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, Oct 6, 2014
THE POWER STEERING PUMP QUIT WORKING 2 TIMES ON MY MOTHERS SUV. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD TWICE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FIX IT THE FIRST TIME. SAW RECALL BUT EXPLORER WAS NOT IN THE LIST. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON BOTH OCCURRENCES. IT IS MY ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS ISSUE. I ALSO WORK IN AUTOMOTIVE FIELD AND I KNOW THIS WAS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. I DO NOT WANT MY MOTHER OR ANY INDIVIDUAL HURT DUE TO LACK OF INVESTIGATION. I EXPECT A RESPONSE FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION. THE DEALERSHIP CAN PULL UP ALL INFO, A RENTAL WAS PROVIDED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANAGE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, A WEAKER DRIVER, PHYSICALLY, WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 29, 2014
WE HAVE A 2012 FORD EXPLORER WITH 46,000 MILES AT THIS TIME. ON AUGUST 30, 2014, WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, AND THE POWERTRAIN/WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DISPLAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR WAS SHAKING LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STARTED UP FINE, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF. WE DROVE ANOTHER 100 MILES WHEN IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 1 GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SHOP WHO NOTICED THAT THE VOLTAGE WAS DROPPING FROM 14 VOLTS DOWN TO 12VOLTS AND SHUTTING DOWN THE COMPUTERS (SO THEY SAID). THEY CHANGED OUT THE ALTERNATOR- $560. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20 WHEN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING TWICE AGAIN, ABOUT 10 MINUTES APART, GOING 70 MPH (CAR LOST POWER, WRENCH LIGHT ON, HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART). I TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER WITHIN 2 DAYS; THEY DROVE THE CAR 55 MILES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT. THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES PRESENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEY SAID TO COME GET THE CAR AND KEEP DRIVING IT. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS LIKELY A THROTTLE BODY (ETB) MALFUNCTION. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR (NOT WHERE IT WAS NOW) AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO A SERVICE MANAGER WITH 19 YEARS EXPERIENCE. HE SAID IT WAS LIKELY THE THROTTLE BODY SINCE THE CAR WOULD RESTART. HE SAID ONLY 2 THINGS TRIGGER THE WRENCH LIGHT- THE TRANSMISSION AND THE THROTTLE BODY. SINCE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER RIDE IN THIS CAR, I DECIDED TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ON SEPTEMBER 24 - $470. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR AS FORD SUGGESTED, WITH AN INTERMITTENT CUT-OFF PROBLEM, WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME SO I DECIDED TO MAKE AN EDUCATED GUESS/DIAGNOSIS AND THROW PARTS AT IT AND SEE. *TR
Engine, Sep 24, 2014
MY CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY STALLED. I SAW AN "AWD OFF" MESSAGE ON MY DASH. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THE FOOT PEDDLE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND KILLED THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE ON TO WORK. I JUST ASSUMED THAT I HAD SOMEONE HIT THE GEAR INTO THAT MODE. BUT IT HAPPENED A 2ND AND THEN A 3RD TIME THAT SAME WEEK. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AROUND THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. BEFORE I BROUGHT THE CAR, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR OTHER RELATED COMPLAINTS FROM FORD OWNERS. I FOUND A SITE AT WWW.CARGURUS.COM AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. ONE OWNER SAID THAT HIS DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE "THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY" AND HE HAS NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM AGAIN. I BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO MY DEALERSHIP AND I PAID THEM $99.00 FOR THIS SERVICE CALL. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, BUT THEY DID DO SOME SORT OF SERVICE NOTICE THAT I HAD NOT YET DONE ON MY CAR. THEY HOPED IT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT DID FOR ABOUT A MONTH. BUT THIS WEEK, IT HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND I AM HOPING THAT THEY WILL FIND THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IS THE ISSUE. IF NOT, THEN I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT I MAY BE REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE I AM TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORD MUST KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE "AWD OFF" ERROR CODE. I DO NOT INTEND TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR!! MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD BE PAYING FOR ANY CAR/ENGINE REPAIRS ON SUCH A YOUNG VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Sep 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPEATEDLY BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2014
