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 16, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON I30 EASTBOUND IN TEXAS ON OCTOBER OF 2015 WHEN WITHOUT WARNING MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. AFTER STOPPING AND CHECKING BOTH VEHICLES NO INJURIES OR DAM AGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AND WE WENT ON OUR WAY. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT WARRANTED AND THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $400. I EXPRESSED MY DISPLEASURE WITH THIS AND HAD IT REPAIRED.I CHALKED IT OFF TO A FLUKE, ON MAY 10 2016 WE WERE COMING BACK FROM AN EVENT DOING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING "POP" AND REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE FREEWAY WAS BUSY AND IT WAS AT NIGHT SO THE DECISION WAS MADE TO KEEP DRIVING AS WE WERE ONLY A COUPLE OF MILES FROM HOME. UPON ARRIVING AT HOME OUR INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THIS TIME THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD COME OFF. KNOWING THE COST OF REPAIR I DECIDED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET AND SEE IF I COULD BUY THE PARTS MYSELF AND REPAIR. WHILE DOING THE SEARCH I FOUND THAT THE WEB WAS LOADED WITH HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME RE-OCCURRING PROBLEMS. THE COST OF THESE PARTS ARE OVER $200 BUT MORE THAN THAT IS THE SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS INVOLVED. IF THIS DEFECTIVE PART HAD COME OFF AND HIT A MOTORCYCLE RIDER IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY POSSIBLY EVEN THE DEATH OF THE RIDER. THIS IS AND ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS COSTING CONSUMERS MONEY AND RISKING INJURY TO TO ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO BE IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT THE DEFECT YET REFUSES TO ACT. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY PUTTING MOTORISTS AT RISK BY THEIR COMPLACENCY ON THE PROBLEM.
Structure, May 3, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY / SPRING CAME APART AND THE HANDLE REMAINED STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AS A SMALL PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC FROM BEHIND THE HANDLE MOLDING BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE DOOR INTERIOR AND THE HANDLE ITSELF (LEAVING IT PROPPED IN THE 'OPEN' POSITION)
Structure, Apr 11, 2016
THIS VEHICLE LEAKS WATER IN THE WHEEL WELL WHEN IT RAINS AND HAS CASED THE CARPET TO MOLD...THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE REAR HATCHBACK AND UNDER THE LUGGAGE RACK AND THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS A STREAM OF WATER GOING IN THE REAR DOWN THE SEAT BELT CANNOT HAVE THE SPEAR TIRE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS TO HAVE A TOWEL THERE TO SOAK UP THE WATER..MOLD MAKES ME SICK TO DRIVE IT..
Structure, Apr 2, 2016
THERE ARE WATER LEAKS ON THE HATCHBACK ON BOTH SIDES AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS A WATER LEAK IN THE RIGHT REAR BODY SEAM..OTHER LEAKS COULD BE POSSIBLE.WHEN IT RAINS THE WHEEL WELL HAS 3 INCHES OF WATER IN IT. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE AND THE MOLD IS MAKING ME SICK..IT'S A OVERWHELMING SMELL AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH NO SPARE
Structure, Apr 2, 2016
THE VEHICLE HAS WATER LEAKS ON THE HATCHBACK,THE RIGHT REAR ROOF AREA AND OTHER PLACES YET TO BE DETERMINED WHEN IT RAINS THE WHEEL WELL HAS 3 INCHED OF WATER IN IT AND IT HAS CAUSED THE CARPET TO MOLD AND STINK UP THE WHOLE VEHICLE
Structure, Mar 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE PAINT ON THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE HAD BUBBLES AND WAS CHIPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
Seat belts, Structure, Jan 7, 2016
WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CABIN EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR CAR GETS WASHED. WATER DRIPS DOWN FROM TOP THROUGH REAR SEATBELT RETRACTORS NEAR REAR HATCH/DOOR AND STREAMS DOWN SEAT BELTS AND THEN PUDDLES UNDER THIRD ROW SEAT AND SPARE TIRE WELL. LEAKS ANYTIME NO MATTER IF PARKED OR IN MOTION. SEATBELTS AND SEAT BOLTS/HINGES ARE STARTING TO RUST. WIRES NEAR 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND TAIL LIGHTS ALSO GET WET. 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT (NO SUNROOF/MOONROOF).
