2011 Ford Explorer Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,192 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Ford Explorer overview page.
What owners report
“AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND…”NHTSA complaint 10472624 — filed 08/27/2012
“I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND ONLY GOT ABOUT 6 FEET OUT OF THE GARAGE AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING - THERE…”NHTSA complaint 10472108 — filed 08/23/2012
“WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 11 YEAR OLD SON AND HIS FRIEND, I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10470863 — filed 08/16/2012
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Ford Explorer have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Ford Explorer: 62 of 1,192 complaints on file (5.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2011 Ford Explorer have in total?
1,192 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 30 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 15 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
