2012 Ford Explorer: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 822 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 7 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
822
Complaints
7
Recalls
10
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
13
Injuries
21.9
Severity index
Severity index 21.9 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 129 2012 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2012 Ford Explorer ranks 121 of 129 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 6% of its model-year peers. See the full 2012 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 357 | 43.4% |
| STRUCTURE | 142 | 17.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 103 | 12.5% |
| ENGINE | 79 | 9.6% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 63 | 7.7% |
| POWER TRAIN | 55 | 6.7% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 27 | 3.3% |
| AIR BAGS | 27 | 3.3% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 357 of 822 complaints (43.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 33 |
| 2014 | 50 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 72 |
| 2017 | 74 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2021 | 37 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 71 |
| 2025 | 83 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 19 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.7x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V435000 | 10/06/2019 | 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. |
| 17E048000 | 28/08/2017 | WHEELS:HUB | 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 feat |
| 15V171000 | 24/03/2015 | STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 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. |
| 14E001000 | 06/01/2014 | STEERING | 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. |
| 14V286000 | 29/05/2014 | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 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 mot |
| 21V746000 | 22/09/2021 | 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 |
| 24V031000 | 19/01/2024 | 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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.