Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH, several unknown codes appeared on the instrument panel and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The driver was able to stop on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for a few minutes. When the vehicle was restarted the power steering functionality resumed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the code was an electric power steering failure and informed the contact of an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had to be taken to a dealer for diagnosis to confirm the failure and once confirmed, the repairs would be covered by Ford. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the electric power steering failure was confirmed. …
The contact's husband owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon startup of the vehicle, the power steering assist had failed as the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After another man attempted to steer the vehicle, the contact left the vehicle in the parking lot and got a ride home. The next day, the contract called for a tow; however, the power steering functionality returned. With the tow truck following behind her, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic. After a diagnostic test was performed, the mechanic informed her that he was not authorized to service the vehicle and advised her to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact was then able to drive the vehicle to a dealer where she was given an appointment for a diagnostic test. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and slowing for a traffic sign, the power steering failed while turning to the right. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence without a power steering assist. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the steering gear and rear bushings needed to be replaced. The rear bushings were replaced; however, the steering gear was not repaired. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle now constantly would steer to the right and the contact had to compensate to keep moving in a straight line by counter-steering to the left. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH, the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The contact was able to continue driving by using his physical strength to steer the steering wheel. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that as he arrived to the residence, the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to the used car dealer it was purchased from, and it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The Ford dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered under Ford Campaign Number: 15N01, as the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH and turning left onto a street, the vehicle lost power steering assist and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stopped and turned the vehicle off and placed the vehicle in neutral(N) and with help was able to push the vehicle off the roadway. The contact stated he did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and later driven to a dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear toe link and suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the contact stated that the steering failure reoccurred. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts). …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the service power steering warning message was illuminated, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions for failure. The first time the vehicle was taken to the dealer, it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion were faulty. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back a second time to the dealer, and the dealer cleaned the power steering connector. The failure recurred a third time. The vehicle was taken back a third time to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E001000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …
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 not yet available. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, the trim on the lower part of the windshield detached and was loosened. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel, while driving, while making left and right turns, and even while the engine was turned off. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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's wife owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 30-35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle several times, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact's wife was able to drive to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred the next day. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact's wife that she had to pay a repair fee as the vehicle had previously received the one-time free repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. …
Related recalls
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 investigations
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…
Steering complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 360 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 43% of the model year's 829 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Explorer steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-286 (electric power assist system, May 29, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Explorer steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.