Structure: roof and pillars
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.
144 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer cite structure, 17% of all 830 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.
“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.”
“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 vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and it was realized that both front A-pillar trims were loose. The vehicle was repaired using duct tape as a temporary fix for both front A-pillar trims. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH on a bypass, the A-pillar exterior trim detached. The owner applied duct tape to the front windshield out of concern that the front windshield would detach. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted, and confirmed that the parts were backordered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part required for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
“I received the first recall notice for this defect from Ford Motor Co. in February 2024 and took the vehicle to Sheehy Ford in Ashland, Virginia on August 7, 2025. Sheehy Ford did the required inspection and confirmed that the vehicle had defective windshield rubber molding. The inspection required that the plastic body molding on both sides of the windshield be removed, which rendered them unusable and could not be replaced. Sheehy Ford said they had ordered the necessary replacement parts from Ford Motor Co. and would notify me when they were received. I have been following up with Sheehy Ford every couple of months since August 2025 and they say the replacement parts are still not available from Ford Motor Co. It seems to me that 9 months is an unreasonable amount of time to provide the necessary parts for this Safety Recall, especially missing the plastic windshield moldings, my car is unsellable, which I would like to do.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the driver's side A-pillar trim clip became partially detached on the side of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 155,500.”
Showing 6 of 144 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.