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 29 of 33

Sep 10, 2014Speed controlEngine

WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF APROX. 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND DRAMATICALLY LOST SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL / MOTOR SPEED CEASED RESPONDING AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGHLY. THE CAR WENT INTO "IDLE" AND I WAS FORCED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE EVENT WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. I HAD NO WARNING AND NOT ENOUGH POWER TO GET OFF THE ROAD. AN ORANGE "WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART WITH NORMAL OPERATION. I IMMEDIATELY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LEFT VALVE COVER. I DROVE THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 14 DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. THIS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. GOD HELP ME IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE I'M ON THE FREEWAY... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10632058

Aug 26, 2014Body & structure

FORD RECENTLY DECLINED TO REPAIR THE BUBBLING PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER ON THE BASIS IT IS OUT-OF-WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, FORD HAS HAD CORROSION ISSUES FOR SOME TIME BUT HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628525

Aug 19, 2014Airbags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE FORD DEALER SAYS THAT THE ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE CONNECTIONS THAT ARE UNDER THE SEATS. THE CONNECTIONS NEED TO BE CLEANED AND REATTACHED. THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY COOKIE CRUMBS, JUICE, ETC. PROBABLY FROM CHILDREN. I INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS A 2012 AND THAT COOKIES, ETC. SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CAUSE A SAFETY DEVICE AS IMPORTANT AS AN AIR BAG FROM NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IF COOKIE CRUMBS, ETC. CAN CAUSE AIR BAGS TO FAIL THEN THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626410

Aug 12, 2014Fuel systemEngine

I AM EXPERIENCING AN ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CAR. I LIVE IN EL SALVADOR CENTRAL AMERICA AND HAVE FOUND IN THE INTERNET THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THE AGENCY IN MY COUNTRY DOES NOT RESPONSABILIZE ON THIS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND WE CANT BE SMELLING THIS EXHAUST FUMENS AND STRANGE ODORS INSIDE OUR CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10621834

Aug 12, 2014Speed control

DASH REPORTS TMS FAULT, THEN AWD OFF SUCCESSIVELY. THEN CAR BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND SLOWS DOWN RAPIDLY. THE DASH ALSO DISPLAYS A SERVICE INDICATOR "WRENCH." DEALER REPORTS VEHICLE THROWS CODE P2112, THROTTLE BODY STUCK CLOSED. I BELIEVE THE SCOPE OF FORD CSP 13N03 IN RESPONSE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE13003 NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED OR MANY MORE DRIVERS WILL BE STUCK IN FORD VEHICLES THAT ALL BUT SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE DURING A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10621906

Aug 4, 2014Brakes

I WAS ON VACATION AND I STARTED TO GET A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES EVERY TIME I STARTED I HAD TO PUT THE BRAKES ON. I DECIDED TO END THE VACATION EARLY AND HEADED HOME. BEFORE I GOT HOME I HAD TO STOP AT A FORD DEALER ABOUT 300 MILES FROM HOME. THE GUY AT THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE CAR AND THEN INSPECTED THE BRAKES. HE TOLD ME THE REAR BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN TO METAL ON METAL. I HAD THEM FIX THE REAR BRAKES FOR $324.13. HE LUBED THE CALIPERS AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM. I THINK THE BRAKES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 30,550 MILE ON A $46,000 VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10618871

Jul 28, 2014Steering

RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM FORD TO GET MY VEHICLE IN IMMEDIATELY. CALLED SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN FORD AND SPOKE WITH DAVID. DAVID SAID "SORRY, CAN'T HELP YOU RIGHT NOW AS THEY HAVE NOT SENT US THE PARTS OR THE SOFTWARE". HE ADDED, "CALL BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS". I WAS SHOCKED THAT NOTHING WAS OFFERED. WEBSITE EVEN STATES MAY CAUSE INABILITY TO STEER YOUR CAR AND LETTER EVEN STATES MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BUT THEY CAN'T HELP ME RIGHT NOW? SO DISAPPOINTED IN FORD! IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME OR MY FAMILY FORD WILL PAY.

