2012 Ford Explorer

● Typical for this model

2012 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

2012: 820 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	1
1985	1
1986	3
1987	3
1988	4
1989	1
1990	12
1991	609
1992	633
1993	939
1994	1207
1995	843
1996	1450
1997	1731
1998	1959
1999	1348
2000	952
2001	375
2002	3293
2003	1131
2004	1304
2005	497
2006	630
2007	208
2008	147
2009	33
2010	115
2011	1192
2012	820
2013	2222
2014	1669
2015	1748
2016	2424
2017	1656
2018	706
2019	281
2020	1155
2021	393
2022	242
2023	99
2024	19
2025	87
2026	16

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 42%

42% of complaints: steering — 346 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show 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

Steering wheel locked up, while driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230927

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 79 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20120514

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 77 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20180720

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 60 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20111005

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20120619 — PE (closed 20140612)

Electric power steering failure

R 20140129 — steering

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

R 20140723 — steering

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

R 20150723 — structure

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

I 20160701 — PE (closed 20170912)

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor

I 20170727 — EA (closed 20230117)

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

R 20170731 — suspension, wheels

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

R 20190626 — suspension

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

R 20220317 — suspension

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

I 20230127 — PE (closed 20240208)

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

R 20240718 — structure

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