What 821 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer Gas

While driving, my 2012 Ford Explorer displayed a “Service Power Steering Now” warning message, and the steering wheel completely locked, making the vehicle impossible to steer safely. This happened without warning and rendered the car undrivable, creating an immediate safety hazard. This issue matches the conditions described in Ford Safety Recall 14S06 (NHTSA Campaign 14V286000) and Customer Satisfaction Program 15N01, both addressing Electric Power Steering (EPAS) system failures in 2011–2013 Explorers. Ford’s Defect Information Report to NHTSA (PE12-017) states that intermittent electrical connections in the steering gear’s motor position sensor can cause a total loss of power steering assist exactly what occurred in my vehicle. Despite this, Ford and the dealership (Tommie Vaughn Ford, Houston TX) have stated that my VIN is “expired” for program 15N01 and refused assistance. However, the failure mode and symptoms are identical to those covered by these safety campaigns.My Explorer was manufactured in December 2011, which falls directly in the affected build range. The Carfax report for my vehicle even lists program 15N01 EPAS Steering Efforts as an associated service campaign. This is a critical safety issue, and Ford’s refusal to assist due to expired coverage should not override the need to correct a known steering defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether Ford’s current handling of EPAS steering failures is sufficient, and whether Customer Satisfaction Program 15N01 should be reopened or extended to cover affected vehicles like mine that are experiencing the same safety defect.

NHTSA ODI 11691583

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). The local dealer was contacted and provided a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, [XXX] [XXX] ) but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11690332

Hello I’m a concerned citizen and I have a question about the Ford recall on the back up cameras, I have 2012 Explorer and my camera has been acting up for a while the same way that ford has mentioned, so I was wondering why isn’t the Explorer not included in this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11687098

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver, and the steering wheel failed to return to center after making a turn. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000

NHTSA ODI 11686912

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, the trim on the lower part of the windshield detached and was loosened. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel, while driving, while making left and right turns, and even while the engine was turned off. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 issue. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11686724

The contact's wife owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, on at least three occasions, the steering wheel became very stiff. The contact's wife was not able to turn the steering wheel, so the vehicle was stopped and restarted each time. The contact stated that an unknown message was displayed, and the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: U3000 was retrieved, and the tech was asked to check for bad connections. The failure was not duplicated, and the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ground wire had corrosion around the grounding bolts and that the bolts needed to be cleaned a reinstalled. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11685900

Electric power steering system does not work

NHTSA ODI 11685643

Loss of power steering occasionally, getting a power steering fault, but as of now, starts working again

NHTSA ODI 11685484

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, where it was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The dealer informed the contact that the parts were being ordered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11684993

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a minute and a half later, while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel became firm, and added effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11684439

Trunk liftgate isn't operating. Cannot open up the trunk. Interior driver sides armrest stitching is busted.

NHTSA ODI 11683064

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that the A-pillar trim was loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11683094

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11681559

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became extremely stiff and was difficult to turn. Additionally, the "Steering Fault" message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11681650

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim had detached. 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 unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11675454

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and linked the failure to the recall; however, the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675010

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact pressed the hazard warning light icon on the display screen to pull over, but the hazard warning lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that an unknown unit in the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11674555

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side and driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims were loose, and the rubber gaskets underneath the trims were dry rotted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected but 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 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11674224

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11674231

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V0311000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an unusual loud sound. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had separated from the vehicle and flown off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. 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 147,012. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11674332

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672495

while driving the vehicle goes into what I have found is called sleep mode.. The check engine lite comes on and the left info panel shows that the all wheel drive is not working. The dealer tried to see what codes were set and found none. My solution is to pull off the road, put the vehicle in park and turn off the ignition. After about 30 seconds I can restart the vehicle and drive again. The restart lasts from 15 seconds to a month. I found a TSB ( 16-0139) that covered this problem. However it did not offer any cure. I am concerned that someone will hit me when this happens.

NHTSA ODI 11671465

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display an image. The message "Camera Not Available - Contact Your Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11671119

Clunking noise coming from rear possible tow link, clicking noise coming from steering even when vehicle not moving

NHTSA ODI 11670431

My vehicles power steering alert came on suddenly while driving home. My cars steering wheel completely locked up while I had my children in my vehicle. It was very scary knowing we could have been in a wreck due to this issue. It’s. Not under recall but under the customer satisfaction program but I do not have funds to cover this. No dealership near me is able to tow and a tow would be a lot for me. I had a family friend tow us when my steering went out in town but was still charged an arm. I need this looked at because there’s been recalls for this before. My families lives were put at risk and that’s completely unacceptable.

NHTSA ODI 11669422