2012 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed and driving around a curve, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The following morning the contact started the vehicle, and the steering wheel was firm with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (STEERING). The contact stated that an Extended Warranty for the failure had expired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the Extended Warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 215,002.

While I was driving the service advance trac light came on as well I stopped the car turned the key off went to leave and another light popped up in red saying service power steering now. There was a csp called the epas efforts on my vehicle and Ford dealer said it had been fixed in 2014 but I didn’t own the car so I’m not sure if it was

2012 Ford explorer has a recall 14s06 which my vehicle allegedly isnt apart of , but for some reason im having this issue. Which is extremely dangerous

Driving down the freeway and one of the windowshield trim pieces flew off the car. About a week later it happened again with the other side.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while making a right turn to drive into a parking lot, he experienced a loss of power steering functionality. The "Service Advancetrac" and "Service Power Steering Now" warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the contact was made aware that a steering Extended Warranty had expired. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting a diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was 133,182.

While driving down the middle of a busy interstate suddenly the power steering was lost and a power steering assist warning appeared. Vehicle was almost impossible to control with no steering. After making it off the roadway and into a local business and turning the car off, when I turned it back on the warning was gone and the steering worked normally. This is definitely a life threatening failure and it happens without warning.

Driving south/west on US301 in MD, from NY, and the driver side windshield frame came off at highway speed. There was no other traffic nearby. I ordered a replacement frame off Ebay and installed but it does not fit as well as the original. Heard on the radio there had been other reports of this, hence why I am making this report now. The incident took place before Christmas. There were no warning signs of this potentially happening. I am the only owner of this vehicle, purchased it new

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was an audible chime heard along with the message to "Service Power Steering" before the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was unknown. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the Manufacturer’s Extended Service Program which was related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 170,000.

EPASS STEERING GEAR The power steering locked up on me while driving in town, thank goodness I was not on the freeway. I was finally able to steer it off the road, with incredible difficulty going 10 miles per hour to do so. The dealer says it is customer satisfaction issue and not a safety issue. I never received any letter that informed me of the problem. My vehicle just turned over 150,000 miles and they say it is out of warranty. It is about to cost me over $2500. The vehicle is at the dealership now, as I had to have it towed there. No warnings except right before it locked up.

Steering Assist alert for power steering. Has continued to go out on numerous occasions in which steering is nearly impossible to turn wheel. Verified with mechanic and believed to be in regards to recall : 14V286000. Called ford with no assistance. Researched online with several issues. Almost crashed with 5 children in the car.

The exterior A pillar on my Explorer flew off while driving. I had to pay out of my pocket to repair this. Now I have been notified that there is a safety recall notice on this item. I should be compensated for the repairs I had to make as a result of this faulty part. How do I go about receiving compensation from Ford?

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH, several unknown codes appeared on the instrument panel and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The driver was able to stop on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for a few minutes. When the vehicle was restarted the power steering functionality resumed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the code was an electric power steering failure and informed the contact of an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had to be taken to a dealer for diagnosis to confirm the failure and once confirmed, the repairs would be covered by Ford. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the electric power steering failure was confirmed. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under an electric power assist recall. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and that the manufacturer would not cover the repairs. The vehicle was assumingly previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling out a parking lot, the steering wheel seized, and the contact was not able to move the steering wheel. The service power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle that the was not under recall. Additionally, the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 131,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was attempting to reverse out of the garage, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The message “Power Steering Fault” was displayed. The contact stated that his wife turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared. The contact stated that the power steering assist became operable; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that his wife was able to continue driving to the residence in a straightforward direction. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the front driver’s side trim detached from the vehicle and landed in the middle of the road. The driver then continued driving to his destination. The driver took the vehicle to the local dealer and ordered the front driver’s side trim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact's wife owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, on at least three occasions, the steering wheel became very stiff. The contact's wife was not able to turn the steering wheel, so the vehicle was stopped and restarted each time. The contact stated that an unknown message was displayed, and the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: U3000 was retrieved, and the tech was asked to check for bad connections. The failure was not duplicated, and the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ground wire had corrosion around the grounding bolts and that the bolts needed to be cleaned a reinstalled. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side and driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims had separated and flown off the vehicle while driving. The local dealer was contacted several times and was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH and turning left onto a street, the vehicle lost power steering assist and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stopped and turned the vehicle off and placed the vehicle in neutral(N) and with help was able to push the vehicle off the roadway. The contact stated he did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and later driven to a dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear toe link and suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the contact stated that the steering failure reoccurred. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

