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 22 of 33

Jun 15, 2017Engine

TURBO FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, LARGE LOSS OF POWER AND POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. TURBO CHARGER FAILED ON MY 2.0L ECOBOOST ENGINE AT 58,000 MILES. TURBO FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSED VERY POOR PERFORMANCE AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A WRECK. TURBO FAILURE DOES NOT CREATE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR GIVE ANY INDICATION THAT IS HAS FAILED OTHER THAN A LARGE LOSS OF POWER AND THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN. TURBO FAILURE IS SUDDEN AND THERE IS NO INDICATIONS PRIOR TO IT FAILING. THE TURBO WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY DUE TO VEHICLES AGE EVEN THOUGH UNDER 60K.

NHTSA ODI 10995323

Jun 15, 2017

WHEN THE SHIFTER IS MECHANICALLY AND SECURELY IN PARK, THE VEHICLE'S SENSOR SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. THIS LEADS TO STARTING ISSUES NBECASUE OF TWO FACTORS: 1. THE BATTERY WEARS DOWN SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND 2. STARTING THE VEHICLE REQUIRES IT TO BE IN PARK WHICH THE VEICHILE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN.

NHTSA ODI 10995441

Jun 12, 2017Engine

OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER HAS A HEAVY FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THAT A FEW MINUTES. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME PASSES.

NHTSA ODI 10994559

Jun 12, 2017EngineFuel system

I ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AROUND A CAR THAT MANEUVERED INFRONT OF ME AND MY INTERIOR CABIN WAS FILLED WITH AN NAUSEATING EXHAUST SMELL. I GOT A HEADACHE, LIGHT HEADED, AND PULLED OVER, BECAUSE I WAS STARTING TO GET DIZZY AND DEVELOP HEADACHES. THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY, AND NEARLY KILLED ME. I AM FURIOUS.

NHTSA ODI 10994567

Jun 8, 2017Steering

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT SHOW UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO MOVE. I START AND TURNED OFF A COUPLE TIMES NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN. THE FIRST TIME START WORKING AGAIN BUT NOW HAVE 2 WEEKS IN MAY GARAGE WITHOUT BE ABLE OF MOVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10994054

Jun 7, 2017Steering

IMMEDIATELY AFTER IGNITION IS TURNED ON, POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON AND STEERING WHEEL CAN BARELY TURN. TURN OFF IGNITION AND BACK ON AGAIN AND IT IS GONE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 10993678

Jun 7, 2017

THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE AROUND THE REAR WINDOW/ DOOR OR TOP. EVERYTIME IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS THE CAR POURING DOWN THE 3RD ROW SEATBELT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 10993680

May 9, 2017Suspension

FRONT STRUT BEARINGS CLUNKING/ FAILED. NEEDED REPLACED. 55,000 MILES. STRONG ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE WHEN ACCELERATING OR FOLLOWING LARGE TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI 10984451

Apr 17, 2017

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD TRIM BLEW OFF THE CAR WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE CREATING A DANGEROUS PROJECTILE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ODI 10978831

Apr 5, 2017

SMELLS EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. I HAVE BEEN GETTING HEAD ACHES AND NAUSEA WHEN I DRIVE. VEHICLE IN MOTION AND AFTER BEING IN THE CAR I GET AN EXHAUST SMELL AND GET SICK.

NHTSA ODI 10970720

Mar 28, 2017

EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN, HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES AND THEY PERFORMED A FIX BUT DID NOT FIX

NHTSA ODI 10968906

Mar 22, 2017

THERE'S BEEN A SMELL EACH TIME I WOULD GO IN MY TRUCK AND IT WOULD GIVE ME A HEADACHE. DURING THIS TIME I WAS PREGNANT. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT IT'S BEEN THE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT BEEN USING MY TRUCK AND I CAN'T DRIVE MY 1 MONTH OLD BABY IN THIS CAR. THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK IT HAS BEEN SHAKING AND SHUTS OFF. I'VE ALREADY TAKEN IT TO GET REPAIRED BUT IT STILL SHAKES. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUMES COMING INTO THE CAR. IT DEFINITELY IDN'T SAFE FOR ME TO HAVE MY BABY RIDE IN. I CAN'T BELIEVE I USED THIS TRUCK DURING MY PREGNANCY THINKING IT WAS JUST ME BUT SEEING IT ON THE NEWS MADE ME REALIZE SOMETHING HAS BEEN WRONG WITH THE TRUCK THE WHOLE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 10967854

Mar 21, 2017Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

FUEL AND EXHAUST FUMES OR SMELL OF BURNING OIL. PROBLEMS WITH TURBO.

