Worst 2012 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
STEERING
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 342 | 6 | 1 | 93,806 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 102 | 3 | 2 | 69,503 mi | |
| ENGINE | 79 | 1 | 3 | 79,842 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 75 | — | 1 | 109,207 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 60 | 1 | 3 | 54,811 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 59 | 1 | — | 64,544 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 55 | 1 | — | 63,019 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 27 | — | — | 64,457 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 27 | — | — | 66,328 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 22 | 1 | — | 189,413 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 19 | — | — | 70,115 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 19 | — | 1 | 60,935 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 17 | — | — | 37,678 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 14 | — | — | 62,994 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8 | — | — | 54,600 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 7 | — | — | 63,770 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 7 | — | — | 46,032 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 5 | — | — | 36,198 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 5 | — | — | 20,884 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS | 5 | — | — | 82,000 mi | |
| WHEELS | 5 | — | — | 132,500 mi | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 4 | — | — | 73,250 mi | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | 4 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 4 | — | — | 98,880 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 3 | — | — | 77,259 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 | — | — | 117,750 mi | |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 111,822 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 3 | — | — | 60,000 mi | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 | — | — | 556 mi |
Recalls for 2012 Ford Explorer
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,647,350 vehicles.
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.
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.
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 Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
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 Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
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.
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.
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 of the power steering assist.
Other Ford Explorer Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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