NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
ON DECEMBER 27TH 2014 I PURCHASED A USED 2012 FORD EXPLORER WITH 42,990 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN WE HAVE NOTICED UNDER ACCELERATING, YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. ANY HARDER THAN 50% ACCELERATION AND WITH THE REAR AC ON, IT IS AN ALMOST INSTANT SMELL. AFTER A FEW ROADS TRIPS IT IS PREDICTABLE AND WE TRY TO AVOID REPEATING THE ISSUE. IT HAS NOT BEEN TO OUR LCAL DEALER BECAUSE THEY "HAVEN'T HEARD" OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE (CALLED 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS). I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE CAR, PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR, MY $100 EXTENDED WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE, AND GET THE, "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE CAN BE FROM." I HAVE HEARD AND READ ALLOT OF SEMI FIXES, BUT WISH I COULD GET A STRAIT ANSWER BEFORE TAKING TO THE DEALER FIRST. *TR
THE HOOD HAS PAINT THAT IS BUBBLING UP AND COMING OFF. THE HOOD IS ALUMINUM SO IT ISN'T RUSTING, IT APPEARS THAT THAT THE METAL WAS NOT PREPPED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY
IN A PARKING LOT ON A FRIDAY DEC.19 AT 6AM, THE STEERING ASSIST DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND IN SAME INSTANCE, STEERING LOCKED UP. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER, BUT WAS ABLE TO BRING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED TO A STOP. RESTARTING THE CAR ENABLED STEERING. I NOTIFIED MY SPOUSE WHO CALLED DEALERSHIP AND ARRANGED FOR A SERVICE VISIT THE NEXT MONDAY. DEALER HONORED RECALL ( 14S06 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ) FOR ISSUE BY FLASHING THE SOFTWARE. MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER WAS PRESENTED TO ME AS REPAIRED & FIXED AND READY TO DRIVE IN A SAFE MANNER. SAME EVENT OCCURRED JAN. 8 AT 8PM IN A PARKING LOT. I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO SAME DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THE DEALER CALLED AND STATED THE RACK & PINION AND SEVERAL STEERING MODULES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. DEALER THEN STATED YOU ONLY GET ONE (1) FORD RECALL SERVICE FOR AN EVENT AND ANY FURTHER WORK WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT WHICH WAS NOT A SOLUTION, ALL COSTS ($1700-$2300 FOR RACK & PINION/ASSOCIATED PARTS CONTRASTED TO A VIRTUALLY NO COST SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE UNDER THE RECALL AS A POTENTIAL FIX(THUS USING UP YOUR RECALL AND CLOSING YOUR CASE, WHEN THE RECALL ADDRESSES THE PARTS FAILURE) ARE BORNE BY THE VEHICLE OWNER EVEN IF IT STILL A RECALL EVENT. DEALER DID STATE THEY WOULD CHECK WHAT FORD WOULD DO SINCE THE SECOND EVENT OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AND 600 MILES LATER. BASICALLY, FORD HAS DEVELOPED A POLICY TO CIRCUMVENT COVERING THE COST OF A MANDATED SAFETY RECALL. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A BUSINESS-AS-USUAL PRACTICE FOR FORD FOR THIS STEERING LOCK UP RECALL. BOTTOM LINE - FORD IS KEEPING UNSAFE VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE A RECALL NOTICE, ON THE ROAD AS PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS OR STAMINA TO FIGHT FORD, LEAVE THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE SAME UNREPAIRED SAFETY DEFECT PRESENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM THE MALL ON A SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE VEHICLE JUST QUIT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS GLIDING WITHOUT POWER, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED BY ITSELF. WHILE THE CAR WAS GLIDING TO A STOP, THERE WAS NO STEERING BRAKES OR ANYTHING AVAILABLE, SINCE THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET HIT BY ANYONE. I FINALLY PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE AGAIN. IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WITH NO CONTROLS. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES WITHIN A SPACE OF 15 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND HAD TO SPEND $1000 FIXING IT, WHICH THEY BLAMED ON THE THROTTLE ACTIVATION OR BODY. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL SITUATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD NO CONTROLS WHEN IT STALLED. I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER FORDS AND LINCOLN VEHICLES ON THE WEB. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN TO SOMEONE AND RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIX TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR
EXHAUST FUMES IN CAB UPON EXCELLERATION, BEEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES , STILL HAVE PROBLEM . HAVE BOUGHT CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER TO ALARM US IF LEVEL GETS TO HIGH. FORD SEEMS TO THINK ALL'S WELL . NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! 2012 FORD EXPLORER.
