Overview & Reviews

The 2011 Ford Explorer has been fully redesigned.

• Nicely sorted ride and handling.
• Abundant high-tech features
• High-class interior quality

• MyFord Touch has some ergonomic foibles.
• Less third-row and cargo room than rivals
• Feels big behind the wheel

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 68.00

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  Minor issues but still excellent - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By Jacob - October 15 - 9:49 am

  We had the Explorer for almost 10 years now and it has been a reliable,well built quality machine, yes when we bought it it did have a problem with sync were the sync screen would be black but our local ford dealership took care of the sync in 2014 and 6 years later the sync is still running smoothly and no blackouts,reliability has been excellent, no surprise there our vehicle before was a 2001 wind star which has been very durable as well, but the 2011 Explorer is on a whole another level, ford was good in the 2000s, now they are even better, they improved a lot that’s for sure, we will definitely buy more ford products in the future

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  Problems 2011 Ford Explorer - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By neslerspecial - April 16 - 11:14 am

  First the computer display screen had to be replaced when we first got car because it was not working. Next car was randomly having dead battery issues, as something was drawing from the battery and running. Took to dealership and they said there was an APIM recall and fixed it. It happen 2 weeks later again. Then they said it was a gear shift issue where it kept recognizing it was in park. Was not a recall or a Ford issue so cost $500 to repair. Had a recall on the doors as well. I find it odd that the same battery issued happened 4 times and this time they said it was due to the gear shift problem.

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  2011 Explorer - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By tdbmd - April 1 - 3:34 pm

  We traded in a GMC Yukon XL for a new Explorer XLT. This SUV has better seats, ride and handling. There is a bit more road noise on some surfaces. It is surprisingly good in the snow/ice. Especially given the all season type tires. We have had a few issues with the Sync/My Touch system, but all have resolved with the software upgrades. The engine is good, with fairly good power but you have to rev it to get to the powerband, which seems to be the case with many of the new V-6s these days. Gas mileage is very good for a AWD vehicle. Just returned from a 1500 mile trip and averaged 24 mpg with mostly interstate at 70 mph. Back seats are comfortable.

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  Beautiful vehicle, but in the shop on a regular basis - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By jaholmes - August 14 - 2:06 pm

  I have had my 2011 For Explorer Limited for 1 1/2 years. So far I have had to have the following replaced: Air-conditioning unit, back up camera, and a couple of modules (whatever those are.No one could explain it to me) and several trip to update the My Ford Touch (Which is completely unreliable) I just got it out of the shop last week and now my air-bag light is on. The earliest Jim Burke Ford in Bakersfield is able to make an appointment for me, is in 10 days! Whenever I have it in the shop, it is there for several days as they seem to have trouble figuring out how to fix it. I have problems with the Ford Touch responding slow. Dont know how much is the car or if its incompetent service

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  We Love it! - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By jonics - January 28 - 4:24 pm

  Bought the Ford SUV in Dec. 2010 when we traded in a F150. The looks were pleasing and interior comfortable, the back seats folding down for cargo is a plus! On a very cold day the heated seats are great! At the beginning we had several issues with the phones not connecting, had to take it in several times for help with this issue and software updates. Seems to have cleared up. For those who say their phones dont connect all the time, I found a setting on my BB that fixed that. It says to auto connect instead of prompt and that took care of the problem. I do have problems with the clock changing time but its not very often. I am happy with it so far.

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  Very Disappointed - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By nancyo40 - December 1 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased my 2011 Ford Explorer this past summer and I love the look of it but as far as issues thats all I seem to have with it. Since day 1 Ive had wind noise in my windshield and it may been on one side one day and on the other the next. Ive had it in to 2 different Ford dealers which total 5 times plus I went into another dealer and they had no idea whats causing it as well. Ive had everything possible changed including the entire windshield and its still making noise but not constantly. Now its back in the Ford shop for the windshield noise, my transmission also is not shifting correctly, a noise in my speedometer, and my MFT Navigation screen went blank the other day.

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  OK so far - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By nazareth1 - November 29 - 6:44 pm

  My 2011 Limited has 10,000 miles on it. So far, so good mechanically......kind of scared though looking at some other problems with overheating. Yes, the My Touch/Sync issue hit me too....had it back to dealer 3x times, supposedly fixed it but after getting it home, they wiped off by Nav and all phone functions...have no idea how the dealer released it, but the system is so sophisicated the dealers really do not know what to do about it unless Ford sends them software update. Finally, seems like last update in October, 2011 has worked. Rear hatch misaligned slightly at factory, not sure how that passed QC. Love the ride and tows a 3600 lb trailer fine.

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  Better than the Pilot - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By gbtgd - November 9 - 8:53 am

  I got my 2011 Explorer in June. So far so good. My car is loaded. The only features I dont have on it are the sun roof and the engine upgrade for the class III hitch. In 05 I traded in my Durango (best car I EVER owned) and got a Pilot after ruling out the 05 Explorer. I HATED the Pilot. The Pilot was fairly reliable but it was BORING. Plus going from a V8 to a V6 was a real drop at the time. So when I heard the new Durango was out for 11 I tried it. It was awful. So, I went next door to the Ford dealer and tried the 11 Explorer and liked it a lot. Wish the Explorer was based on a pickup, not a car, and wish it came with a V8 option. The V6, even upgraded, is NOT the same as a V8

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  Let me count the problems - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By wilkg - July 20 - 9:50 am

  First, Ive been a loyal Ford owner for 30 years now. My last Ford was an Expedition. We had no problems with the SUV and put about 120k miles on it. Needless to say, with the current performace of my 2011 Explorer, this will be the last Ford I own. That being said, here are the issues: 1) Transmission slips in first-I almost plowed through the back of the garage last week. 2) Overheating 3) Sync system: a) Bluetooth errors b) Nav slow to react c) system reboots when driving d) radio stays on after car is turned off e) time is wrong f) destination history is wiped out 4) Right rear window is loose..how that got past quality control is beyond me. 5) dashboard noise update to come...

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  What it could be - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By 4tified - July 11 - 5:46 pm

  The all new 2011 Ford Explorer could be Fords best vehicle yet. It drives so well like floating on air with decent pep for a little larger than midsized SUV. The interior is upgraded with luxuries usually found in luxury brands. I absolutely love this vehicle BUT, its been in the shop twice already and it would be 3 times if I could have made the time to take it in. The MySync system and the cooling fan so far. Only 1500 miles and things keep breaking. I had my previous car for 3 years without an issue. It has been extremely frustrating. I love what it could be - if it was only realiable.