What 821 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer Gas

Jan 19,2024 Manufacturer Recall Number24S02 NHTSA Recall Number24V031 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available This recall has been unavailable due to "lack of parts" for 18 months. Mine had already come off, and I had been holding them on with black duct tape. In the heat, the glue from the tape melted and they flew off my vehicle on the freeway and I was unable to retrieve them. When is Ford supposed to have the parts? This has been going on too long.

NHTSA ODI 11669153

The Steering module and steering gear has failed for a second time within a 12 year window. This steering failure was under recall 15n01 and was repaired AUG. 2014, but has failed again April 2025. There is something wrong with parts failure that should not happen again and I think another recall should be filed again for this ongoing problem. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed before someone has a fatal accident.

NHTSA ODI 11668531

Ford dealership Loganville GA Serviced recall 14s06 on this vehicle on Aug. 2014 when no problems were detected. This closed the recall with no parts being replaced. Now June 2025 the steering module and steering gear failed leaving me not many options because of being just outside the warranty window. I asked ford for a one time replacement of the steering gear since no parts where replaced at time of service but was denied. I think safety issues like this should be addressed on case by case situation. I have all documentation from my local dealership in Fayetteville Ga. I think another recall should be issued because of reoccurring problems with the steering system on this vehicle. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11668633

Steering assist not working, could not steer the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11667650

I started receiving recall information on or before February 2024 for this recall. I finally took it in for inspection maybe 6 months ago. They broke the a-pillar trim peices on both sides so then afterwards at some point they flew off. Then i was on the highway on 6/4 & then the molding peices underneath surrounding my windshield started coming off & flapping around. Thrashing my window while driving 70mph. I had to pull the peices in & roll them up in my window before i was able to pull over & detach them fully. After the inspection as well the guy at the dealer basically laughed & said ford isnt even making these parts & they are on “indefinite back order”. Now the peices are missing as well as my windshield being exposed. All looks very unsightly as well. I dont think FORD really cares because its been almost 2 years & no parts are available yet!!!!!! I am very disappointed & frustrated.

NHTSA ODI 11665238

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention image was showing on the opposite side of the screen, and the camera was flickering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure could be linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V270000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN and the model vehicle were not included. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11665110

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the power steering fault, the turn signal, advance-trac alert, and power train warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the control modules were inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 237,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664869

Electric Power Steering was recalled a replacement was done In 2014 under a recall. Yet it broke again and the car is under 150,000 miles. I have talked to Ford and they will not replace it again. I am not the first person to experience this issue under 150,000 miles. My car is not a giant paper weight in my yard because it cost $2000 to fix more at the Ford dealership it was bought from. I am the second owner. We purchased Ford because it is a product made in the USA but I’m beginning to wonder if that means anything anymore. My Husband has [XXX] so the repair cost is too much for our budget. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11664683

Sometimes putting it in reverse the rear camera doesn’t come on. Have to wait sometimes a minute before camera will come on. It doesn’t happen all the time. I read that ford is having problems and has a recall on some vehicles but my year doesn’t show up.

NHTSA ODI 11663875

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was black or distorted, and the message "Camera Unavailable - Report to Dealer" was displayed on the infotainment screen on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the rearview camera was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to schedule an appointment for the rearview camera replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663990

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663756

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 stated that water was leaking into the vehicle through the A-pillar trim clip. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11663181

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 contact stated that the A-pillar trim was detaching from the front windshield and allowing water to leak into the vehicle. The contact temporarily sealed the windshield with tape. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11662062

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 55 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim loosened. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 55 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim loosened. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. 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 92,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11662096

Recall for A-pillar applique trim clip attachment. I have called local dealership and was told that it would be well over a year before they could get the parts to get it fixed however when I'm driving I can hear the piece flapping against my car in the wind. I even called Ford themselves and asked and they said we aren't making the pieces for the recall right now and dont know when we are going to be making them.

NHTSA ODI 11662169

Power steeeing system cuts out and stops working intermittently. Especially when making u turns

NHTSA ODI 11661818

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, and the A-pillar trims were removed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11659883

Back-up camera will display images backward and poses a collision hazard as driver won’t know which direction cars or pedestrians are coming from.

NHTSA ODI 11658351

Recall A-pilars were removed creating unsafe driving conditions. Parts were flying off vehicle while driving and creating new repairs issues. The manufacturer letter states repairs will take less than half a day but are unable to provide a delivery date. This is a huge concern.

NHTSA ODI 11657440

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the driver’s side windshield started to detach. 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 had gone to the residence and diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the A-pillar trim retention clips had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the dealer stated that parts were not yet available. 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 approximate failure mileage was 176,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11657163

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11656157

I just bought this vehicle in the last 2 months. While my husband and I were driving down the road with our 2 daughters the power steering stopped working and the light came on for it ..... we noticed there was a recall ford says they serviced it in 2014 for the recall and won't again.... we're lucky we didn't get in an accident

NHTSA ODI 11654398

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim had detached. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with the passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim adhesive failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11654076

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 while driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached. The contact was unable to retrieve the A-pillar trim due to oncoming traffic. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11653635

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 vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11653669