I WENT TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCK MY DOORS. I UNLOCKED MY DOORS MANUALLY AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTING INDICATOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. I PLACED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS STILL NO POWER. I HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND BARELY USE IT. HOW CAN A VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD JUST STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER? THIS IS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO PUT OUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING JUST TO GET IT TO A PLACE WHERE IT CAN BE CHECKED OUT. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FORD VEHICLES? I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED!!! *TR
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT, IT LOST ALL POWER FOR THE 4TH TIME. WHEN I PRESSED THE THROTTLE THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. INDICATOR LIGHTS SAID AWD OFF AND DISPLAYED A WRENCH ICON. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST THREE TIMES I TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT AND ALL WAS FINE FOR A FEW MINUTES, BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS IS QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. I HAVE ALSO SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OTHER FORD AND LINCOLN OWNERS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF ANYWHERE IS NOT SAFE AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW LIGHT AND I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. IT IS GOING TO COST ME AN ARM AND LEG, BUT HOPEFULLY IT ENDS UP BEING A SAFETY RECALL AND FORD REIMBURSES DOWN THE LINE. *TR
WE HAVE 74000 MILES ON OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS DOING THE 6000 MILE SERVICE, CHANGE OIL AND FILTER, ROTATE TIRES, CHECK FLUIDS, BRAKE INSPECTION, AND DO INSPECT OTHER AREAS. I WAS IN THE PROCESS TORQUEING THE LUG NUTS AFTER THE TIRE ROTATION. I USE A CRAFTSMAN TORQUE 1/2" DRIVE RATCHET FOR THIS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL 1 OUT OF THE 5 WHEEL STUDS WOULD NOT TORQUE TOO THE 100 FT. POUNDS. THE STUDS ON EACH WHEEL STRETCH AND ARE READY TO BREAK. WHY WOULD FORD USE INFERIOR MEDAL IN SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT. WE RECENTLY OWNED A 2001 DODGE DURANGO AND BOUGHT IT NEW. WE HAD OVER 200,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. AND TO REPLACE THESE FORD DIDN'T ALLOW ENOUGH ROOM. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL HUB AND BEARING. WHICH I TRIED AFTER REMOVING THE 4 BOLTS AND AXLE NUT. IT WOULD NOT COME OUT. I BELIEVE IT'S BECAUSE OF THE 2 DIFFERENT MEDALS. THE ALUMINUM HOUSING AND THE STEEL BEARING HUB WAS FIND WHEN IT'S NEW BUT GIVE TIME IN THE ELEMENTS AND CORROSION SETS IN. I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TAKE IT BACK TO FORD DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. I DON'T TRUST THE OTHER WHEEL STUDS AND WANT ALL REPLACE FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. PLEASE HELP ON THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE MEDAL IS TO SOFT FOR WHEEL STUDS. THANK YOU. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REFERENCED IN SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 10044523. THE FAILURE ALSO PRODUCED AN AIR TENSIONER CODE, WHICH COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAG TENSIONER FROM TIGHTENING OR THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
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.
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.
