What 821 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer Gas

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH on a bypass, the A-pillar exterior trim detached. The owner applied duct tape to the front windshield out of concern that the front windshield would detach. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted, and confirmed that the parts were backordered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11749525

Failure of the dealerships to fix recall in timely manner It’s been over two years and parts still unavailable

NHTSA ODI 11745848

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

NHTSA ODI 11743199

I received the first recall notice for this defect from Ford Motor Co. in February 2024 and took the vehicle to Sheehy Ford in Ashland, Virginia on August 7, 2025. Sheehy Ford did the required inspection and confirmed that the vehicle had defective windshield rubber molding. The inspection required that the plastic body molding on both sides of the windshield be removed, which rendered them unusable and could not be replaced. Sheehy Ford said they had ordered the necessary replacement parts from Ford Motor Co. and would notify me when they were received. I have been following up with Sheehy Ford every couple of months since August 2025 and they say the replacement parts are still not available from Ford Motor Co. It seems to me that 9 months is an unreasonable amount of time to provide the necessary parts for this Safety Recall, especially missing the plastic windshield moldings, my car is unsellable, which I would like to do.

NHTSA ODI 11738521

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the driver's side A-pillar trim clip became partially detached on the side of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 155,500.

NHTSA ODI 11732733

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 informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be registered in the State of California due to the incomplete recall. 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.

NHTSA ODI 11713995

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 had separated and flown off the vehicle while driving. The local dealer was contacted several times and was notified of the failure. 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 unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11691834

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 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

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 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 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

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 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

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

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

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