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 26 of 33

Jan 14, 2016Electrical systemEquipmentFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL AND BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER CALIBRATIONS NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE AFFECTING HER CHILDREN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 10820259

Jan 11, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE ON FREEWAY, CAR SUDDENLY DECREASED SPEED EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE PEDAL TO EXCELERATE. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON FREEWAY. TOOK IT IN TO MAC HAICK AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND I ASKED IF THIS WAS COMMON AND WAS TOLD NO. HE SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WITH MORE THAT 60,000. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE REP SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS AND GAVE ME A CASE #8559890.

NHTSA ODI 10819558

Jan 7, 2016Body & structure

THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE PILLAR BLEW OFF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON I-75 (70 MPH). IT JUST MISSED A CAR THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME. THE PLATE THAT HOLDS THE PILLAR ON THE FRAME, SHOWS STRESS CRACKING AT EACH BOLT AND THE LOWER TWO TABS THAT CONNECT THE PILLAR ARE SHEARED. THE TABS AT THE TOP OF THE PILLAR PULLED OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE THE WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PILLAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED IF I WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NOISE. THEY DID NOT REMOVE THE PILLAR TO INSPECT ANYTHING, LIKELY KNOWING THEY WOULD DAMAGE IT.

NHTSA ODI 10818740

Jan 7, 2016Seat beltsBody & structure

WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CABIN EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR CAR GETS WASHED. WATER DRIPS DOWN FROM TOP THROUGH REAR SEATBELT RETRACTORS NEAR REAR HATCH/DOOR AND STREAMS DOWN SEAT BELTS AND THEN PUDDLES UNDER THIRD ROW SEAT AND SPARE TIRE WELL. LEAKS ANYTIME NO MATTER IF PARKED OR IN MOTION. SEATBELTS AND SEAT BOLTS/HINGES ARE STARTING TO RUST. WIRES NEAR 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND TAIL LIGHTS ALSO GET WET. 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT (NO SUNROOF/MOONROOF).

NHTSA ODI 10818818

Jan 5, 2016SteeringCrash1 injury

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO VEER INTO A BRICK MAILBOX AND DITCH. RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND MAILBOX. ALSO CAUSING INJURY TO MY RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER.

NHTSA ODI 10818216

Jan 4, 2016SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,700.

NHTSA ODI 10817604

Dec 12, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)

CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON DAILY. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, RADIO SHUT OFF, LIGHTS DIMMED AND CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, STEERING ALSO BECAME DIFFICULT BEFORE SHUTTING OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10809845

Nov 26, 2015Body & structure

THERE WEEKS AFTER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED THE LH A-PILLAR FLEW OFF THE CAR WHILE MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS MOVING AT 65 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 10807101

Nov 13, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

NOVEMBER 13, 2015 CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO I'M DRIVING NORMALLY THEN A WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP ON THE DASH & SAYS "SEE SERVICE MANUAL". I THEN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING LOOSE ALL CONTROL TO MY GAS PEDAL & THE ENGINE SHAKES AT AN IDLE. I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER. WE RETURN HOME LESS 10 MILE PER HOUR, THEN TURN THE CAR OFF. ONCE I TURN IT BACK ON IT "WARNINGS 0" IN SOME WAY & RUNS NORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI 10790132

Nov 9, 2015Speed control

ON 6/29/15 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 40 MPH THE AWD OFF LIGHT CAME ON WITH A WRENCH ON MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED IN SPEED TO LESS THAN 5 MPH. PULLED OVER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF & THEN TURNED BACK ON. COMPUTER SEEMED TO RESET ITSELF. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD & SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEN AGAIN TONIGHT (11/9/15) ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AGAIN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, THE AWD OFF LIGHT WITH THE WRENCH CAME ON AGAIN. SPEED IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO LESS THAN 5 MPH & VEHICLE MADE GRINDING NOISES. PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF & TURNED BACK ON. COMPUTER RESET ITSELF AGAIN & IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO FORD. THE ONLY MESSAGE THEY COULD FIND WAS A CODE FOR LOSS OF COMMUNICATION TO BCM. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING, CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE & HAVE THEM TOW IT IN WHILE STILL RUNNING. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA THAT DOES NOT HAVE MANY PLACES TO PULL OVER WHEN YOUR VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS MEMORY DOES NOT TRACK THESE MESSAGES. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE A FATALITY BEFORE FORD RECTIFIES THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10789409