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR AND THE MOLDING FROM AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER 10-15 MILES THE LEFT HAND MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD ALSO BLEW OFF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TROUBLE FOR ANY ONE BEHIND ME OR TO THE SIDE OF ME. *TR
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP. WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALER IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE YET THEY WANT ME TO DRIVE IT TO THEM TO BE REPAIRED WHICH THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD IN FULL. *TR
INVESTIGATION OF INTERMITTENT "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT EVENTUALLY LED TO A DETERMINATION OF A FAULTY EVAP PURGE VALVE PULLING FUEL INTO THE EVAP CANISTER. TECHNICIAN SAID HE WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR, AS THIS IS A FUEL LEAK AND UNSAFE CONDITION. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED SAFETY ISSUE, CITES 1ST TIME THIS HAS BEEN SEEN, AND NOT COVERED BY ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY OR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. PAPERWORK PROVIDED CITES "A FAULTY EVAP PURGE VALVE CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE ENGINE VACUUM TO BE PLACED ON FUEL TANK, DRAWING FUEL/AIR FROM THE FUEL TANK THROUGH THE EVAP SYSTEM AND INTO ENGINE. THIS CAN CAUSE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS AS WELL AS RICH/LEAN CONCERN." *TR
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.
I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE ENGINE CAME ON I LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO COAST TO STOP, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, START IT BACK UP AND PROCEED. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL DATE. ONE OF THOSE TIMES WAS WHEN I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND WAS ALMOST BROADSIDED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS HAPPENING WITH NO WARNING OR PATTERN. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED WITH MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. I AM READING IT HAS TO DO WITH THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE PAINT ON THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE HAD BUBBLES AND WAS CHIPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
THE THROTTLE BOX HAS GONE BAD. THE CAR STALLS RANDOMLY WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START AND REQUIRES A NEW THROTTLE BODY AT ONLY 47K MILES. THIS IS PART OF THE POWERTRAIN, BUT NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. FORD HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODIES IN EARLIER MODELS AND IT SEEMS THEY HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPEATEDLY BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. THROTTLE WILL NOT WORK. YOU ARE STRANDED UNTIL YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. *TR
WE HAVE A 2012 FORD EXPLORER WITH 46,000 MILES AT THIS TIME. ON AUGUST 30, 2014, WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, AND THE POWERTRAIN/WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DISPLAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR WAS SHAKING LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STARTED UP FINE, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF. WE DROVE ANOTHER 100 MILES WHEN IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 1 GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SHOP WHO NOTICED THAT THE VOLTAGE WAS DROPPING FROM 14 VOLTS DOWN TO 12VOLTS AND SHUTTING DOWN THE COMPUTERS (SO THEY SAID). THEY CHANGED OUT THE ALTERNATOR- $560. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20 WHEN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING TWICE AGAIN, ABOUT 10 MINUTES APART, GOING 70 MPH (CAR LOST POWER, WRENCH LIGHT ON, HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART). I TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER WITHIN 2 DAYS; THEY DROVE THE CAR 55 MILES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT. THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES PRESENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEY SAID TO COME GET THE CAR AND KEEP DRIVING IT. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS LIKELY A THROTTLE BODY (ETB) MALFUNCTION. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR (NOT WHERE IT WAS NOW) AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO A SERVICE MANAGER WITH 19 YEARS EXPERIENCE. HE SAID IT WAS LIKELY THE THROTTLE BODY SINCE THE CAR WOULD RESTART. HE SAID ONLY 2 THINGS TRIGGER THE WRENCH LIGHT- THE TRANSMISSION AND THE THROTTLE BODY. SINCE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER RIDE IN THIS CAR, I DECIDED TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ON SEPTEMBER 24 - $470. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR AS FORD SUGGESTED, WITH AN INTERMITTENT CUT-OFF PROBLEM, WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME SO I DECIDED TO MAKE AN EDUCATED GUESS/DIAGNOSIS AND THROW PARTS AT IT AND SEE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT MADE KNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,743. UPDATED 10/05/16*LJ *JS
