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, Sep 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER ASSIST DEFAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,595.
Steering, Sep 5, 2012
CAR'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A LOT AND CALLED ME. THE CAR WAS A FEW MILES FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP (NORTHGATE FORD NEAR CINCINNATI, OHIO). AFTER STARTING IT BACK UP, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER CALLED ME BACK THAT NIGHT (AUG 6TH) AND STATED THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR CAN'T BE DRIVEN UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THEN 30 DAYS WITH NO FIX AND THE DATE TO GET PARTS KEEPS SLIPPING. THE LAST I HEARD THE EARLIEST THEY WILL HAVE PARTS IS NOV 2012. THAT WILL MEANS THE CAR WILL BE IN THE SHOP FOR 90 TO 120 DAYS WAITING ON PARTS. I SEE ARTICLES ABOUT A 2011 FORD EXPLORER POWER STEERING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO FIT WHAT WE ARE SEEING ON OUR 2012. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BBB AND I'M LOOKING INTO OHIO'S LEMON LAW. *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,317 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,322.
Steering, Aug 31, 2012
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY SON IN THE CAR AND PREPARING TO EXIT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL MORE THAN AN INCH IN EITHER DIRECTION. WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURE MESSAGES, THE TWO MOST PROMINENT BEING POWER STEERING ASSIST AND ADVANCE TRAC ERROR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THREE WEEKS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THE PART AND HAVE NO TIMELINE ON WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
Steering, Aug 28, 2012
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, ONLY WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY AND APPROXIMATELY A TENTH OF A MILE OF STRAIGHT ROADWAY WAS I ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. TURNING THE CAR OFF WILL TEMPORARILY RE-ENGAGE THE POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUALLY RE-OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS NOT CONTROLLABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ON CURVY ROADS. *TR
Steering, Aug 22, 2012
ON JULY 27TH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT APPROX. 60 MPH, I RECEIVED ERROR MESSAGES REGARDING THE TRAC ASSIST AND POWER STEERING ASSIST. AT THAT TIME, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON ME. LUCKILY I WAS ON STRAIGHT-A-WAY, AND THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME, SO I WAS ABLE TO EASE ON OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, WHO ADVISED ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON, AND BRING IT IN. IN THE MEANTIME, MY HUSBAND HAD SENT ME THE ARFC.ORG LINK SHOWING SEVERAL OTHERS WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF AND SAID "WELL, YOU CAN POST ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET." THE NEXT DAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND IT TOOK FIVE DAYS TO GET THE PARTS IN AND THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND BACK ON THE ROAD. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT FORD IS FAILING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AS FAR AS RECALLS, ETC. *TR
Steering, Power train, Aug 21, 2012
I WAS SLOWING DOWN AS I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND HEARD A WARNING CHIME. INITIALLY, VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF PROBLEM, BUT GOT A WARNING MESSAGE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE (OR SOMETHING SIMILAR) AND ANOTHER ONE INDICATING TO SERVICE THE ADVANCE TRACK SYSTEM. THE ADVANCE TRACK INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OUT ON THE DIAL, TOO. AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND I HAD TO USE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM HOME WITH FEW TURNS TO GET THERE. ALMOST COULDN'T MAKE THE TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. STARTED & RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY ALL PROBLEMS AND WARNING LIGHTS DISAPPEARED. DROVE THE VEHICLE A FEW MILES AND ALL SEEMS OK. WILL UPDATE WITH ANY ADDITIONAL ISSUES AFTER 8/21/12. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED ON 8/15/12 WITH 12,700 MILES. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID TO BRING IN IF PROBLEMS PERSIST. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 20, 2012
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A MOVIE ON PACIFIC COAST HWY IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING CAME ON, I HADN'T LOST COMPLETE FUNCTION OF THE STEERING BUT IT WAS ABOUT A HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD THAT IT GOT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THERE WAS A SHORT TERM FIX BY TURNING OFF AND THEN TURNING BACK ON AGAIN TO MAKE THE WARNING LIGHT GO AWAY. TOMORROW TAKING IN MY CAR TO DEALER TO GET IT FIX.... NOW BEFORE IT ENDS IN CRASH OR SOMEONE KILLED.!!!!!! I HAVE THE ECOBOOST I4 CYLINDER ENGINE. *TR
Steering, Aug 14, 2012
