Kilmarnock, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Total loss of Electric power steering assistance while driving on the interstate.
NHTSA complaint #11709483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2012 Ford Explorer electrical problems
63 of the 1,029 complaints about the 2012 Ford Explorer are about the electrical system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 39,000 miles.
63
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
60
95.2%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
3
4.8%
Electrical System across every Ford Explorer year
1991
62
2.7%
1992
53
2.3%
1993
49
2.1%
1994
86
3.8%
1995
58
2.5%
1996
47
2.1%
1997
86
3.8%
1998
120
5.2%
1999
93
4.1%
2000
79
3.5%
2001
29
1.3%
2002
151
6.6%
2003
54
2.4%
2004
57
2.5%
2005
37
1.6%
2006
39
1.7%
2007
25
1.1%
2008
39
1.7%
2010
12
0.5%
2011
95
4.2%
2012
63
2.8%
2013
163
7.1%
2014
101
4.4%
2015
90
3.9%
2016
128
5.6%
2017
94
4.1%
2018
59
2.6%
2019
21
0.9%
2020
185
8.1%
2021
41
1.8%
2022
38
1.7%
2023
13
0.6%
2025
21
0.9%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Somerset, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Hello I’m a concerned citizen and I have a question about the Ford recall on the back up cameras, I have 2012 Explorer and my camera has been acting up for a while the same way that ford has mentioned, so I was wondering why isn’t the Explorer not included in this recall.
NHTSA complaint #11687098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 miles
Whitewater, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11685900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicles power steering alert came on suddenly while driving home. My cars steering wheel completely locked up while I had my children in my vehicle. It was very scary knowing we could have been in a wreck due to this issue. It’s. Not under recall but under the customer satisfaction program but I do not have funds to cover this. No dealership near me is able to tow and a tow would be a lot for me. I had a family friend tow us when my steering went out in town but was still charged an arm. I need this looked at because there’s been recalls for this before. My families lives were put at risk and that’s completely unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11669422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Palm Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sometimes putting it in reverse the rear camera doesn’t come on. Have to wait sometimes a minute before camera will come on. It doesn’t happen all the time. I read that ford is having problems and has a recall on some vehicles but my year doesn’t show up.
NHTSA complaint #11663875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topeka, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Back-up camera will display images backward and poses a collision hazard as driver won’t know which direction cars or pedestrians are coming from.
NHTSA complaint #11658351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 70 MPH in the passing lane, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated while the driver was decelerating, the vehicle started shuddering significantly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising of a power steering failure and to service the vehicle immediately was displayed. The tail lights and the hazard lights became inoperable. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The driver was able to continue driving at a lower speed. The contact stated that his daughter and his [XXX] grandchild were passengers in the vehicle during the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable while driving at higher speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering gear motor and an unknown parts needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15N01; however, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer declined to cover the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11639862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmira, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There is a recall on the trim. There are no replacement parts and now there is a tiny leak, The leak is hitting the center console. I have to have a plastic bag over it at all times. it at one point leaked into the hazards lights and I woke up multiple days in a row to find my hazards on and then I had to manually dry it and eventually they'd go back on . Other buttons on the display have stopped working. The fan for the heater will not turn off at all ever.
NHTSA complaint #11631519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11607035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 miles
Bala Cynwyd, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after receiving a map update on the main control panel, the display screen immediately blacked out. The contact stated that when updating the ATI system map, the main control panel screen completely blacked out. The contact was unable to use any of the electrical systems including the Back Over Prevention camera. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was diagnosed that the ATI system had failed due to the map update. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11597241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were driving along when all of a sudden power steering completely went out and then warning lights came on for first time. There was no warning until already happened. We were in middle of traffic and almost impossible to get to side of road. Almost got slammed by other vehicle trying to get to side of road.Had to tow car to shop and found out electric power steering component failed and have to replace rack and pinion for thousands of dollars. There was a recall for this problem but we were never notified.
NHTSA complaint #11556479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aiken, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The part that is needed for the suv to work called the body module chip is not made by Ford anymore and I am still paying on this vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11533777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New Johnsonville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11506339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 miles
Algonac, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the warning indicator lights illuminated. The service power steering, traction control, anti-lock brakes became inoperable. The turn signal handle failed to remain down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who cleared the codes. The contact called the local dealer who referred her to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who informed her she failed to meet the requirements for the customer satisfaction program and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000 The consumer stated the local mechanic completed the job and the power steering, traction control, anti lock brakes, and turn signal have been working properly ever since..
NHTSA complaint #11506189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11495227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11484467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Charleston, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11467577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hawthrone, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS Trac light came on while driving Car was taken to the dealership twice to fix the problem but Ford wasn't able to find the problem. I know there is a problem with the Ford Focus ABS Module due to recalls and I think on the Ford Explore but Ford isn't saying anything about this problem with the ABS module.