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. THROTTLE WILL NOT WORK. YOU ARE STRANDED UNTIL YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 15, 2014
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S06/NHTSA RECALL 14V-286 WE RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM FMC. KNOWING WE HAD A TRIP COMING UP, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO KEN GARFF FORD IN UTAH FOR SERVICING AND TO HAVE THE RECALL CORRECTED. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE ISSUE SO I WENT ON MY WAY. I DROVE A SINGLE GAS TANKS WORTH (APPX 400 MILES) AND THEN EVERYTHING WENT TO HELL. POWER STEERING FAILED, TRACTION CONTROL FAILED, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILED. THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR WHICH FORD ISSUED THE RECALL IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME THAT THEY COMPLETELY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND IT IS MY FAULT THAT THESE SYSTEMS FAILED. THEY WANT ME TO BELIEVE AN ELABORATE TALE ABOUT HOW I HAVE DRIVEN MY EXPLORER 72000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND SUDDENLY, AFTER THE RECALL GETS FIXED, I THEN HAVE THAT EXACT PROBLEM? THAT IS A SNEAKY LIE THAT MIGHT WORK ON SOMEONE MORE PASSIVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED WE WERE DRIVING WITH OUR FAMILY ON A VACATION AND THIS INCIDENT STRANDED US IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO, WHERE OUR VEHICLE CURRENTLY SITS 6 WEEKS LATER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHEN A SAFETY RECALL IS ISSUED AND "FIXED" IT SHOULDN'T CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE CONSUMER ANYMORE, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED. IT ALSO SEEMS TO ME THAT IT IS AWFULLY CONVENIENT FOR FMC THAT MY CAR BROKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS "FIXED". SO NOW I AM LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. HOW NICE FOR FMC. MEANWHILE, IT TOOK FMC 6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART TO THE DEALERSHIP IN IDAHO SO THEY COULD "FIX" THE ISSUE. WE'LL SEE HOW LONG IT HOLDS UP THIS TIME. I AM STILL WAITING TO GET MY CAR BACK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 10, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF APROX. 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND DRAMATICALLY LOST SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL / MOTOR SPEED CEASED RESPONDING AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGHLY. THE CAR WENT INTO "IDLE" AND I WAS FORCED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE EVENT WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. I HAD NO WARNING AND NOT ENOUGH POWER TO GET OFF THE ROAD. AN ORANGE "WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART WITH NORMAL OPERATION. I IMMEDIATELY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LEFT VALVE COVER. I DROVE THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 14 DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. THIS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. GOD HELP ME IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE I'M ON THE FREEWAY... *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
Air bags, Aug 19, 2014
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE FORD DEALER SAYS THAT THE ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE CONNECTIONS THAT ARE UNDER THE SEATS. THE CONNECTIONS NEED TO BE CLEANED AND REATTACHED. THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY COOKIE CRUMBS, JUICE, ETC. PROBABLY FROM CHILDREN. I INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS A 2012 AND THAT COOKIES, ETC. SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CAUSE A SAFETY DEVICE AS IMPORTANT AS AN AIR BAG FROM NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IF COOKIE CRUMBS, ETC. CAN CAUSE AIR BAGS TO FAIL THEN THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2014
DASH REPORTS TMS FAULT, THEN AWD OFF SUCCESSIVELY. THEN CAR BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND SLOWS DOWN RAPIDLY. THE DASH ALSO DISPLAYS A SERVICE INDICATOR "WRENCH." DEALER REPORTS VEHICLE THROWS CODE P2112, THROTTLE BODY STUCK CLOSED. I BELIEVE THE SCOPE OF FORD CSP 13N03 IN RESPONSE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE13003 NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED OR MANY MORE DRIVERS WILL BE STUCK IN FORD VEHICLES THAT ALL BUT SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE DURING A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Aug 12, 2014
