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: power train
55 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 21, 2017
FUEL AND EXHAUST FUMES OR SMELL OF BURNING OIL. PROBLEMS WITH TURBO.
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.
Power train, Engine, Feb 6, 2017
MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN SOUND LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATOR & VEHICLE WOULD IDLE VERY ROUGH. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASH DISPLAY. I WOULD HAVE TO DRIFT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, & THEN RE-START THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING & BECAME MORE FREQUENT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY (AT MY COST) & EXPLAINED NO RECALL HAD BEEN DETERMINED YET, BUT EXPECTED IT TO BE ISSUED IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY SELECTOR LEVER ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN SINCE I WAS AGAIN HAVING THE ISSUE OF VEHICLE PROBLEM OF "SHIFT TO PARK" APPEARING ONCE AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS PART WAS REPLACED IT WAS COVERED UNDER TSB 15-0047, BUT THIS TIME IT WAS AT MY EXPENSE.
Power train, Jan 2, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA. PULL OVER AND TOW TO DEALER . THE TRANSMISSION PTO HAD A INTERNAL FAILURE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 51K MILES NORMAL DRIVING. I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS PART BREAKING IN LOW TIME. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 2, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY POWER WOULD BE LOST. WHEN APPLYING MORE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, NO USABLE POWER WAS PRESENT AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. AFTER THIS OCCURRED ON THE 4TH TIME ON A SUBSEQUENT DAY, THE "ENGINE" SYMBOL WAS DISPLAYED. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. ON TWO OCCASIONS THIS DISCREPANCY WITH ACCELERATION AND FUNCTIONALITY OF AVAILABLE POWER NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD CAUSE A MAJOR CONCERN TO OTHER OWNERS AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS A WHOLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH THAT COULD OCCUR DUE TO COMPLETELY LOSING ACCELERATION AND/OR POWER WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Oct 27, 2016
MY 2012 FORD EXPLORE LTD. STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. A WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON IN LOWER LEFT DASH, AND THE CAR LOSES POWER. I CAN NO LONGER ONCE THIS HAPPENS. I MUST TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, ON REGULAR CITY, SUBURBAN OR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, NOT TO MENTION IT IS NOW HAPPENING 2-3 TIMES A DAY WHILE WITH NO WARNING. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ONLY, SOMETIMES AFTER TURNING, SOMETIMES NOT, BUT THE CAR IS ALWAYS IN MOTION AT THE TIME, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IN VARIOUS TEMPERATURES, WITH CLIMATE CONTROL EITHER OFF OR ON, SEEMS TO HAVE NO BEARING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. APPARENTLY THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS. I AM HAVING THAT WORKED ON RIGHT NOW AS I TYPE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE LAST YEAR ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ONCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AS I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT. HADN'T HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE UNTIL THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IN THE 80 DEGREE WEATHER OF PLANO TX, WHETHER CAR WAS ALREADY WARMED-UP OR NOT. *TR
Power train, Aug 18, 2016
THE PTU UNIT WENT BAD AND HAD NO OIL IN IT- WHOLE UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE OIL, SHOULD BE PERMANENT. NO REASON FOR THIS- CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND NOW WE ARE PAYING $2000 TO FIX. READ THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AN EPIDEMIC. SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT'S EVERYWHERE FORD HAS AWD!!
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
Power train, May 9, 2016
REPEATED ISSUE WITH MALFUNCTIONING TCM. WENT INTO DEFAULT MODE WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY. REPAIRS MADE BUT HAVE SINCE TAKEN VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR SAME SERVICE ISSUE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR A THIRD REPAIR. I KNOW THE 2012 FOCUS, FIESTA AND EXPEDITION HAVE CLASS ACTION SUITS DUE TO TCM. DEALER HAS TWICE TOLD ME VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT STATE SINCE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE NOT FLASHING IN DEFAULT MODE.
Power train, Mar 22, 2016
CAR SPUTTERS AND HESITATES WHEN ORANGE WRENCH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN MOTION.
