2012 FORD EXPLORER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    steering electric assist

    1 stranded, 171 unsafe

    172
    incidents
    Typical range: 21,000–142,500 mi

    Median 78,500 mi, based on 164 reports (32% had no usable mileage)

    • "COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT SHOWED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A CORNER? HOPEFULLY SOMEONE CAN HELP BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE DRI…"~1,500 mi, complaint #930815
    • "POWER ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. DISABLES POWER STEERING AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND VERY DANGEROUS. HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TT"~19,000 mi, complaint #1005674
    • "ON MY WAY TO WORK THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I GOT WORK I CALLED THE FORD DEALER THEY SAID BRING THE VEHICLE IN THE STEERING COULD GO OUT. LATER THE SAME DAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1187542
    • "FOR THE PAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL GETS "STUCK" IN POSITION AND WILL NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR LANE. I HAVE TO APPLY HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE IT MOVE AGAIN BUT AFTERWARDS IT APPEARS TO DRIVE NO…"~121,775 mi, complaint #1600304
    • "THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT DOWN MY ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE WHILE LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO THE BUS STOP. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE STEERING, I LOST ALL CONTROL. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THAN RESTARTED…"~960,400 mi, complaint #1547069
  2. #2

    exhaust system

    54 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    60
    incidents
    Typical range: 27,000–84,000 mi

    Median 54,000 mi, based on 48 reports (35% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY FORD EXPLORER 2012 HAS BEEN GETTING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALL I GET IS A RUN AROUND. THUS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME ONE DIES FROM THE FUMES."~500 mi, complaint #1398021
    • "THE SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. SAW THIS INTHE RECENT NATIONAL NEWS. EXACTLY WHAT I EXPERIENCED AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY VECHICLE BUT KEEP JUST BEING DISREGARDED AS NOTHING. ALL MY ISSUES WERE NEVER RESOVED NO LETTER EVER ANSWERED. SENT A RECENT EMAIL TO FO…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1357363
    • "WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, EXHAUST FUMES IN MY CAR NEARLY PUT ME TO SLEEP. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AND LEARNED THAT FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, SO THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1226128
    • "I SMELL EXHAUST WHEN IDLING OR WAITING AT STOP LIGHTS- EVEN WHEN DRIVING. AM I IN DANGER?? IT IS ONGOING AND HAPPENS OFTEN."~80,000 mi, complaint #1443212
    • "THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF CARBON MONOXIDE WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVED OVER 3000 -3500 RPM THIS HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT SEEMS TO BE ON PAR WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I NOTICED THIS ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR F…"~142,000 mi, complaint #1716058
  3. #3

    power steering hydraulic

    52 unsafe

    52
    incidents
    Typical range: 25,000–141,500 mi

    Median 80,500 mi, based on 93 reports (13% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A LOT AND CALLED ME. THE CAR WAS A FEW MILES FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP (NORTHGATE FORD NEAR CINCINNATI, OHIO). AFTER STARTING IT BACK UP, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TH…"~3,000 mi, complaint #937746
    • "POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A TURN MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT. WARNING LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL AND TERRAIN MONITOR CAME ON. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WAS CLEARED. *TR"~15,997 mi, complaint #1017259
    • "THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN 24 HOURS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER RIGHT AWAY. I AM GLAD THAT MY 16 YEAR OLD DRIVER WAS NOT AT THE WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A ONE-YEAR OLD NEW CAR. SAFETY MUST COME…"~46,461 mi, complaint #1004195
    • "THE VEHICLE AT START UP HAS DISABLED POWER STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO BE STEERED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DRIVEWAY AND WAS ABOUT TO PLACE INTO DRIVE GEAR WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND COULD NO LONGER TURN THE STEERING WHEEL."~120,000 mi, complaint #1477431
    • "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, FIRST APPEARED JANUARY 9TH 2020 - PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH AROUND 146,000 MILES ON 4/2019 - WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS, FIRST OWNER BOUGHT NEW AND HAD DETAILED MAINTENANCE RECORDS - NEVER HAD RECALL WORK DONE FROM 2014 REGARDING THIS…"~165,516 mi, complaint #1645156
  4. #4

    steering rack mechanical

    1 stranded, 39 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    41
    incidents
    Typical range: 51,000–143,000 mi

    Median 100,500 mi, based on 50 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN AS I PROCEEDED DOWN A HILL. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN,LIKE THE WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PUSH, NOT SLOWING ME DOWN. THE EXPLORER WENT OFF OF THE ROAD STRIKING A CONCRETE POLE. IT DESTR…"~2,569 mi, complaint #899095
    • "WHILE TRAVELING [REDACTED ADDRESS] STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF OF HIGHWAY WITH MUCH EFFORT AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1039592
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), THE STEERING ABILITY FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JUN…"~100,100 mi, complaint #1543295
    • "RECALL 14S06/15N01 PERFORMED IN 2016 FOR FAILED STEERING. COMPLETE STEERING RACK REPLACED. 4 YEARS LATER THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS WITH. VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO STEER WHEN IT FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1696264
    • "STEERING MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN STEERING LEFT TO RIGHT MOST OF THE TIME TO THE RIGHT"~650,000 mi, complaint #1194334
  5. #5

    other

    26 unsafe, 12 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 90,500–151,000 mi

    Median 139,000 mi, based on 48 reports (53% had no usable mileage)

