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: engine
92 reports, newest first. Show all
Traction control system, Engine, Sep 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a minute and a half later, while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel became firm, and added effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 6, 2025
while driving the vehicle goes into what I have found is called sleep mode.. The check engine lite comes on and the left info panel shows that the all wheel drive is not working. The dealer tried to see what codes were set and found none. My solution is to pull off the road, put the vehicle in park and turn off the ignition. After about 30 seconds I can restart the vehicle and drive again. The restart lasts from 15 seconds to a month. I found a TSB ( 16-0139) that covered this problem. However it did not offer any cure. I am concerned that someone will hit me when this happens.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon further inspection, the contact became aware of a water leak. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water pump had leaked along the leaking hole near the engine block. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Engine, Mar 26, 2023
Engine mounds wearing out and Ford says they are in backorder for almost a year now. If there's such a demand. Then why isn't there recall that so many people are requesting them but Ford can't supply them.
Engine, Feb 18, 2023
Water Pump on the vehicle (That is inside the engine) start leaking without driver notice it. If you're driving in a busy Highway the engine can lose presure and stop in the middle of the highway puting driver and passengers in a risky position. This is a design mistake from FORD that they should address.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 14, 2022
The truck has been in shop 5 times or actually 5 different dealerships. The recall has yet to be fixed but I continually pay to have the problem INVESTIGATED. The dash flashes loss of fuel pressure, service advance track soon, Battery level and mechanic wrench . I have this on video as it is constant occurrence. Each time ford takes it in they can't make the issue happen or recreate it. As told several times happens sporadic and not under any certain conditions. Over and over paying diagnostic fee and what they say will repair the issue only it happens pulling off the lot at 5 star ford Dallas Texas took it in under default to Bob Tomas Mckinney where they scanned it and found 17 communication errors left it there nothing was done but more exploration of issues going down the list of com failures and paying for each 3 anyway and it did it again leaving me stranded 3 times to count eventually leaving at Don Davis Ford Arlington Texas where it was again said repaired and is currently at Planet Ford Dallas where historically I paid $2850 and NOTHING was done as it again left me stranded and towed there where it can sit until it's fixed meaning this loss of horsepower the electric flashes and the gears in transmission ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS PER REQUESTED EACH TIME IN SERVICE
Engine, Oct 28, 2021
Water coolant leaking out, engine over heating. Having to constantly add coolant and limiting driving of the vehicle.
Engine, Oct 5, 2021
the car unexpectedly loses power while driving on the highway causing several near crashed having to move to the brake down lane .The wrench symbol shows up on dash and the car is trying to stall at idle. I have to shut it off and restart to drive it. Check engine light does NOT go on. Car has 96k miles .It has happened 4x's in the last month. My research says its the Throttle body. I am trying to bring it to Ford to confirm.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 13, 2021
PERSISTENT EXHAUST ODOR IN VEHICLE UPON START UP . WHEN THE VEHICLE CRANKS UP AND WITH A/C ON THERE IS A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR , IT ISN'T AS NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT STILL THERE . THIS ISSUE STARTED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND HASN'T WENT AWAY
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURBO BOOST FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE ONCE THE TURBO WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIXSON AUTO-PLEX (2506 S MACARTHUR DR, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71301) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO BOOSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 13, 2020, crash, fire
MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES 🔥 AND BURN TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY. *TR
Engine, Mar 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH A DEFECTIVE O2 SENSOR AND LOW OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Engine, Feb 7, 2020
VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME STRANDED ON A DESERTED HIGHWAY. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC AND HAVING THEM COME TO THE VEHICLES LOCATION AND PERFORMING A VISUAL INSPECTION HE STATED ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND UPON COMPLETING A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK THEY CONFIRMED THE 'INTERNAL' WATER PUMP HAD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS CONTACTED 5 TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME THE NEWS GOT WORSE. THEN FINAL CALL THE ADVISOR TOLD ME TO FIX IT AND NOTHING WAS GOING TO BE GUARANTEED TO LAST IT WAS GOING TO COST APPROXIMATELY $4,000 BEFORE TAXES. THEY'D ALSO HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL TWICE ALONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE AND TO FIX OUTSTANDING RECALLS AND AFTER CHECKING THE SERVICE MANUAL NOTHING IS 'SUGGESTED' 'RECOMMENDED' OR 'REQUIRED' TO SERVICE THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP.
