2012 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Ford Explorer carries a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict, ranking 10th worst of 21 model years. Steering complaints dominate at 43% of the 827 total, with 5 recalls including a power steering software fix.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 827
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2012 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can suddenly seize or lock up during turns, sometimes at low speed, leading to loss of control and collisions with poles, curbs, or fences.
- Power steering assist faults occur even after the recall software update, with owners reporting sudden loss of assist while turning.
- Electrical system failures include vehicles catching fire while parked, and dashboard/ignition systems malfunctioning, including one report of the engine start button shutting off the vehicle without being in park.
- Engine-related complaints describe burning fumes entering the cabin under heavy acceleration, with no dealer remedy offered.
- Brake failures include pads sticking against rotors and a broken caliper retaining bolt, producing smoke at the wheel.
- Structural or body issues include a vehicle rolling away from park on a slope despite the emergency brake being applied.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Explorer carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years for this model.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Ford Explorer?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 358 of 827 complaints (43%), with a median failure mileage of about 96,328 miles and a recall for the power steering control module software.
- Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Explorer, covering steering software, interior door handles, rear suspension toe links, a suspension component inspection, and A-pillar trim clips. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Explorer compare to other Explorer years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 55 is lower than 2011 (70), 2013 (85), and 2016 (100), all rated Avoid, but higher than years like 2008, 2009, and 2019, which rate Good.