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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-FORD-EXPLORER / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Ford Explorer owner complaints

818 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

steering 12 complaints shown

355 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/30/2019 ODI #11292201.0

After a recall free fixed, the car its showing the samething problem, but the dealershi say now I should to pay because 4 years ago was fix it....

12/27/2024 138,800 mi ODI #11632640.0

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle per the owner's manual; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,800.

12/27/2021 ODI #11445125.0

The power steering on the vehicle stopped working while driving. The vehicle is currently at Ken Groody Ford in Redlands, CA (Formerly Redlands Ford). The vehicle gave a yellow Service Power Steering Soon indication and the steering became sluggish. Shortly after, within minutes, the indicator came on in red and the vehicle was unable to be effectively steered. This is the second time this has occurred on this vehicle. The first time was two years ago in November 2019 and was repaired at the same dealership.

12/26/2023 ODI #11561831.0

We seen multiple online post about our make model and year Ford having a recall. When our steering wheel locked and we lost complete control of our car more than once with kids and a baby in the car we brought it to Ford to be fixed. They told us as long as the computer matched up with that issue it would be covered under an existing campaign. They then said ford denied it because it just missed the cut off time limit by a couple months and we would have to come out of pocket. They had no loaners for us or any help. We borrowed money from a family Member, had to pay for a rental and we were reassured it was fixed. Then we have the same issue but worse happen Christmas Eve, weeks after getting it repaired and assured it was fixed . We repaired it at the dealership and then once again lost

12/26/2018 175,405 mi ODI #11163523.0

In 2014 there was a recall for my vehicle. It was not fixed because when checked my car did not show any problem. Now I cannot drive my car due to power steering assist fault. I called the dealership and was informed they cannot fix my car based on warranty because it previously checked out fine. This car is not safe to drive and quite expensive to fix. Why can't the recall still apply to my car. My car was in my driveway when it happened so thankfully no one was hurt. But the danger remains if I have to drive it anywhere without being able to get it fixed.

12/24/2013 22,702 mi ODI #10557190.0

The vehicle power steering and power brakes shut off while driving making pulling over and stopping very difficult for a mature male driver. I find it difficult I can only imagine how difficult and dangerous this could be for my wife or any smaller or less experienced driver. This happened multiple times during regular driving on fairly smooth surface normal conditions. *tr

12/22/2023 ODI #11561576.0

Failure of electronic power assist steering system. Without power steering, maneuverability becomes difficult as effort required for steering the vehicle drastically increases, putting the driver and those around them at risk. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue. It has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning lamps appear until failure is already evident. There is already a safety recall concerning the EPAS system. The service action for this recall at Ford dealers is to check for diagnostic trouble codes and replace the power steering rack if certain codes are found. If none are found, however, they are to reprogram the EPAS system and extended coverage is provided should the EPAS system still fail with 10 years or 150,000 miles.

12/22/2019 120,000 mi ODI #11290727.0

Our SUV lost power steering while driving and unable to steer vehicle without excessive force. Warnings that came on dash include: service power steering now, advancetrac warning, and all terrain warning. The turn signals also will not operate properly.

12/21/2022 ODI #11498363.0

2012 Ford explorer has a recall 14s06 which my vehicle allegedly isnt apart of , but for some reason im having this issue. Which is extremely dangerous

12/21/2019 172,000 mi ODI #11290610.0

Vehicle in motion. Steering became more difficult. No sensor light came on. I pulled over to stop and sensor said power steering and intelligent 4 wheel drive need service. Called mechanic . Tried to drive and steering was completely locked .

12/19/2018 150,950 mi ODI #11162602.0

Our power steering failed completely on 12/17/2018. Exact symptoms as described in former recall 14v286000 - somehow Ford was able to change this recall to an extended warranty which lapses at 150,000 miles. Our vehicle failed at 150,950 miles - rendering it extremely dangerous and impossible to control. Repair costs over $2300. How the NHTSA can accept such an agreement as an extended warranty in place of a blanket recall demonstrates the power of the auto-maker lobby at the extreme detriment and danger to the american public. Ford and NHTSA should be ashamed.

12/19/2018 ODI #11162598.0

Power steering fault. The power steering just stopped work while I was driving with now warming until it was completely inoperable. I nearly crashed it to an on coming car in the parking lot of my gym. I notice there was a recall for this make and model but when I did a VIN search my truck was not registering a recall.

body 5 complaints shown

126 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/30/2024 60,000 mi ODI #11633101.0

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 contact stated that the molding around the driver's side windshield was detaching. The contact had purchased and secured the molding with adhesive. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/23/2024 80,000 mi ODI #11632122.0

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. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/20/2017 71,000 mi ODI #11055776.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford explorer. The contact stated that the windshield weather stripping became loose. Also, the interior door panel molding on the front driver and passenger sides separated from the doors. Furthermore, the rear hatch was not welded together, which caused water to enter the trunk area. The failures occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (randall reed's planet Ford 59, 19000 eastex fwy, humble, tx 77338). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall and that the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-392-3673 and asked the contact to call NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

12/18/2024 ODI #11631406.0

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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/18/2018 80,000 mi ODI #11162158.0

Windshield side molding braking apart and flying off during drive.

electrical 2 complaints shown

34 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/28/2018 90,000 mi ODI #11163777.0

This is a safety issue - air bags could malfunction at anytime due to miscommunication within the system. Air bags can deploy at anytime or can fail to deploy when necessary. Air bag light turns on and stays on. According to Ford dealer this is a known issue but has not yet been recalled. Seat belt buckle replaced, air bag diagnostic module replaced, program control module air bag reprogramed. Light continues to turn on. Has a wire harness issue l/f door module SRS - wiring loom needs to be replaced.

12/18/2024 ODI #11631519.0

There is a recall on the trim. There are no replacement parts and now there is a tiny leak, The leak is hitting the center console. I have to have a plastic bag over it at all times. it at one point leaked into the hazards lights and I woke up multiple days in a row to find my hazards on and then I had to manually dry it and eventually they'd go back on . Other buttons on the display have stopped working. The fan for the heater will not turn off at all ever.

other 1 complaint shown

12/28/2020 142,000 mi ODI #11385367.0

There is a strong smell of carbon monoxide when the engine is reved over 3000 -3500 RPM this happens every single time. It seems to be on par with the other complaints regarding this issue with the exhaust system. I noticed this issue since I bought the car from the used car lot.

Showing 300 of 818 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Explorer#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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