2011 Ford Explorer
US · SUV · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
The 2011 Ford Explorer is listed in the US market as a suv with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- 3.5L 6-cylinder
- Power
- Not available
- Torque
- Not available
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Varies by configuration: 4WD, FWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Seating
- Not available
Key Performance & Dimensions
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cylinder | |
| Displacement | 3.5 L | |
| Cylinders | 6 | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Not available from our sources: Aspiration, Power, Torque.
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| Gears | 6 | |
| Drivetrain | Varies by configuration: 4WD, FWD |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) to 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) to 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) |
Not available from our sources: Electric range, Battery capacity.
Trims and configurations
4 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked October 15, 2026.
24V031000: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between…
Reported January 19, 2024. View on NHTSA
21V746000: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification…
Reported September 22, 2021. View on NHTSA
19V435000: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may…
Reported June 10, 2019. View on NHTSA
17E048000: WHEELS:HUB
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Reported August 28, 2017. View on NHTSA
15V171000: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
Reported March 24, 2015. View on NHTSA
14V286000: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall…
Reported May 29, 2014. View on NHTSA
14E001000: STEERING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is…
Reported January 6, 2014. View on NHTSA
11V063000: SEATS
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Reported February 2, 2011. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 14, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 14, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: October 14, 2026
Data verified: October 15, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
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Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?
3.5L 6-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Ford Explorer?
Combined fuel economy is 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) to 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 2011 Ford Explorer front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: 4WD, FWD.
Are there recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked October 15, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.