Home · 2012 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

What 821 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (821)Crash / fire / injury (19)Steering (356)Body & structure (142)Engine (79)Electrical system (63)Transmission & drivetrain (55)Fuel system (34)Airbags (27)Visibility & wipers (24)Suspension (22)Brakes (20)

Newest first · 821 complaints · page 18 of 33

Feb 14, 2019Engine

OIL IS COLLECTING AT MY AIR INTAKE. I HAVE REPLACE THE PCV VALVE BUT IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL ONTO MY AIR FILTER. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING FUMES IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11180108

Feb 9, 2019

COULD NOT FILL MY GAS TANK BECAUSE IT WAS BLOCKED BY SOME PIECE OF METAL. AT A GAS STATION. WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC HAD TO USE 2 SCREWDRIVERS TO PUSH THE METAL OBSTACLE AWAY. I WAS THEN ABLE TO PUT GAS IN.

NHTSA ODI 11175882

Feb 4, 2019

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NO WHERE I HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE SAW A BLACK PIECE OF RUBBER IMMEDIATELY FLAPPING AROUND. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND WENT TO PULL OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. THEN I HEARD A LOUD 'POP" AND SAW THIS BLACK THING FLY PASS ME. WHEN I GOT OUT I REALIZED THE BLACK PILLAR MOLDING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD HAD FLOWN OFF. SIMILARLY ENOUGH, MY ROOM MATE HAS THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE, ABOUT A WEEK AFTER MINE FLEW OFF, HER PASSENGER SIDE DID THE SAME THING, ONLY DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS (SLOWER SPEED). THIS PIECE IS ABOUT 2 FEET LONG, AS A PROJECTILE FILING OFF A VEHICLE IN MOTION IT VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN.

NHTSA ODI 11174309

Feb 1, 2019Engine

I HAVE AN EXHAUST SMELL COMING FROM MY VENTS. THIS ODOR IS PRESENT IN THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS OF THE CAR. IT IS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AS WELL AS WHEN IT IS STATIONARY. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOWER RATE, AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL.

NHTSA ODI 11173547

Jan 29, 2019Electrical system

THE CAR HAS WATER LEAKS, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FUNCTION AND FEAR OF FIRE OR CONTACT IN MY CAR .

NHTSA ODI 11172760

Jan 25, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT SPEAK WITH ANYONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11172128

Jan 21, 2019Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. PULLED OVER, TURNED VEHICLE OFF. TURNED BACK ON. COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. APPEARS TO BE SAME ISSUE AS PREVIOUS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11171199

Jan 17, 2019Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BLACK PLASTIC TRIM NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FRACTURED AND SCATTERED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER SWERVE TO AVOID THE DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. KISSELBACK FORD (1118 13TH ST, ST CLOUD, FL 34769, (407) 892-5477) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE PART MAY BE ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11170513

Jan 13, 2019Steering

START CAR AND EPAS STEERING DOES NOT WORK. RESTART A COUPLE OF TIMES WAS ABLE TO DRIVE JUST ONCE. THE NEXT DAY EVEN RESTARTING THE CAR DID NOT WORK. I SEE THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I HOPE FORD FIXES THIS ISSUE UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11166702

Jan 3, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT STARTED SHAKING. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. SAMES FORD (4721 AYERS ST, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 851-7600) DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAULTY AND PROVIDED THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SAVE THE RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,900. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY ROAD. PROBLEM WAS FIXED.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11165600

Dec 28, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsSeat belts

THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - AIR BAGS COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME DUE TO MISCOMMUNICATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR CAN FAIL TO DEPLOY WHEN NECESSARY. AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND STAYS ON. ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED. SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED, AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE REPLACED, PROGRAM CONTROL MODULE AIR BAG REPROGRAMED. LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON. HAS A WIRE HARNESS ISSUE L/F DOOR MODULE SRS - WIRING LOOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11163777

Dec 26, 2018Steering

IN 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT FIXED BECAUSE WHEN CHECKED MY CAR DID NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEM. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR DUE TO POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THEY CANNOT FIX MY CAR BASED ON WARRANTY BECAUSE IT PREVIOUSLY CHECKED OUT FINE. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. WHY CAN'T THE RECALL STILL APPLY TO MY CAR. MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED SO THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. BUT THE DANGER REMAINS IF I HAVE TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11163523

