NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 828 owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Explorer.
Recalled components: body structure, suspension, and steering. Most-described problem: power steering problems or locked steering (266 complaints, 32%). Most-reported area: steering (359 complaints, 43%; median mileage when it happened: 95,700).
Fewer complaints than a typical Explorer year
The 2012 drew 138 owner complaints in its first three years, against 193 for a typical Explorer year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2015 to 2017; best years: 2019 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles.
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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles.
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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Ford campaign 14S06.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 2 equipment recalls for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Suspension: rear (Ford Motor Company, 17E-048); Steering (Ford Motor Company, 14E-001).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations that name the 2012 Ford Explorer; all 4 are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Preliminary evaluation PE23001Closed Feb 8, 2024 (opened Jan 27, 2023)
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 24V-031, listed above.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Component: Body structure (body, roof and pillars).
Exhaust odor in passenger cab
Engineering analysis EA17002Closed Jan 17, 2023 (opened Jul 27, 2017)
During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Components: Engine and cooling; Body structure.
During the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) investigation into the Ford carbon monoxide allegations, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified additional Vehicle Owner Questionnaire… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Components: Engine and cooling; Body structure.
Electric power steering failure
Preliminary evaluation PE12017Closed Jun 12, 2014 (opened Jun 19, 2012)
On May 27, 2014 and amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 14V-286, listed above.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Component: Steering (electric power assist system).
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 828 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Explorer. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Power steering problems or locked steering266 · 32%
Median 87,500 miles at failure, from 204 reports with mileage
Steering rack problems: sticking, play or pulling88 · 11%
Median 106,000 miles at failure, from 68 reports with mileage
Exhaust fumes in the cabin51 · 6%
Median 56,000 miles at failure, from 34 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode30 · 4%
Median 47,200 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off28 · 3%
Median 46,900 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Airbag warning light or airbag fault24 · 3%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration20 · 2%
Median 58,900 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Most named: electric power assist system (4) · Median 95,700 miles at failure, from 261 reports with mileage
Body structure144 · 17%
Most named: body (61) · Median 96,500 miles at failure, from 82 reports with mileage
Engine79 · 10%
Median 53,000 miles at failure, from 60 reports with mileage
Electrical system63 · 8%
Most named: instrument cluster/panel (3) · Median 39,000 miles at failure, from 44 reports with mileage
Powertrain55 · 7%
Median 46,700 miles at failure, from 50 reports with mileage
Air bags27 · 3%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system27 · 3%
Median 55,100 miles at failure, from 23 reports with mileage
Unknown or other105 · 13%
Median 56,000 miles at failure, from 52 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford Explorer recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2012 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2016 Explorer drew the most (659) and the 2012 drew 138.
Owner complaints
2012: 828 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford Explorer
Model year
Complaints
2010
115
2011
1,197
2012
828
2013
2,235
2014
1,678
2015
1,795
2016
2,455
2017
1,694
2018
731
2019
298
2020
1,225
2021
437
2022
268
2023
112
2024
21
2025
102
2026
38
Safety recalls
2012: 5 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford Explorer
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
5
2013
11
2014
6
2015
8
2016
14
2017
13
2018
7
2019
6
2020
34
2021
27
2022
25
2023
15
2024
10
2025
22
2026
15
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 828 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Explorer, the problems described most are power steering problems or locked steering (266), steering rack problems such as sticking, play or pulling (88), and exhaust fumes in the cabin (51). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2012 Ford Explorer safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2012 Ford Explorer earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 Ford Explorer?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2012 Ford Explorer. It lists 4 closed ones; the most recent closed on Feb 8, 2024.
How do I check if my Explorer has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: EXPLORER.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.