    • "OWN 2012 FORD EXPLORER,BOUGHT NEW AND A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THAT IT HAD TOW PKG. ON IT. HAD OCCASION TO USE THE TOW AND CHECKED LOCAL U-HAUL AND THEY REFUSED TO RENT A TRAILER TO ME. WAS TOLD CO. POLICY FORBID RENTAL TO ANYONE DRIVING AN EXPLORER. I WAS TO…"~20,000 mi, complaint #985222
    • "I PLACED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN MY VEHICLE AFTER READING ABOUT ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN GOING OFF DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF CO DETECTED INSIDE MY CAR. THE DETECTOR ONLY STOPS BEEPING WHEN I OPEN ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. I USE A KID…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1364922
    • "WATER LEAKS FROM ROOF RACK AND CRACKS IN WELDING AROUND TAIL-GATE ROOF AND WELDING AROUND HINGES. WATER IS POOLING AND STANDING IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. WATER IS RUNNING DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT, DOWN THE SOUND PROOFING/ INSULATOR PAD OVER THE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1504602
    • "MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES 🔥 AND BURN TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY. *TR"~140,000 mi, complaint #1662870
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, a pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure)…"~168,000 mi, complaint #1980987
  6. #6

    glass and windshield

    32 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    34
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 76,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR AND THE MOLDING FROM AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER 10-15 MILES THE LEFT HAND MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD ALSO BLEW OFF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TROUBLE FOR ANY ONE BEHIND ME OR TO THE SIDE OF ME.…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1126458
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON I30 EASTBOUND IN TEXAS ON OCTOBER OF 2015 WHEN WITHOUT WARNING MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. AFTER STOPPING AND CHECKING BOTH VEHICLES NO INJURIES OR DAM AGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AND WE WENT ON OUR WA…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1282830
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WEATHER STRIPPING BECAME LOOSE. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL MOLDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES SEPARATED FROM THE DOORS. FURTHERMORE, THE REAR HATCH WAS NOT WELDED…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1434329
    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF. UPON STOPPING AND INSPECTING, THE PLASTIC SLIPS THAT HELD IT IN PLACE WERE BROKEN. I CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE, AND THE CLIPS ARE STARTING TO BREAK ON THERE AS WELL, IT IS NO LON…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1326702
    • "THE WINDSHIELD PILLARS FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING, AN THE WHEATHER STRIPPING UNDER IT DOES NOT STAY, IT SLOWLY FLAPS OUT WHEN AT DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50-70MPH. WHEN THE WHEATHER STRIP FLYS OFF IT CAUSES THE PILLARS TO BREAK MORE WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY"~160,000 mi, complaint #1521031
  7. #7

    airbag system

    23 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    24
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIRBAG LIGHTS GO OFF BUT COME BACK ON AND STAYS ON. THIS STARTED A MONTH AGO AND THE WARNING LIGHT STILL SWITCHES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED"~500 mi, complaint #1636483
    • "ON 4/17/2019 MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ITS NOT BLINKING JUST SOLID ITS BEEN ALMOST A WEEK AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY FORD YEAR AND MODEL. FROM WHAT I RESEARCHED NONE OF THE FORD REPAIRS HAVE P…"~43,500 mi, complaint #1559626
    • "SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER. AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND OFF AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY."~60,000 mi, complaint #1474223
    • "2/17/21 MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON... BUT WHEN I LOOKED FOR A RECALL OR WHAT TO DO IT SAYS I DON'T HAVE A RECALL...."~91,000 mi, complaint #1727974
    • "THE SAME COMMON PROBLEM WITH EVERY SINGLE 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND POSSIBLY DISABLED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO HUNDREDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS THIS ISSUE IS AN ENDLESS MONEY PIT BECAUSE THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX AND FORD REFUSES TO RE…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1575964
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 19 unsafe

    20
    incidents
    Typical range: 37,000–89,000 mi

    Median 44,000 mi, based on 34 reports (6% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR HESITATES AFTER TURNS AND THEN AGAIN WHEN ACCELERATING AND ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON A SEPARATE INCIDENT IN 2013 AFTER LOSING ALL POWER DURING A TURN; THE THROTTLE BODY - AIR INTAKE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,457 MILES. T…"~7,452 mi, complaint #1071592
    • "THROTTLE BODY ELECTRONICS, VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP. I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 55MPH AND SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. DASHBOARD INDICATED A [REDACTED ADDRESS] OR ENGINE CHECK. I WAS SLOWED TO 2MPH LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE BEHIND ME…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1294953
    • "ON MONDAY MARCH 10, 2014 I STARTED THE MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER AND DROVE IT TO WORK APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND SHUT IT OFF, AFTER 25 MINUTES I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND SAID LOW OIL P…"~43,138 mi, complaint #1044565
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THE INITIAL ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THR…"~52,920 mi, complaint #1220196
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL PRESSURE AND POWER TRAIN WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. T…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1420351
  9. #9

    throttle and pedal

    1 stranded, 16 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 50,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN A DEPRESSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL…"~6,000 mi, complaint #931404
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY ABOUT 50 MHP, MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST ALL SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. AFTER DRIFTING OVER TO THE SHOULDER OUT OF HARMS WAY, THE POWER REMAINED ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAID "CHECK MANUAL" WITH A WRENCH LIT U…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1211491
    • "THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AT SPEEDS OF 40, 50 AND 60 MPH, ON HIGHWAY, VEH. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEH. COMES TO A STOP. THE ENGINE IS STILL IDLING BUT THE GAS PETAL DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS NO WARNING, THE VEH. JUST COMES TO A STOP.I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1229710
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT STARTED SHAKING. WHEN THE C…"~58,900 mi, complaint #1528264
    • "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILURE WHILE DRIVING [REDACTED ADDRESS]. VERY DANGEROUS."~93,150 mi, complaint #1290059
  10. #10