Dec 19, 2018Steering

OUR POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY ON 12/17/2018. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN FORMER RECALL 14V286000 - SOMEHOW FORD WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THIS RECALL TO AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH LAPSES AT 150,000 MILES. OUR VEHICLE FAILED AT 150,950 MILES - RENDERING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. REPAIR COSTS OVER $2300. HOW THE NHTSA CAN ACCEPT SUCH AN AGREEMENT AS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN PLACE OF A BLANKET RECALL DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF THE AUTO-MAKER LOBBY AT THE EXTREME DETRIMENT AND DANGER TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. FORD AND NHTSA SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

NHTSA ODI 11162602

Dec 19, 2018SteeringElectrical system

POWER STEERING FAULT. THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORK WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH NOW WARMING UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I NEARLY CRASHED IT TO AN ON COMING CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY GYM. I NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT WHEN I DID A VIN SEARCH MY TRUCK WAS NOT REGISTERING A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11162598

Dec 18, 2018Body & structure

WINDSHIELD SIDE MOLDING BRAKING APART AND FLYING OFF DURING DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11162158

Dec 7, 2018Steering

WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN AT A FOUR-WAY STOP, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NOTIFICATION CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I RAN UP ONTO THE SIDEWALK. HAD THERE BEEN ANY PEDESTRIANS, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT.

NHTSA ODI 11156793

Dec 4, 2018Body & structure

THE WINDSHIELD PILLARS FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING, AN THE WHEATHER STRIPPING UNDER IT DOES NOT STAY, IT SLOWLY FLAPS OUT WHEN AT DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50-70MPH. WHEN THE WHEATHER STRIP FLYS OFF IT CAUSES THE PILLARS TO BREAK MORE WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11156014

Dec 3, 2018Steering

STEERING ASSIST FAULT

NHTSA ODI 11155782

Nov 23, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING", TRACTION CONTROL, AND "SERVICE NOW" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KEYSTONE FORD (301 WALKER ROAD, CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17201, (717) 264-5104) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER LOCATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES U2011-49 AND C200B2F-2F. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 16436064. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) ON MAY 29, 2014. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A MEMORANDUM ON JULY 1, 2015 IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL, STATING THAT IT WAS SUBJECT TO A WARRANTY EXTENSION CONVERSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE RECALL WITH A 150,000 MILE WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION UNDER 15N01. THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES LOCATED EARLIER BY THE DEALER WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE WARRANTY COVERAGE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE 150,000 MILE WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11153313

Nov 16, 2018SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE WHEEL GOT TUFF.

NHTSA ODI 11152055

Nov 11, 2018Brakes

MULTIPLE TIMES MY BRAKES HAVE HAD TO HAVE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE E-BRAKE LOCK UP, GET STUCK, OR FAIL IN A WAY THAT REQUIRED FULL REPLACEMENT OF MY ROTORS, PADS, BRAKE LINES, AND FLUID RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGES. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE IN THIS, I STOPPED USING THE E-BRAKE, HOWEVER HAD THE PROBLEM REPEAT ITSELF ONLY A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE TIME EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS NOTICED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING WHILE DRIVING, AND THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THIS YEAR WAS NOTICED WHEN THE FLUID WAS DRAINED AND A "LOW BRAKE FLUID" LIGHT CAME ON, AND WAS FURTHER EXAMINED AFTER FLUID DID NOT STAY IN THE SYSTEM FOR VERY LONG (MATTER OF AN HOUR OR TWO).

NHTSA ODI 11150782

Nov 8, 2018Steering

STEERING GEARS LOCK STEERING SYSTEM ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH WITH MY 11 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11150170

Oct 26, 2018Airbags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, IT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE BY THE DEALER BUT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. NOW THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11142820

Oct 24, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsSeat belts

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRETENSIONER HAS FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN CREATED ON FORD'S END BLAMING THE CONNECT. SEE TSB 12-5-11. IT TELLS THE MECHANIC TO INJECT DIELECTRIC GREASE AS A FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11142427

Oct 18, 2018Steering

WHILE DRIVING AND GOING INTO TURN POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO STOP AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11141184

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Working with the data? Download all 821 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →