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, Apr 6, 2018
DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, SPRING SPRUNG, AND DOOR HANDLE IS ALMOST ALL THE WAY OPEN. JUST BY TOUCHING IT, THE DOOR OPENS. WITH THIS BEING A FRONT DOOR, THE LOCK WONT ALLOW IT NOT TO OPEN. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAY MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED. THEY SAID THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T PART OF THIS RECALL, YET IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR. THE RECALL NUMBER IS15S11.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2018
SOMETIMES MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND I CAN NOT MOVE AND I AM DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND THAT SCARED ME I'VE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK TWICE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIND NOTHING. NOW MY VECHILE IS STARTING TO SHAKE WHEN I'M DRIVING AND I'M TIRED OF TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR NOTHING. I'VE TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S ALL I THE DEALERSHIP PAPERS. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THIS . IT STARTED ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER I GOT IT. I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD
Steering, Feb 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND FAILED TO MANEUVER AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (LUGOFF FORD, 979 HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH, LUGOFF, SC 29078), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2018
I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE CARBON MONOXIDE IN MY FORD EXPLORER. I WAS DRIVING A FRIEND OF MY TO LUNCH AND SHE GOT INSANELY RED AND BROKE OUT IN HIVES THE MINUTE I TURNED THE HEAT ON. I RIDE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR IN THE CABIN WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD WHO HAS ASTHMA. THERE IS ALWAYS A SMELL WHEN YOU TURN EITHER THE AIR OR THE HEAT ON.
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2018
YOU CAN SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB OF VEHICLE, AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING I GET A HEADACHE AND DIZZY AND HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR THE DIZZINESS TO GO AWAY. SOUNDS LIKE A SIMPLE FIX HOWEVER WHEN ITS 8 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND YOU HAVE CHILDREN YOU CANT REALLY BE ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN. SINCE HAVING THIS VEHICLE I HAVE GONE TO THE HOSPITAL/DOCTORS MULTIPLE TIMES FOR FATIGUE AND HEADACHES TO WHICH I HAVE HAD TO GET TREATMENT. I USED TO SPEND MY LUNCH HOUR AT WORK IN MY VEHICLE AND NOW I CANT DO THIS BECAUSE I WILL GET NAUSEOUS AND FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO FAINT. I AM SCARED TO BE TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS NOW. AFTER LOOKING INTO WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR I FOUND MANY MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS YET TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM HOPING THIS HELPS FORD REALIZE THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. MOST PEOPLE WITH THESE SUVS ARE PARENTS WITH KIDS. NOT SURE HOW FORD CAN FEEL OKAY WITH THEMSELVES OVER PUTTING CHILDREN IN THE SITUATION OF INHALING CARBON MONOXIDE. IF IT WAS AN OPTION FOR US I WOULD PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT FINANCIALLY AN OPTION AT THIS MOMENT. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2016.
Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2018
DIZZINESS, NAUSEA FROM DRIVING VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2016. AUTO IN MOTION. WHEN DRIVING AUTO 1-30 MILES OR MORE, WHEN I GOT OUT OF CAR I WAS DIZZY AND AT TIMES HAD TO HOLD ONTO A POLE OR ANYTHING NEAR ME TO REGAIN BALANCE. I FELT TIRED ALL THE TIME. I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 FORD EXPEDITION IN JAN 02, 2017 AND I HAVE NOT BEEN DIZZY SINCE. I NOTICED CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE IN THE RIDES SECTION OF SUNDAY FEB. 4TH, 2018 ISSUE WRITTEN BY PHOEBE WALL HOWARD OF DETROIT PRESS AND IT HIT A NERVE WITH ME THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM. HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL IN CAR CABIN.
