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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2016
WHEN EXCELERATING ON OPEN ROAD SMELLING FUMES COMING THROUGH AIR CONDITION VENTS , AC ON! MORE RPMS THAN SLOW SPEED!
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2016
EXHAUST FUMES IN CAB UPON EXCELLERATION, BEEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES , STILL HAVE PROBLEM . HAVE BOUGHT CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER TO ALARM US IF LEVEL GETS TO HIGH. FORD SEEMS TO THINK ALL'S WELL . NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! 2012 FORD EXPLORER.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT MADE KNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,743. UPDATED 10/05/16*LJ *JS
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 7, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING TO GAIN ACCESS TO A HIGHWAY OR JUST SPEEDING UP ON A LOCAL STREET, THERE IS A GAS OR BURNT OIL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE, EVERY DAY.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 7, 2016
SMELL OF EXHAUST GAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION OR ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
SOY DE PANAMA Y TENGO EL MISMO PROBLEMA QUE DICE LOS OTROS PROPIETARIO, YA ME REALIZARON DOS CAMBIO Y AUN ASI EL OLOR ES FUERTE. TENGO TAMBIEN AMIGOS QUE TIENE LO MISMO PROBLEMA DESDE QUE LA COMPRO
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
EXHAUST SMELL ENTERING CABIN DURING MILD ACCELERATION, MANY TIMES, EASILY REPEATABLE. DEALER INSTRUCTED ME TO NOT TO COMPLETE THE MOST RECENT UP TO DATE TSB, AS IT WAS NOT GUARANTEED TO WORK IN 2015. SO WE WAIT TO SEE IF THERE IS A BETTER REPAIR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 5, 2016
EXHAUST ODORS IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT AND OIL IN THE AIR FILTER
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 4, 2016
I OWN A 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT ECOBOOST WAS FUNCTIONING FINE TILL ONE DAY DRIVING MY FAMILY BACK FROM THE AIRPORT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN TO FLASH. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SUV BEGAN TO SHAKE HORRIBLY AND WOULD NOT IN ACCELERATION. AFTER HAVING THE EXPLORER TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECOBOOST SYSTEM FAILED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2016
THROTTLE BODY ELECTRONICS, VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP. I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 55MPH AND SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. DASHBOARD INDICATED A 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR ENGINE CHECK. I WAS SLOWED TO 2MPH LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE BEHIND ME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC, NO WARNING. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT RECALLING VEHICLES WHY, THE PARTS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY MY SUV WAS IN THE GARAGE FOR 10 DAYS WAITING FOR PART, THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. FORD REPAIRED MY EXPLORER BUT MANY DRIVERS ARE ON THE ROAD AND HAVE NO IDEA THIS COULD HAPPEN TO THEM. SAFETY FIRST PLEASE
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 29, 2016
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM AT HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-SEAT-BELT-WARNING.349429/ THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALL OF THE FIFTH GENERATION FORD EXPLORERS. ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS UNDER THE SEATS THAT RUN TO THE SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS ARE HAVING CONTINUITY ISSUES AND CAUSING AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY.
Steering, Jun 26, 2016
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER 2012 ON A BUSY HIGHWAY (US 60), THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REMINDED ME THAT "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT", THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE, WHICH PUT ME IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POSITION. VERY LUCKILY, NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED; A GENTLEMAN STEPPED OUT HIS VEHICLE AND TOLD ME TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; AFTER THAT MY VEHICLE BECOME OPERABLE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" OCCURRED IN THIS VEHICLE, AND IT WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED DURING DRIVING IN A BUSY HIGHWAY. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAULT!!! ON OCT. 1ST, 2014, THIS VEHICLE'S "POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE" WAS REPROGRAMMED, (2011-2013 EXPLORER, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING REPROGRAM PSCM), AT A FORD DEALER. THE FAULT OCCURRED TODAY APPEARS AN EVIDENCE THAT THE "REPROGRAM" DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. GIVEN A LARGE NUMBER OF FORD EXPLORERS RUNNING ON THE ROAD, I BELIEVE, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS HIGHWAY SAFETY PROBLEM.
Engine, Jun 16, 2016
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS.
Structure, Jun 7, 2016
DRIVER DOOR BOUNCED WHEN CLOSING. WOULD NOT LATCH. TRIED TWICE. WENT OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. FOUND PART OF DOOR LATCH ON GROUND. ABLE TO CYCLE LATCH WITH KEY FOB AND DOOR WAS ABLE TO LATCH TO GET HOME. WAS REPAIRED UNDER A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $100. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME .
Structure, May 24, 2016
THE HOOD HAS PAINT THAT IS BUBBLING UP AND COMING OFF. THE HOOD IS ALUMINUM SO IT ISN'T RUSTING, IT APPEARS THAT THAT THE METAL WAS NOT PREPPED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE EXHAUST WHILE FUMES CONSUMED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FOR YEARS. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY PROVIDED NO ODOR TESTING AS WELL AS NO SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEALER FOR A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Power train, May 9, 2016
REPEATED ISSUE WITH MALFUNCTIONING TCM. WENT INTO DEFAULT MODE WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY. REPAIRS MADE BUT HAVE SINCE TAKEN VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR SAME SERVICE ISSUE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR A THIRD REPAIR. I KNOW THE 2012 FOCUS, FIESTA AND EXPEDITION HAVE CLASS ACTION SUITS DUE TO TCM. DEALER HAS TWICE TOLD ME VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT STATE SINCE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE NOT FLASHING IN DEFAULT MODE.
Air bags, May 5, 2016
THE SEAT BELT SIGN KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THEY HAVE CORRECTED "THE PROBLEM" ALL 3 TIMES AND THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT IS BACK ON. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE SEAT BELT SIGN TURNS OFF BUT COMES BACK ON WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
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)
Steering, Apr 27, 2016
WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE EXPLORER IN 2012 THE STEERING QUIT WORKING ON A HILL AND MY WIFE CRASHED INTO A BANK AND A CONCRETE LIGHT POLE. NEVER WAS PAID BACK FOR OUR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE PLUS NOW WE HAVE A WRECK CAR NOT WORTH NOTHING EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS REPAIRED. FORD DID THERE UPDATE RECALL TO THE STEERING. ALL HAS BEEN FINE TILL APRIL 2016. TWICE IT HAS SHOWED A STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T MOVE. LUCKILY IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY. FORD CAN'T LOOK AT IT FOR A WEEK SO IT SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN AND I DON'T BLAME HER. SO HERE WE ARE AGAIN SAME PROBLEM WHICH WAS SUPOSABLEY FIXED
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..
Service brakes, Apr 10, 2016
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES, I COULD FEEL AND HEAR A DRAG. CAR HAS 17,400 MILES, RIGHT REAR PADS WERE METAL TO METAL AND CUT INTO THE ROTOR. RR BRAKE PADS WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, INDICATING THE PADS WERE SEIZED INTO THE BRACKET. THIS WORDING IS TAKEN FROM THE FORD SERVICE REPAIR INVOICE. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT A LOW MILEAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO.
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