NHTSA ODI 10617014

Jul 21, 2014Steering

I WAS STOPPED AND THE CAR WAS IDLING IN DRIVE (I WAS BRAKING) WHEN THE CAR BEEPED AND DISPLAYED TWO WARNINGS, ONE ABOUT POWER ASSIST FAILURE OR OFF AND THE OTHER ABOUT ADVANCETRAC SERVICE (I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT WORDING OF THE ERRORS). THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING IN THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN. AFTER IT TURNED ON IT STILL SAID THE ERRORS BUT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND MOVED UP A BIT THE ERRORS ALSO WENT AWAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TELL ME THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL BUT THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ON HOW TO FIX IT WHAT IT WAS, OR ANY TYPE OF REMEDY OR REASSURANCE. THEY SAID THE SOONEST THEY COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO LOOK AT IT WAS A WEEK AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10615170

Jul 9, 2014Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10609349

Jul 7, 2014Body & structureFire

I WAS DRIVING ON RT44 IN MA WHEN I NOTICED ONCOMING DRIVERS YELLING AT ME. I THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND YELLED THAT MY 2012 FORD EXPLORED HAD FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED THE CAR WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN AND MY CAR WAS INDEED ON FIRE. I HAPPENED TO HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WITH ME AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I WAS IN FRONT OF A FORD DEALER WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THEY CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THE HEAT SHIELD WAS IGNITED FROM TOUCHING THE EXHAUST. THEY REMOVED THE PLATE AND YOU CAN SEE THE BURNT DAMAGE (I HAVE PICS). THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL AND THEY SAID THEY WILL PUT A NEW ONE ON. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CATCH FIRE AND IF IT WASN'T FOR OTHER DRIVERS I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS COULD OF ENDED. MY WIFE AND 3 YEAR OLD SON ARE NOW TERRIFIED TO RIDE IN THE EXPLORER. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10608551

Jun 23, 2014Engine

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST INTO VEHICLE CABIN, LOOKED AT FORUMS, & FOUND 62 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS BY EXPLORER OWNERS, ON WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM, CALLED DEALER, TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR 2 DAYS, UNDER TSB-128-12-12-4, SERVICE WORK, STILL HAVE SAME ISSUE MONTHS LATER, STILL WAITING FOR FORD TO CORRECT PROBLEM. AT PRESENT TIME A LAW SUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN FLORIDA, ARTICLE FOUND IN SUN SENNTIAL NEWSPAPER, AT WWW.SUN-SENNTIAL.COM VIDEO SHOWS CO AT 139 ACCEPTABLE LEVEL SHOULD BE 100. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605241

Jun 3, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

CAR HESITATES AFTER TURNS AND THEN AGAIN WHEN ACCELERATING AND ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON A SEPARATE INCIDENT IN 2013 AFTER LOSING ALL POWER DURING A TURN; THE THROTTLE BODY - AIR INTAKE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,457 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN TO BE CHECKED, I GET THE SAME RESPONSE: CANNOT NOT RECREATE THE CONCERN, RAN THROUGH OASIS AND NO PROBLEM FOUND. I AM OVER FORD! THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (AKA RECALL WITHOUT THE PRESS INVOLVED) (PROGRAM NUMBER 12B36) IN APRIL OF 2012 THAT HAD TO REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). THIS WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT "INOPERATIVE ENGINE COOLING FANS COULD LEAD TO HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READINGS AND REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO AUTOMATICALLY ENTER DERATE (REDUCED POWER) MODE." THIS WAS "FIXED" 14 MONTHS BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED.... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10595838

May 27, 2014Steering

DRIVING TO WORK ON JUNE 25, 2013 (20,420 MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WHEN A "POWER STEERING ASSIST" FAULT CODE POPPED ONTO THE SCREEN AND WITH VERY LIMITED STEERING CAPABILITIES WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE FOR 10 MINUTES AND THE ERROR CORRECTED ITSELF. ON MAY 9, 2014 (30,513 MILES), AFTER COMING OFF A WINDING ROAD TURNED ONTO A STRAIGHT LANE, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CODE POPPED UP AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. ON MAY 23, 2014 (31,002 MILES), GOT INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE TURNED ON ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CODE POPPED UP AND I WASN'T ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT AGAIN. WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JUNE 25, I CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INSTRUCTED "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, BRING IN YOUR VEHICLE." FOR THE SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE SHOWING AT THAT TIME, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND WAS TOLD "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, DON'T TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE AND DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN RETRIEVE THE CODES." MY MAIN CONCERN IS NOT BEING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10594372

