YearToAvoid

2012 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 34 fuel system complaints for the 2012 Ford Explorer, 4% of its 827 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,426. There is no related recall on file for this issue.

Fuel System complaints
34
4% of 827
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
51,426 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a persistent gas odor inside or near the cabin, sometimes appearing shortly after purchase and returning after dealer repairs like fuel canister replacement.
  • Some vehicles stalled or lost power suddenly at highway speeds, with the engine still idling but no throttle response.
  • Fuel pump and sender assembly failures were reported, in some cases leaving vehicles undriveable for extended periods due to backordered parts.
  • Throttle body problems were described as causing random stalling when accelerating from a stop.
  • A few owners noted a carbon monoxide or exhaust-like odor entering the cabin, especially under acceleration at higher RPM.

When 2012 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 16, 2011, latest Jul 21, 2025.

2012 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2011Sep 2014Jul 2015Aug 2016Dec 2016Jul 2017Dec 2020
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2011 to Jul 2025; peak Jul 2016 (3).

Fuel System recalls for the 2012 Ford Explorer

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Explorer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20109 (8%)
  2. 201140 (3%)
  3. 201234 (4%)
  4. 2013153 (7%)
  5. 201471 (4%)
  6. 201594 (5%)
  7. 2016112 (5%)
  8. 201749 (3%)
  9. 201823 (3%)
  10. 201917 (6%)
  11. 202042 (3%)
  12. 202126 (6%)
  13. 202236 (13%)
  14. 20233 (3%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 34 fuel system complaints for the 2012 Explorer, which is 4% of the 827 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Ford Explorer fuel system?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the 2012 Explorer's fuel system complaints.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up on the 2012 Explorer?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2012 Explorer is 51,426 miles.
Did fuel system issues cause crashes or fires in the 2012 Explorer?
According to NHTSA data, the 34 fuel system complaints for the 2012 Explorer report 0 crashes and 0 fires.
How does the 2012 Explorer compare to other years for fuel system complaints?
The 2012 Explorer's fuel system complaints made up 4% of its total complaints, lower than the 2013 (7%), 2015 (5%), 2016 (5%), and 2022 (13%) model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.