Power train, Jan 11, 2016
WHILE ON FREEWAY, CAR SUDDENLY DECREASED SPEED EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE PEDAL TO EXCELERATE. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON FREEWAY. TOOK IT IN TO MAC HAICK AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND I ASKED IF THIS WAS COMMON AND WAS TOLD NO. HE SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WITH MORE THAT 60,000. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE REP SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS AND GAVE ME A CASE #8559890.
Power train, Nov 13, 2015
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO I'M DRIVING NORMALLY THEN A WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP ON THE DASH & SAYS "SEE SERVICE MANUAL". I THEN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING LOOSE ALL CONTROL TO MY GAS PEDAL & THE ENGINE SHAKES AT AN IDLE. I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER. WE RETURN HOME LESS 10 MILE PER HOUR, THEN TURN THE CAR OFF. ONCE I TURN IT BACK ON IT "WARNINGS 0" IN SOME WAY & RUNS NORMALLY.
Power train, Nov 5, 2015
I'M DRIVING NORMALLY THEN RANDOMLY A WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP ON THE DASH & SAYS "SEE SERVICE MANUAL". I THEN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING LOOSE ALL CONTROL TO MY GAS PEDAL & THE ENGINE SHAKES AT AN IDLE. I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER (MIND YOU WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1 MONTH). THEN TURN THE CAR OFF. ONCE I TURN IT BACK ON IT "RESETS" IN SOME WAY & RUNS NORMALLY (UNTIL THIS HAPPENS AGAIN). THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 3 WEEKS AGO ON A WEEKEND LATE MORNING DRIVING MAYBE 45MPH, THE 2ND TIME WAS THIS PAST TUESDAY 11/2/15 IN THE EVENING AFTER WORK AT 5:15PM DRIVING MAY 35MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS "FIXED" & THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEN IT HAPPENED THE 3RD TIME THE NEXT MORNING ON 11/3/15 @ 7:30AM WHEN I WAS STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN SO I WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 5MPH. IT'S BEEN BACK AT FORD SINCE THEN & THEY SAID THEY "CAN'T FIX IT IF IT DOESN'T SHOW UP FOR THEM OR THE CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM" MEANWHILE MYSELF & I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO SCHOOL & WORK. & THE WORST PART IS ALL TREE TIMES MY KIDS WERE WITH ME & THERE COULD'VE BEEN AN ACCIDENT BUT FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING.
Power train, Nov 3, 2015
ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH ICON AND AWD ERRORS DISPLAY. THE THROTTLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE, BUT ALL OTHER SYSTEMS REMAIN FUNCTIONING. IF YOU LEAVE IT IN GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKES ENGAGED, IT WILL MOVE AT IDLE SPEED ON FLAT GROUND, BUT IS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE INCLINES. WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUDDERS. STOPPING AND RESTARTING NORMALLY RETURNS THE VEHICLE TO NORMAL OPERATION. HOWEVER, ON OCTOBER 25, IT FAILED TO START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL INDICATION OF THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND YOU ARE ONLY ABLE TO STEER AND BRAKE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. OUR 2012 EXPLORER IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHO HAS INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) AND PURGE VALVE. FORD IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ETBS WITH OTHER MODELS, REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION # PE13003, AND EXPLORERS, REFERENCE NHTSA #10054323 AND 10053276, FORD TSB # TSB-13-9-8 AND TSB-13-5-29. DESCRIPTION: LINCOLN/FORD: DUE TO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P0106, P0236, ENGINE ON SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE HESITATION, LOSS OF IDLE RPM, DIFFICULT IN STARTING, LACK OF POWER, RUNNING ROUGH AND CRANK NO START SITUATION. DESCRIPTION: FORD: DUE TO BLOCKED VAPOR PURGE LINE PORT IN AIR CLEANER OUTLET PIPE ASSEMBLY, THE MIL WOULD ILLUMINATE, WITH DTC P144C.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 1, 2015
BURNING SMELL UNDER ACCELERATION.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 21, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY ABOUT 50 MHP, MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST ALL SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. AFTER DRIFTING OVER TO THE SHOULDER OUT OF HARMS WAY, THE POWER REMAINED ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAID "CHECK MANUAL" WITH A WRENCH LIT UP. WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT IT JUST LOST ALL SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE POWER AND RE-STARTED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE MORE IN THE FOLLOWING MONTH FOR A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED, JUST LOST ALL SPEED. FINALLY FORD SERVICE WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT AND SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT OTHER FORD MODELS HAVE THE SAME THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM, LOSS OF SPEED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BUT SOMEONE DROPPED THE BALL, MAKING IT A PART OF THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (CSP 13N03) INSTEAD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORD SERVICE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WORK WITH AS THEY WILL NOT HONOR CSP 13N03 FOR MY EXPLORER.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2015
