2012 FORD EXPLORER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Explorer. This model year has 814 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Steering Defects.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Structural Problems
Uncategorized Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Ford Explorer. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 354 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 138 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 103 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 93 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 63 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 55 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 27 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 27 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 20 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Traction Control System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 814 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the driver's side A-pillar trim clip became partially detached on the side of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repai…
Hi! I brought my car in to the Ford dealership in Lexington, SC to get a recalled A Frame Pillar repaired. They took the part off and didn’t repair it because they didn’t have the parts in. When I called corporate to check on the status of that part, I found out they had marked t…
My car gave a “power steering fault” message on the dash while my son was driving on I-95 on April 12. The steering wheel locked up making turning impossible and could have been fatal. He had pull over and have the vehicle towed home.
The steering went out on the car and I was unable to steer. Almost causing me to have a accident. I had to have a tow truck come and pick it up off the road. Thank God I was alone and my whole family was not in the car. There needs to be a recall on this there has already be…
Recall 24V031 has not been fixed. I got my recall notice from Ford with regards to the A-pillar applique trim. I received my recall in February, 24. I have visited my local Ford dealer several times and as recently as 1 month ago. They state the parts are not available. My driver…
Plastic trims on both sides of the windshield are recalled and ford has not fixed yet. Safety hazard driving and both pieces are loose on vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The c…
Started the Explorer in a parking lot. When backing out the steering wheel was impossible to turn. A Power Steering failure light came on. Pulled the Explorer back into the parking spot and turned off the vehicle. Restarted the vehicle and steering became functional again. T…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and struck another unoccupied parked vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear of the vehicle had sustained scratches. There wa…
Unknown my Steering wheel locked up while driving
Total loss of Electric power steering assistance while driving on the interstate.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering and advanced traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated tha…
Failure of Power Steering A hard steering wheel on a 2012 Ford Explorer with electric steering (EPAS
The Power Steering pump (EPAS) when out on me yesterday while driving on the highway. I was switching lanes on the highway when the service advance trac light came on and the steering wheel became stiff really difficult to move putting myself in danger while driving in a higher s…
The rear back up camera is now displaying a message to contact dealership. It freezes up and stops working.
My back-up camera has flipped images so the left appears on the right and the right appears on the left as well as the safety lines have disappeared. The two Ford dealerships want a diagnostic fee that doesn't even go toward the cost of the repairs.
Faulty rear view camera. Says contact the dealership on the message.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side and driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar tr…
While driving, my 2012 Ford Explorer displayed a “Service Power Steering Now” warning message, and the steering wheel completely locked, making the vehicle impossible to steer safely. This happened without warning and rendered the car undrivable, creating an immediate safety haza…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). The local deal…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Ford Explorer.
Recalls for 2012 Ford Explorer
7 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Explorer. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Ford Explorer reliable?▾
Notable Issues. The 2012 Ford Explorer has 814 NHTSA owner complaints, 10 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Steering Defects (354 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Explorer?▾
#1: Steering Defects (354 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (138 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (103 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Ford Explorer?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Ford Explorer?▾
The 2012 Ford Explorer has 10 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 814 total NHTSA complaints. 13 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have any recalls?▾
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Ford Explorer. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:REAR. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Ford Explorer?▾
The 2012 Ford Explorer has notable issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Steering Defects issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.