The vehicle loses steering ability at highway speeds. I have taken it to my local mechanic and been told it is a programming issue from ford. It was reprogrammed by ford several times under the previous steering recall.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that on another occasion, after restarting the vehicle the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Power steering failed while driving the car. Car displays warnings of Power Steering Assist failure, Service AdvanceTrac, and Terrain Management System failure. I took the car to my dealer, who advised that the issue is tied to Ford recall 15N01 and my vehicle would need a new steering rack, however, Ford denied the warranty coverage as outside the 10-year time period. When I contacted Ford to note that the May 17, 2019 letter posted on the NHTSA website to dealers and service centers appears to waive the 10-year time and 150,000 mile limitation for warranty coverage, Ford refused to pay for the repair and stated that the NHTSA notice was not an official Ford document.

The contact's wife owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 30-35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle several times, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact's wife was able to drive to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred the next day. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact's wife that she had to pay a repair fee as the vehicle had previously received the one-time free repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The contact stated that they paid out of pocket to have their vehicle repaired.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel shuddered as he had attempted to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that he pulled into a parking lot and turned the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the power steering warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering assist. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and electric power steering assist system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Power steering suddenly failed. Power steering assist light would come on spontaneously, but go off again after vehicle was restarted. Took vehicle to a local shop and was informed about the recall. Ford refuses to make repair claiming mileage has exceeded. Vehicle was not included in original recall, and we have received no paper work informing us about this recall

The truck has been in shop 5 times or actually 5 different dealerships. The recall has yet to be fixed but I continually pay to have the problem INVESTIGATED. The dash flashes loss of fuel pressure, service advance track soon, Battery level and mechanic wrench . I have this on video as it is constant occurrence. Each time ford takes it in they can't make the issue happen or recreate it. As told several times happens sporadic and not under any certain conditions. Over and over paying diagnostic fee and what they say will repair the issue only it happens pulling off the lot at 5 star ford Dallas Texas took it in under default to Bob Tomas Mckinney where they scanned it and found 17 communication errors left it there nothing was done but more exploration of issues going down the list of com failures and paying for each 3 anyway and it did it again leaving me stranded 3 times to count eventually leaving at Don Davis Ford Arlington Texas where it was again said repaired and is currently at Planet Ford Dallas where historically I paid $2850 and NOTHING was done as it again left me stranded and towed there where it can sit until it's fixed meaning this loss of horsepower the electric flashes and the gears in transmission ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS PER REQUESTED EACH TIME IN SERVICE

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal snapping sound then a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to get the vehicle back to the residence while driving approximately 10 MPH. The contact stated that the front subframe was corroded, causing the subframe to fracture and the wheels were pushed outwards in opposite directions. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the subframe. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached and flew off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the A-pillar trim needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trim pillars on the rear windshield cracked. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Power steering locks while driving on highways forcing me to stop on side of road to restart vehicle. Vehicle pier steering no longer working. Took to mechanic and they advised it was a recall issue 13S14 - called Ford and was told the recall was already performed on the vehicle. Either not properly performed or this vehicle is a defect.

Power Steering stopped working. EPS Fault. Seems like it should be a safety recall issue, but it's only an extended warranty. Unfortunately we're outside the warranty. Power steering should definitely be considered a Safety Recall

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the power steering EAS warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence. However, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 125,394.

When I drive especially on roads with normal speed limits gas like smell or carbon monoxide smell comes into the car.