Nov 5, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

I'M DRIVING NORMALLY THEN RANDOMLY A WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP ON THE DASH & SAYS "SEE SERVICE MANUAL". I THEN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING LOOSE ALL CONTROL TO MY GAS PEDAL & THE ENGINE SHAKES AT AN IDLE. I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER (MIND YOU WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1 MONTH). THEN TURN THE CAR OFF. ONCE I TURN IT BACK ON IT "RESETS" IN SOME WAY & RUNS NORMALLY (UNTIL THIS HAPPENS AGAIN). THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 3 WEEKS AGO ON A WEEKEND LATE MORNING DRIVING MAYBE 45MPH, THE 2ND TIME WAS THIS PAST TUESDAY 11/2/15 IN THE EVENING AFTER WORK AT 5:15PM DRIVING MAY 35MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS "FIXED" & THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEN IT HAPPENED THE 3RD TIME THE NEXT MORNING ON 11/3/15 @ 7:30AM WHEN I WAS STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN SO I WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 5MPH. IT'S BEEN BACK AT FORD SINCE THEN & THEY SAID THEY "CAN'T FIX IT IF IT DOESN'T SHOW UP FOR THEM OR THE CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM" MEANWHILE MYSELF & I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO SCHOOL & WORK. & THE WORST PART IS ALL TREE TIMES MY KIDS WERE WITH ME & THERE COULD'VE BEEN AN ACCIDENT BUT FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI 10788746

Nov 3, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH ICON AND AWD ERRORS DISPLAY. THE THROTTLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE, BUT ALL OTHER SYSTEMS REMAIN FUNCTIONING. IF YOU LEAVE IT IN GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKES ENGAGED, IT WILL MOVE AT IDLE SPEED ON FLAT GROUND, BUT IS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE INCLINES. WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUDDERS. STOPPING AND RESTARTING NORMALLY RETURNS THE VEHICLE TO NORMAL OPERATION. HOWEVER, ON OCTOBER 25, IT FAILED TO START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL INDICATION OF THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND YOU ARE ONLY ABLE TO STEER AND BRAKE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. OUR 2012 EXPLORER IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHO HAS INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) AND PURGE VALVE. FORD IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ETBS WITH OTHER MODELS, REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION # PE13003, AND EXPLORERS, REFERENCE NHTSA #10054323 AND 10053276, FORD TSB # TSB-13-9-8 AND TSB-13-5-29. DESCRIPTION: LINCOLN/FORD: DUE TO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P0106, P0236, ENGINE ON SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE HESITATION, LOSS OF IDLE RPM, DIFFICULT IN STARTING, LACK OF POWER, RUNNING ROUGH AND CRANK NO START SITUATION. DESCRIPTION: FORD: DUE TO BLOCKED VAPOR PURGE LINE PORT IN AIR CLEANER OUTLET PIPE ASSEMBLY, THE MIL WOULD ILLUMINATE, WITH DTC P144C.

NHTSA ODI 10787972

Oct 22, 2015Brakes

2012 FORD EXPLORER REAR BRAKES - VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CPO. PART OF CERTIFYING THE VEHICLE WAS TO REPLACE THE REAR PADS AND CUT ROTORS AT 20K MILES. NOW AT 32K I HAD TO REPLACE REAR PADS AND ROTORS AGAIN DUE TO SEIZED CALIPERS THAT CAUSED THE PADS TO DRAG AND PREMATURELY WEAR THE PADS. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS WHERE PADS ARE SEIZING IN THE CALIPERS AND DRAGGING ON THE ROTORS CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR. FORD DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY ISSUE, YET THE INTERNET IS FULL OF STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND BE DRIVING AROUND WITH BRAKES THAT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL THEM POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10785287

