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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
137,589 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2012 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #19

Mar 252022

Explorer

  • 100,000 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 was experiencing a hard pull to the right while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving from a complete stop and while driving on the highway. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear toe links needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the failure was recurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle; however, the contact stated that the recall repair had not been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #18

Mar 112024

Explorer

  • 198,000 miles
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 diagnosed a failure with the bushings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000.

- Countryside, IL, USA

problem #17

Feb 052024

Explorer

  • miles
Rear tires rubbing and car is uneasy in rain. Had to have tires replaced due to rubbing on interior of rear of car. Tires wear extremely fast and dangerous to drive in any weather conditions such as rain. Inspection says there is no alignment or adjustment issues. However tires continue to wear apparently there are aftermarket parts to make it adjustable but what is wrong with it in the first place? Very dangerous to drive in rain. Slides all over the place. Tires slightly bend in.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 032023

Explorer

  • 183,000 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 while driving 20-30 MPH, the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The contact was able to continue driving by using his physical strength to steer the steering wheel. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that as he arrived to the residence, the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to the used car dealer it was purchased from, and it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The Ford dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered under Ford Campaign Number: 15N01, as the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). The manufacturer were contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #15

Sep 102022

Explorer

  • 139,000 miles
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. The contact was able to get the vehicle back to the residence while driving approximately 10 MPH. The contact stated that the front subframe was corroded, causing the subframe to fracture and the wheels were pushed outwards in opposite directions. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the subframe. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #14

Oct 092021

Explorer

  • miles
I have had 3 upper rear lateral links snap off. 2 on the rear driver side and 1 on the rear passenger side. I am researching recalls. And there is a recall on some explorer models for the rear toe links. Sounds like the same thing that keeps happening to my vehicle. I am scared to drive it now. They literally just snap and the back tire starts steering however it wants.

- Iron River , MI, USA

problem #13

Apr 242021

Explorer

  • miles

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

Just purchased this car, decided to look up any recalls and found 1 pertaining to the toe links. Looking throughly at the vehicle there are a lot of major defects. This is going to be a daily driver for my daughter and I and I truly don't feel safe as I'm reading all the reviews and recalls. The only thing I can mention at this moment about this car would be the back washer fluid leaks into the cabin, the hood of the car does not shut correctly-handle for this area is loose. The state of this car is unknown.

- Hull, IA, USA

problem #12

Sep 012019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
Ford spain unable to conduct recalls due to no parts available for Explorer 2012. Discussed with.

- Puerto De Santa Maria, AE, USA

problem #11

Mar 082020

Explorer

  • 1,116,000 miles
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

- Willow Street, PA, USA

problem #10

May 152016

Explorer

  • 60,800 miles
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.

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

problem #9

Nov 062019

Explorer

  • 164,000 miles

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

Electronic steering gear assembly was a recall and was replaced. Replacement part has now gone bad once again. Ford is not honoring the warranty it provided for this part. Vehicle has no steering power now. Went out while driving down the road. Unable to turn left causing to go off the road. Was able to correct and traveled to dealer to find out that the steering is gone.

- Burr Oak, MI, USA

problem #8

May 222019

Explorer

  • 94,516 miles
When it accelerate 0 to 60 it feels like trembles, even when it passes 60 mph it feels. If you active the over drive it feels iven more... I replace the tires, brakes, control arm, motor mount. The mechanic check everything. So the only rest for check is the rack and pinion the hall thing. The Explorer is in very good condition

- Burnsville, MN, USA

problem #7

Apr 202019

Explorer

  • 157,884 miles
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 breaking. My vehicle is part of the rear suspension recall.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #6

May 042019

Explorer

  • miles
Takata recall

- Clearfield, UT, USA

problem #5

Jun 052019

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact took the vehicle to billy howell Ford Lincoln (1805 atlanta hwy, cumming, ga 30040, (770) 887-2311) for routine service. The dealer noticed that the power transfer unit was leaking and needed to be replaced. Two weeks prior, the vehicle was repaired by the same dealer per NHTSA campaign number: 19V435000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #4

Jun 192019

Explorer

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering (eps) failed and the eps indicator randomly illuminated. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V286000 (steering) and 14E001000 (steering); although, the failure was the same as listed in the recalls. Classic Ford of smithfield (1698 E booker dairy rd, smithfield, nc 27577, (877) 679-8179) was notified of the failure and indicated that a diagnostic appointment needed to be scheduled. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V435000 (suspension) and the dealer was to also schedule an appointment for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Four Oaks, NC, USA

problem #3

Jan 182018

Explorer

  • 74,000 miles
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 auto mechanic and was informed that the passenger side axle mount fractured. The technician replaced the passenger side axle mount. While test driving the vehicle after the repair, the contact noticed that the instrument panel lighting, including the wrench icon, the service advance track indicator, and the cross traffic system fault indicator illuminated. The mechanic stated that the vehicle would have to be taken to the dealer to be reprogrammed so the instrument panel lighting would dim. The contact took the vehicle to helfman Ford (12220 southwest fwy, stafford, tx 77477) to be reprogrammed. There were no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #2

May 012017

Explorer

  • miles
The strut mounts on the Explorer are faulty. Resulting in a horrible noise when turning or encountering a bump; and possible separation of the strut mount from the vehicle body. I was alerted that in my small community alone, I was one of 5 vehicles of the same year, make and model who have had to replace both strut mounts on the vehicle within the past 6 months. Ford has been alerted to the problem, but seem to take no action in resolving it.

- Andrews, SC, USA

problem #1

Jan 012017

Explorer

  • 55,000 miles
Front strut bearings clunking/ failed. Needed replaced. 55,000 miles. Strong odor of carbon monoxide when accelerating or following large trucks.

- Saint Clairsville, OH, USA

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