I AM EXPERIENCING AN ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CAR. I LIVE IN EL SALVADOR CENTRAL AMERICA AND HAVE FOUND IN THE INTERNET THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THE AGENCY IN MY COUNTRY DOES NOT RESPONSABILIZE ON THIS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND WE CANT BE SMELLING THIS EXHAUST FUMENS AND STRANGE ODORS INSIDE OUR CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 4, 2014
I WAS ON VACATION AND I STARTED TO GET A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES EVERY TIME I STARTED I HAD TO PUT THE BRAKES ON. I DECIDED TO END THE VACATION EARLY AND HEADED HOME. BEFORE I GOT HOME I HAD TO STOP AT A FORD DEALER ABOUT 300 MILES FROM HOME. THE GUY AT THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE CAR AND THEN INSPECTED THE BRAKES. HE TOLD ME THE REAR BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN TO METAL ON METAL. I HAD THEM FIX THE REAR BRAKES FOR $324.13. HE LUBED THE CALIPERS AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM. I THINK THE BRAKES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 30,550 MILE ON A $46,000 VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Jul 28, 2014
RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM FORD TO GET MY VEHICLE IN IMMEDIATELY. CALLED SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN FORD AND SPOKE WITH DAVID. DAVID SAID "SORRY, CAN'T HELP YOU RIGHT NOW AS THEY HAVE NOT SENT US THE PARTS OR THE SOFTWARE". HE ADDED, "CALL BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS". I WAS SHOCKED THAT NOTHING WAS OFFERED. WEBSITE EVEN STATES MAY CAUSE INABILITY TO STEER YOUR CAR AND LETTER EVEN STATES MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BUT THEY CAN'T HELP ME RIGHT NOW? SO DISAPPOINTED IN FORD! IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME OR MY FAMILY FORD WILL PAY.
Steering, Jul 21, 2014
I WAS STOPPED AND THE CAR WAS IDLING IN DRIVE (I WAS BRAKING) WHEN THE CAR BEEPED AND DISPLAYED TWO WARNINGS, ONE ABOUT POWER ASSIST FAILURE OR OFF AND THE OTHER ABOUT ADVANCETRAC SERVICE (I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT WORDING OF THE ERRORS). THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING IN THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN. AFTER IT TURNED ON IT STILL SAID THE ERRORS BUT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND MOVED UP A BIT THE ERRORS ALSO WENT AWAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TELL ME THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL BUT THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ON HOW TO FIX IT WHAT IT WAS, OR ANY TYPE OF REMEDY OR REASSURANCE. THEY SAID THE SOONEST THEY COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO LOOK AT IT WAS A WEEK AWAY. *TR
Engine, Jul 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS
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
Engine, Jun 23, 2014
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST INTO VEHICLE CABIN, LOOKED AT FORUMS, & FOUND 62 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS BY EXPLORER OWNERS, ON WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM, CALLED DEALER, TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR 2 DAYS, UNDER TSB-128-12-12-4, SERVICE WORK, STILL HAVE SAME ISSUE MONTHS LATER, STILL WAITING FOR FORD TO CORRECT PROBLEM. AT PRESENT TIME A LAW SUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN FLORIDA, ARTICLE FOUND IN SUN SENNTIAL NEWSPAPER, AT WWW.SUN-SENNTIAL.COM VIDEO SHOWS CO AT 139 ACCEPTABLE LEVEL SHOULD BE 100. *TR
Power train, Jun 3, 2014
CAR HESITATES AFTER TURNS AND THEN AGAIN WHEN ACCELERATING AND ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON A SEPARATE INCIDENT IN 2013 AFTER LOSING ALL POWER DURING A TURN; THE THROTTLE BODY - AIR INTAKE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,457 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN TO BE CHECKED, I GET THE SAME RESPONSE: CANNOT NOT RECREATE THE CONCERN, RAN THROUGH OASIS AND NO PROBLEM FOUND. I AM OVER FORD! THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (AKA RECALL WITHOUT THE PRESS INVOLVED) (PROGRAM NUMBER 12B36) IN APRIL OF 2012 THAT HAD TO REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). THIS WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT "INOPERATIVE ENGINE COOLING FANS COULD LEAD TO HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READINGS AND REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO AUTOMATICALLY ENTER DERATE (REDUCED POWER) MODE." THIS WAS "FIXED" 14 MONTHS BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED.... *TR
Steering, May 27, 2014