Oct 18, 2015Fuel system

THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AT SPEEDS OF 40, 50 AND 60 MPH, ON HIGHWAY, VEH. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEH. COMES TO A STOP. THE ENGINE IS STILL IDLING BUT THE GAS PETAL DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS NO WARNING, THE VEH. JUST COMES TO A STOP.I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON RURAL TWO LANE ROADS SO I COULD PULL OF ROAD. IF YOU WERE ON A MULTI LANE HIGHWAY YOU WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE, BECAUSE VEH. COMES TO A STOP AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE SPEED. THE FIRST PROBLEM, SWITCHED OFF VEH. RESTATED, NO ENGINE LIGHT AND EVERYTHING WORKED, TOOK VEH. TO FORD, THEY CHECK IT OUT, COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE VEH. WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 6000 MORE THOUSAND MILES, THEN AT 60 MPH IT CUT OFF AGAIN, I GOT OFF ROAD, RESTARTED VEH. ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON BUT GAS PETAL WORKED. I DROVE ABOUT TWO MORE MILES AND VEH. CUT OF AGAIN, ENGINE IDLING GAS PETAL NOT WORKING. RESTARTED VEH. ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON BUT GAS PETAL WAS WORKING. I DROVE VEH. TO FORD DEALER, THEY NOW SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE MODULE. FORD SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS MODULE, SO I PAID OVER $600 FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOMETHING TO WARN FORD EXPLORER OWNERS THIS COULD HAPPEN TO THEM. I WOULD THINK, I AM NOT THE ONLY EXPLORER OWNERS TO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10783168

Oct 6, 2015

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, EXHAUST FUMES IN MY CAR NEARLY PUT ME TO SLEEP. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AND LEARNED THAT FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, SO THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RELATED RECALL, BUT INSTEAD I MUST PAY $885.00 TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10780183

Oct 1, 2015Transmission & drivetrainEngine

BURNING SMELL UNDER ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 10778941

Sep 28, 2015Engine

AS I WAS BREAKING TO TURN LEFT AT A STREET LIGHT MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. I TOOK IT TO JORDAN FORD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ERROR MESSAGE AND NOTICED A CARBON BUILD UP AND RECOMMENDED CLEANING. ALMOST $500 TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AND I'M VERY WORRIED. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE AREN'T ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10778239

Sep 25, 2015

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER AT A REDUCED SPEED, APPROACHING AN UNPROTECTED LEFT TURN ON GREEN WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SPUTTERED AND LOST SPEED TRIGGERING THE WRENCH ICON TO LIGHT UP ON MY PANEL. I WAS APPLYING GAS TO COMPLETE THE INTERSECTION WITH NO ACCELERATION. I CRAWLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AS MY CAR CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER AND IDLE LOUDLY AND SPUTTER. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THIS BEEN A BUSIER TIME OF THE MORNING COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THE SERVICE CENTER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE SOLVED UNTIL ALMOST A YEAR LATER 9/25/2015, AS I HAD JUST SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND AS I ACCELERATED AND BEGAN DRIVING, MY CAR SUDDENLY SPUTTERED AND WENT INTO THE SAME STALL DESCRIBED ABOVE. I APPLIED GAS AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE WITH NO SUCCESS. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON WHICH ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE IT WITH CAUTION, TO THE SERVICE CENTER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS AT MY LOCAL SERVICE CENTER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY IS WORN OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED. MY VEHICLE ISN'T EVEN 5 YEARS OLD. THIS IS VERY PERPLEXING. THE INCIDENTS ARE UNSETTLING AND SHOULD IT HAPPEN ON A BUSY ROADWAY OR WHILE ACCELERATING TO MAKE TURNS OR PASS A PERSON IS AT A GREAT RISK OF BEING INJURED OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 10776607