Engine, Jan 23, 2020
I HAVE COOLANT LEAKING, I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $2,000 SINCE THE WATER PUMP IS IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS ONLY 132,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS ISSUE!!
Engine, Dec 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ODOR WAS ONLY PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HASTINGS FORD INC (3013 E 10TH ST, GREENVILLE, NC 27858, (252) 758-0114) WHERE IT WAS TEST DRIVEN AND DETERMINED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS LEAKING AT THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 25071531. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
Engine, Nov 11, 2019
I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER IN JUNE 2019. AFTER PURCHASING I NOTICED THE SMELL OF THE EXHAUST INSIDE THE VEHICLE .THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS I DROVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN DUE TO THE A.C. NOT WORKING PROPERLY . I CONTINUED SMELLING THE EXHAUST BUT FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO SEEK REPAIRS. WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES THE WINDOWS NOW CLOSED THE SMELL OF THE EXHAUST WAS MORE APPARENT AND I BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE SEVERE HEADACHES, FREQUENT NAUSEA, FATIGUE AND SOME DIZZINESS AND CONFUSION. I WAS TOLD OF REPORTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE AND SPOKE TO FORD ABOUT REPAIRS AS WELL AS OTHER RECALLS NEEDED FOR MY EXPLORER. I TOOK MY CAR FOR THE REPAIRS TODAY AND AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE STILL. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW AS THIS WASN'T REPAIRED. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY HEALTH AND HAVING THIS ISSUE NOT FIXED .
Engine, Aug 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED RIVERSIDE FORD LINCOLN (2089 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31204, (478) 464-2900) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF A POSSIBLE DEFECT AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Aug 1, 2019
CAR WON'T GO INTO PARK
Engine and engine cooling, May 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SIX YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CONSTANTLY COMPLAINED OF SEVERE HEADACHES WITHIN FIFTEEN MINUTES OF BEING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN NORTH FORD (3002 US-50, EMPORIA, KS 66801) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,467.
Engine, Feb 14, 2019
OIL IS COLLECTING AT MY AIR INTAKE. I HAVE REPLACE THE PCV VALVE BUT IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL ONTO MY AIR FILTER. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING FUMES IN THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Feb 1, 2019
I HAVE AN EXHAUST SMELL COMING FROM MY VENTS. THIS ODOR IS PRESENT IN THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS OF THE CAR. IT IS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AS WELL AS WHEN IT IS STATIONARY. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOWER RATE, AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT STARTED SHAKING. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. SAMES FORD (4721 AYERS ST, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 851-7600) DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAULTY AND PROVIDED THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SAVE THE RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,900. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY ROAD. PROBLEM WAS FIXED.*JB
Engine, Sep 29, 2018
WHEN TRYING TO MAKE AN UNPROTECTED LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE GAS AND MY CAR DIDN'T MOVE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS ONCE IT DOD MOVE IT TOOK A FEW MORE SECONDS FOR IT TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO SAFELY MAKE MY TURN. THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE LANE I WAS CROSSING OVER FOR THE TURN HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY BECAUSE MY CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FAST ENOUGH. I WAS TOLD THAT MY TURBO BOOST WAS BAD. I HAVE A 2012 ECO BOOST MODEL AND IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS 'UNDER BOOST' WHICH WASN'T ALLOWING MY CAR TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND WOULD EVENTUALLY GIVE OUT COMPLETELY NOT ALLOWING ME TO ACCELERATE AT ALL.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, SHUT OFF, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROSSROADS FORD OF SANFORD (3251 NC-87, SANFORD, NC 27332, (888) 352-5045) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,362. *TT *TR
Engine, Apr 20, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, LOST POWER AND SPEED DROPPED. IT WAS LIKE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD, IT WAS SO SCARY ON HIGHWAY TO LOOSE POWER NOT TO MENTION DANGEROUS!!! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TAKING TO FORD DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT THAT ECOBOOST TURBO HAD BLOWN AND SEIZED UP.