DRIVING TO WORK ON JUNE 25, 2013 (20,420 MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WHEN A "POWER STEERING ASSIST" FAULT CODE POPPED ONTO THE SCREEN AND WITH VERY LIMITED STEERING CAPABILITIES WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE FOR 10 MINUTES AND THE ERROR CORRECTED ITSELF. ON MAY 9, 2014 (30,513 MILES), AFTER COMING OFF A WINDING ROAD TURNED ONTO A STRAIGHT LANE, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CODE POPPED UP AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. ON MAY 23, 2014 (31,002 MILES), GOT INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE TURNED ON ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CODE POPPED UP AND I WASN'T ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT AGAIN. WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JUNE 25, I CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INSTRUCTED "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, BRING IN YOUR VEHICLE." FOR THE SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE SHOWING AT THAT TIME, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND WAS TOLD "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, DON'T TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE AND DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN RETRIEVE THE CODES." MY MAIN CONCERN IS NOT BEING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, May 24, 2014
FORD EXPLORER 2012 WITH VIBRATION AND GRINDING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND LOSS OF ALL STEERING. INITIALLY INFREQUENT HOWEVER AFTER TWO YEARS THE OCCURRENCE IS COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF ALL STEERING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THREE SEPARATE FORD DEALERS FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISER THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED IN A TEST DRIVE BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER IN MAY, 2014 I BROUGHT WEBSITE REPORTS OF OTHER DRIVERS EXPERIENCING STEERING GEAR FAILURE IN THEIR 2011 AND 2012 FORD EXPLORERS. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WAITING AT THE FORD DEALER (OVER TWO WEEKS) FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR
Steering, May 21, 2014
ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHIN THE LAST MONTH THE POWER STEERING FAULT ASSIST HAS GONE OFF. TWICE WHILE DRIVING AND ONCE WHEN FIRST STARING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DROVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS SOMETHING IS RECALLED OR THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE THEY HAVE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS TO DANGEROUS OF AN ISSUE TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING WHEN MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 13, 2014
IN SEPTEMBER 2013, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH WHEN A WRENCH SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING TO A STOP. THE GAS WOULD NOT WORK DURING THIS TIME AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT DID RESTART WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT DID IT AGAIN A LITTLE LATER. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE I LEASED THE CAR FROM. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT COULD NOT GET CODES BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES IN OCTOBER. BOTH TIMES WERE AT NIGHT OVER A WEEKEND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED. AGAIN, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT RESET THE "SYSTEM" AND I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THE NIGHT OF MAY 3, 2013. I WAS DRIVING OUTSIDE OF MCKINNEY, TX, WITH MY CRUISE SET AT 74 WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAD JUST COME OFF OF I-75 WHERE THEY ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION AND THERE ARE CONCRETE WALLS ON EITHER SIDE OF TWO LANES WITH NO SHOULDER! SINCE YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE SPEED, AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE CAR WORK IS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, THEN RESTART IT, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE (MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN) WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A VERY BUSY AREA WITH SPEEDS UP TO 75 MPH AND LOTS OF SEMI-TRUCKS. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND GM OF PARIS FORD WHO BOTH AGREED TO A LOANER CAR UNTIL MINE COULD BE FIXED, AND TOOK IT IN FOR THE THIRD TIME. APPARENTLY, THE ONLY LOANER CAR THEY HAD WAS UNAVAILABLE, SO I COULD TAKE MY CAR BACK AND DRIVE IT UNTIL THEY HAD A LOANER. WE DECIDED THAT WAS ENOUGH. I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE OF ANYTHING HAPPENING TO MYSELF OR OUR CHILDREN. WE TURNED IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER PAYING $251, IT IS NOW BACK WITH THEM. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! *TR
Steering, May 12, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER MY CAR TO THE EXIT RAMP AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN ON SMALLER STREETS. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2014
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF. THEY CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR
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