Model year
2012 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 829 complaints for the 2012 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STEERING (350), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (105), STRUCTURE (80). NHTSA lists 4 investigations. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
24V031000 · Jan 19, 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.
21V746000 · Sep 22, 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…
19V435000 · Jun 10, 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.
15V171000 · Mar 24, 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.
14V286000 · May 29, 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…
Complaints
829 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 10, fire flag on 6, injury field 13, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE12017 | Electric power steering failure · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Jun 19, 2012 | Jun 12, 2014 |
| PE16008 | Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY | Jul 1, 2016 | Sep 12, 2017 |
| EA17002 | Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE; STRUCTURE:BODY | Jul 27, 2017 | Jan 17, 2023 |
| PE23001 | Windshield trim molding Item detachment · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Jan 27, 2023 | Feb 8, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer FWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.