    backup camera

    7 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was black or distorted, and the message "Camera Unavailable - Report to Dealer" was displayed on the infotainment screen on several occasions. The contact stat…"~28,000 mi, complaint #2096305
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention image was showing on the opposite side of the screen, and the camera was flickering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failu…"~68,000 mi, complaint #2097945
  11. #11

    control module

    2 stranded, 8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 83,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MY SYNC FUNCTION THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO FAIL LY INCLUDING THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEATING SYSTEM, RADIO AND DEFROSTER SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS REMAINED A…"~2,000 mi, complaint #906839
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSECTION THAT DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE CAR INDICATED CHECK MANUAL AND ORANGE WRENCH CAME OUT... AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN CAR STOP & I TRIED STARTING IT BUT IT WOULD IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE... I WAS ON [REDACTED A…"~82,900 mi, complaint #1395737
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact pressed the hazard warning light icon on the display screen to pull over, but the hazard warning lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to…"~87,000 mi, complaint #2111612
    • "THE CONTROL PANEL THAT SHOWS THE REAR BACKING AND THEN SWITCHES TO CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE, RADIO, SEATS, ETC HAS FAILED. THERE IS NO BACKING ASSIST OR ANY CONTROLS FOR INTERIOR FUNCTIONS. THE FEATURE STOPPED WHEN IN MOTION AND HASN'T COME BACK ON SINCE."~118,875 mi, complaint #1580336
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the warning indicator lights illuminated. The service power steering, traction control, anti-lock brakes became inoperable. The turn signal handle failed to…"~151,000 mi, complaint #1871829
  12. #12

    fluid leak unspecified

    7 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 37,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE VEHICLE HAS WATER LEAKS ON THE HATCHBACK,THE RIGHT REAR ROOF AREA AND OTHER PLACES YET TO BE DETERMINED WHEN IT RAINS THE WHEEL WELL HAS 3 INCHED OF WATER IN IT AND IT HAS CAUSED THE CARPET TO MOLD AND STINK UP THE WHOLE VEHICLE"~32,000 mi, complaint #1272377
    • "THERE ARE WATER LEAKS ON THE HATCHBACK ON BOTH SIDES AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS A WATER LEAK IN THE RIGHT REAR BODY SEAM..OTHER LEAKS COULD BE POSSIBLE.WHEN IT RAINS THE WHEEL WELL HAS 3 INCHES OF WATER IN IT. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE SP…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1272380
    • "THIS VEHICLE LEAKS WATER IN THE WHEEL WELL WHEN IT RAINS AND HAS CASED THE CARPET TO MOLD...THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE REAR HATCHBACK AND UNDER THE LUGGAGE RACK AND THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS A STREAM OF WATER GOING IN THE REAR DOWN THE SEAT BELT CANNOT HAVE THE…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1274577
    • "WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CABIN EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR CAR GETS WASHED. WATER DRIPS DOWN FROM TOP THROUGH REAR SEATBELT RETRACTORS NEAR REAR HATCH/DOOR AND STREAMS DOWN SEAT BELTS AND THEN PUDDLES UNDER THIRD ROW SEAT AND SPARE TIRE WELL. LEAKS ANYTIME NO MATTER…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1251065
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAK AND FOUR INCHES OF RAIN WATER ENTERED THE REAR WHEEL WELL OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT MOLD WOULD GROW UNDER THE CARPET OF THE REAR WELL. THE CONTACT…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1636752
  13. #13

    infotainment head unit

    6 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 6,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOUCHSCREEN OF THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…"~1,450 mi, complaint #891240
    • "FORD SYNC SYSTEM - CONTINUES TO FREEZE AND NOT FUNCTION. NAVIGATION SYSTEM FREEZES UP AND/OR DOESN'T WORK AT TIMES. PHONE SYSTEM SHOWS YOU ON A CALL WHEN YOU ARE NOT. MULTIPLE TIMES NOT WORKING AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE HANDS FREE. HAVE HAD THE SYSTEM REPLACED…"~6,000 mi, complaint #976177
    • "I HAD A SYNC BLACK SCREEN THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT AND APIM WAS NO GOOD SO I HAD NO CONTROL OF ANYTHING LIKE THE HEAT DEFROST OR ANYTHING THAT CONTROLLED WITH THE TOUCH SCREEN INCLUDING THE REAR CAMERA AND SENSORS TO THE CAR AND FROM WHAT I READ THAT IS A K…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1566970
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after receiving a map update on the main control panel, the display screen immediately blacked out. The contact stated that when updating the ATI system map, the main control panel screen completel…"~90,000 mi, complaint #2003137
    • "SYNC SYSTEM DIED- NO SCREEN/NO USB POWER/NO NAVIGATION/NO HEAT/COOL CONTROL/NO RADIO/NO HAND-FREE PHONE WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY- UNABLE TO RESTART OR REBOOT."~710,000 mi, complaint #1470294
  14. #14

