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
827 reports, newest first.
Steering, Nov 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH and turning left onto a street, the vehicle lost power steering assist and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stopped and turned the vehicle off and placed the vehicle in neutral(N) and with help was able to push the vehicle off the roadway. The contact stated he did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and later driven to a dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear toe link and suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the contact stated that the steering failure reoccurred. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Steering, Nov 7, 2022
Steering Assist alert for power steering. Has continued to go out on numerous occasions in which steering is nearly impossible to turn wheel. Verified with mechanic and believed to be in regards to recall : 14V286000. Called ford with no assistance. Researched online with several issues. Almost crashed with 5 children in the car.
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.
Steering, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling out a parking lot, the steering wheel seized, and the contact was not able to move the steering wheel. The service power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle that the was not under recall. Additionally, the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Steering, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was attempting to reverse out of the garage, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The message “Power Steering Fault” was displayed. The contact stated that his wife turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared. The contact stated that the power steering assist became operable; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that his wife was able to continue driving to the residence in a straightforward direction. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Steering, Oct 13, 2022
When my car starts in the morning I receive a warning that the power steering is not working. I cannot turn the wheel and am at the point where I have to stop and start my car until the power steering comes back on. I am very concerned that this will happen while driving and I will be in a serious accident. I do not want to drive the car on the highway. I took this to Ford in Feb 2022 because Firestone informed me that there was a recall for this issue. Ford said the warning had been cleared after taking my car for about 3 days. This keeps happening so I called Ford twice in September 2022 and they told me the recall was expired. I took this to Lorentz this week and they confirmed the power steering issue and recall.
Steering, Oct 6, 2022
Power steering suddenly failed. Power steering assist light would come on spontaneously, but go off again after vehicle was restarted. Took vehicle to a local shop and was informed about the recall. Ford refuses to make repair claiming mileage has exceeded. Vehicle was not included in original recall, and we have received no paper work informing us about this recall
Steering, Oct 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that on another occasion, after restarting the vehicle the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Steering, Oct 1, 2022
The vehicle loses steering ability at highway speeds. I have taken it to my local mechanic and been told it is a programming issue from ford. It was reprogrammed by ford several times under the previous steering recall.
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.
Steering, Sep 27, 2022
Power steering failed while driving the car. Car displays warnings of Power Steering Assist failure, Service AdvanceTrac, and Terrain Management System failure. I took the car to my dealer, who advised that the issue is tied to Ford recall 15N01 and my vehicle would need a new steering rack, however, Ford denied the warranty coverage as outside the 10-year time period. When I contacted Ford to note that the May 17, 2019 letter posted on the NHTSA website to dealers and service centers appears to waive the 10-year time and 150,000 mile limitation for warranty coverage, Ford refused to pay for the repair and stated that the NHTSA notice was not an official Ford document.
Steering, Sep 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel shuddered as he had attempted to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that he pulled into a parking lot and turned the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the power steering warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering assist. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and electric power steering assist system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Steering, Sep 21, 2022
The contact's wife owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 30-35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle several times, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact's wife was able to drive to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred the next day. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact's wife that she had to pay a repair fee as the vehicle had previously received the one-time free repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The contact stated that they paid out of pocket to have their vehicle repaired.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 14, 2022
The truck has been in shop 5 times or actually 5 different dealerships. The recall has yet to be fixed but I continually pay to have the problem INVESTIGATED. The dash flashes loss of fuel pressure, service advance track soon, Battery level and mechanic wrench . I have this on video as it is constant occurrence. Each time ford takes it in they can't make the issue happen or recreate it. As told several times happens sporadic and not under any certain conditions. Over and over paying diagnostic fee and what they say will repair the issue only it happens pulling off the lot at 5 star ford Dallas Texas took it in under default to Bob Tomas Mckinney where they scanned it and found 17 communication errors left it there nothing was done but more exploration of issues going down the list of com failures and paying for each 3 anyway and it did it again leaving me stranded 3 times to count eventually leaving at Don Davis Ford Arlington Texas where it was again said repaired and is currently at Planet Ford Dallas where historically I paid $2850 and NOTHING was done as it again left me stranded and towed there where it can sit until it's fixed meaning this loss of horsepower the electric flashes and the gears in transmission ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS PER REQUESTED EACH TIME IN SERVICE
Visibility, Aug 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-60 MPH, the front passenger's side vertical rubber gasket of the windshield detached and was slapping against the windshield. The contact continued driving. Upon arriving to her destination, the contact pushed the part into place; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the front passenger's side vertical rubber gasket of the windshield was scuffing the windshield. The contact also stated that the failure was distracting and obstructed her vision while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle into the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Steering, Aug 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 125,394.
