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: structure
144 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, May 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the exterior A-Pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the exterior B-Pillar trim also detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the parts were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred and both trims detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 175,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, May 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side A-Pillar trim detached and blew off the vehicle. The contact recently received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), and currently the passenger’s side A-Pillar trim had loosened up. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the trim panel on front windshield detached and impacted with the passenger’s side window. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Apr 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, a pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was approximately 168,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Apr 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the driver’s side exterior A-Pillar trim flew off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Mar 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield trim detached. The contact stated that there were missing pieces of trim, and pieces of detached trim were loose and flapping. The dealer was not made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 27, 2024
Driver's side window trim piece (which includes keyless entry keypad) detached from vehicle while driving 70+ mph & smacked several times against driver's side window before busting off. Bottom part is attached by wires (for keyless entry pad) & continued to smack against the window several times before I was able to safely pull over and tape to vehicle. I'm surprised it didn't bust the window as hard as it hit and startle of it detaching could have caused an accident in heavier traffic. Also, trim pieces on both sides of rear window are cracked in the same area on each side. I wouldn't be surprised if they flew off at some point and hit a car travelling behind me.
Structure, Feb 25, 2024
Seam seal where the roof, D pillar, and hatch area meet had a hole in it leaking water into the cabin causing underpadding of the floor to become soaked and creating a moldy/musty smell. Patched hole to stop water leak. Ruined the carpet from the spare tire well up to the front passenger floor board
Structure, Feb 24, 2024
The exterior A pillar on my Explorer flew off while driving. I had to pay out of my pocket to repair this. Now I have been notified that there is a safety recall notice on this item. I should be compensated for the repairs I had to make as a result of this faulty part. How do I go about receiving compensation from Ford?
Steering, Structure, Dec 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 45 MPH, she became aware that the electric power steering was not functioning properly with the "Service Power Steering” message displayed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed and determined that the rear suspension toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Structure) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Structure, Nov 30, 2023
February 2023 I was driving on interstate approximately 75 mph. This was not a particularly windy day. The passenger side windshield trim molding ripped off the vehicle. This is a piece approximately 2.5 feet long. Just a few weeks later the same thing happened on the driver side molding while driving on a state highway approximately 60 mph. After the first incident I have noticed multiple other Ford Explorers with this same cosmetic issue. I ordered a new set for both sides via Amazon and installed them in April 2023 but approximately 6 weeks later the passenger side tore off again while driving. The new driver side molding is hanging on but I hear it rumbling and cracking when on the highway. It is a matter of time before it will also fly off. I pray that no one is hurt when this happens. Aside from the cosmetic appearance issue this is a very dangerous problem as these pieces of the vehicle are flying off at high rates of speed & can damage other cars or cause a collision. I have talked to other owners with the issue and all complain of the problem on 2012-2015 Ford Explorer models.
Structure, Sep 7, 2023
The windshield molding / trim on the driver side detached and flew off almost hitting a car behind me.
Structure, Jun 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the trim around the windshield suddenly detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that it was a known failure. The contact was informed that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Apr 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger's side windshield trim panel separated and flew off the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Structure, Mar 10, 2023
Driver's side windshield trim panel detached at highway speed.
Visibility, Structure, Feb 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the front windshield trim detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front windshield trim to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Visibility, Structure, Feb 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal snap and saw the trim panel of the front windshield detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass shop and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The contact stated that the trim panel has been replaced 3 times now. The fourth set of trim panel is now cracked and will have to be replaced again. All sets of trim panel were purchased from and installed by the same two companies each time. The contact also stated that the failure mileage was 50,000.
Structure, Feb 8, 2023
While traveling at highway speeds, the windshield trim panel on the passenger side of my Explorer, suddenly flew off my car, and caused the car behind me to swerve side to side. Fortunately, they did not have an accident, but it looked like they would for a moment. We weren't sure what happened until we pulled off an exit and examined my car. Unfortunately, traffic was heavy and I wasn't able to go back and pick up the trim piece. I have priced out the repair, and I understand the should be done by the dealer, or a glass shop, as it's now suggested the trim pieces be applied with some form of adhesive, in addition to the clips which normally hold it in place. My explorer has only 140,000 miles on it, and it's in excellent condition inside and out. I believe both trim pieces should be replaced by the dealer, performing the additional necessary steps to insure the trim pieces are bonded into place properly.
Structure, Visibility, Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the driver’s side windshield trim panel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who installed a replacement panel to fix the failure. The contact stated that the passenger’s side windshield trim panel also experienced the same failure. The contact stated the failure had occurred twice on the driver’s side windshield panel and twice on the passenger’s side panel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
Windshield trim on my 2012 Ford Explorer keeps coming/flying off. The trim keeps coming apart. Happened twice since owning my SUV and replaced.
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
Driving down the freeway and one of the windowshield trim pieces flew off the car. About a week later it happened again with the other side.
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
The windshield trim is deteriorating and flies off occasionally while driving down the road. These pieces of flying debris could fly off and hit another car or worse a motorcyclist. This pertains to the investigation the nhtsa and ford are currently working on.
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
Driving around 70 mph during last summer and trim piece on driver side pillar flew off. Into traffic. I bought a new one and installed. Saw a news article today about it and wanted to let you know.
Structure, Nov 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the front driver’s side trim detached from the vehicle and landed in the middle of the road. The driver then continued driving to his destination. The driver took the vehicle to the local dealer and ordered the front driver’s side trim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Suspension, Structure, Sep 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal snapping sound then a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to get the vehicle back to the residence while driving approximately 10 MPH. The contact stated that the front subframe was corroded, causing the subframe to fracture and the wheels were pushed outwards in opposite directions. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the subframe. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.