    transfer case awd

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 40,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,0…"~17,000 mi, complaint #996818
    • "ON 6/29/15 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 40 MPH THE AWD OFF LIGHT CAME ON WITH A WRENCH ON MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED IN SPEED TO LESS THAN 5 MPH. PULLED OVER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF & THEN TURNED BACK ON. COMPUTER SEEMED TO RESET IT…"~36,666 mi, complaint #1236802
    • "WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT, IT LOST ALL POWER FOR THE 4TH TIME. WHEN I PRESSED THE THROTTLE THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. INDICATOR LIGHTS SAID AWD OFF AND DISPLAYED A WRENCH ICON. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST THR…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1135135
    • "THE PTU UNIT WENT BAD AND HAD NO OIL IN IT- WHOLE UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE OIL, SHOULD BE PERMANENT. NO REASON FOR THIS- CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND NOW WE ARE PAYING $2000 TO FIX. READ THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AN EPIDEMIC. SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PRO…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1309538
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILLY HOWELL FORD LINCOLN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], CUMMING, GA 30040, [REDACTED PHONE]) FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REP…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1579897
  15. #15

    brake pads and rotors

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES, I COULD FEEL AND HEAR A DRAG. CAR HAS 17,400 MILES, RIGHT REAR PADS WERE METAL TO METAL AND CUT INTO THE ROTOR. RR BRAKE PADS WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, INDICATING THE PADS WERE SEIZED INTO THE BRACKET. THIS WORDING IS T…"~17,400 mi, complaint #1274447
    • "2012 FORD EXPLORER REAR BRAKES - VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED. PART OF CERTIFYING THE VEHICLE WAS TO REPLACE THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS AT 20K MILES. AT 32K I FOUND MYSELF HAVING TO REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS AGAIN. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD E…"~32,560 mi, complaint #1259325
    • "HAD TO HAVE REAR BOTH REAR CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED BECAUSE CALIPERS WERE HANGING UP CAUSING THE BRAKES TO DRAG. I ALSO NOTICED SMOKE, COULD FEEL HEAT, AND SMELL HOT METAL COMING FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL ON OR AROUND 6/14/15. I ALSO NOTICED THE S…"~50,486 mi, complaint #1195384
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON TRIP, THE CALIPERS SEIZED, THE BRAKES ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE. THE CALIPER AND ROTOR BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE ALSO REPLACED AT 27,500 MILES."~51,000 mi, complaint #1315627
    • "FAILED STATE INSPECTION (EMERGENCY BRAKE), FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED CALIPERS NOT WORKING FOR REAR DISC BRAKES, SIMILAR TO THE RECALL OF 2015/16 FORD EXPLORER'S BRAKE ISSUES- A DETAILED PICTURE OF REPORT/DIAGNOSTICS INCLUDED"~111,000 mi, complaint #1717671
  16. #16

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY POWER WOULD BE LOST. WHEN APPLYING MORE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, NO USABLE POWER WAS PRESENT AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. AFTER THIS OCCURRED ON THE 4TH TIME ON A SUBSEQUENT DAY, THE "ENGINE" SYMBOL WAS DISPLA…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1331086
    • "THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER FOLLOW UP COMPLAINT ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN MALFUNCTION AND REDUCED POWER THAT HAPPEN ON 5/12/2018. AS I MENTIONED IN MY LAST COMPLAINT THAT I TOOK IT TO COGGINS FORD IN JACKSONVILLE ON 5/14/18 AND THEY CHECKED…"~46,702 mi, complaint #1468322
    • "THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN TWICE ON 5/23/18 THE WRENCH ICON APPEARS AGAIN, LOST POWER, NO ACCELERATION, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART..MADE AN APPOINTMENT BACK TO COGGINS FORD AND THEY CHECKED AND STILL THERE IS NO CODE TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY…"~46,778 mi, complaint #1471437
    • "2012 FORD EXPLORE LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING DECREASED SPEED THEN A WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE LOWER LEFT DASH PANEL, AND THE CAR WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH. EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE…"~91,200 mi, complaint #1416709
    • "CAR SPUTTERS AND HESITATES WHEN ORANGE WRENCH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN MOTION."~107,000 mi, complaint #1269725
  17. #17

    fuel tank and lines

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHEN CAR WAS 3 WEEKS OLD, WE HAD AN INTERMITTENT GAS ODOR WHEN RESTARTING CAR. ALSO, WHEN SITTING IN GARAGE. DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY DID AND REPLACED THE FUEL CANISTER. ODOR CAME BACK WITHIN 3 WEEKS. NOW HAS 40,000 MILES AND STILL H…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1043067
    • "WHILE I WAS PUMPING GAS THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE CAR. *TR"~5,190 mi, complaint #895665
    • "COULD NOT FILL MY GAS TANK BECAUSE IT WAS BLOCKED BY SOME PIECE OF METAL. AT A GAS STATION. WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC HAD TO USE 2 SCREWDRIVERS TO PUSH THE METAL OBSTACLE AWAY. I WAS THEN ABLE TO PUT GAS IN."~63,000 mi, complaint #1538271
    • "OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER HAS A HEAVY FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THAT A FEW MINUTES. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME PASSES."~100,000 mi, complaint #1384280
    • "MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 WHEN I STARTEDMY CAR I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG ORDER OF A NATURAL GAS SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR. IT GETS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AT TIMES. I CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THIS HOWEVER THEY SAID THATT SINCE ME CAR IS…"~195,000 mi, complaint #1547237
  18. #18

    interior trim

    5 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR (A) COLUMN WINDOW TRIM FRACTURED AND WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER CHAMPAGNE FORD CITY (701 WEST MARKET VIEW CHAMPAG…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1646483
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD THE MOLDING ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TRIM FLEW OFF. THERE WERE NO CRACKS OR DAMAGE TO IT PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. AFTER I LEAVING MY DESTINATION, THE STICKY RUBBER UNDERNEATH CAME LOOSE, FLAPPI…"~98,700 mi, complaint #1669434
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PLASTIC TRIM BETWEEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED AND BLEW AWAY. MULLINEX FORD IN MOBILE, ALABAMA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT…"~123,317 mi, complaint #1395701
  19. #19

