2012 Ford Explorer: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 822 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (43% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jan 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 822 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 .”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hazard lights and other surrounding indicator systems were inoperable. Additionally, the rearview camera displayed a blank image while reversing. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 208,974.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2026
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the driver's side A-pillar trim clip became partially detached on the side of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 155,500.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“My car gave a "power steering fault" message on the dash while my son was driving on I-95 on April 12. The steering wheel locked up making turning impossible and could have been fatal. He had pull over and have the vehicle towed home.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2026
“Plastic trims on both sides of the windshield are recalled and ford has not fixed yet. Safety hazard driving and both pieces are loose on vehicle.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Feb 2026
“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 local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be registered in the State of California due to the incomplete recall. 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 had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2026
“Started the Explorer in a parking lot. When backing out the steering wheel was impossible to turn. A Power Steering failure light came on. Pulled the Explorer back into the parking spot and turned off the vehicle. Restarted the vehicle and steering became functional again. This appears to be a common ford problem and the recall should be reopened. It would be dangerous if this happened on a the road while driving.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2026
“The Power Steering pump (EPAS) when out on me yesterday while driving on the highway. I was switching lanes on the highway when the service advance trac light came on and the steering wheel became stiff really difficult to move putting myself in danger while driving in a higher speed limit zone.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver, and the steering wheel failed to return to center after making a turn. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2025
“My back-up camera has flipped images so the left appears on the right and the right appears on the left as well as the safety lines have disappeared. The two Ford dealerships want a diagnostic fee that doesn't even go toward the cost of the repairs.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Sep 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
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.
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 for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
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. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
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.
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. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford Explorer reliable?
NHTSA has 822 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Ford Explorer. The most complained-about area is steering (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Explorer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,750 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:rear. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.