NHTSA ODI 10967501

Mar 21, 2017

I PLACED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN MY VEHICLE AFTER READING ABOUT ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN GOING OFF DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF CO DETECTED INSIDE MY CAR. THE DETECTOR ONLY STOPS BEEPING WHEN I OPEN ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. I USE A KIDDE CO DETECTOR THAT WILL ALARM IF LEVELS ARE ABOVE 30PPM. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR MOST OF THE TIME, AND I WANT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE TO GET IT FIXED AND PREVENT ISSUES WITH THEIR HEALTH OR AN ACCIDENT THAT CAN ENDANGER BOTH MY FAMILY AND OTHERS, AS WELL AS FIX ALL EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE DETECTOR GOES OFF WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, AND WHEN I ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI 10967568

Mar 10, 2017

UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION (MERGING, PASSING A VEHICLE,ETC.) EXHAUST FUMES ARE DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. IRRELEVENT AS TO WHETHER HEAT, AC OR VENT IS OPEN.

NHTSA ODI 10959954

Mar 7, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

BAD SMELL WITH HEAT OR AC ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS HEADACHES AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS FELT AT TIMES. A SEPERATE ISSUE ALTOGETHER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TO WORK A COUPLE TIMES LEAVING ME STUCK INSIDE CAR UNTIL IT DECIDES TO WORK. DEALER HAS HAD SUPOSED PART ON BACK ORDER FOR 2 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 10959200

Mar 7, 2017Body & structure

PAINT "BUBBLING" HAS TAKEN PLACE ON THE LIFT GATE IN THE VICINITY OF THE LIFT GATE HANDLE. THE BUBBLING HAS ENLARGED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE I FIRST DISCOVERED IT IN DECEMBER OF 2016. NO ACCIDENT. NORMAL OPERATION AND USE BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

NHTSA ODI 10959471

Mar 2, 2017

LEAKING EXHAUST I HAVE BEEN TESTED AND HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN MY BLOOD I NOW HAVE A BATTERY OPERATED CARBON DIOXIDE TESTER IN MY VEHICLE. I PRAY THIS PROTECTS ME. I WAS SO FATIGUED LAST SUMMER, I WENT STRAIGHT TO BED AFTER WORK. NOW I FINALLY KNOW WHY!

NHTSA ODI 10958308

Feb 21, 2017Electrical systemEngine

MY VEHICLES AIR TURNS ON ON IT'S OWN AS YOU DRIVE. THIS IS NOT THE AC NOR HEATER. AS YOU DRIVE YOU CAN HEAR YOUR AIR VENTS TURN ON AND YOU SMELL A FOUL SMELL AND THE AIR PUSHING THROUGH THE VENTS IS MUGGY STICKY AIR THAT MAKES YOUR SKIN FEEL CLAMMY. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND HAD BEEN "REPAIRED" HOWEVER, THE AIR CONTINUES TO PUSH THROUGH THE VENTS WHETHER YOU HAVE THE SWITCH SET TO ON OR NOT.

NHTSA ODI 10956053

Feb 20, 2017Crash2 injuries

I WAS DRIVING AND FOR NO OBVIOUS MEDICAL REASON PASSED OUT AND MY CAR TRAVELED ACROSS A HIGHWAY AND OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HIT 2 TREES. I HAVE READ A NEWS REPORT OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER DRIVERS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CARD.

NHTSA ODI 10955634

Feb 20, 2017

THE SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. SAW THIS INTHE RECENT NATIONAL NEWS. EXACTLY WHAT I EXPERIENCED AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY VECHICLE BUT KEEP JUST BEING DISREGARDED AS NOTHING. ALL MY ISSUES WERE NEVER RESOVED NO LETTER EVER ANSWERED. SENT A RECENT EMAIL TO FORD, UNANSWERED, CALL LOCAL DEALSHIP AND LADY IS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID SHE DIDNT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECENT INVESTIGATIONS AND TO WAIT FOR A LETTER/RECALL. THIS RECORDS ARE FROM BACK WHEN I GOT MY CAR, I HAVE LEARNED TO ADAPT TO THE SMELL AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TILL IT HAS GONE.

NHTSA ODI 10955644

Feb 19, 2017

SMELL WHAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. FEAR MY FAMILY AND I MAY BE IN RISK FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

NHTSA ODI 10955541

Feb 16, 2017Engine

WE HAVE NOTICED INTERMITTENT ODORS IN THE CABIN. SULPHUR SMELLING ODOR AFTER ACCELERATING QUICKLY (FOR EXAMPLE PASSING, MERGING). IT HAPPENS WHEN THE HEAT IS ON, OR OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN RECALL HOWEVER THE SMELL IS NOW (APPROX. THE LAST YEAR) NOTICEABLE JUST ABOUT ANY TIME WE DO HIGHWAY DRIVING. IT ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY. ON THE INFREQUENT OCCASION THAT I NEED TO MAKE A QUICK ACCELERATION WHILE DOING AROUND-TOWN DRIVING, THE SMELL CAN BE NOTICED. I AM CURRENTLY RECEIVING MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR SEVERE SYMPTOMS OF, WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE, CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE EXTREME FATIGUE AND HEADACHES.

NHTSA ODI 10955182

Feb 15, 2017

WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS GOING UP A HILL OR GOING ON TO THE FREEWAY I SMELL EXHAUST IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10954624

Feb 15, 2017Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 10954910

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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 →