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 69,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED…"~3,112 mi, complaint #904104
    • "FOR ALL THREE REAR SEAT BELTS THE LATCH [REDACTED PLATE] NOT ENGAGE IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE REAR SEATS ARE RARELY USED SO I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE. "~50,000 mi, complaint #1706313
    • "WATER LEAKS IN THROUGH THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT TENSIONER. WATER RUNS DOWN THE SEAT BELT AND POOLS ON THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. WATER IN THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY RISK. I REPORTED IT TO FORD, THEY DECLINED TO FIX…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1565713
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear second passenger’s side seat belt was faulty. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear second passenger’s side seat belt to be replace…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1919856
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, her grandson who was occupying the second-row driver's side seat informed the contact that the seat belt had failed to remain buckled. The contact pulled over to the side of t…"~97,000 mi, complaint #2060011
  20. #20

    transmission automatic

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 48,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR, FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL OR STALLS OUT. SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. 6F35 TRANSMISSION. DEALER(S) REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE OR REPAIR DESPITE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AND TRANSMISSION FAULT CODE. VEHICLE STALLS WHILE AT ALL SPEE…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1300945
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA. PULL OVER AND TOW TO DEALER . THE TRANSMISSION PTO HAD A INTERNAL FAILURE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 51K MILES NORMAL DRIVING. I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD SEVERA…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1345358
    • "REPEATED ISSUE WITH MALFUNCTIONING TCM. WENT INTO DEFAULT MODE WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY. REPAIRS MADE BUT HAVE SINCE TAKEN VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR SAME SERVICE ISSUE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR A THIRD REPAIR. I KNOW THE 2012 FOCUS, FIESTA AND EXPEDITION HAVE CLAS…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1281471
    • "MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN SOUND LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATOR & VEHICLE WOULD IDLE VERY ROUGH. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASH DISPLAY. I WOULD HAVE TO DRIFT OVER TO T…"~52,736 mi, complaint #1353989
    • "EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFTS WITH A THUD. HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN THEN WHEN I ACCELERAT THERE IS A DELAY THEN A THUD WHEN IT FINALLY SHODTS INTO GEAR. APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE INLY ONE FROM WHAT IVE HEARD. I WISH FORD WOULD FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAV…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1567999
  21. #21

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I HAVE COOLANT LEAKING, I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $2,000 SINCE THE WATER PUMP IS IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS ONLY 132,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS ISSUE!!"~132,000 mi, complaint #1639914
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon further inspection, the contact became aware of a water leak. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it w…"~133,000 mi, complaint #2027942
    • "VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME STRANDED ON A DESERTED HIGHWAY. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC AND HAVING THEM COME TO THE VEHICLES LOCATION AND PERFORMING A VISUAL INSPECTION HE STATED ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~1,180,000 mi, complaint #1644647
  22. #22

    engine turbo supercharger

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TURBO FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, LARGE LOSS OF POWER AND POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. TURBO CHARGER FAILED ON MY 2.0L ECOBOOST ENGINE AT 58,000 MILES. TURBO FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSED VERY POOR PERFORMANCE AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A WRECK. TURBO FAILURE…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1384957
    • "WHEN TRYING TO MAKE AN UNPROTECTED LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE GAS AND MY CAR DIDN'T MOVE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS ONCE IT DOD MOVE IT TOOK A FEW MORE SECONDS FOR IT TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO SAFELY MAKE MY TURN. THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE LANE I WA…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1502604
    • "TURBO GONE BAD - CAR BEGAN MAKING LOUD RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARTED. NOISE WOULD SUBSIDE SOME AFTER A FEW MINUTES. CAR HAS BEEN VERY SLOW TO ACCELERATE, WHENEVER IT'S BEING DRIVEN, OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. HAVE TO REALLY PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY ON THE GAS IN O…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1392356
    • "FUEL AND EXHAUST FUMES OR SMELL OF BURNING OIL. PROBLEMS WITH TURBO."~105,000 mi, complaint #1364820
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURBO BOOST FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE ONCE THE TURBO WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLU…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1663987
  23. #23

    heater core and blower

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "MY VEHICLES AIR TURNS ON ON IT'S OWN AS YOU DRIVE. THIS IS NOT THE AC NOR HEATER. AS YOU DRIVE YOU CAN HEAR YOUR AIR VENTS TURN ON AND YOU SMELL A FOUL SMELL AND THE AIR PUSHING THROUGH THE VENTS IS MUGGY STICKY AIR THAT MAKES YOUR SKIN FEEL CLAMMY. THIS HA…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1357566
    • "BAD SMELL WITH HEAT OR AC ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS HEADACHES AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS FELT AT TIMES. A SEPERATE ISSUE ALTOGETHER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TO WORK A COUPLE TIMES LEAVING ME STUCK INSIDE CAR UNTIL IT DECIDES TO WORK. DEALER HAS HAD SUPOSED PART O…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1361492
  24. #24