I HAD A CUSTOMER WHOSE 2012 EXPLORER HAD POWER STEERING FAILURE (JULY 15, 2012). THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT HE COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED FORD MTR CO AND ASK IF THEY WERE HAVING ISSUES LIKE THIS. THEY SAID NO. I TOLD THEM THEY MAY WANT TO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON LINE AND THEY SAID AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. I CALLED OTHER DEALERS AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THEM HAD BEEN HAVING THE PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD HOW TO CORRECT IT. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN AND RECEIVED AUTHORIZATION TO MAKE THE REPAIRS, ORDERED THE PARTS AND FOUND OUT THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. AFTER WAITING 31 DAYS I CALLED FORD AGAIN AND WAS TOLD MY PARTS ORDER HAD EXPIRED (I PERSONALLY FOLLOWED UP ON THE ORDER EVERYDAY) AND I WOULD HAVE TO REORDER. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD DID NOT ADVISE ME OF THE PROBLEM WHEN I FIRST ASK....CAN YOU SPELL COVER UP? I HAVE SUPPLIED MY CUSTOMER A VEHICLE AND FORD HAS AUTHORIZED UP TO $2000 FOR RENTAL. FROM LOOKING AT THE BACK ORDER STATUS, I WOULD GUESS IT WILL BE ANOTHER 30 DAYS BEFORE WE RECEIVE THE PARTS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT FORD ISSUE A RECALL AS IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS (IT HAPPENED TWICE TO MY CUSTOMER) AND SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. GOOD LUCK FINDING THE PARTS. PARK YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE FORD TOW IT IN. INITIALLY MY CUSTOMER THOUGHT THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD GONE DEAD BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE HE JUST COULD NOT STEER IT. IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU...PARK THE VEHICLE....LEARN ABOUT YOUR STATE'S LEMON LAW. MY CUSTOMER WILL BE WITH OUT THEIR VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 MONTHS BUT SINCE IT DID NOT FAIL DURING THE FIRST WARRANTY YEAR, HE IS NOT COVERED BY THE LEMON LAW IN OUR STATE. *TR
Steering, Aug 9, 2012
AS I WAS BACKING MY VEHICLE UP THERE WAS A CHIME AND AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MY LEFT SCREEN INSTRUMENT PANEL TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAULT DID NOT RETURN. TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER AS I WAS DRIVING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS GOING 15MPH AND OUT OF NOWHERE, THE ERROR POPPED UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND I COULDN'T MAKE A TURN. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE FAULT CLEARED. 8 AUG 2012 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AGAIN I WAS DOING 15MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THIS TIME THE FAULT DID NOT GO AWAY. I THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME AND SINCE THEN I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO CLEAR THE FAULT LONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY FOR ME, ALL OF THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPENED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR DRIVING FAST, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A TURN AND COULD'VE HURT MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE TOMORROW. THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE NOW, "OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT I HAVE A BRAND NEW $46,000 PAPER WEIGHT" IS FIGURING OUT HOW I WILL GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Steering, Aug 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Steering, Aug 7, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER ON A ROAD WHEN A "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAK" WARNING APPEARED ON THE LEFT HAND DASH. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AND I HAD TO FORCIBLY MUSCLE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR IGNITION OFF, THEN BACK ON, AND THE ERROR WENT AWAY. CLEARLY, THIS WAS DANGEROUS, AS I COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. A FEW WEEKS WENT BY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN SPORADICALLY DURING THIS TIME, USUALLY AFTER MY CAR WAS IN "PARK." YESTERDAY I TURNED MY CAR ON, AND "POWER STEERING ISSUE" POPPED UP AS A WARNING, AND AGAIN THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE STEERED AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. DESPITE TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON, THE WARNING AND STEERING LOCK DID NOT TURN BACK ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 5, 2012
POWER STEERING FAULT WHILE RETURNING FROM SHORT SUPERMARKET TRIP, LOST ALL POWER STEERING, DASH BOARD LIT UP, THEN TERRAIN SENSOR FAULT, CAUSING A FEELING OF REDUCED GEAR, TURN SIGNALS FAILED AS WELL. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, AND UNABLE TO RESET BY SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF. DEALERSHIP STATED A FAULT IN POWER STEERING RACK, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT, THEY ALSO STATED IT IS A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER THEN ORIGINAL PART MEANING IT MAY HAVE BEEN REMODELED DUE TO "ISSUES". VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!! *TR
Steering, Aug 1, 2012
THREE TIMES IN THE SAME DAY MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ONCE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND WAS BACKING OUR OF MY GARAGE. TWICE WHEN I STARTED DRIVING FORWARD AFTER IDLING IN A DRIVE THROUGH LINE IT WENT OUT. ALL THREE TIMES I RECEIVED WARNINGS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS OUT. EACH TIME I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT TO REGAIN THE POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Jul 30, 2012
MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED HAS LOST POWER STEERING WHILE IN MOTION ON FOUR OCCASIONS, IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK TIME PERIOD. IT LOSES ALL ABILITY TO STEER AND WILL ONLY WORK AGAIN ONCE IT HAS BEEN RESTARTED. *TR
Steering, Jul 27, 2012
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT SHOWED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A CORNER? HOPEFULLY SOMEONE CAN HELP BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY WIFE AND 2 SMALL CHILDREN. PLEASE NOTE I LIVE IN TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, M8W2H8. *TR
Steering, Jul 27, 2012
DRIVING DOWN THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2012