NHTSA complaint #11422776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WATER IS LEAKING FROM THE ROOF THAT CAUSES ELECTRICAL ISSUES. BAD DESIGN BY FORD IN WHICH SEAL SEAMS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, WHICH CAUSE LEAKS INSIDE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11331943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 miles
Cleveland, OH
Crash
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES 🔥 AND BURN TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11324350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 miles
Fulshear, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIRBAG LIGHTS GO OFF BUT COME BACK ON AND STAYS ON. THIS STARTED A MONTH AGO AND THE WARNING LIGHT STILL SWITCHES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED
NHTSA complaint #11298633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,499 miles
Vaiden, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER STEERING DEFAULT ACTIVATES WHICH CAUSE YOU TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO NAVIGATE THE WHEEL AND THERE IS A POPPING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. ALL WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING STILL.
NHTSA complaint #11267378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 miles
Kalamazoo, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOST COMMUNICATION WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE WINDOWS LOCK UP, AND THE CAR BLOWS CONSTANT HEAT THROUGH DEFROST. NO HAZARDS CAN BE USED AS THE ENTIRE CONTROL PANEL IS OUT. VERY UNSAFE WITHOUT HAZARDS, LET ALONE FULL BLOWN HEAT WHEN ITS ALREADY . 105 OUTSIDE WITH THE HEAT INDEX.
NHTSA complaint #11234210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,875 miles
Polk, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CONTROL PANEL THAT SHOWS THE REAR BACKING AND THEN SWITCHES TO CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE, RADIO, SEATS, ETC HAS FAILED. THERE IS NO BACKING ASSIST OR ANY CONTROLS FOR INTERIOR FUNCTIONS. THE FEATURE STOPPED WHEN IN MOTION AND HASN'T COME BACK ON SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #11228990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS WATER LEAKS, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FUNCTION AND FEAR OF FIRE OR CONTACT IN MY CAR .
NHTSA complaint #11172760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 miles
Agoura Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - AIR BAGS COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME DUE TO MISCOMMUNICATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR CAN FAIL TO DEPLOY WHEN NECESSARY. AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND STAYS ON. ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED. SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED, AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE REPLACED, PROGRAM CONTROL MODULE AIR BAG REPROGRAMED. LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON. HAS A WIRE HARNESS ISSUE L/F DOOR MODULE SRS - WIRING LOOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11163777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 miles
Mountainside, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAULT. THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORK WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH NOW WARMING UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I NEARLY CRASHED IT TO AN ON COMING CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY GYM. I NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT WHEN I DID A VIN SEARCH MY TRUCK WAS NOT REGISTERING A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11162598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 miles
Syracuse, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRETENSIONER HAS FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN CREATED ON FORD'S END BLAMING THE CONNECT. SEE TSB 12-5-11. IT TELLS THE MECHANIC TO INJECT DIELECTRIC GREASE AS A FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11142427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 miles
West Bloomfield, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2012 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4W. THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO LIMP MODE ON A MAJOR ROAD.THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK TO DEALER OCT.1 AND THEY KEPT IT TWO DAYS. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A CODE. DEALER SAID IT IS FIXED BY UPDATING AND CALIBRATING THE ABS SYSTEM. IT WAS NOT FIXED. . OCT 13 SAME LIGHT WENT ON AND CAR IMMEDIATELY INTO LIMP MODE ON EXPRESSWAY. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT BECAUSE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 5MPH IN LIMP MODE. YOU LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE. THERE ARE 53+ CASES WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET JUST THIS YEAR. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2016/ENGINE/WRENCH_LIGHT_ON.SHTML THIS HAPPENS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO SHUTTER AND VIBRATE AND IMMEDIATE BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN TO 5MPH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SPEED OF THE CAR OR THE TRANSMISSION.. PLEASE GOOGLE (TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT) AND SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE FORD CARS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE 3 YOUTUBES SHOWING THIS PROBLEM. THEY CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. ANYONE WHO HAD A TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM LIGHT THAT GOES ON WHILE DRIVING WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME DANGEROUS SITUATION
NHTSA complaint #11140260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 miles
Sugar Land, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, A GRINDING METAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS PERSONAL AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MOUNT FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MOUNT. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, INCLUDING THE WRENCH ICON, THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK INDICATOR, AND THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPROGRAMMED SO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING WOULD DIM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HELFMAN FORD (12220 SOUTHWEST FWY, STAFFORD, TX 77477) TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THERE WERE NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #11064179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.