    suspension struts shocks

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "FRONT STRUT BEARINGS CLUNKING/ FAILED. NEEDED REPLACED. 55,000 MILES. STRONG ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE WHEN ACCELERATING OR FOLLOWING LARGE TRUCKS."~55,000 mi, complaint #1376667
    • "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 (Suspens…"~71,000 mi, complaint #2134895
    • "WHILE MY WAS DRIVING SHE WENT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND HEARD A NOISE. SHE THOUGHT MAYBE SHE RAN OVER GLASS OR SOMETHING. WHEN SHE WENT TO TURN THE CORNER THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. SHE ENDED UP HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE REAR SUSPENSION BREA…"~157,884 mi, complaint #1595456
    • "PASSENGER SIDE STRUT MOUNT BROKE CAUSING NOISES WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION. MAKING STEERING HARD. WHEN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PART, IT WAS HARD TO LOCATE BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND PARTS CAN'T BE KEPT IN STOCK"~1,116,000 mi, complaint #1653738
  25. #25

    engine internal

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 49,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "FOR ABOUT THE LAST YEAR, I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, EVEN AFTER REPEATEDLY STOPPING TO SNIFF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND AROUND THE TIRES AND EXHAUST. I COULD…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1317059
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF APROX. [REDACTED ADDRESS], THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND DRAMATICALLY LOST SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL / MOTOR SPEED CEASED RESPONDING AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGHLY. THE CAR WENT INTO "IDLE" AND I WAS FORCED TO ST…"~45,322 mi, complaint #1107764
    • "WHEN ACCELERATING TO GAIN ACCESS TO A HIGHWAY OR JUST SPEEDING UP ON A LOCAL STREET, THERE IS A GAS OR BURNT OIL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE, EVERY DAY."~53,000 mi, complaint #1296420
    • "DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES IN THE MORNING WHILE TURNING ONTO THE INTERSTATE RAMP THE STEERING LOCKED UP WOULD NOT GO OVER 30MPH, SUV STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER CHANGED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKY TO NOT HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AFTER HAV…"~131,400 mi, complaint #1332583
  26. #26

    paint and clearcoat

    1 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "PAINT ON HOOD IS BLISTERING - FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED A TSB IN 2004 TO FIX THIS ISSUE IN 2004 WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE ON A 2012 VEHICLE - DEALER SAYS FORD HQ DENIED REPAIR TO HOOD PAINT SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRA…"~47,000 mi, complaint #1216687
    • "I BROUGHT MY CAR TO FORD FOR SERVICE. I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD WAS BUBBLING. I SHOWED IT TO THE SERVICE WRITER. HE REPORTED IT TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR IT. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1062394
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE PAINT ON THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE HAD BUBBLES AND WAS CHIPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUF…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1268997
    • "PAINT "BUBBLING" HAS TAKEN PLACE ON THE LIFT GATE IN THE VICINITY OF THE LIFT GATE HANDLE. THE BUBBLING HAS ENLARGED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE I FIRST DISCOVERED IT IN DECEMBER OF 2016. NO ACCIDENT. NORMAL OPERATION AND USE BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL"~62,000 mi, complaint #1361526
    • "THE HOOD HAS PAINT THAT IS BUBBLING UP AND COMING OFF. THE HOOD IS ALUMINUM SO IT ISN'T RUSTING, IT APPEARS THAT THAT THE METAL WAS NOT PREPPED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY"~100,000 mi, complaint #1284800
  27. #27

    corrosion and rust

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE ALUMINUM HOOD CAUSE GALVANIC CORROSION AND RUST BUBBLES FORMED ON THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THESE BUBBLES STARTED TO PEEL AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR DESIGN FLAW."~47,000 mi, complaint #1319670
    • "FORD RECENTLY DECLINED TO REPAIR THE BUBBLING PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER ON THE BASIS IT IS OUT-OF-WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, FORD HAS HAD CORROSION ISSUES FOR SOME TIME BUT HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR"~51,500 mi, complaint #1102637
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER EACH OF THE FOUR DOORS AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED IN AREAS THAT WERE PAINT…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1214815
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal snapping sound then a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. T…"~139,000 mi, complaint #1844667
  28. #28

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVER DOOR BOUNCED WHEN CLOSING. WOULD NOT LATCH. TRIED TWICE. WENT OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. FOUND PART OF DOOR LATCH ON GROUND. ABLE TO CYCLE LATCH WITH KEY FOB AND DOOR WAS ABLE TO LATCH TO GET HOME. WAS REPAIRED UNDER A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $100. SEEMS LIKE A S…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1287907
    • "THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY / SPRING CAME APART AND THE HANDLE REMAINED STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AS A SMALL PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC FROM BEHIND THE HANDLE MOLDING BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE DOOR INTERIOR AND THE HANDLE ITSELF (LEAVING IT PROPPED IN TH…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1279976
    • "DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, SPRING SPRUNG, AND DOOR HANDLE IS ALMOST ALL THE WAY OPEN. JUST BY TOUCHING IT, THE DOOR OPENS. WITH THIS BEING A FRONT DOOR, THE LOCK WONT ALLOW IT NOT TO OPEN. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAY MY VEH…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1459676
  29. #29