Steering, Aug 23, 2022
Power steering locks while driving on highways forcing me to stop on side of road to restart vehicle. Vehicle pier steering no longer working. Took to mechanic and they advised it was a recall issue 13S14 - called Ford and was told the recall was already performed on the vehicle. Either not properly performed or this vehicle is a defect.
Steering, Aug 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the power steering EAS warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence. However, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2022
Power Steering stopped working. EPS Fault. Seems like it should be a safety recall issue, but it's only an extended warranty. Unfortunately we're outside the warranty. Power steering should definitely be considered a Safety Recall
Steering, Aug 2, 2022
This last weekend, while my daughter and her boyfriend were driving over a very treacherous mountain pass on their way to Aspen, Independence Pass, the power steering system suddenly went out in her car. It’s NO EXAGGERATION to say that had my daughter’s boyfriend not been driving the vehicle, they likely would not be alive today. The vehicle is nearly impossible to maneuver safely with no power-steering, particularly on a winding mountain pass, and my daughter’s boyfriend, who is a very strong athlete, had difficulty driving them to safety. They ended up sleeping in their car near Aspen, because they could not drive safely to their intended destination. We were told that the power steering assist system failure was similar to a recall, but falls instead under a "customer satisfaction program" and Ford was willing to repair it free of charge for ten years only. Even though the car has under 150k miles, we were 8 months beyond the ten year period to have it fixed at no cost and are now told it will cost thousands to repair out of pocket. There is a ten year free repair coverage period and even though it’s a 2012 (and now 2022) because the vehicle was originally purchased in 2011, we have “missed” the coverage period by just a few months to have the part fixed at no cost and this will now cost us thousands of dollars to fix, which we don’t have. When purchasing, were shown the Carfax report, told everything looked fine, and signed as casually instructed. Obviously, from the layman’s perspective, the words “Customer Satisfaction Program” on the Carfax report did not raise any red flags with us, nor was it pointed out as something to look into or be aware of. We just bought this Explorer less than 2 years ago from a dealership for nearly 10K and are 500 dollars shy of paying it off. This defective part nearly cost my daughter and her boyfriend their lives. This should be a safety recall, not labeled "customer satisfaction program." Gravely misleading.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2022
When I drive especially on roads with normal speed limits gas like smell or carbon monoxide smell comes into the car.
Steering, Jul 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle was difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact bought power steering fluid; however, she then became aware that the power steering was an electronic power steering, not a hydraulic power steering. The vehicle remained at the location of the failure and had a friend take her to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as an electronic power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Jun 25, 2022
My wife was travelling on a state highway when she came to a curve and began slowing for the curve. She then started into the curve to the right when her power steering system had a failure. She could not steer the vehicle and the vehicle went straight into the oncoming lane which had a dump truck travelling in it. They both were able to come to a stop before a collision. My wife then shut her vehicle of and restarted the vehicle and the problem went away. She took a picture of the instrument cluster that had a message of "Power Steering Assist Fault". The vehicle has made the same fault message two more times since this first incident. This is a dangerous safety issue.
Steering, Jun 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and slowing for a traffic sign, the power steering failed while turning to the right. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence without a power steering assist. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the steering gear and rear bushings needed to be replaced. The rear bushings were replaced; however, the steering gear was not repaired. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle now constantly would steer to the right and the contact had to compensate to keep moving in a straight line by counter-steering to the left. The contact researched and found that the steering failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
Wheels, Jun 12, 2022
Rear Hub assembly’s making loud grinding noise. This should be a Warranty Recall similar to NHTSA 17E048000. Please advise.