Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Ford ExplorerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 830 owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Explorer. Most complaints involve steering (360) and structure (144). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jan 2024
Owner complaints
830
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: roof and pillars

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Jan 19, 2024NHTSA 24V031000

Suspension: rear

Remedy pending

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.

SuspensionReported Sep 22, 2021NHTSA 21V746000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 10, 2019NHTSA 19V435000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

830 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering360
  2. Structure144
  3. Engine79
  4. Electrical system64
  5. Power train55
  6. Fuel/propulsion system27
  7. Air bags27
  8. Suspension22
  9. Service brakes19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Explorer model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19961,468
19971,789
19982,099
19991,465
20001,078
2001730
20023,613
20031,313
20041,408
2005568
2006635
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012830
20132,237
20141,684
20151,814
20162,464
20171,713
2018733
2019302
20201,247
2021452
2022271
2023113
202421
2025107
202644
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

360 reports6 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering wheel had seized due to the electric power steering failure. The contact was informed that the electric power steering and ABS module needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Steering, Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11768099

Structure

144 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side exterior A-pillar trim detached. The contact used tape on the driver's side to secure the molding to the windshield. The contact stated that the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached and fell off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026StructureODI 11763200

Engine

79 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a minute and a half later, while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel became firm, and added effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2025Traction control system, EngineODI 11684439
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Explorer FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Explorer FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,200444
Explorer AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
  • Explorer FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 6708Vehicle 6404
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Explorer questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Ford Explorer problems?

Owners filed 830 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (360), structure (144), engine (79). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Ford Explorer get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Ford Explorer at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Ford Explorer 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026