    hv system fault reduced power

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SPEED OF 60 MILES PER HOUR AND SUDDENLY THE WRENCH ICON SHOWS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND MY CAR SPEED IS SLOWING DOWN. I TRIED TO PUSH MY ACCELERATOR HARDER BUT IT WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED, SO I PULL OF…"~46,702 mi, complaint #1467960
    • "AWD OFF ERROR AND WRENCH SYMBOL - ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH ICON AND AWD ERRORS DISPLAY. THE THROTTLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE, BUT ALL OTHER SYSTEMS REMAIN FUNCTI…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1309270
    • "(RE)STARTING AUGUST 1, 2017, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DECELERATE, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. FORD CALLS THIS THEIR "LIMP HOME MODE." THE WRENCH ICON WARNING WOULD DISPLAY AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER UNTIL…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1404326
  30. #30

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "SLUSH ON THE WINDSHIELD PULLED THE WIPER FROM THE WIPER ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAKING ME PULL OVER ON A BUSY STREET. THE MANUFACTURED ARM IS THE CHEAPEST AND MOST UNRELIABLE ARM I'VE EVER SEEN. I CHECKED WITH OTHER 2012 FORD EXPLORERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAM…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1045901
    • "THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF. THEY CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR"~44,000 mi, complaint #1063107
    • "THE WIPERS WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON EVEN IF THE SWITCH IS OFF. I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE TO TURN THE WIPERS ON TO THE HIGHEST SETTING THEN IMMEDIATELY TURN THEM OFF YOU GET THE WIPERS TO STAY OFF. MY SECOND PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN ON AT RA…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1471167
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TODAY AT 70MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A SLAPPING NOISE ON PASSENGER SIDE THE RUBBER MOLDING FROM WINSHIELD CAME LOOSE AND WAS HITTING PASSENGER WINDOW. AFTER STOPPING AT NEXT EXIT I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK INTO TRIM PIECE BUT TH…"~146,000 mi, complaint #1675672
  31. #31

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FIRST INSTANCE (2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT XLT MODEL - BOUGHT LATE SEPTEMBER 2011), IN DECEMBER 2011, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY CAUSING MY TOUCH TO GO OUT, MY ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF, ETC. NOW, SECOND INSTANCE (MARCH 31, 2012), DRIVING AN HOUR TO…"~2,000 mi, complaint #912627
    • "I WENT TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCK MY DOORS. I UNLOCKED MY DOORS MANUALLY AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTING INDICATOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. I PLACED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS STILL NO POWER. I HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1137036
  32. #32

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "07/25- HAD RECALL ORDERED- TOE LINK ON BOTH SIDES, REAR. PERFORMED AT HARRISONBURG FORD, VA. ; 09/04 DRIVING ON ROUTE 33 IN VA, MOUNTAIN ROAD. HEARD GRINDING NOISE COMING DOWN MOUNTAIN, NOISE STEADILY INCREASED AND BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE A LOSS OF CONTROL. SLOWED…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1620194
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS WOBBLING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1590561
  33. #33

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON DAILY. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, RADIO SHUT OFF, LIGHTS DIMMED AND CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, STEERING ALSO BECAME DIFFICULT BEFORE SHUTTING OFF."~40,523 mi, complaint #1244911
    • "WE HAVE A 2012 FORD EXPLORER WITH 46,000 MILES AT THIS TIME. ON AUGUST 30, 2014, WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, AND THE POWERTRAIN/WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DISPLAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF T…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1114843
    • "POWER CUT OFF. (GOLDEN WRENCH OF I DONT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG CAME ON) ON 4 LANE HAD TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. CUT OFF ENGINE, RESTART, NO LIGHT DROVE TO FORD SHOP MONDAY AND LEFT CAR. SHOP TO CHECK OUT AND GET BACK WITH ME. FRIDAY HAD TO CALL AND SEE…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1201809
  34. #34

    brake hydraulics

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE NOT RELEASING PROPERLY AFTER APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THIS LED TO ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS, OVERHEATING OF THE PADS AND ROTORS, AND ULTIMATELY, NON-REPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO THE ROTORS. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE RE…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1345268
    • "BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING AND FORD DEALERSHIP HAS THE VEHICLE FOR 2 MONTHS AND UNABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO BAD PRODUCTION PARTS"~82,000 mi, complaint #1416285
    • "MULTIPLE TIMES MY BRAKES HAVE HAD TO HAVE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE E-BRAKE LOCK UP, GET STUCK, OR FAIL IN A WAY THAT REQUIRED FULL REPLACEMENT OF MY ROTORS, PADS, BRAKE LINES, AND…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1514434
  35. #35

    evap system

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "INVESTIGATION OF INTERMITTENT "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT EVENTUALLY LED TO A DETERMINATION OF A FAULTY EVAP PURGE VALVE PULLING FUEL INTO THE EVAP CANISTER. TECHNICIAN SAID HE WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR, AS THIS IS A FUEL LEAK AND UNSAFE CONDITION. DEALER ACKNOWLED…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1131669
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE…"~55,128 mi, complaint #1331560
  36. #36

