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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,888 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Nov 102017

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles

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

After starting the car while parked the 'service advance trac" warning came on. After driving approx. 100 feet the warning went away. There was a slight hardness in the steering at this time. That went away when the warning went away. This occurred on Nov. 10, 2017. The second problem occurred on Nov. 23, 2017. While parked overnight and all day in our garage I started the car and the "power steering assist fault'' warning came on. I could not turn the steering wheel at all. I turned off the engine and within 10 to 15 seconds I started the car again. No warning came on and the power steering worked O.K. I started the car again this morning and no warning or problem.

- Twain Harte, CA, USA

problem #30

Oct 312017

Explorer

  • 155,000 miles
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. The failure recurred over three times. The contact noticed the failure after she depressed the accelerator pedal after a complete stop. The local dealer (gulf coast Ford, N, 3000 state hwy 288, angleton, tx, 77515) was contacted scheduled an appointment for two days later. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- W Columbia, TX, USA

problem #29

Jul 282017

Explorer

  • 82,900 miles
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 342 N. san fernando rd., los angeles, ca 90031 around 2:00

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

problem #28

Nov 032014

Explorer

  • 45,000 miles

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

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 on back order for 2 months.

- West Jefferson, OH, USA

problem #27

Jan 302015

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
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 has been reported to the dealership before and had been "repaired" however, the air continues to push through the vents whether you have the switch set to on or not.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #26

Nov 082016

Explorer

  • 131,400 miles
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 having vehicle towed, per the mechanic the computer system is fried, motor valves melted, and all spark plugs need to be replaced. This SUV is only a 2012 and should not have this major of problems when it has been well taken care of. Ford really needs to look further into this so this does not happen to someone else.

- Henryville, IN, USA

problem #25

Oct 222016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 152,600 miles

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

Takata recall I purchased this vehicle in January 2016, on October 22, 2016 while driving in elberton Georgia my car alerted me that the power steering needed to be serviced. About 2 miles down the road my turn signal wouldn't stay on when being used to turn. A few hours later when ready to head home I could not get my car to steer without major effort on my part. I am a mother of 3 and I refuse to put my kids in an unsafe vehicle. The issue has to do with the power steering control module and I was informed by Ford that they would not fix the issue at no charge because the recall 14S06 has expired and I had exceeded the mileage warranty by almost 3000 miles. I don't feel that I am responsible for the charges to get this issue fixed being as I was not aware of the recall. I'm not happy that I'm expected to cover charges on something I wasn't aware was a problem with my vehicle until the service alert appeared. This is my 1st Ford vehicle and I absolutely love it, however, if this is the customer service that I am going to receive I will not ever buy another Ford vehicle and I will not recommend anyone to purchase from Ford. I have been without a vehicle for 2 days as of right now, which makes it very difficult to get my kids to daycare/school and get to work. My husband has had to ask about changing his schedule in order to help me since I don't have a vehicle. Sincerely, unhappy mother of 3

- Winterville, GA, USA

problem #24

Oct 012016

Explorer

  • miles
My air bag light is on and won't turn. What I have read is once it on the airbags will not deploy I'm case of an accident. Ford know about this problem and is not trying to fix this is very unacceptable for such an expensive vehicle.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #23

Oct 012015

Explorer

  • 38,000 miles
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 speeds on highway, city streets, or while in intersections. Too dangerous to drive

- Boonsboro, MD, USA

problem #22

Jan 102016

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
The airbag warning light is constantly illuminated. After researching the problem at www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/air-bag-light-seat-belt-warning.349429/ this appears to be a common problem among all of the fifth generation Ford Explorer. Electrical connectors under the seats that run to the seat weight sensors are having continuity issues and causing airbags to not deploy.

- Florence, AZ, USA

problem #21

Jan 132015

Explorer

  • 58,000 miles

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

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 vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

- Brownwood, TX, USA

problem #20

Jan 122016

Explorer

  • 36,000 miles
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 conditioner calibrations needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned about the fumes in the vehicle affecting her children. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

- Wahiawa, HI, USA

problem #19

Apr 012015

Explorer

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the sender and pump assembly needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired since the parts were not available anywhere in the country. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Lathrup Village, MI, USA

problem #18

Apr 112012

Explorer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the heater failed to blow hot air which prevented the windows from defrosting. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167. Updated 6/11/15 also, the thermostat was replaced, the vehicle had to be jump started. Updated 01/26/16.

- Rosemont, MN, USA

problem #17

Dec 082014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
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 on my vehicle and barely use it. How can a vehicle less than two years old just stop working altogether" this is my only source of transportation and now I will have to put out additional funding just to get it to a place where it can be checked out. What is going on with Ford vehicles" I am really frustrated!!!

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #16

Sep 172014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Electronic throttle body has failed and vehicle will stall. Throttle will not work. You are stranded until you turn the vehicle off and back on.

- Hampton, AR, USA

problem #15

Apr 122014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
My wife was driving our 2012 Ford Explorer down the highway when the steering went stiff (power steering went off), causing the vehicle to swerve into the other lane, after which the terrain management system fault light came on. I happened to be in our other car following directly behind her and was able to watch the incident happen. She immediately slowed down and steered the vehicle to the side of the road. I switched vehicles with her and drove the Explorer to our house, with no additional trouble. After restarting the vehicle, the fault light was no longer on. Our vehicle is at the dealer now, and they could not find any issues. I did a google search and found this webpage, which clearly shows that this issue is wide spread and could easily cause a fatality: www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2012/Ford/Explorer/steering fortunately, my wife was only traveling 45 mph and there was no other vehicle in the other lane when the car pulled out of the lane. We have not received a safety recall for this issue yet, but we recommend NHTSA contacts Ford immediately to inquire on what they are doing to identify the defect and implement an immediate solution. This issue, if not corrected, may result in a fatality - especially if the vehicle is being operated by a young, elderly or distracted driver.

- Fort Benning, GA, USA

problem #14

May 092013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 13,490 miles
May 2013 (13490 miles) was driving 30 35 mph power steering went out, traction control light went on, I turned off and restarted. All was ok. Took to dealer and dealer replaced the steering rack December 23,2013, (21173 miles) was driving 40 mph power steering went out, traction control light went on. Would not reset by turning on and off. Drove to dealer with no power steering and dealer reset computer and sent me on my way. January 17,2014 (21808 miles) was driving 35 mph power steering went out, traction light went on would not reset by turning on and off. Drove to dealer with no power steering. Dealer reset computer and sent me on my way.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #13

Jun 152013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 22,702 miles
The vehicle power steering and power brakes shut off while driving making pulling over and stopping very difficult for a mature male driver. I find it difficult I can only imagine how difficult and dangerous this could be for my wife or any smaller or less experienced driver. This happened multiple times during regular driving on fairly smooth surface normal conditions.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #12

Dec 052013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving 50 mph when the advance tracking warning lamp illuminated and the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken the dealer for inspection. The contact was informed that the electronic power assistance system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

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