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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,639 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2012 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Jun 082020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 98,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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, flapping against my windshield and driver side window until it flew off, hitting the car behind me. I was also on the expressway doing around 75 mph when this incident occurred.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #33

Dec 012019

Explorer

  • 85,000 miles
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 champagne il.) was notified of the failure. The contact installed a replacement part to remedy the failure. The failure occurred on the driver side (B) column trim. The repair was still pending. The failure was also present on the rear hatch trim. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The mileage was 85,000.

- St Joseph, IL, USA

problem #32

Sep 102019

Explorer

  • 62,000 miles
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 called mooresville Ford dealer, (151 E plaza dr, mooresville, nc 28115, (704) 664-1300) and was informed about the fee of the repair. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

- Moorisville, NC, USA

problem #31

Oct 012015

Explorer

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2012 Ford Explorer leaks from the 3rd row seatbelt. It has ruined the carpet in the back and molded it. It also filled up the spare tire area with water and rusted the rim of the spare tire and the inside where the tire sits. I did not notice this until many months after I bought it because I wasn't using the 3rd row at the time.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #30

May 122019

Explorer

  • 66,000 miles
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 it.

- Groton, NY, USA

problem #29

Jan 042019

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the black plastic trim near the driver's side window fractured and scattered across the highway. As a result, the contact's visibility was impaired. The contact checked the rearview mirror and noticed the vehicle behind her swerve to avoid the debris on the roadway. Kisselback Ford (1118 13th St, St cloud, fl 34769, (407) 892-5477) was notified of the failure and indicated that the part may be ordered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- St Cloud, FL, USA

problem #28

Nov 142018

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Windshield side molding braking apart and flying off during drive.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #27

Dec 012018

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles
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

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #26

Sep 042018

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
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 frame, wicking onto the spare tire cover and floor cover. After investigating this on the internet, found many owners with the same issue and Ford dealers are not addressing it.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #25

Jul 192018

Explorer

  • 50,800 miles
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 unable to. Vehicle came to a stop after hitting my fence, bushes, and a small tree. There was body damage to the front right portion of the vehicle.

- Susanville, CA, USA

problem #24

Apr 052018

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 vehicle isn't covered. They said the VIN number isn't part of this recall, yet it is the same issue the recall was issued for. The recall number is15S11.

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

problem #23

Nov 012017

Explorer

  • 71,000 miles
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 together, which caused water to enter the trunk area. The failures occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (randall reed's planet Ford 59, 19000 eastex fwy, humble, tx 77338). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall and that the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-392-3673 and asked the contact to call NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #22

Nov 082012

Explorer

  • 500 miles
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.

- Woodville, TX, USA

problem #21

Dec 012016

Explorer

  • 62,000 miles
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

- Camden, SC, USA

problem #20

Sep 162016

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving 75 mph, the front passenger a pillar fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and confirmed that the front driver side a pillar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the front passenger a pillar previously fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Mederland, TX, USA

problem #19

Oct 172016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
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 longer attached at the top and it is only a matter of time that fails completely as well. I have attached pictures showing the passenger side that flew off and the driver side that is failing.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #18

Jun 012016

Explorer

  • 47,000 miles
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.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 032016

Explorer

  • 46,000 miles
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 safety issue with the latch assembly. Vehicle was parked at the time.

- St. Clairsville, OH, USA

problem #16

Jan 012015

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
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

- Flanders, NJ, USA

problem #15

May 102016

Explorer

  • 52,000 miles
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 way. I contacted my Ford dealer and was told that this was not warranted and the cost to repair would be around $400. I expressed my displeasure with this and had it repaired.I chalked it off to a fluke, on May 10 2016 we were coming back from an event doing about 65mph when I heard something "pop" and realized something was wrong. The freeway was busy and it was at night so the decision was made to keep driving as we were only a couple of miles from home. Upon arriving at home our inspection revealed that this time the windshield molding on the drivers side had come off. Knowing the cost of repair I decided to search the internet and see if I could buy the parts myself and repair. While doing the search I found that the web was loaded with hundreds of complaints about the same re-occurring problems. The cost of these parts are over $200 but more than that is the safety issue that is involved. If this defective part had come off and hit a motorcycle rider it could have caused serious injury possibly even the death of the rider. This is and ongoing problem that is costing consumers money and risking injury to to anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the right time. Ford Motor Company knows about the defect yet refuses to act. I feel that they are intentionally putting motorists at risk by their complacency on the problem.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

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