/2017
Got my explorer new in 2011 had exhaust fumes coming in to cabin took to dealer 3 times for that problem happens when accelerating over 3000 RPM strong odor comes into cabin. Dealer told me nothing was wrong with vehicle. They said was because it was new eventually would clear up...tired of being stonewalled by ford on this issue. Please take action on our behalf you have the power to force ford to fix this issue and make it safe for me and my family to use this SUV safely. We cant afford to get a differnt vehicle at this time. Please take quick action on this matter I dont want pass out behind the wheel of this truck...
Car was fine then all of a sudden over heating sign went on in the car . I pulled over on the freeway called a tow truck because I was told not to drive the car. I had it towed to my house had a professional mechanic look at it at my house I was then told that there was a leak and the water tank was not holding water because of it. The next day I went to my car I turned it on and check engine light was on. I then turned off the car cause I did not want to cause anymore damage. The mechanic came back to my house and told me it was now leaking water and oil to take it in right away. I had no previous problems with my car until that point. I take it to the dealer they tell me that it was an internal problem within the engine that I, the driver, could not have known about unless I was having previous problems with the car which I was not. 230 dollars later just to tell me what is wrong with the car ford is telling me that water got into the engine, transmission, all of the fluids and pipes. How does this happen with no previous problems with the car? I believe this issue needs to be resolved I have read many reviews on this model and this issue needs to be recalled
I first began experiencing braking and battery issues 3 to 4 weeks after the purchase of my vehicle. I took the vehicle in for servicing of the braking and battery issues. I was informed by the service advisor that I should return the vehicle to dealership for repairs due to the multiple issues with vehicle. At that time, I learned that there was leakage from the upper portion of the engine. The dealership addresses some but not all issues related to the vehicle. Next, I received an email from the dealership stating the vehicle was due for factory recommended servicing. I made an appt. The next day, the low battery light came on. Called dealership, no response. One and a half weeks later, the battery was dead. Called triple a. Battery had battery acid and corrosion everywhere. A red solution was sprayed on the battery to prevent leakage. But it didn't work that well. Informed dealership at the time of service, that the power steering service light had come on. Five days later, I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Both service advisors stated that vehicle shouldn't have been placed on lot for sale. I no longer feel safe in this vehicle. As I have two minor children. The date of onset would've been 04/08/2016. There is another photo, however, there was not enough room to include.
I purchased my vehicle in march of 2016. I first had issues with the braking system. I heard screeching and whirring as I drove the vehicle. Next, I had issues with the battery, battery acid leaked all over the battery, corrosion built up on the battery. Most recently, after servicing my vehicle, the power steering locked up. The computer read that there was power steering fault. I don't understand how I was able to purchase a vehicle off the dealership lot with all of the issues that the vehicle had.
Went to go drive the SUV while doing only 25 MPH & it was raving our 3-5 RPM. While drug in the city
We have exhaust in the passenger compartment when climbing a hill or at a traffic stop when the engine is running, we notice the problem when under accelaration and while using the heater/AC. Will open the window when stopped with the car ideling to lessen the smell. Have complained to ford but have had nothing done. There is a technical bulliten on the valve cover with a replacement part but ford has not recalled it and will not fix the problem.
When driving the vehicle on the highway or when accelerating the inside of the vehicle smells of rotting eggs. From time to time it is smelt when sitting at and idling. This has been an ongoing problem with our 2011 ford explorer.
Strong engine exhaust smell in vehicle cabin while driving, during engine operation above 3000-3500 RPM with windows closed and climate control on. Outside air on or off seems to make no difference.
While driving and especially after, there is a burning hair smell that is in the car and when you step outside the car it is very strong in the engine. Upon learning of the class action lawsuit too late, it helped make sense why I was smelling the "burnt hair" smell when I ran the heater and/or AC. This was anytime I drove the car whether highway driving or around town.
Have extensive engine damage due to water pump failure with no warning! I was driving my vehicle down a main highway and all of a sudden the "engine coolant overtemp" came on then "low oil pressure" and my vehicle shut down! I couldn't drive the vehicle. Luckily I drifted to side of the road so that my car could be towed without having an accident! Shop determined water pump failure and water leaked into my engine poor engine design on fords part) and destroyed the engine with no warning! No engine light came on or anything. Please investigate this. There are numerous complaints about this same situation. I called ford to complain but all they did was take down my compliant. This is a safety issue because I was driving in traffic and this could have caused an accident. The whole car just shut down!
My ford explorer 2011 omits a foul odor(smells like rotten egg)when you turn on the AC while driving, the steering column feels loose and has a strong wind noise while driving.
Upon heavy acceleration such as when pulling onto a highway, or passing another vehicle on the road, an exhaust/fuel smell will enter the vehicle and be very noticeable to everyone in the vehicle. This occurs mostly when the air conditioner is on, on recirculation. My wife (primary driver of this 2011 ford explorer) complains of a lot of headaches and I am beginning to wonder if she is getting carbon monoxide poisoning from driving this vehicle daily. We are going to buy a co2 detector to see if this is in fact true.
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