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.
Structure, Jun 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD THE MOLDING ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TRIM FLEW OFF. THERE WERE NO CRACKS OR DAMAGE TO IT PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. AFTER I LEAVING MY DESTINATION, THE STICKY RUBBER UNDERNEATH CAME LOOSE, FLAPPING AGAINST MY WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UNTIL IT FLEW OFF, HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS ALSO ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING AROUND 75 MPH WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2020
RECALL REPAIR FAILED. SAME ISSUE AND FORD DECLINES TO REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURBO BOOST FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE ONCE THE TURBO WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIXSON AUTO-PLEX (2506 S MACARTHUR DR, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71301) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO BOOSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 13, 2020, crash, fire
MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES 🔥 AND BURN TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY. *TR
Steering, May 6, 2020
MY POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSIST WENT OUT FOR A SECOND TIME AFTER BEING REPLACED UNDER A RECALL MAKING IT HARD TO STEER AND TEARING UP OTHER PARTS IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY GOOD TO BE REPLACED ONCE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT A SECOND TIME. *TR
Steering, Apr 30, 2020
MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE DASHBOARD GAVE A NOTICE OF "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC". THE SUV INSTANTLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND MY WIFE HAD TO MUSCLE THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER TAKING SOME TIME TO LOOK INT WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE I ENDED UP HAVING IT TAKEN TO THE GERMAIN FORD OF BEAVERCREEK. UPON DIAGNOSES THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR HAD BECOME FAULTY. I ASKED IF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE 'FIELD ACTION NOTICE' OR THE RECALL THAT WERE AVAILABLE FOR THIS ISSUE THAT I HAVE SEEN ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO BEING 9,900 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY OF THE FIELD ACTION NOTICE THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT, EVEN AFTER A ASKING THROUGH A PROVISIONAL REQUEST TO FORD. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS SUV HAD THE INITIAL RECALL ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BACK IN 2014 AND THAT THIS FIELD ACTION NOTICE IS A FOLLOW-UP COVERAGE FOR THAT. I STATED THAT THIS FIX MUST STILL HAVE ISSUES AND WAS ADVISED THAT FORD HAS THE THOUGHT THAT IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN BEFORE THE 150K/10 YR MARK. I STATED WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING WAS WRONG UNTIL NOW.
Steering, Apr 3, 2020
STARTED MY 2022 FORD EXPLORA , AND AS I STARTED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE I NOTICED I COULD NOT STEER WITH THE STEERING WHEEL , THE STEERING FROZE ON ME . I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE ONCE MORE AND I FOUND MY SELF IN THE SAME SITUATION WITH MY STEERING FROZEN . I TRAVELED OVER 78 MILES WITH NO STEERING CAPABILITY.
Suspension, Mar 11, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE STRUT MOUNT BROKE CAUSING NOISES WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION. MAKING STEERING HARD. WHEN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PART, IT WAS HARD TO LOCATE BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND PARTS CAN'T BE KEPT IN STOCK
Engine, Mar 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH A DEFECTIVE O2 SENSOR AND LOW OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Steering, Feb 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER, THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCCOMBS FORD WEST LOCATED AT 7111 NORTHWEST LOOP 410, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, WHERE A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REVERSED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
Steering, Feb 22, 2020
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON HER. NOW IT IS STIFF AND CANNOT DRIVE IT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME SINCE IT WAS OVER 160,000 MILES THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE RECALL.
Structure, Feb 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR (A) COLUMN WINDOW TRIM FRACTURED AND WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER CHAMPAGNE FORD CITY (701 WEST MARKET VIEW CHAMPAGNE IL.) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT PART TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE (B) COLUMN TRIM. THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO PRESENT ON THE REAR HATCH TRIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Steering, Suspension, Seat belts, Feb 14, 2020
THE FRONT STRUT TOWER MOUNTS ARE BAD. THIS IS ON EVERY 2011-2015 FORD EXPLORER I HAVE SEEN. IT MAKES A BAD CLUNK SOUND EVERYTIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED.