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…"~198,000 mi, complaint #1974176
  37. #37

    wheel or rim

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WE HAVE 74000 MILES ON OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS DOING THE 6000 MILE SERVICE, CHANGE OIL AND FILTER, ROTATE TIRES, CHECK FLUIDS, BRAKE INSPECTION, AND DO INSPECT OTHER AREAS. I WAS IN THE PROCESS TORQUEING THE LUG NUTS AFTER THE TIRE ROTATION. I USE A CRAF…"complaint #1135229
    • "purchased my ford from duval ford jax fl. heard a grinding noise. probably brakes. but cannot remove tires to check brake pads. swollen lug nuts. nothing will fit the nuts to remove the tire. "complaint #1763071
    • "Rear Hub assembly’s making loud grinding noise. This should be a Warranty Recall similar to NHTSA 17E048000. Please advise."complaint #1818667
  38. #38

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ABS BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE…"~7,500 mi, complaint #978368
  39. #39

    engine oil consumption

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DU…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1084684
    • "OIL IS COLLECTING AT MY AIR INTAKE. I HAVE REPLACE THE PCV VALVE BUT IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL ONTO MY AIR FILTER. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING FUMES IN THE VEHICLE."~70,000 mi, complaint #1539916
  40. #40

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,0…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1182373
  41. #41

    key fob and immobilizer

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF WITH THE ELECTRONIC START BUTTON WITHOUT PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICL…"~800 mi, complaint #883734
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A" KEY NOT RECOGNIZED START CAR" MESSAGE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1254701
  42. #42

    parking brake

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "ON DEC. 2, 2013 I WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A SLIGHT DECLINE AT A SCHOOL BUS STOP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (WHILE STILL ON) AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO RETRIEVE A FORGOTTEN ITEM FROM THE BACK FOR ONE OF THE CHILDREN (AS I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS TIME…"~33,330 mi, complaint #1031856
    • "AFTER PARKING MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVE WAY (VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED) I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING FORWARDS DOWN MY SLOPPED DRIVEWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO CHASE THE VEHICLE HOPING TO JUMP IN AND APPLY THE BRAKE BUT WAS…"~50,800 mi, complaint #1484511
  43. #43

    stability and traction control

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4W. THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO LIMP MODE ON A MAJOR ROAD.THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK TO DEALER OCT.1 AND THEY KEPT IT TWO DAYS. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1506465
  44. #44

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FORD EXPLORER 2012 WITH VIBRATION AND GRINDING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND LOSS OF ALL STEERING. INITIALLY INFREQUENT HOWEVER AFTER TWO YEARS THE OCCURRENCE IS COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF ALL…"~4,257 mi, complaint #1068741
  45. #45

    sunroof

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Heavy rain causes water to leak inside vehicle. Repaired sunroof on which electrical parts was “burned” out due to water leakage. Water continues to leak inside of vehicle through driver and 3rd row (driver side) seatbelts. Googled issue and looks like many pe…"complaint #1788772
    • "On October 31, 2020, I pulled up to the grocery store and my sunroof opened by itself. I realize it was not closing so too fast forward I found out that leaks from my sunroof had messed up my electrical wiring in my roof or filling on my car so it causes the s…"complaint #2028207
  46. #46

    adas adaptive cruise

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH A UNIQUE BRAKING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENGAGE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROA…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1014283
  47. #47

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TWO EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCES HAPPENED THIS DAY. (1) I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 AND THE EXPLORER BRAKED EXTREMELY HARD FROM A SPEED OF 65 MPH TO ZERO. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND AND I COULD NOT DETERMINE ANY REASON FOR THIS. I PROCEEDED ON TO MY D…"~692 mi, complaint #891453
  48. #48

    climate control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL AND BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIO…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1253059
  49. #49

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, A GRINDING METAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS PERSONAL AU…"~74,000 mi, complaint #1442048
  50. #50

    engine mounts

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE FRONT STRUT TOWER MOUNTS ARE BAD. THIS IS ON EVERY 2011-2015 FORD EXPLORER I HAVE SEEN. IT MAKES A BAD CLUNK SOUND EVERYTIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED."~60,800 mi, complaint #1646378
  51. #51

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnorm…"~180,000 mi, complaint #2112300
  52. #52

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER DESIGN DOES NOT SHOW YOU THE LOWER RANGE WHILE DRIVING AND THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO EXCEED THE SPEED LIMIT. THE HIGHER NUMBERS WERE ON THE TOP OF THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH WERE SHAPED…"complaint #887189
  53. #53

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Hazard Light switch is not functional. Hazard lights that are inoperable causes high risk for vehicle occupants and others on the road when traffic flow is altered. The issue has been reproduced by the dealer and another repair shop. The main symptom is the ab…"complaint #1811416
  54. #54

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLODER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD-ROW POWER SEAT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE PUTTING BAGS IN THE HATCH AREA, THE THIRD- ROW POWER SEAT BUTTON WAS ACCIDENTLY DEPRESSED…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1045527
  55. #55

    trunk or liftgate

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Trunk liftgate isn't operating. Cannot open up the trunk. Interior driver sides armrest stitching is busted."complaint #2124089
  56. #56

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS DRIVING AND FOR NO OBVIOUS MEDICAL REASON PASSED OUT AND MY CAR TRAVELED ACROSS A HIGHWAY AND OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HIT 2 TREES. I HAVE READ A NEWS REPORT OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER DRIVERS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CARD. "~82,000 mi, complaint #1357337
  57. #57

    unknown

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2012 Ford explorer has a recall 14s06 which my vehicle allegedly isnt apart of , but for some reason im having this issue. Which is extremely dangerous "complaint #1860670

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for FORD EXPLORER directly.