2012 Ford Explorer problems and recalls
Owners filed 220 complaints on the 2012 Ford Explorer in the last three full years, out of 826 on record. The most cited component is the Steering.
826
Complaints
7
Recalls
10
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
13
Injuries
26.0
Severity index
Severity index 26.0 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.
Ranked 130 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 0% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.
Components cited in complaints
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 358 | 43.3% |
| STRUCTURE | 143 | 17.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 105 | 12.7% |
| ENGINE | 79 | 9.6% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 63 | 7.6% |
| POWER TRAIN | 55 | 6.7% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 27 | 3.3% |
| AIR BAGS | 27 | 3.3% |
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) | 23 |
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.7x those in 2020 to 2022 (220 against 127).
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. |
Other Ford Explorer model years
Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.
- 2013sev 35.6
- 2014sev 34.3
- 2015sev 52.0
- 2016sev 30.2
- 2017sev 37.5
- 2018sev 31.4
- 2019sev 29.8
- 2020sev 43.4
- 2021sev 53.6
- 2022sev 89.1
- 2023sev 84.0
- 2024sev 79.8
- 2025sev 62.0
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.