May 24, 2014Steering

FORD EXPLORER 2012 WITH VIBRATION AND GRINDING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND LOSS OF ALL STEERING. INITIALLY INFREQUENT HOWEVER AFTER TWO YEARS THE OCCURRENCE IS COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF ALL STEERING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THREE SEPARATE FORD DEALERS FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISER THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED IN A TEST DRIVE BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER IN MAY, 2014 I BROUGHT WEBSITE REPORTS OF OTHER DRIVERS EXPERIENCING STEERING GEAR FAILURE IN THEIR 2011 AND 2012 FORD EXPLORERS. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WAITING AT THE FORD DEALER (OVER TWO WEEKS) FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10593895

May 21, 2014Steering

ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHIN THE LAST MONTH THE POWER STEERING FAULT ASSIST HAS GONE OFF. TWICE WHILE DRIVING AND ONCE WHEN FIRST STARING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DROVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS SOMETHING IS RECALLED OR THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE THEY HAVE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS TO DANGEROUS OF AN ISSUE TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING WHEN MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10592971

May 13, 2014Engine & cooling

IN SEPTEMBER 2013, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH WHEN A WRENCH SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING TO A STOP. THE GAS WOULD NOT WORK DURING THIS TIME AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT DID RESTART WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT DID IT AGAIN A LITTLE LATER. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE I LEASED THE CAR FROM. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT COULD NOT GET CODES BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES IN OCTOBER. BOTH TIMES WERE AT NIGHT OVER A WEEKEND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED. AGAIN, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT RESET THE "SYSTEM" AND I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THE NIGHT OF MAY 3, 2013. I WAS DRIVING OUTSIDE OF MCKINNEY, TX, WITH MY CRUISE SET AT 74 WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAD JUST COME OFF OF I-75 WHERE THEY ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION AND THERE ARE CONCRETE WALLS ON EITHER SIDE OF TWO LANES WITH NO SHOULDER! SINCE YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE SPEED, AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE CAR WORK IS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, THEN RESTART IT, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE (MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN) WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A VERY BUSY AREA WITH SPEEDS UP TO 75 MPH AND LOTS OF SEMI-TRUCKS. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND GM OF PARIS FORD WHO BOTH AGREED TO A LOANER CAR UNTIL MINE COULD BE FIXED, AND TOOK IT IN FOR THE THIRD TIME. APPARENTLY, THE ONLY LOANER CAR THEY HAD WAS UNAVAILABLE, SO I COULD TAKE MY CAR BACK AND DRIVE IT UNTIL THEY HAD A LOANER. WE DECIDED THAT WAS ENOUGH. I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE OF ANYTHING HAPPENING TO MYSELF OR OUR CHILDREN. WE TURNED IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER PAYING $251, IT IS NOW BACK WITH THEM. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10588079

May 12, 2014Steering

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER MY CAR TO THE EXIT RAMP AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN ON SMALLER STREETS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10587951

May 7, 2014Visibility & wipers

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF. THEY CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10587142

May 5, 2014Body & structure

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO FORD FOR SERVICE. I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD WAS BUBBLING. I SHOWED IT TO THE SERVICE WRITER. HE REPORTED IT TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10586653

Apr 19, 2014Fuel systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ON FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014 MY WIFE AN I PRESTARTED THE CAR TO GO TO DINNER, AFTER ONLY 2 MINUTES THE CAR SHUT OF. UPON REVIEW OF THE ISSUE THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS HE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. THE MILEAGE AT THE INCIDENT WAS APPROX 45,500 BUT THE COMPLAINT SAYS 44,000 BECAUSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS DONE THIS, AND THE FIRST TIME FOR THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. AFTER DINNER WE CAME HOME AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL, IT STARTED IT DROVE, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY WE HAD IT TOWED TO FORD, SO THEY COULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10583656

