The Lemon IndexThe electronic throttle is stuck more open than commanded. Full P2111 page
15 owner complaints · the #4 code Ford Explorer owners name · 8% of Ford Explorer complaints that name a code (every car: 2.5%)
Middle of 68,000 miles · most between 51,000 and 87,000 (10 owners gave it)
Ford Explorer owners named P2111 in 15 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2013, 2016 and 2015 model years, at a middle of 68,000 miles. The part they name most is the throttle body (8 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Ford Explorer model years that report P2111
Owner complaints naming P2111, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
68,000 miles is the middle of what 10 owners entered. Half were between 51,000 and 87,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the throttle body, in 8 of the 15 complaints (53%). 4 of those mention it being replaced or repaired.
- Throttle body8 complaints4 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford Explorer owners paid
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P2111
33% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Loses power or goes into limp mode33%5 of 15 complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires20%3 of 15 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off20%3 of 15 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P2111 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
Other codes named in the same Ford Explorer complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Ford Explorer throttle body replacement cost
Recalls on these Ford Explorer years
- Transmission & drivetrain · 2015, 2016 · issued 2020
The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail. NHTSA 20V692000 - Engine · 2016 · issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. NHTSA 16V183000
2 recalls for the same systems (engine and powertrain) on the Ford Explorer model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P2111. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P2111: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Ford Explorer reliability by year
- 2013 Ford Explorer problems and recalls
Other codes Ford Explorer owners report
P2111 on other cars
Ford Fusion (118) · Ford Escape (109) · Ford Mustang (33) · Ford Edge (24) · Ford F-Series (10)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P2111 means
The electronic throttle is stuck more open than commanded. The car can go into limp mode or act unpredictably.
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
- Dirty or failing throttle body
- Throttle motor fault
- Software
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11548348, 11467804, 11251954, 11210366, 11128501, 11122293, 11030745, 11000925, 10958733, 10910652, 10903679, 10896460 and 3 more.
Quick answers
What does P2111 mean on a Ford Explorer?
Throttle Actuator Control System - Stuck Open. The electronic throttle is stuck more open than commanded. The car can go into limp mode or act unpredictably.
Which Ford Explorer years have the most P2111 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2013 (6), 2016 (2), 2015 (2) Ford Explorer named P2111 most (15 complaints in all, 2004–2016). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P2111 on a Ford Explorer?
Owners most often name the throttle body (8 of 15 complaints). That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P2111 show up on a Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 68,000 miles; half were between 51,000 and 87,000 (10 owners).
Can I drive my Ford Explorer with P2111?
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P2111 on the Ford Explorer, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.