2012 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 827 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 10 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
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.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearSep 22, 2021
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 vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Campaign 21V746000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
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.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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 contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
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.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
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 service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, doorMar 24, 2015
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.
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
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. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
Campaign 15V171000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
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.
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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 remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Campaign 14V286000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJan 6, 2014
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.
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
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 13S14.
Campaign 14E001000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
63 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 28, 2018
THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - AIR BAGS COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME DUE TO MISCOMMUNICATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR CAN FAIL TO DEPLOY WHEN NECESSARY. AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND STAYS ON. ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED. SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED, AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE REPLACED, PROGRAM CONTROL MODULE AIR BAG REPROGRAMED. LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON. HAS A WIRE HARNESS ISSUE L/F DOOR MODULE SRS - WIRING LOOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 19, 2018
POWER STEERING FAULT. THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORK WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH NOW WARMING UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I NEARLY CRASHED IT TO AN ON COMING CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY GYM. I NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT WHEN I DID A VIN SEARCH MY TRUCK WAS NOT REGISTERING A RECALL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 24, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRETENSIONER HAS FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN CREATED ON FORD'S END BLAMING THE CONNECT. SEE TSB 12-5-11. IT TELLS THE MECHANIC TO INJECT DIELECTRIC GREASE AS A FIX.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 14, 2018
2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4W. THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO LIMP MODE ON A MAJOR ROAD.THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK TO DEALER OCT.1 AND THEY KEPT IT TWO DAYS. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A CODE. DEALER SAID IT IS FIXED BY UPDATING AND CALIBRATING THE ABS SYSTEM. IT WAS NOT FIXED. . OCT 13 SAME LIGHT WENT ON AND CAR IMMEDIATELY INTO LIMP MODE ON EXPRESSWAY. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT BECAUSE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 5MPH IN LIMP MODE. YOU LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE. THERE ARE 53+ CASES WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET JUST THIS YEAR. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2016/ENGINE/WRENCH_LIGHT_ON.SHTML THIS HAPPENS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO SHUTTER AND VIBRATE AND IMMEDIATE BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN TO 5MPH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SPEED OF THE CAR OR THE TRANSMISSION.. PLEASE GOOGLE (TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT) AND SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE FORD CARS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE 3 YOUTUBES SHOWING THIS PROBLEM. THEY CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. ANYONE WHO HAD A TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM LIGHT THAT GOES ON WHILE DRIVING WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME DANGEROUS SITUATION
Suspension, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, A GRINDING METAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS PERSONAL AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MOUNT FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MOUNT. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, INCLUDING THE WRENCH ICON, THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK INDICATOR, AND THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPROGRAMMED SO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING WOULD DIM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HELFMAN FORD (12220 SOUTHWEST FWY, STAFFORD, TX 77477) TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THERE WERE NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 24, 2017
AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHILE PARKED THE 'SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 100 FEET THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THERE WAS A SLIGHT HARDNESS IN THE STEERING AT THIS TIME. THAT WENT AWAY WHEN THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THIS OCCURRED ON NOV. 10, 2017. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NOV. 23, 2017. WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT AND ALL DAY IN OUR GARAGE I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT'' WARNING CAME ON. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WITHIN 10 TO 15 SECONDS I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. NO WARNING CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED O.K. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NO WARNING OR PROBLEM.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL PRESSURE AND POWER TRAIN WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE AFTER SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THE LOCAL DEALER (GULF COAST FORD, N, 3000 STATE HWY 288, ANGLETON,TX, 77515) WAS CONTACTED SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2017
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSECTION THAT DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE CAR INDICATED CHECK MANUAL AND ORANGE WRENCH CAME OUT... AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN CAR STOP & I TRIED STARTING IT BUT IT WOULD IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE... I WAS ON 342 N. SAN FERNANDO RD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90031 AROUND 2:00 PM
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2017
BAD SMELL WITH HEAT OR AC ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS HEADACHES AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS FELT AT TIMES. A SEPERATE ISSUE ALTOGETHER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TO WORK A COUPLE TIMES LEAVING ME STUCK INSIDE CAR UNTIL IT DECIDES TO WORK. DEALER HAS HAD SUPOSED PART ON BACK ORDER FOR 2 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 21, 2017
MY VEHICLES AIR TURNS ON ON IT'S OWN AS YOU DRIVE. THIS IS NOT THE AC NOR HEATER. AS YOU DRIVE YOU CAN HEAR YOUR AIR VENTS TURN ON AND YOU SMELL A FOUL SMELL AND THE AIR PUSHING THROUGH THE VENTS IS MUGGY STICKY AIR THAT MAKES YOUR SKIN FEEL CLAMMY. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND HAD BEEN "REPAIRED" HOWEVER, THE AIR CONTINUES TO PUSH THROUGH THE VENTS WHETHER YOU HAVE THE SWITCH SET TO ON OR NOT.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 8, 2016, fire
DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES IN THE MORNING WHILE TURNING ONTO THE INTERSTATE RAMP THE STEERING LOCKED UP WOULD NOT GO OVER 30MPH, SUV STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER CHANGED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKY TO NOT HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED, PER THE MECHANIC THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS FRIED, MOTOR VALVES MELTED, AND ALL SPARK PLUGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SUV IS ONLY A 2012 AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MAJOR OF PROBLEMS WHEN IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2016, ON OCTOBER 22, 2016 WHILE DRIVING IN ELBERTON GEORGIA MY CAR ALERTED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD MY TURN SIGNAL WOULDN'T STAY ON WHEN BEING USED TO TURN. A FEW HOURS LATER WHEN READY TO HEAD HOME I COULD NOT GET MY CAR TO STEER WITHOUT MAJOR EFFORT ON MY PART. I AM A MOTHER OF 3 AND I REFUSE TO PUT MY KIDS IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND I WAS INFORMED BY FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE RECALL 14S06 HAS EXPIRED AND I HAD EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE WARRANTY BY ALMOST 3000 MILES. I DON'T FEEL THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED BEING AS I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. I'M NOT HAPPY THAT I'M EXPECTED TO COVER CHARGES ON SOMETHING I WASN'T AWARE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE UNTIL THE SERVICE ALERT APPEARED. THIS IS MY 1ST FORD VEHICLE AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, HOWEVER, IF THIS IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I AM GOING TO RECEIVE I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AND I WILL NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO PURCHASE FROM FORD. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 2 DAYS AS OF RIGHT NOW, WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET MY KIDS TO DAYCARE/SCHOOL AND GET TO WORK. MY HUSBAND HAS HAD TO ASK ABOUT CHANGING HIS SCHEDULE IN ORDER TO HELP ME SINCE I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE. SINCERELY, UNHAPPY MOTHER OF 3 *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 18, 2016
MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T TURN. WHAT I HAVE READ IS ONCE IT ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY I'M CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT TRYING TO FIX THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Seat belts, Jul 23, 2016
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR, FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL OR STALLS OUT. SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. 6F35 TRANSMISSION. DEALER(S) REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE OR REPAIR DESPITE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AND TRANSMISSION FAULT CODE. VEHICLE STALLS WHILE AT ALL SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS, OR WHILE IN INTERSECTIONS. TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 29, 2016
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM AT HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-SEAT-BELT-WARNING.349429/ THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALL OF THE FIFTH GENERATION FORD EXPLORERS. ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS UNDER THE SEATS THAT RUN TO THE SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS ARE HAVING CONTINUITY ISSUES AND CAUSING AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY.
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A" KEY NOT RECOGNIZED START CAR" MESSAGE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 14, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL AND BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER CALIBRATIONS NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE AFFECTING HER CHILDREN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,700.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Apr 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR WHICH PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM DEFROSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN ALSO, THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. UPDATED 01/26/16.*JB
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2014
I WENT TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCK MY DOORS. I UNLOCKED MY DOORS MANUALLY AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTING INDICATOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. I PLACED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS STILL NO POWER. I HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND BARELY USE IT. HOW CAN A VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD JUST STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER? THIS IS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO PUT OUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING JUST TO GET IT TO A PLACE WHERE IT CAN BE CHECKED OUT. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FORD VEHICLES? I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED!!! *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2014
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. THROTTLE WILL NOT WORK. YOU ARE STRANDED UNTIL YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 16, 2014
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WENT STIFF (POWER STEERING WENT OFF), CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE, AFTER WHICH THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. I HAPPENED TO BE IN OUR OTHER CAR FOLLOWING DIRECTLY BEHIND HER AND WAS ABLE TO WATCH THE INCIDENT HAPPEN. SHE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SWITCHED VEHICLES WITH HER AND DROVE THE EXPLORER TO OUR HOUSE, WITH NO ADDITIONAL TROUBLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAULT LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. OUR VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THIS WEBPAGE, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A FATALITY: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2012/FORD/EXPLORER/STEERING FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS ONLY TRAVELING 45 MPH AND THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE IN THE OTHER LANE WHEN THE CAR PULLED OUT OF THE LANE. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE YET, BUT WE RECOMMEND NHTSA CONTACTS FORD IMMEDIATELY TO INQUIRE ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO IDENTIFY THE DEFECT AND IMPLEMENT AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. THIS ISSUE, IF NOT CORRECTED, MAY RESULT IN A FATALITY - ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED BY A YOUNG, ELDERLY OR DISTRACTED DRIVER. *TT
Steering, Electrical system, Traction control system, Jan 22, 2014
MAY 2013 (13490 MILES) WAS DRIVING 30 35 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON, I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. ALL WAS OK. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK DECEMBER 23,2013, (21173 MILES) WAS DRIVING 40 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON. WOULD NOT RESET BY TURNING ON AND OFF. DROVE TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING AND DEALER RESET COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. JANUARY 17,2014 (21808 MILES) WAS DRIVING 35 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION LIGHT WENT ON WOULD NOT RESET BY TURNING ON AND OFF. DROVE TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING. DEALER RESET COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 24, 2013
THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING MAKING PULLING OVER AND STOPPING VERY DIFFICULT FOR A MATURE MALE DRIVER. I FIND IT DIFFICULT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS THIS COULD BE FOR MY WIFE OR ANY SMALLER OR LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING REGULAR DRIVING ON FAIRLY SMOOTH SURFACE NORMAL CONDITIONS. *TR