Apr 18, 2014Steering

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. IN AUGUST OF 2012 MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AFTER A TWO MONTH WAIT FOR PARTS. (FIRST CLUE THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM) IT WAS REPAIRED AND 6 MONTHS LATER IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. I AM A POLICE OFFICER AND WE HAVE PURCHASED FORD EXPLORERS AS PATROL VEHICLE. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE POLICE ASSOCIATION WITH MY CONCERNS ABOUT OFFICER SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN IS NHTSA GOING TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS FLAW. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN BURIED YEARS AGO, BUT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA THE PROBLEM IS EXPOSED. YOUR CREDIBILITY AS AN INVESTIGATIVE BODY IS CERTAINLY AT QUESTION. THE FACT RECALLS WERE FORCED ON TOYOTA AND YOU BLATANTLY IGNORE THE ISSUES WITH FORD IS AN INTEGRITY ISSUE WITH YOUR ABILITIES TO BE IMPARTIAL. MY NEIGHBORS LOST A 4 YEAR OLD SON IN THE OLD CHRYSLER MINI VAN ISSUES WITH THE REAR LATCH PROBLEM. IT WAS UNCOVERED THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS EXPOSED BY THE MEDIA. DEALING WITH FORD HEAD OFFICE GIVES ME THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT CUSTOMER SAFETY OR MY CONCERNS. I WONDER HOW THEY WERE SO EMPOWERED. THERE ARE MANY ARTICLES SINCE 2012 ABOUT NHTSA INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. INFLUENCED BY CORPORATE POWER OR AN INEPT INVESTIGATIVE BODY. I THINK BOTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10583438

Apr 16, 2014SteeringElectrical system

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WENT STIFF (POWER STEERING WENT OFF), CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE, AFTER WHICH THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. I HAPPENED TO BE IN OUR OTHER CAR FOLLOWING DIRECTLY BEHIND HER AND WAS ABLE TO WATCH THE INCIDENT HAPPEN. SHE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SWITCHED VEHICLES WITH HER AND DROVE THE EXPLORER TO OUR HOUSE, WITH NO ADDITIONAL TROUBLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAULT LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. OUR VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THIS WEBPAGE, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A FATALITY: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2012/FORD/EXPLORER/STEERING FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS ONLY TRAVELING 45 MPH AND THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE IN THE OTHER LANE WHEN THE CAR PULLED OUT OF THE LANE. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE YET, BUT WE RECOMMEND NHTSA CONTACTS FORD IMMEDIATELY TO INQUIRE ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO IDENTIFY THE DEFECT AND IMPLEMENT AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. THIS ISSUE, IF NOT CORRECTED, MAY RESULT IN A FATALITY - ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED BY A YOUNG, ELDERLY OR DISTRACTED DRIVER. *TT

NHTSA ODI 10583041

Apr 3, 2014Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DISABLED AIR BAG AND DISABLED TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,805.

NHTSA ODI 10577154

Mar 14, 2014Visibility & wipers

SLUSH ON THE WINDSHIELD PULLED THE WIPER FROM THE WIPER ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAKING ME PULL OVER ON A BUSY STREET. THE MANUFACTURED ARM IS THE CHEAPEST AND MOST UNRELIABLE ARM I'VE EVER SEEN. I CHECKED WITH OTHER 2012 FORD EXPLORERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ARM. THE 2013 AND 2014 HAVE DIFFERENT STYLE ARMS THAT HOLD THE WIPER ON SECURELY. I'M GOING BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN PUT DIFFERENT ARMS ON BUT THIS DEFINITELY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. JUST BY RAISING THE WIPER ARM UP AND GRABBING THE BOTTOM OF THE BLADE THE WIPER SNAPS OFF. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE ON THE INTERSTATE HWY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10569267

Mar 13, 2014Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLODER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD-ROW POWER SEAT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE PUTTING BAGS IN THE HATCH AREA, THE THIRD- ROW POWER SEAT BUTTON WAS ACCIDENTLY DEPRESSED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO MECHANICALLY RISE TO THE SEATED POSITION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE TRANSITION FROM THE FOLDED POSITION TO THE SEATED POSITION, A COAT AND BOOT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE THIRD- ROW POWER SEAT DETECTION SYSTEM DID NOT REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF THE SEAT AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10569025

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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 →