Structure, Jan 7, 2016
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE PILLAR BLEW OFF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON I-75 (70 MPH). IT JUST MISSED A CAR THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME. THE PLATE THAT HOLDS THE PILLAR ON THE FRAME, SHOWS STRESS CRACKING AT EACH BOLT AND THE LOWER TWO TABS THAT CONNECT THE PILLAR ARE SHEARED. THE TABS AT THE TOP OF THE PILLAR PULLED OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE THE WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PILLAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED IF I WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NOISE. THEY DID NOT REMOVE THE PILLAR TO INSPECT ANYTHING, LIKELY KNOWING THEY WOULD DAMAGE IT.
Structure, Nov 26, 2015
THERE WEEKS AFTER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED THE LH A-PILLAR FLEW OFF THE CAR WHILE MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS MOVING AT 65 MPH.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2015
PAINT ON HOOD IS BLISTERING - FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED A TSB IN 2004 TO FIX THIS ISSUE IN 2004 WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE ON A 2012 VEHICLE - DEALER SAYS FORD HQ DENIED REPAIR TO HOOD PAINT SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY - WHY IS PAINT CORRODING ON 3+ YEAR OLD $34,000 VEHICLE? FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE IT IS KNOWN AND DEVALUES THE VEHICLE BY MANY $K.
Structure, Sep 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER EACH OF THE FOUR DOORS AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED IN AREAS THAT WERE PAINTED THINLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL HOLES HAD FORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. MA 10/22/2015 *CN
Structure, Aug 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ *CN
Structure, Aug 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Structure, Jul 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE THIRD ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR WALLS AND THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/27/2017*CN
Structure, Nov 3, 2014
WE OWN A 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND ARE VERY PLEASED WITH IT OVERALL. HOWEVER, WE HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT OUR INTERIOR DOOR PANEL ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES IS SPLITTING ON THE VINYL SEAM JUST BELOW THE ARM REST. OUR VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 55K ON IT FOR MILEAGE, SO ANY HOPE OF THIS BEING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY IS GONE. I HAVE CONTACTED AN UPHOLSTERY REPAIR SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS VINYL, BUT WILL INSTEAD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I RECENTLY GOT AN ESTIMATE AND FOR PARTS AND LABOR IT WOULD COST US ALMOST $600 TO REPAIR BOTH SIDES. BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION ON BOTH INTERIOR DOORS, I FEEL THAT THIS IS FAULTY DESIGN AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Nov 3, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR AND THE MOLDING FROM AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER 10-15 MILES THE LEFT HAND MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD ALSO BLEW OFF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TROUBLE FOR ANY ONE BEHIND ME OR TO THE SIDE OF ME. *TR
Structure, Aug 26, 2014
FORD RECENTLY DECLINED TO REPAIR THE BUBBLING PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER ON THE BASIS IT IS OUT-OF-WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, FORD HAS HAD CORROSION ISSUES FOR SOME TIME BUT HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2014, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON RT44 IN MA WHEN I NOTICED ONCOMING DRIVERS YELLING AT ME. I THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND YELLED THAT MY 2012 FORD EXPLORED HAD FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED THE CAR WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN AND MY CAR WAS INDEED ON FIRE. I HAPPENED TO HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WITH ME AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I WAS IN FRONT OF A FORD DEALER WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THEY CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THE HEAT SHIELD WAS IGNITED FROM TOUCHING THE EXHAUST. THEY REMOVED THE PLATE AND YOU CAN SEE THE BURNT DAMAGE (I HAVE PICS). THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL AND THEY SAID THEY WILL PUT A NEW ONE ON. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CATCH FIRE AND IF IT WASN'T FOR OTHER DRIVERS I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS COULD OF ENDED. MY WIFE AND 3 YEAR OLD SON ARE NOW TERRIFIED TO RIDE IN THE EXPLORER. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. *JS
Structure, May 5, 2014
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO FORD FOR SERVICE. I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD WAS BUBBLING. I SHOWED IT TO THE SERVICE WRITER. HE REPORTED IT TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR IT. *TR