2012 Ford Explorer: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
824 NHTSA owner complaints · 7 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Explorer is the clearest example on this site of a nameplate whose reputation depends entirely on the year. The fifth generation (2011–2019) opens well, then the 2013 and 2016 model years carry more than 2,000 complaints each, concentrated in the powertrain (the 2.0 and 2.3-litre EcoBoost engines and the six-speed automatic), power-steering assist loss, and the exhaust-odour issue that prompted a federal investigation into Police Interceptor and civilian Explorers. Read the full note on the model page. 2012 specifically: a year the record favours — 824 complaints, score 78/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Explorer: the three model years that ruin the average, including 2012 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 824 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 58.86
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Right after I bought this car used, it rides down the road like it's going to fall apart! It's horrible, the slightest little bump in the road you can feel every single one heaven forbid if it's a big bump in the road or a pothole it's priced the car hasn't fallen apart yet
It is actually the rearview camera on the vehicle has been going in and out sporadically for at least a year or so. Now more often than not it does not even work
Loss of power steering assist . Yes it is available for inspection on request. I can't steer it . It has not been confirmed by anybody yet. It has not been inspected by anybody yet. There are no warning lights on dash .
Recalls: 7 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 14E001000 | Steering | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle. |
| 19V435000 | Suspension:Rear | 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. |
| 24V031000 | Structure:Body: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. |
| 21V746000 | Suspension:Rear | 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,… |
| 15V171000 | Structure:Body:Door | 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. |
| 17E048000 | Wheels:Hub | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end. |
| 14V286000 | Steering:Electric Power Assist System | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 19 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,250
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Steering357 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Structure142 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Unknown Or Other105 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine79 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System63 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Power Train55 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
Other Ford Explorer years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Steering (357 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2012 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 78/100, computed from 824 NHTSA complaints and 7 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2012 Ford Explorer's most common problem?
357 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2012 Ford Explorer sit in the Steering group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement: about 5.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,020–$2,500 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2012 Ford Explorer cost to run per year?
About $6,788 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $33,940 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for the 2012 Ford Explorer, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 06/01/2014. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2012 Ford Explorer really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 824 complaints, 7 recalls on record
- 824 NHTSA complaints on record (58.9/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (90.5/yr)
- 7 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems