2012 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
47/100
#9 most-complained of 16 Explorer years
The 2012 Ford Explorer has a Complaint Index of 47, ranking 9th worst out of 16 model years and earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Explorer years. Steering accounts for 43% of its 827 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 96,328.5 miles, and 5 recalls have been issued.
- Complaints
- 827
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 25 hwy
Top 2012 Ford Explorer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering358 (43%)
- Structure & Body146 (18%)
- Other112 (14%)
- Engine103 (12%)
- Electrical System67 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain55 (7%)
- Brakes40 (5%)
- Fuel System34 (4%)
- Airbags27 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (3%)
What owners report
- Power steering suddenly fails or locks up while turning, sometimes leading to loss of control and a crash into a curb, pole, or building.
- Power steering assist faults occur at low speed, causing drivers to lose steering and hit fixed objects.
- Electrical system problems include vehicles catching fire while parked or while driving, with smoke and burning smells reported.
- A steering lockup was accompanied by hard brake pedal feel, reduced stopping ability, and a road departure into a concrete pole.
- Some owners report the vehicle rolling away after being parked in gear with the parking brake applied, resulting in body damage after striking nearby objects.
- One owner reported the ignition could be shut off with the push-button start without the vehicle being in park or the brake depressed.
2012 Ford Explorer recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
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.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 21V746000Sep 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires150,723 vehicles
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 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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 19V435000Jun 10, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,194,173 vehicles
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.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
2012 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Compared with other Explorer model years, the 2012 has a Complaint Index of 47 and ranks 9th worst out of 16 years, giving it a "Good" verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Ford Explorer?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 43% of the 827 complaints filed with NHTSA, with a median failure mileage of 96,328.5 miles.
- Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have a steering recall?
- Yes. Recall 14V286000 covers a Power Steering Control Module software update for intermittent electrical connection issues affecting 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles built between May 17, 2010 and February 28, 2012.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Ford Explorer, covering structure and body, suspension, and steering components.
- How does the 2012 Explorer compare to the 2013 or 2016 Explorer?
- The 2012 model (Complaint Index 47) has far fewer reported problems than the 2013 (93) and 2016 (100), both rated "Avoid," making 2012 a comparatively better choice.