This last weekend, while my daughter and her boyfriend were driving over a very treacherous mountain pass on their way to Aspen, Independence Pass, the power steering system suddenly went out in her car. It’s NO EXAGGERATION to say that had my daughter’s boyfriend not been driving the vehicle, they likely would not be alive today. The vehicle is nearly impossible to maneuver safely with no power-steering, particularly on a winding mountain pass, and my daughter’s boyfriend, who is a very strong athlete, had difficulty driving them to safety. They ended up sleeping in their car near Aspen, because they could not drive safely to their intended destination. We were told that the power steering assist system failure was similar to a recall, but falls instead under a "customer satisfaction program" and Ford was willing to repair it free of charge for ten years only. Even though the car has under 150k miles, we were 8 months beyond the ten year period to have it fixed at no cost and are now told it will cost thousands to repair out of pocket. There is a ten year free repair coverage period and even though it’s a 2012 (and now 2022) because the vehicle was originally purchased in 2011, we have “missed” the coverage period by just a few months to have the part fixed at no cost and this will now cost us thousands of dollars to fix, which we don’t have. When purchasing, were shown the Carfax report, told everything looked fine, and signed as casually instructed. Obviously, from the layman’s perspective, the words “Customer Satisfaction Program” on the Carfax report did not raise any red flags with us, nor was it pointed out as something to look into or be aware of. We just bought this Explorer less than 2 years ago from a dealership for nearly 10K and are 500 dollars shy of paying it off. This defective part nearly cost my daughter and her boyfriend their lives. This should be a safety recall, not labeled "customer satisfaction program." Gravely misleading.

After seeing in the news that trim parts had come off explorers while driving we wanted to report the same issue that we have had. Last year the trim piece on the front passenger door came off while traveling at highway speed. About one year before that the driver side windshield trim piece also came off while traveling on the highway. The driver side far rear trim piece has also been cracked for a couple years. We replaced the two pieces that cam off with aftermarket replacements. The vehicle is available for inspection. The trim pieces coming off startled us while driving and could cause injury or accident to vehicles travelling on the highway behind us. The problem has not been reported to, reproduced or confirmed b a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There was no warning of the impending failures.

The windshield trim is deteriorating and flies off occasionally while driving down the road. These pieces of flying debris could fly off and hit another car or worse a motorcyclist. This pertains to the investigation the nhtsa and ford are currently working on.

Driving around 70 mph during last summer and trim piece on driver side pillar flew off. Into traffic. I bought a new one and installed. Saw a news article today about it and wanted to let you know.

Driver side Pillar trim molding flew off multiple times while driving on the interstate causing safety issues to the other drivers.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle was difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact bought power steering fluid; however, she then became aware that the power steering was an electronic power steering, not a hydraulic power steering. The vehicle remained at the location of the failure and had a friend take her to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as an electronic power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and slowing for a traffic sign, the power steering failed while turning to the right. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence without a power steering assist. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the steering gear and rear bushings needed to be replaced. The rear bushings were replaced; however, the steering gear was not repaired. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle now constantly would steer to the right and the contact had to compensate to keep moving in a straight line by counter-steering to the left. The contact researched and found that the steering failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

Service AdvanceTrac Warning light illuminated, power steering fail...second time this happened around the same time last year. Also, right and left turn signals do not stay on while turning.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

Windshield trim on my 2012 Ford Explorer keeps coming/flying off. The trim keeps coming apart. Happened twice since owning my SUV and replaced.

Driver's side windshield trim panel detached at highway speed.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her son was driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the service power steering warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to drive at a slower speed to his destination. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the electronic power steering module and the steering gear to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) was completed by the previous owner. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,980.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a hard pull to the right while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving from a complete stop and while driving on the highway. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear toe links needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the failure was recurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle; however, the contact stated that the recall repair had not been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Air bag light on dash is on. Comes on and have taken it in several times to be fixed only to come back on

In September 2021 the tranfer case craked and also cracked the transmission. I had both replaced. I got the car back in April of 2022 3 weeks later the tranfer case cracked again no waring lights no warn or symptoms indicating it was going bad just cracked.

Driving the vehicle and the steering stopped working. Power steering assist fault was on the dash , along with the traction control failure.

Display failure due to ACM and APIM module failure. Vehicle left without backup camera, no phone connectivity, no heat/ac control, no navigation.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that an unknown steering wheel part needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that there was a previous recall for the steering associated with the VIN however, the recall had expired in September 2021. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.