Steering, Feb 3, 2018
SERVICE POWER STEERING. ADVANCE TRAC LIGHT CAME ON. UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE WHILE ON HIGHWAY DOING 55MPH. WE ARE UNABLE TO GET THIS CAR REPAIRED DUE TO HIGH COST TO SHIP CAR 572MILES OUT OF TOWN. TOLD US THAT WE NEED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND WILL GET REIMBURSED AT LATER DATE. HOWEVER AFTER EXPLAINING WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO SHIP IT THEY OFFER LITTLE TO NO HELP. THERE IS A LOCAL SHOP THAT DOES WARRANTY REPAIRS BUT WE HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET UP TO $1,600 NOT INCLUDING LABOR COSTS OF REPAIRS DONE TO VEHICLE. FORD THEN SAID 'REPAIRS AND SERVICES WOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY' EXPLAINED IN PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2018
MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION HAS AN EXHAUST LEAK THAT IS PUSHING FUMES INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOXIOUS FUMES ENTER THE CABIN AND INDUCE NAUSEA AND SEVERE HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP WHO HAS CONFIRMED THAT THIS LEAK IS PART OF A LARGELY KNOWN ISSUE THAT OCCURS WITH THE EXPLORERS'. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT WHILE FORD RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE YET TO PRODUCE THE PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX IT, AND I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR FORD TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY ON THEIR PART, WHICH IS GOING TO TAKE AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. IN THE MEANTIME I AM FORCED TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THESE FUMES ENTERING MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2018
I SMELL EXHAUST WHEN IDLING OR WAITING AT STOP LIGHTS- EVEN WHEN DRIVING. AM I IN DANGER?? IT IS ONGOING AND HAPPENS OFTEN.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE HEATER. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT BECAME TIRED AND SLEEPY. THE CONTACT ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW AND FELT BETTER APPROXIMATELY SIX MINUTES LATER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS, MAINLY DURING THE COOLER MONTHS DUE TO HAVING THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A CARBON MONOXIDE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2018
I HAVE A 2012 FORD EXPLORER AND I REALLY LIKE IT BUT I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2016 EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS I COME IN TO THE TRUCK TO FIND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. LATELY WHEN IT RAINS IT'S LIKE IT IS LITERALLY RAINING INSIDE MY TRUCK. THE WATER LEAKS RIGHT THROUGH THE TOP WHERE MY LIGHT AND THE BUTTONS FOR MY SUNROOF IS. NOW MY BACK UP CAMERA DOESN'T WORK AND MY TRUCK IS STARTING TO SMELL LIKE MOLE. I'M ALSO AFRAID THAT THE WATER LEAKAGE IS GOING TO DESTROY ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR CAUSE A AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHILE I'M IN MY TRUCK WITH MY KIDS. I ALSO DON'T WANT MY FLOOR TO RUST. CAN YOU PLEAS HELP ME IN FINDING OUT WHERE IS THE PROBLEM COMING FROM? A COWORKER OF MINE IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER TRUCK AS WELL.
Steering, Jan 22, 2018
MY VEHICLES IS EXPEDITING RECALL 14S06 AND HAS HAPPENED 2X AND FOR DINNER IS AS SAYING MY VIN NUMBER IS BORN UNSER THE RECALL. HELP
Suspension, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, A GRINDING METAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS PERSONAL AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MOUNT FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MOUNT. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, INCLUDING THE WRENCH ICON, THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK INDICATOR, AND THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPROGRAMMED SO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING WOULD DIM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HELFMAN FORD (12220 SOUTHWEST FWY, STAFFORD, TX 77477) TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THERE WERE NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Steering, Jan 13, 2018
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER MADE ME BUY A NEW BATTERY AND "REPROGRAMMED" VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK.. IT'S HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. MOST RECENTLY ON 1/10/18.
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2018
STRONG CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE HVAC VENTS WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW TO GET THE ODOR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ODOR IN THE PAST BUT I FIGURED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM OTHER MOTORISTS. AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE THAT THIS IS A RECALL AND IS POTENTIALLY COMING FROM MY VEHICLE, I WILL GO AHEAD AND SCHEDULE AN APPT. TO GET THIS RESOLVED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE TO HAVE. MORE IMPORTANTLY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. IF THE FORD "FIX" DOESN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE MY QUESTION IS, WHAT AM I TO DO ABOUT THIS? THE FINAL PAYMENT FOR MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER IS DUE ON 01/15/2018. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER PAYING $698 FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. IF THIS ISSUE CONTINUES I'D EXPECT FORD TO DO 1 OF 2 THINGS, 1. TAKE BACK THE FORD EXPLORER AND LET ME TRADE FOR ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE OF EQUAL COST TO WHAT I PAID FOR MY EXPLORER, LESS THE INTEREST. 2. REFUND MY $46K THAT I PAID FOR MY FORD EXPLORER AS YOU HAVE SOLD ME AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE ISSUE OF LOSING POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. LUCKILY I GOT THAT ISSUE RESOLVED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL. PLEASE HELP US NHTSA AS WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TOLERATE UNSAFE VEHICLES AT OUR EXPENSE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT PAY FOR MANUFACTURER'S MISTAKES. LET'S START PUNISHING THESE BIG COMPANIES SO THAT THEY DO A BETTER JOB REGARDING PEOPLE'S SAFETY. THANK YOU!
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2018
HEAVY FUMES ARE ENTERING MY CAR CAUSING HEADACHES. RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST.
