Problems · by component

2012 Ford Explorer power train problems

55 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer cite power train, 7% of all 830 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
55
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and linked the failure to the recall; however, the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, Power trainODI 11675010
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the power steering fault, the turn signal, advance-trac alert, and power train warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the control modules were inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 237,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2025Steering, Power train, Exterior lightingODI 11664869
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2022Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11484467
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2022Power trainODI 11455662
“I was driving with my child in the car when u hear a loud noise. After that i heard grinding. So when i got home we put the car on jack stands. There seemed to be no problems. The next day i took the car to a shop and was called to come back down. The mechanic showed us that the transfer case blew a part and cracked the transmission. Not one warning lights or service engine light came on. Had the drive shaft fell out as a result it could have killed me and my child.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2021Power trainODI 11434208
“THE POWER STEERING, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND TRACTION CONTROL COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING EVEN AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SOME MONTHS BACK TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! ALSO,THE MYFORD TOUCH GOES BLACK AND WILL NOT WORK FOR WEEKS. WHEN THE POWER STEERING QUIT I WAS ON A PAVED SIDE ROAD NEAR MY HOME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2021Steering, Power trainODI 11386199

Showing 6 of 55 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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