I HAVE HAD 4 DIFFERENT INSTANCES WHERE I RECEIVED A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT OR ENTERING A TURN. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 10 MPH AND UP TO 40 MPH. WHEN I CAN FINALLY PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF THE WARNING GOES AWAY, AND THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 26, 2012
FROM A STOP-ZERO MPH, CONDUCTED A RIGHT TURN FROM SURFACE STREET TO FREEWAY ON-RAMP. MID-TURN, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT/RUNNING OFF-ROADWAY SURFACE. ADDITIONALLY, ELEC STABILITY CONTROL (FORD 'ADVANCETRAC') WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INDICATING SERVICE REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 26, 2012
I LIVE IN ECUADOR (SOUTH AMERICA) AND BOUGHT A 2012 EXPLORER BASE MODEL, ON OCTOBER 2011. A FEW DAYS AGO, AFTER A LONG TRIP, I GOT THE "ADVANCE TRAC" ERROR MESSAGE, AND 3 DAYS AGO, I GOT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED, TRAVELING AT AROUND 20 MPH, THE TWO MESSAGES WERE ON THE SCREEN, ADVANCE TRACK AND POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. YESTERDAY I TURNED ON THE CAR AND HAD NO POWER STEERING, I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND ON AGAIN, TO HAVE IT BACK. *TR
Steering, Jul 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE THEN INDEPENDENTLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE WAS ABLE TO RESET THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE POWER STEERING RACK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jul 18, 2012
WE HAD JUST DRIVEN 1 1/2 HOURS (ABOUT 100 MILES) FROM HOME TO A CAMPGROUND, PULLING OUR FLEETWOOD POP-UP CAMPER. DROVE HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON (AS IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE), SOMETIMES USING THE "TOW" MODE OTHER TIMES NOT. VEHICLE ACTED FINE DURING OUR TRIP. PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT TO REGISTER AT THE OFFICE AND SHUT OFF THE MOTOR FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. STARTED IT AGAIN TO PULL INTO OUR SITE AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. GOT A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". NOTE: THIS HAD HAPPENED A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING, PROBLEM CLEARED ITSELF. NOT SO LUCKY THIS TIME. POWER STEERING DID NOT COME BACK. IT WAS 4:30 PM THE DAY BEFORE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY (JULY 4TH) AND I KNEW IT WAS NOT GOING TO GET LOOKED AT UNTIL AT LEAST 2 DAYS LATER. FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COULD ONLY OFFER TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER 21 MILES AWAY. I DECIDED TO HAVE IT TOWED ON JULY 5TH. ON JULY 4TH, AFTER LETTING IT SIT ALL NIGHT AND COMPLETELY COOL DOWN, I STARTED IT UP. SAME PROBLEM PLUS TWO ADDITIONAL WARNING MESSAGES: "SERVICE ADVANCETRACK" AND "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT". VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE STEERING GEAR (PART OF THE ELECTRONIC RACK AND PINION STEERING). PART #BB5Z-3504-HE. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE OVER 500 ON BACK ORDER AND NO ESTIMATED DATE AS TO WHEN THEY WILL BE IN STOCK. HAD I KNOWN THERE WAS THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT ONE. WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL? THERE ARE NOW ALMOST 600 OF THESE PARTS ON BACK ORDER WHICH TELLS ME THERE ARE A LOT OF CONSUMERS AFFECTED AND POTENTIALLY MANY MORE TO COME. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THE DESIGN OF THE PART WAS CHANGED AFTER MY FORD WAS BUILT. *TR
Steering, Jul 17, 2012
GREETINGS, I SAW INFORMATION ON THE WEB THAT STATED THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING ISSUES WITH 2011 FORD EXPLORER POWER STEERING FAULT AS TO A POSSIBLE SAFETY RECALL. THE INFORMATION I SAW WAS SPECIFIC TO THE 2011 MODEL YEAR. HOWEVER, I HAVE A 2012 WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK". THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, WITHOUT WARNING, REGARDLESS OF YOUR SPEED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS !!! MY WIFE ALMOST HIT THE RAILING ON A CURVED BRIDGE WHEN THE POWER STEERING DECIDED TO QUIT. AND LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED LAST NOVEMBER (2011) AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE !!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jul 13, 2012
AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH TWO CONSECUTIVE 90 DEGREE TURNS AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER, THE VEHICLE NEARLY LEFT THE ROAD INTO AN ADJACENT DITCH. THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH DID LIGHT UP INDICATING A FAILURE. ONCE REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE LIGHTS WERE STILL LIT. AFTER READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL, I DETERMINED IT WOULD NOT HARM THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT WITHOUT POWER STEERING. APPROXIMATELY 0.2 MILES LATER THE POWER TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS RESTORED. *TR
Steering, Jul 10, 2012
I IMPORTED THIS 2012 FORD EXPLORER TO BOLIVIA, BOUGHT IN MIAMI, FL. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, RELATIVELY SLOW (30MPH). SUDDENLY THE STEERING GOT STIFF, MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I SLOWLY PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD SHOWED A SIGN THAT READ: STEERING FAULT ASSIST. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN BACK ON AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER, ON A HIGHWAY, OR ON A CURVE. A FRIEND WHO BOUGHT A 2012 EXPLORER HERE IN BOLIVIA, FROM AN NEWLY (2012) AUTHORIZED DEALER, HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HE WAS ON A HIGHWAY, GOING AT APPROX 60MPH. FORTUNATELY FOR HIM, HE WAS GOING STRAIGHT, AND WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE. *TR