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
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
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
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
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S06/NHTSA RECALL 14V-286 WE RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM FMC. KNOWING WE HAD A TRIP COMING UP, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO KEN GARFF FORD IN UTAH FOR SERVICING AND TO HAVE THE RECALL CORRECTED. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE ISSUE SO I WENT ON MY WAY. I DROVE A SINGLE GAS TANKS WORTH (APPX 400 MILES) AND THEN EVERYTHING WENT TO HELL. POWER STEERING FAILED, TRACTION CONTROL FAILED, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILED. THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR WHICH FORD ISSUED THE RECALL IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME THAT THEY COMPLETELY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND IT IS MY FAULT THAT THESE SYSTEMS FAILED. THEY WANT ME TO BELIEVE AN ELABORATE TALE ABOUT HOW I HAVE DRIVEN MY EXPLORER 72000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND SUDDENLY, AFTER THE RECALL GETS FIXED, I THEN HAVE THAT EXACT PROBLEM? THAT IS A SNEAKY LIE THAT MIGHT WORK ON SOMEONE MORE PASSIVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED WE WERE DRIVING WITH OUR FAMILY ON A VACATION AND THIS INCIDENT STRANDED US IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO, WHERE OUR VEHICLE CURRENTLY SITS 6 WEEKS LATER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHEN A SAFETY RECALL IS ISSUED AND "FIXED" IT SHOULDN'T CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE CONSUMER ANYMORE, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED. IT ALSO SEEMS TO ME THAT IT IS AWFULLY CONVENIENT FOR FMC THAT MY CAR BROKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS "FIXED". SO NOW I AM LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. HOW NICE FOR FMC. MEANWHILE, IT TOOK FMC 6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART TO THE DEALERSHIP IN IDAHO SO THEY COULD "FIX" THE ISSUE. WE'LL SEE HOW LONG IT HOLDS UP THIS TIME. I AM STILL WAITING TO GET MY CAR BACK. *TR
MY CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY STALLED. I SAW AN "AWD OFF" MESSAGE ON MY DASH. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THE FOOT PEDDLE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND KILLED THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE ON TO WORK. I JUST ASSUMED THAT I HAD SOMEONE HIT THE GEAR INTO THAT MODE. BUT IT HAPPENED A 2ND AND THEN A 3RD TIME THAT SAME WEEK. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AROUND THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. BEFORE I BROUGHT THE CAR, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR OTHER RELATED COMPLAINTS FROM FORD OWNERS. I FOUND A SITE AT WWW.CARGURUS.COM AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. ONE OWNER SAID THAT HIS DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE "THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY" AND HE HAS NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM AGAIN. I BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO MY DEALERSHIP AND I PAID THEM $99.00 FOR THIS SERVICE CALL. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, BUT THEY DID DO SOME SORT OF SERVICE NOTICE THAT I HAD NOT YET DONE ON MY CAR. THEY HOPED IT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT DID FOR ABOUT A MONTH. BUT THIS WEEK, IT HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND I AM HOPING THAT THEY WILL FIND THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IS THE ISSUE. IF NOT, THEN I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT I MAY BE REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE I AM TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORD MUST KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE "AWD OFF" ERROR CODE. I DO NOT INTEND TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR!! MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD BE PAYING FOR ANY CAR/ENGINE REPAIRS ON SUCH A YOUNG VEHICLE. *TR
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.
