2011 Ford Explorer: Steering complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 742 owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer that list the steering component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11762453 (filed 09/06/2026): “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 m…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11760576 (filed 08/29/2026): “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” message on the dashboard. the vehicle then lost power steering assistance, making the steering extremely …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11753968 (filed 07/31/2026): “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 power steering. the amount of strength to steer/control was extreme. to turn was almost impossible.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Electric power steering faults typically need module diagnosis with a scan tool and calibration. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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