Sep 25, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU ON AN OPEN ISSUE WITH MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER. CASE #CAS7740243 WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. LAST MONTH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A WELL-TRAVELED ROAD WITH OUR 2 CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE WENT LIMP IN TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO FORCEFULLY STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED ON A MAJOR ROAD AND THERE WERE MULTIPLE PASSENGERS INVOLVED. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, CROSS ROADS FORD IN SPRINGFIELD, IL, IDENTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLES ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT A 2012 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 54,000 MILES SHOULD NOT NEED A MAJOR REPAIR LIKE THIS. I CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAD PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED LIABILITY TO ETB SYSTEM FAILURES ON MULTIPLE FORD/MERCURY MODELS OF THE SIMILAR TIME PERIOD. FORD ISSUED A SPECIAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM EXTENDING THE ETB WARRANTY COVERAGE AND INSTRUCTING FRANCHISED DEALERS TO UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CALIBRATION TO IMPROVE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT THAT INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTIVITY OF THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR CONTACTS OCCURS. (SEE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE13003). I WAS PROVIDED NO EXPLANATION FROM CROSS ROADS OR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AS TO WHY THE ETB SYSTEM FAILURES IN THOSE SITUATIONS ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE ETB SYSTEM FAILURE HERE. FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO REIMBURSE THE COSTS IT TOOK US TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THAT FORD HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS. NOT ONLY DO I FEEL FORD OWES REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT COSTS, BUT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO REVIEW IN LIGHT OF FORDS PREEXISTING ADMISSION TO FAULTY ETB SYSTEMS. I AM BRINGING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION.

NHTSA ODI 10776630

Sep 18, 2015Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THE INITIAL ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,920. *CN

NHTSA ODI 10765028

Sep 10, 2015Engine

EXHAUST GASES ENTER THE CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING - SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS - TO TEST THEORY PLACED HOUSE HOLD CO2 ALARM IN VEHICLE CABIN AND DROVE UP INTERSTATE - EXCEEDING 3500RPM FOR 2-3 SECONDS - CO2 ALARM WENT OFF TO INDICATE CO2 PRESENT INSIDE OF CABIN - CONDITIONS WERE - ALL WINDOWS CLOSED ALL DOORS CLOSED - AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING. DEALER STATES NO REPORTED OCCURRENCES OF THIS FROM OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS, SAID IT COULD BE A FAULTY CO2 ALARM - WENT TO HOME DEPOT - PURCHASED NEW CO2 ALARM - TESTED IN VEHICLE WITH WINDWOS AND DOORS CLOSED - NEW CO2 ALARM ALSO ALERTS TO CARBON MONOXIDE (HIGH LEVELS). - CO2 IS 100% ENTERING CLOSED CABIN.

NHTSA ODI 10762966

Sep 8, 2015Body & structure

PAINT ON HOOD IS BLISTERING - FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED A TSB IN 2004 TO FIX THIS ISSUE IN 2004 WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE ON A 2012 VEHICLE - DEALER SAYS FORD HQ DENIED REPAIR TO HOOD PAINT SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY - WHY IS PAINT CORRODING ON 3+ YEAR OLD $34,000 VEHICLE? FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE IT IS KNOWN AND DEVALUES THE VEHICLE BY MANY $K.

NHTSA ODI 10762121

Sep 1, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER EACH OF THE FOUR DOORS AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED IN AREAS THAT WERE PAINTED THINLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL HOLES HAD FORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. MA 10/22/2015 *CN

NHTSA ODI 10760755

Aug 31, 2015BrakesFire

THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEGAN MAKING A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND (BREAK PADS) AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS RADIATING OFF OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE STUCK AGAINST THE ROTOR. THE BRAKE PADS ARE FAIRLY NEW (REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2015). THE CALIPER WAS REMOVED AND A RETAINING BOLT WAS BROKEN OFF/STUCK INSIDE OF THE CALIPER MOUNT. THE PISTON WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY INSIDE OF THE CALIPER AND WOULD NOT EXTEND OUT. THE CALIPER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CALIPER COULD NOT BE SET BACK IN PLACE DUE TO THE FAULTY RETAINING BOLT.

NHTSA ODI 10760434

Aug 27, 2015Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD DELAY TO START AND STALLED WHEN THE METER MEASURED OVER A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED A FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2015. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 10759714

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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 →