2011 Ford Explorer
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2011 Ford Explorer.
What to watch for on the 2011 Ford Explorer
Internal Water Pump Failure
On front-wheel-drive-based models (Explorer, Flex, Taurus, Edge, MKX, MKT, MKZ, MKS) the water pump sits inside the engine, driven by the timing chain.
Which of these apply to your 2011 Explorer?
Your guide shows which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2011 Ford Explorer
Suspension: rear
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Wheels: hub
These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel…
Structure: door
In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the…
5 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 1196 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2011 Ford Explorer at a glance
- Trims
- BaseLimitedXLT
- Engine
- 3.5L 6-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drivetrain
- AWD, FWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the 5th Gen
The 2011-2019 Ford Explorer is the fifth generation and marks the model's shift from a body-on-frame SUV to a unibody crossover built on a front-wheel-drive-based platform shared with the Taurus and Flex. Engines were the 3.5-liter Cyclone V6, a 2.0-liter and later 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, and a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in the Sport and Platinum trims, all paired with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard with all-wheel drive optional, and a Police Interceptor Utility variant became ubiquitous in fleet service.
The change in architecture transformed the Explorer's on-road behavior and fuel economy while reducing towing capacity and off-road capability. Terrain Management System replaced a traditional transfer case on all-wheel-drive models. A significant facelift in 2016 revised the front and rear styling and introduced the Platinum trim. The sixth generation that arrived in 2020 returned to a rear-wheel-drive-based platform.
As a used buy, this generation is plentiful and inexpensive, but it carries several well-documented issues that should shape the inspection. Exhaust odor entering the cabin was the subject of a lengthy federal investigation and multiple service actions, affecting Police Interceptor models most acutely. The 3.5-liter Cyclone V6 uses an internal water pump driven by the timing chain, and its failure allows coolant into the crankcase, a repair that frequently exceeds the value of an older vehicle. Power transfer unit leaks on all-wheel-drive models are also common.
Other Ford Explorer years
Free Car Finder
Still deciding on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
Answer a few quick questions and see your top 3 used cars, with the years to shop.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2011 Ford Explorer?
Owners have filed 1196 complaints about the 2011 Ford Explorer with NHTSA, most often about the steering. There are 8 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include internal water pump failure. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2011 Ford Explorer reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 8 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2011 Ford Explorer?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2011 Ford Explorer listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.