NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Ford Explorer Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Ford Explorer has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 830 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Ford Explorer, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Ford Explorer owner complaints
Owners have filed 830 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer, describing incidents dated May 28, 2011 to September 25, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Steering 360 complaints
- Structure 144 complaints
- Unknown or Other 105 complaints
- Engine 92 complaints
- Electrical System 64 complaints
- Power Train 55 complaints
Of the 830 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 830 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11773477 · Filed
Had to pull over to chnage my tire and when attenpting to put my hazard lights on, or warning lights they did not work which resulted in several cars almost hitting me because I could not signal my lights. The way Ford designed the 2012 Ford Explorer hazard light button is flawed. Its not an actual…
ODI #11768099 · Filed
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to…
ODI #11767698 · Filed
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, with the power steering fault message displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving at slow speeds. The failure…
Owner-reported
2012 Ford Explorer mileage at failure
560 of the 830 complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Explorer give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | Median 110,000 miles | Middle half 45,000–150,000 miles | Based on 259 complaints |
| Structure | Median 100,000 miles | Middle half 60,000–150,000 miles | Based on 82 complaints |
| Engine | Median 55,000 miles | Middle half 40,000–90,000 miles | Based on 67 complaints |
| Power Train | Median 45,000 miles | Middle half 35,000–75,000 miles | Based on 47 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Ford Explorer in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE23-001: Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Closed February 8, 2024
- Engineering Analysis EA17-002: Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
Closed January 17, 2023
- Preliminary Evaluation PE16-008: Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
Closed September 12, 2017
- Preliminary Evaluation PE12-017: Electric power steering failure
Closed June 12, 2014
Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach
NHTSA #24V031000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice
Reported January 19, 2024 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 1,889,110 vehicles
Repair completion: 20.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 24S02 · Owners notified July 18, 2024 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture
NHTSA #21V746000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice
Reported September 22, 2021 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 150,723 vehicles
Repair completion: 47.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 21S43 · Owners notified March 17, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture
NHTSA #19V435000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice
Reported June 10, 2019 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 1,194,173 vehicles
Repair completion: 64.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 19S17 · Owners notified June 26, 2019 · Vehicles built May 17, 2010 – January 25, 2017 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Hub Unit Bearing may Allow Wheel Detachment
NHTSA #17E048000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice
Reported August 28, 2017 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 630 vehicles
Owners notified July 31, 2017
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Safety consequence
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat
NHTSA #15V171000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported March 24, 2015 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 194,484 vehicles
Repair completion: 67.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 15S11 · Owners notified July 23, 2015 · Vehicles built February 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Safety consequence
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
NHTSA #14V286000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice
Reported May 29, 2014 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 179,027 vehicles
Repair completion: 82.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 14S06 · Owners notified July 23, 2014 · Vehicles built May 17, 2010 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Safety consequence
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Replacement Steering Gears may Lock Steering
NHTSA #14E001000 · Steering · NHTSA notice
Reported January 6, 2014 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 300 vehicles
Repair completion: 43% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 13S14 · Owners notified January 29, 2014
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
Safety consequence
The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Ford Explorer model years
Check your 2012 Ford Explorer VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Explorer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Ford VIN