Steering, Feb 10, 2020
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, FIRST APPEARED JANUARY 9TH 2020 - PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH AROUND 146,000 MILES ON 4/2019 - WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS, FIRST OWNER BOUGHT NEW AND HAD DETAILED MAINTENANCE RECORDS - NEVER HAD RECALL WORK DONE FROM 2014 REGARDING THIS ISSUE. TOOK TO PAUL MILLER FORD, LEXINGTON, KY - STATED FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX - BUT THEY WON'T BECAUSE IT IS OVER 150,000 MILES. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME BACK ON FEB 7, 2020 - AND STILL REMAINS ON AND UN-DRIVEABLE. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE, AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OF US ON FORUMS BEING TOLD THE SAME THING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS RECALL FIXED THEM ALL - THEY ONLY CONTACTED ONES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED OUT OF CHICAGO - WITH THIS MANY STILL HAVING PROBLEMS, THERE HAS TO BE PROBLEMS WITH ALL MODELS DURING THIS TIME-FRAME, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY WERE MANUFACTURED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE - I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.
Seat belts, Wheels, Feb 8, 2020
WHEN IT RAINS I HAVE WATER COMING INTO MY VEHICHLE AND IT EVEN COMES THROUGH THE SEATBELTS. I HAVE WATER IN MY FLOOR NOW.
Engine, Feb 7, 2020
VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME STRANDED ON A DESERTED HIGHWAY. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC AND HAVING THEM COME TO THE VEHICLES LOCATION AND PERFORMING A VISUAL INSPECTION HE STATED ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND UPON COMPLETING A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK THEY CONFIRMED THE 'INTERNAL' WATER PUMP HAD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS CONTACTED 5 TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME THE NEWS GOT WORSE. THEN FINAL CALL THE ADVISOR TOLD ME TO FIX IT AND NOTHING WAS GOING TO BE GUARANTEED TO LAST IT WAS GOING TO COST APPROXIMATELY $4,000 BEFORE TAXES. THEY'D ALSO HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL TWICE ALONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE AND TO FIX OUTSTANDING RECALLS AND AFTER CHECKING THE SERVICE MANUAL NOTHING IS 'SUGGESTED' 'RECOMMENDED' OR 'REQUIRED' TO SERVICE THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP.
Engine, Jan 23, 2020
I HAVE COOLANT LEAKING, I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $2,000 SINCE THE WATER PUMP IS IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS ONLY 132,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS ISSUE!!
Structure, Jan 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAK AND FOUR INCHES OF RAIN WATER ENTERED THE REAR WHEEL WELL OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT MOLD WOULD GROW UNDER THE CARPET OF THE REAR WELL. THE CONTACT CALLED MOORESVILLE FORD DEALER, (151 E PLAZA DR, MOORESVILLE, NC 28115, (704) 664-1300) AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FEE OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 11, 2020
WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIRBAG LIGHTS GO OFF BUT COME BACK ON AND STAYS ON. THIS STARTED A MONTH AGO AND THE WARNING LIGHT STILL SWITCHES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED
Steering, Jan 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ON AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TROPICAL FORD (LOCATED AT 9900 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 851-3800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPS SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Air bags, Jan 4, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A WEEK NOW. TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE WIRING IS MALFUNCTIONING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2012 MODELS. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. NOW I AM HAVING TO PAY UPWARD OF $400 TO REPAIR.
Steering, Dec 30, 2019
AFTER A RECALL FREE FIXED, THE CAR ITS SHOWING THE SAMETHING PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALERSHI SAY NOW I SHOULD TO PAY BECAUSE 4 YEARS AGO WAS FIX IT....
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 22, 2019
OUR SUV LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE. WARNINGS THAT CAME ON DASH INCLUDE: SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW, ADVANCETRAC WARNING, AND ALL TERRAIN WARNING. THE TURN SIGNALS ALSO WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Steering, Dec 21, 2019
VEHICLE IN MOTION. STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. NO SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO STOP AND SENSOR SAID POWER STEERING AND INTELLIGENT 4 WHEEL DRIVE NEED SERVICE. CALLED MECHANIC . TRIED TO DRIVE AND STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED .
Steering, Dec 12, 2019
LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL