Vehicle Data Hub

2011 Ford Explorer engine problems

104 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2011 Ford Explorer, which is 7% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
104 7% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
84,000 miles 82 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 1
Injuries and deaths
6 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2011 Ford Explorer Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 84,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 10 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 8 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 11 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 9 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 10 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 12 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 10 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 3 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 6 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 2 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 84,000 miles
Based on 82 complaints that include mileage. 35% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles10
20k to 40k miles8
40k to 60k miles11
60k to 80k miles9
80k to 100k miles10
100k to 120k miles12
120k to 140k miles10
140k to 160k miles3
160k to 180k miles6
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles2

What the data shows

Of the 82 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 84,000 miles, and 35% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries.

What owners wrote

Upon medium to heavy acceleration, such as accelerating onto a freeway, the vehicle cabin is filled with exhaust fumes from the engine. This injures the respiratory system of the passengers. Ford has finally admitted that there is a problem, and they are working on a fix (after my family has been breathing polluted air for almost 1.5 years).

Reported at 12 miles, June 2011 Injury

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH while turning right and exiting a ramp, then when idle a message stated "Low Oil Pressure" illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred while test-driving the vehicle to determine if the repair was successful.

Reported at 152,000 miles, October 2023

Other problems reported for the 2011 Ford Explorer

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models