2012 Ford Explorer
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 616 |
| 1992 | 640 |
| 1993 | 944 |
| 1994 | 1231 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3294 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1196 |
| 2012 | 824 |
| 2013 | 2229 |
| 2014 | 1674 |
| 2015 | 1771 |
| 2016 | 2443 |
| 2017 | 1677 |
| 2018 | 720 |
| 2019 | 291 |
| 2020 | 1198 |
| 2021 | 412 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 29 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
43% of complaints: steering — 358 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, LOSE OF STEERING AT LOW SPEED LOST CONTROL AND HIT CURB
NHTSA ODI report, 20171208
I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN AS I PROCEEDED DOWN A HILL. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN,LIKE THE WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PUSH, NOT SLOWING ME DOWN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120108
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Loss of power steering assist . Yes it is available for inspection on request. I can't steer it . It has not been confirmed by anybody yet. It has not been inspected by anybody yet. There are no warning lights on dash .
NHTSA ODI report, 20260721
17% of complaints: structure — 143 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AFTER PARKING MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVE WAY (VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED) I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING FORWARDS DOWN MY SLOPPED DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180720
Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260710
The windshield molding / trim on the driver side detached and flew off almost hitting a car behind me.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230907
10% of complaints: engine — 79 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120514
8% of complaints: electrical system — 63 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF WITH THE ELECTRONIC START BUTTON WITHOUT PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111005
7% of complaints: power train — 56 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive).
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON DEC. 2, 2013 I WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A SLIGHT DECLINE AT A SCHOOL BUS STOP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140113
SAFETY TIMELINE
Electric power steering failure
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.
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge.
Campaign 14V286000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V171000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17E048000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V435000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V746000 — check if this car was fixed
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 24V031000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (358 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (143 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (79 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 14E001000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V286000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V171000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17E048000 (suspension, wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V435000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V746000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V031000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Ford Explorer is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.