2012 Ford Explorer Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 67 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Ford Explorer, 8% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 45,000 miles. No related recall is on file for this component.
- Electrical System complaints
- 67
- 8% of 827
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 45,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Power steering assist fails suddenly while driving, sometimes accompanied by a dash warning and other system faults like the terrain sensor or turn signals.
- MyTouch/MyFord Touch infotainment screens freeze, respond slowly, or switch functions on their own, affecting navigation, climate, and audio controls.
- Electrical system drains the battery, causing warning lights, engine light activation, or the vehicle to stall and lock the steering wheel.
- Some vehicles smoke or catch fire, in one case while parked in a driveway with no one inside.
- Steering locks up at low speed while the gauge cluster shows no change, followed by burning odors or smoke from the vehicle.
- One owner reported being able to shut off the ignition with the electronic start button without the vehicle in park or the brake depressed.
When 2012 Ford Explorer electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 5, 2011, latest Apr 29, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Ford Explorer
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Electrical System complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA lists 67 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Explorer, which is 8% of the 827 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Ford Explorer electrical system?
- No related recall is listed in the data for the electrical system on the 2012 Explorer.
- At what mileage do 2012 Explorer electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 Explorer is 45,000 miles.
- Are the electrical problems dangerous?
- Among the 67 electrical complaints, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, and 1 injury linked to this component.
- How does the 2012 Explorer compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2012 Explorer's 8% share of complaints tied to the electrical system matches 2011, 2013, and 2018, and is lower than years like 2020 (19%) and 2025 (23%).