DRIVING TO WORK AT THE NORMAL SPEED LIMIT 6:30 AM IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 65 DEGREES IN DRY CONDITIONS. SUDDENLY FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT NO POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. WAS ABLE TO LET THE CAR COAST UNTIL I COULD TURN ON TO A SIDE STREET AND STOP. AN ERROR CONDITION DISPLAYED "AWD OFF" AND THEN A WRENCH ICON APPEARED. I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE CAR RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT DAY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT NO ERROR CODE WAS CAPTURED SO THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I ASKED HOW IT WAS THAT THE COMPUTER COULD DISPLAY THE "AWD OFF" MESSAGE AND THE WRENCH ICON WITHOUT A CODE BEING STORED. NO RESPONSE. WAS TOLD TO LEAVE CAR RUNNING NEXT TIME, CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THEN THEY COULD GET THE CODE. OF COURSE, I AM NOT ALWAYS CLOSE TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT COULD HAPPEN AFTER THEY CLOSED OR ON A WEEKEND. NOTED THAT IN MARCH 2014 FORD SETTLED A COMPLAINT ON "THROTTLE BODY" PROBLEMS IN ESCAPE, FUSION, ETC, THAT HAD A SIMILAR DESCRIPTION. EXPLORER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT SETTLEMENT. *TR
Power train, May 22, 2015
I PARKED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A STORE. WHEN I RETURNED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE POWER ASSIST FAULT AND SERVICE TRACK MANAGEMENT ERRORS SHOW ON THE PANEL. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A STEERING GEAR. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS WOULD BE PART OF THE POWER STEERING RECALL ISSUED LAST YEAR, HOWEVER THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECH THAT HE TRIED TO CONTACT FORD TO SEE IF THEY WOULD WORK WITH ME ON THIS AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SO I BROUGHT THE CAR HOME WITHOUT REPAIR OR NEW PARTS ORDERED DUE TO THE COSTLINESS OF THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT, I AM QUITE DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD!!
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 30, 2015
I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM THE MALL ON A SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE VEHICLE JUST QUIT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS GLIDING WITHOUT POWER, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED BY ITSELF. WHILE THE CAR WAS GLIDING TO A STOP, THERE WAS NO STEERING BRAKES OR ANYTHING AVAILABLE, SINCE THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET HIT BY ANYONE. I FINALLY PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE AGAIN. IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WITH NO CONTROLS. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES WITHIN A SPACE OF 15 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND HAD TO SPEND $1000 FIXING IT, WHICH THEY BLAMED ON THE THROTTLE ACTIVATION OR BODY. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL SITUATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD NO CONTROLS WHEN IT STALLED. I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER FORDS AND LINCOLN VEHICLES ON THE WEB. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN TO SOMEONE AND RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIX TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Nov 30, 2014
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT, IT LOST ALL POWER FOR THE 4TH TIME. WHEN I PRESSED THE THROTTLE THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. INDICATOR LIGHTS SAID AWD OFF AND DISPLAYED A WRENCH ICON. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST THREE TIMES I TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT AND ALL WAS FINE FOR A FEW MINUTES, BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS IS QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. I HAVE ALSO SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OTHER FORD AND LINCOLN OWNERS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF ANYWHERE IS NOT SAFE AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW LIGHT AND I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. IT IS GOING TO COST ME AN ARM AND LEG, BUT HOPEFULLY IT ENDS UP BEING A SAFETY RECALL AND FORD REIMBURSES DOWN THE LINE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2014
THE THROTTLE BOX HAS GONE BAD. THE CAR STALLS RANDOMLY WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START AND REQUIRES A NEW THROTTLE BODY AT ONLY 47K MILES. THIS IS PART OF THE POWERTRAIN, BUT NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. FORD HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODIES IN EARLIER MODELS AND IT SEEMS THEY HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 7, 2014
I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE ENGINE CAME ON I LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO COAST TO STOP, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, START IT BACK UP AND PROCEED. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL DATE. ONE OF THOSE TIMES WAS WHEN I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND WAS ALMOST BROADSIDED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS HAPPENING WITH NO WARNING OR PATTERN. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED WITH MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. I AM READING IT HAS TO DO WITH THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Power train, Jun 3, 2014
CAR HESITATES AFTER TURNS AND THEN AGAIN WHEN ACCELERATING AND ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON A SEPARATE INCIDENT IN 2013 AFTER LOSING ALL POWER DURING A TURN; THE THROTTLE BODY - AIR INTAKE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,457 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN TO BE CHECKED, I GET THE SAME RESPONSE: CANNOT NOT RECREATE THE CONCERN, RAN THROUGH OASIS AND NO PROBLEM FOUND. I AM OVER FORD! THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (AKA RECALL WITHOUT THE PRESS INVOLVED) (PROGRAM NUMBER 12B36) IN APRIL OF 2012 THAT HAD TO REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). THIS WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT "INOPERATIVE ENGINE COOLING FANS COULD LEAD TO HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READINGS AND REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO AUTOMATICALLY ENTER DERATE (REDUCED POWER) MODE." THIS WAS "FIXED" 14 MONTHS BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED.... *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 10, 2014
ON MONDAY MARCH 10, 2014 I STARTED THE MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER AND DROVE IT TO WORK APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND SHUT IT OFF, AFTER 25 MINUTES I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND SAID LOW OIL PRESSURE, I PROCEEDED TO REMOVE THE KEY AND OPEN THE HOOD. I CHECKED THE OIL AND ALL WAS WITHIN RANGE, NO ISSUE IMMEDIATELY NOTED, I CLOSED THE HOOD AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR. UPON THE ATTEMPTED RESTART THE CAR TOOK A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME TO FINALLY TURN OVER, I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND FIGURED IT NEEDED TO REFRESH ITSELF AND WAITED A MOMENT. AFTER RESTARTING ON THE THIRD TRY I THEN ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT ALL INDICATORS HAD TURNED OFF. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT REFUSED TO ACCELERATE OVER 35MPH, I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE ISSUE TO FORD AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAVALIER FORD IN GREENBRIER, VA. *TR
Power train, Jan 13, 2014, crash
ON DEC. 2, 2013 I WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A SLIGHT DECLINE AT A SCHOOL BUS STOP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (WHILE STILL ON) AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO RETRIEVE A FORGOTTEN ITEM FROM THE BACK FOR ONE OF THE CHILDREN (AS I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE WITHOUT INCIDENT). WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD (WHILE STILL IN PARK). IT ROLLED OFF OF THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, INTO A DITCH/RAVINE, CRASHED INTO A TREE AND ROLLED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, COMING TO REST AT AN APPROXIMATE 45 DEGREE ANGLE. MY 20-MONTH-OLD CHILD WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS SEATED ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND WHEN THE CAR CRASHED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE CHILD (PHYSICALLY UNHARMED) FROM THE CAR WITH HELP FROM A PASSERBY, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE PASSERBY AND I WENT DOWN TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEYS, AT WHICH POINT IT WAS VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS IN FACT STILL SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY ALSO VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN THEY ARRIVED. SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF IMPACT IS UNKNOWN, AS IT STARTED FROM A STOP AND INCREASED IN SPEED AS IT CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD AND DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. POST CRASH, THE 20-MONTH-OLD WAS PHYSICALLY FINE, BUT EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL ANXIETY WHEN BEING PLACED IN HIS OTHER CAR SEAT FOR SUBSEQUENT CAR RIDES. SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR DEPLOYED, FRONT DID NOT (PRESUMABLY BECAUSE NO ONE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE). ONCE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED, THE HORN BEGAN HONKING (PRESUMABLY A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE). ONCE REMOVED FROM THE CRASH SITE (TIME TO REMOVE: 2.5 HOURS USING 2 DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS), THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND AFTER 21 DAYS THE CAR WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. *TR