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
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
WE OWN A 2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND ARE VERY PLEASED WITH IT OVERALL. HOWEVER, WE HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT OUR INTERIOR DOOR PANEL ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES IS SPLITTING ON THE VINYL SEAM JUST BELOW THE ARM REST. OUR VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 55K ON IT FOR MILEAGE, SO ANY HOPE OF THIS BEING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY IS GONE. I HAVE CONTACTED AN UPHOLSTERY REPAIR SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS VINYL, BUT WILL INSTEAD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I RECENTLY GOT AN ESTIMATE AND FOR PARTS AND LABOR IT WOULD COST US ALMOST $600 TO REPAIR BOTH SIDES. BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION ON BOTH INTERIOR DOORS, I FEEL THAT THIS IS FAULTY DESIGN AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. *TR
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was black or distorted, and the message "Camera Unavailable - Report to Dealer" was displayed on the infotainment screen on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the rearview camera was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to schedule an appointment for the rearview camera replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
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
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
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
FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
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
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF. THEY CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR
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
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
ON MONDAY MARCH 10, 2014 I STARTED THE MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER AND DROVE IT TO WORK APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND SHUT IT OFF, AFTER 25 MINUTES I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND SAID LOW OIL PRESSURE, I PROCEEDED TO REMOVE THE KEY AND OPEN THE HOOD. I CHECKED THE OIL AND ALL WAS WITHIN RANGE, NO ISSUE IMMEDIATELY NOTED, I CLOSED THE HOOD AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR. UPON THE ATTEMPTED RESTART THE CAR TOOK A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME TO FINALLY TURN OVER, I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND FIGURED IT NEEDED TO REFRESH ITSELF AND WAITED A MOMENT. AFTER RESTARTING ON THE THIRD TRY I THEN ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT ALL INDICATORS HAD TURNED OFF. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT REFUSED TO ACCELERATE OVER 35MPH, I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE ISSUE TO FORD AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAVALIER FORD IN GREENBRIER, VA. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TR
ON MONDAY 10MARCH2014, MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER STARTED AND IMMEDIATELY STALLED OUT, WHEN I LOOK AT THE DASH IT HAD SAID IT HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE, VA WHERE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAVE TO BE REPLACED. DURING FURTHER TROUBLE SHOOTING IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HENDERSON FORD IN BAY ST. LOUIS, MS HAD INSTALLED A FUEL INJECTOR INTO THE ENGINE WITHOUT PROPERLY ENSURING THE CLEANLINESS OF EITHER THE INJECTOR OR THE POINT OF INSERTION. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY CAVALIER FORD THAT HENDERSON FORD IMPROPERLY INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT PART, AND ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE OVER 1,000 MILES WITH THIS PROBLEMATIC PART IN PLACE! *TR
WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF OF HIGHWAY WITH MUCH EFFORT AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. ORIGINALLY TOLD IT "SOUNDS LIKE A SENSOR HAS GONE BAD." NOTIFIED TODAY THAT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED FOR AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $2300. BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD!!! ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SYNC SYSTEM THAT I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF. HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES SINCE I GOT IT BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT! *TR
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.
WE OUR PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER. OVERALL WE LOVED THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE REALIZED THIS SUV WAS NOT 4 WHEEL OR ALL WHEEL IT WAS JUST A REGULAR VEHICLE. IT HAS 20" INCH WHEELS AND WE CANNOT FIND ALL SEASON TIRES TO FIT THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS THE SCARIEST WINTER OF OUR LIVES!! WE TAKE SMALL CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL(MENNONITE) AND ALSO HAVE TWO MENTALLY CHALLENGED FOLKS WHO LIVE WITH US AND HAVE TO TRANSPORT THEM TO DR'S APPT FROM TIME TO TIME. WHY ON EARTH WOULD A VEHICLE LIKE THIS BE ORDERED TO BE SOLD IN THIS REGION EQUIPPED WITH THE TIRES IT HAD ON IT. ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN WINTER CONDITIONS. WE'RE IN OUR LATE 60'S. AND HAD TO LITERALLY PUSH THIS VEHICLE OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY IN NOTHING BUT A DUSTING OF SNOW!!! ANY TIRE DEALER WE TRIED TO GET TIRES FROM WERE IN TOTAL DISBELIEF THAT ITS AN SUV TYPE VEHICLE WITH NO EXTRA DRIVE CAPABILITIES AND THEY CANNOT FIND TIRES FOR THE 20" RIMS.
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.
AFTER NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WAY THIS CAR WAS DRIVING MY CAR FINALLY FAILED ON AND COMPLETELY SHIFT ITSELF OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. I COULD NOT STEER OR ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FINALLY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND REPLACED IT. LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. MY PRIOR VISITS I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THAT MAYBE THE GAS I WAS PUTTING INTO THE CAR HAD TO MUCH ETHANOL. *TR