Most common 2012 Ford Explorer problems
Share of the 829 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer complaints by model year
Best Explorer years: 2024, 2023, 2019. Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013, 2015. Compare all years →
2012 Ford Explorer recalls (5)
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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.
Suspension › Rear
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…
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.
Suspension › Rear
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.
Structure › Body › Door
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.
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.
Steering › Electric power assist system
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…
Remedy: 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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2012 Ford Explorer:
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries.
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
During the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?s (NHTSA?s) investigation into the Ford carbon monoxide allegations, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified additional Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports with similar exhaust odor claims.Presently, ODI has identified 791 VOQs for Model Year 2011-2017 Ford Explorers pertaining to exhaust odor claims.ODI has identified three crashes and 41…
Electric power steering failure
On May 27, 2014 and amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 179,027 model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (EPAS), including 82,328 MY 2011 Explorersthat are the subject of PE12-017.Ford has…
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields.
What 2012 Ford Explorer owners say
Steering all 360 →
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and the vehicle drove off the road. The contact depressed the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. The warning message "Power Steering Failure" was illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle by forcefully steering the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced and the repair could be completed under the Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01. The dealer submitted a claim to SSSC but the claim was denied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle should be repaired under the Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while she was at a stop sign, the steering wheel lost power steering inadvertently. The warning message "Power Steering Assist Fault" is illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off for a minute. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module software needed to be updated. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and the ABS needed to be replaced. …
Body & structure all 144 →
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, her grandson who was occupying the second-row driver's side seat informed the contact that the seat belt had failed to remain buckled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and moved her grandson to the second-row middle seat. The contact stated that the plastic on the second-row driver's side seat belt clip was fractured and had detached, which caused the seat belt to not buckle as needed. The contact also stated that the plastic on the second-row passenger's side seat belt clip was fractured, but the seat belt was able to be buckled. The local dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted the contact in scheduling an appointment with another dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the passenger's side A Pillar trim became loosened and was flapping in the slipstream. The contact stated that a piece of the trim had fractured. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for service. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were not yet available. The contact stated that the trim on the driver's side A-pillar had loosened and fractured. …
Engine & cooling all 92 →
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon further inspection, the contact became aware of a water leak. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water pump had leaked along the leaking hole near the engine block. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a minute and a half later, while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel became firm, and added effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
2012 Ford Explorer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford Explorer a good car?
Based on 829 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Explorer rates better than average: 49% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Explorer at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford Explorer?
The steering — 360 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about electric power assist system. Next are the body & structure (144) and engine & cooling (92).
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2012 Ford Explorer, the most recent from January 19, 2024 (roof and pillars). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2023 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013 and 2015. See the full Ford Explorer years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Explorer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.