MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford Explorer

● Typical for this model
2012 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
826
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

43% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2012 826 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 1999 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2005 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2012 826 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2017 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1992 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1994 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1998 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2000 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2006 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2012 826 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2018 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2022 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2024 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints

2012: 826 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941,231
1995843
19961,450
19971,731
19981,959
19991,348
2000952
2001375
20023,295
20031,131
20041,304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012826
20132,233
20141,679
20151,786
20162,455
20171,690
2018727
2019296
20201,224
2021432
2022267
2023110
202421
2025100
202639
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

43% · 359 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Power steering assist fault, lose of steering at low speed lost control and hit curb

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-08

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, 2012-01-08

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, 2026-07-21

Structure

17% · 144 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2018-07-20

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, 2026-07-10

The windshield molding / trim on the driver side detached and flew off almost hitting a car behind me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-07

Engine

10% · 79 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2012-05-14

Electrical system

8% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2011-10-05

Power train

7% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2014-01-13

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2012-06-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-06-12 Electric power steering failure
  2. R
    2014-01-29Steering14E001000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2014-07-23Steering14V286000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2015-07-23Structure15V171000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2016-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2017-09-12 Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
  6. I
    2017-07-27Engineering analysisClosed 2023-01-17 Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
  7. R
    2017-07-31Suspension, wheels17E048000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-06-26Suspension19V435000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2022-03-17Suspension21V746000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2023-01-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-02-08 Windshield trim molding Item detachment
  11. R
    2024-07-18Structure24V031000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 359 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 144 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 79 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14E001000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V171000 · Structure
  • Recall 17E048000 · Suspension, wheels
  • Recall 19V435000 · Suspension
  • Recall 21V746000 · Suspension
  • Recall 24V031000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.