Structure, Dec 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WEATHER STRIPPING BECAME LOOSE. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL MOLDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES SEPARATED FROM THE DOORS. FURTHERMORE, THE REAR HATCH WAS NOT WELDED TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE TRUNK AREA. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RANDALL REED'S PLANET FORD 59, 19000 EASTEX FWY, HUMBLE, TX 77338). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673 AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2017
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. IT DOES NOT FLASH IT'S JUST ON ALL THE TIME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME AND WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS COVERED THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TODAY AND ASKED ABOUT BRINGING IT IN AND ERIC AGAIN SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL OR ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THERE ARE OVER 850,000 FORDS WHO HAVE A RECALL DUE TO THE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONING. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE.
Steering, Dec 8, 2017, crash
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, LOSE OF STEERING AT LOW SPEED LOST CONTROL AND HIT CURB
Steering, Dec 7, 2017
GEAR STEERING ASSY PROBLEM. STIFFNESS IN STEERING
Steering, Dec 5, 2017
A FEW TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IF THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, IT WOULD CLEAR THE ISSUE. THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE 'SERVICE ADVANCETRAC' LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE CLEARED. THE CAR WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO STEER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALL OF THESE HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEEDS.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2017
THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY GO INTO LIMP MODE. IN LIMP MODE THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WOULD STAY AT A ROUGH IDLE. IT DID NOT MATTER WHETHER YOU WERE GOING 10 MPH OR 70 MPH. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHEN ON A NARROW BRIDGE DURING RUSH HOUR. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE BUT DID NOT MATTER WHAT POSITION THE PEDAL WAS IN TO BEGIN WITH. SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND OPENING THE DOOR WOULD RESET IT AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. IT TOOK TWO VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THEY COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND COST $500 TO FIX. THE FACT THAT IT WAS RANDOM AND YOU LOST ALL MEANS OF ACCELERATION COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING INTO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. MY WIFE REFUSED TO DRIVE IT.
Steering, Nov 29, 2017
OUR POWER STEERING SYSTEM FINALLY WENT OUT ON OUR 2012 XLT. IN FACT, THE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH OUR TWO TODDLERS AT 75MPH WHEN IT WENT OUT. SHE PULLED OVER AND I HAD TO MEET UP WITH HER AND DRIVE IT HOME (NOT EASY). WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL IF THIS HAPPENED 8K MILES AGO, BUT SINCE WE ARE OVER THE 150,000 LIMIT, I GET TO PAY $1940.00 TO GET IT REPAIRED(GETTING REPAIRED AS THIS IS TYPED). ITS SAD REALLY, BECAUSE WHEN I WAS AT 120K, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING AND WAS HOPING TO GET IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER, HOWEVER AT THE TIME, THEY WERE "UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE" SO NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. I AM DISAPPOINTED, BECAUSE IT TAKES A COMPLETE FAILURE (AND ENDANGERMENT TO LIVES) FOR THE RECALL TO BE INITIATED. I WONDER IF GM'S IGNITION RECALL IS THE SAME WAY? I COULD REPAIR IT MYSELF AS ITS NOT TOO BAD OF A JOB, BUT DUE TO BEING BUSY, IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE A WEEK OR TWO FOR ME TO DO ALONE AND THIS IS OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE. MY SERVICE ADVISER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT HELPFUL BUT HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM DISAPPOINTED IN FORDS APPROACH TO THE FAILURE OF A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Nov 28, 2017
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS COME ON, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ON EACH OCCASION I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE SOLUTION WAS TO APPLY SOME DIELECTRIC GREASE TO THE ELECTRIC CONNECTORS UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. THIS FIX WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FIRST 2 OCCASIONS ON THE 3RD THEY AGREED TO APPLY THE GREASE AT NO COST TO ME. MY SERVICE CENTER HAS TOLD ME THAT WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. WONDERING WHY SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS AN AIRBAG HAS LOOSE CONNECTORS WHICH HANG DOWN UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW? WHY IS THERE NO RECALL TO PERMANENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 24, 2017
AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHILE PARKED THE 'SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 100 FEET THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THERE WAS A SLIGHT HARDNESS IN THE STEERING AT THIS TIME. THAT WENT AWAY WHEN THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THIS OCCURRED ON NOV. 10, 2017. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NOV. 23, 2017. WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT AND ALL DAY IN OUR GARAGE I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT'' WARNING CAME ON. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WITHIN 10 TO 15 SECONDS I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. NO WARNING CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED O.K. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NO WARNING OR PROBLEM.