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: steering
358 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Steering, Dec 7, 2018
WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN AT A FOUR-WAY STOP, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NOTIFICATION CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I RAN UP ONTO THE SIDEWALK. HAD THERE BEEN ANY PEDESTRIANS, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
STEERING ASSIST FAULT
Steering, Nov 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING", TRACTION CONTROL, AND "SERVICE NOW" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KEYSTONE FORD (301 WALKER ROAD, CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17201, (717) 264-5104) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER LOCATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES U2011-49 AND C200B2F-2F. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 16436064. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) ON MAY 29, 2014. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A MEMORANDUM ON JULY 1, 2015 IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL, STATING THAT IT WAS SUBJECT TO A WARRANTY EXTENSION CONVERSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE RECALL WITH A 150,000 MILE WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION UNDER 15N01. THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES LOCATED EARLIER BY THE DEALER WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE WARRANTY COVERAGE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE 150,000 MILE WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 16, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE WHEEL GOT TUFF.
Steering, Nov 8, 2018
STEERING GEARS LOCK STEERING SYSTEM ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH WITH MY 11 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR.
Steering, Oct 18, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AND GOING INTO TURN POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO STOP AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.
Steering, Aug 30, 2018
"POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" WARNING WHEN STARTING THE CAR CAN USUALLY BE RESOLVED BY RESTARTING THE CAR AND HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE POWER STEERING (WHICH IS COMPLETELY ELECTRONIC--NO PULLEY OR HYDRAULICS) IS NOW FAILING WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE CAR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS BECAUSE YOU'RE FIGHTING THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR IN THE EPAS SYSTEM.
Steering, Aug 22, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS FAILURE ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER ATEERING ASSIST, AS NOTED ON RECALL CAMPAIN 14V286000 BY NHTSA FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER ON ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MAKING ATEERING HARD. TODAY WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PROBLEM HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME, HAD SOME TROUBLE GETTING OUT OF HIGHWAY, I NEED TO MIVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF VEHICLE FOR SOME TIME AND TURNED BACK ON TO RESTART THE ELECTRONICS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 21, 2018
THE VEHICLE AT START UP HAS DISABLED POWER STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO BE STEERED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DRIVEWAY AND WAS ABOUT TO PLACE INTO DRIVE GEAR WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND COULD NO LONGER TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Steering, Apr 6, 2018
SUDDEN GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SUSPECT IT IS RELATED TO A PREMATURELY FAILING STEERING GEAR BOX. OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Steering, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2018
SOMETIMES MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND I CAN NOT MOVE AND I AM DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND THAT SCARED ME I'VE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK TWICE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIND NOTHING. NOW MY VECHILE IS STARTING TO SHAKE WHEN I'M DRIVING AND I'M TIRED OF TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR NOTHING. I'VE TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S ALL I THE DEALERSHIP PAPERS. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THIS . IT STARTED ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER I GOT IT. I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD
Steering, Feb 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND FAILED TO MANEUVER AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (LUGOFF FORD, 979 HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH, LUGOFF, SC 29078), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Feb 3, 2018
SERVICE POWER STEERING. ADVANCE TRAC LIGHT CAME ON. UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE WHILE ON HIGHWAY DOING 55MPH. WE ARE UNABLE TO GET THIS CAR REPAIRED DUE TO HIGH COST TO SHIP CAR 572MILES OUT OF TOWN. TOLD US THAT WE NEED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND WILL GET REIMBURSED AT LATER DATE. HOWEVER AFTER EXPLAINING WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO SHIP IT THEY OFFER LITTLE TO NO HELP. THERE IS A LOCAL SHOP THAT DOES WARRANTY REPAIRS BUT WE HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET UP TO $1,600 NOT INCLUDING LABOR COSTS OF REPAIRS DONE TO VEHICLE. FORD THEN SAID 'REPAIRS AND SERVICES WOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY' EXPLAINED IN PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
Steering, Jan 22, 2018
MY VEHICLES IS EXPEDITING RECALL 14S06 AND HAS HAPPENED 2X AND FOR DINNER IS AS SAYING MY VIN NUMBER IS BORN UNSER THE RECALL. HELP
Steering, Jan 13, 2018
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER MADE ME BUY A NEW BATTERY AND "REPROGRAMMED" VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK.. IT'S HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. MOST RECENTLY ON 1/10/18.
Steering, Dec 8, 2017, crash
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, LOSE OF STEERING AT LOW SPEED LOST CONTROL AND HIT CURB
Steering, Dec 7, 2017
GEAR STEERING ASSY PROBLEM. STIFFNESS IN STEERING
Steering, Dec 5, 2017
A FEW TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IF THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, IT WOULD CLEAR THE ISSUE. THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE 'SERVICE ADVANCETRAC' LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE CLEARED. THE CAR WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO STEER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALL OF THESE HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEEDS.
Steering, Nov 29, 2017
OUR POWER STEERING SYSTEM FINALLY WENT OUT ON OUR 2012 XLT. IN FACT, THE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH OUR TWO TODDLERS AT 75MPH WHEN IT WENT OUT. SHE PULLED OVER AND I HAD TO MEET UP WITH HER AND DRIVE IT HOME (NOT EASY). WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL IF THIS HAPPENED 8K MILES AGO, BUT SINCE WE ARE OVER THE 150,000 LIMIT, I GET TO PAY $1940.00 TO GET IT REPAIRED(GETTING REPAIRED AS THIS IS TYPED). ITS SAD REALLY, BECAUSE WHEN I WAS AT 120K, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING AND WAS HOPING TO GET IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER, HOWEVER AT THE TIME, THEY WERE "UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE" SO NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. I AM DISAPPOINTED, BECAUSE IT TAKES A COMPLETE FAILURE (AND ENDANGERMENT TO LIVES) FOR THE RECALL TO BE INITIATED. I WONDER IF GM'S IGNITION RECALL IS THE SAME WAY? I COULD REPAIR IT MYSELF AS ITS NOT TOO BAD OF A JOB, BUT DUE TO BEING BUSY, IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE A WEEK OR TWO FOR ME TO DO ALONE AND THIS IS OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE. MY SERVICE ADVISER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT HELPFUL BUT HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM DISAPPOINTED IN FORDS APPROACH TO THE FAILURE OF A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
Steering, Oct 14, 2017
POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING IN THE PARKING LOT. HAS NO POWER STEERING. HAS HAD A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX THE STEERING AND WAS TOLD THE STEERING NEEDED REPLACED BUT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEN WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK REPLACED AND NOW IT HAS FAILED.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2017
GEAR SHIFT MESSAGE - 'SHIFT TO PARK' AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK AND IGNITION IS TURNED OFF.
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
Steering, Jun 8, 2017
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT SHOW UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO MOVE. I START AND TURNED OFF A COUPLE TIMES NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN. THE FIRST TIME START WORKING AGAIN BUT NOW HAVE 2 WEEKS IN MAY GARAGE WITHOUT BE ABLE OF MOVE THE CAR.