Recalls
5campaigns
2 structure · 2 suspension · 1 steering
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
829filed
Owner reports, 2008–2017 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
4★overall
★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
23mpg combined
$2,840/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic
3 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Explorer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2012 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach
Structure · body · roof and pillars
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
- Consequence
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
20.8% repairedof 1,889,110 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V031000
Listed for 2012 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
- Consequence
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
47.7% repairedof 150,723 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V746000
Listed for 2012 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Consequence
- A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
64.1% repairedof 1,194,173 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V435000
Listed for 2012 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat
Structure · body · door
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
- Consequence
- If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
67.8% repairedof 194,484 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V171000
Listed for 2012 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
- Consequence
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
82.8% repairedof 179,027 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V286000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (829)
829 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.
10involved a crash
6involved a fire
13injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 829 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 360 | 43.4% |
| Structure | 144 | 17.4% |
| Unknown or other | 105 | 12.7% |
| Engine | 79 | 9.5% |
| Electrical system | 63 | 7.6% |
| Power train | 55 | 6.6% |
| Air bags | 27 | 3.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 27 | 3.3% |
| Suspension | 22 | 2.7% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 2.5% |
How 2012 compares with other Explorer years
Best and worst Explorer years →2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012829
20132,235
20141,679
20151,797
20162,458
20171,696
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 148 | 1 |
| 2009 | 33 | 0 |
| 2010 | 115 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2012 | 829 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2,235 | 11 |
| 2014 | 1,679 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1,797 | 8 |
| 2016 | 2,458 | 14 |
| 2017 | 1,696 | 13 |
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 16.9%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Ford Explorer suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
23
mpg combined
20
city
27
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Explorer for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Ford Explorer FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 24V031000 (structure), 21V746000 (suspension), 19V435000 (suspension), 15V171000 (structure), 14V286000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners filed 829 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (360), Structure (144), Unknown or other (105) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Ford Explorer get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Ford Explorer suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (16.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Explorer compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Ford Explorer model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (33) and the 2016 the most (2,458). The 2012 drew 829. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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