2012 FORD EXPLORER Electrical System Problems
60 NHTSA complaints on file
Electrical System Issues in the 2012 FORD EXPLORER
60 electrical system complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 FORD EXPLORER. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in injury.
60
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Electrical System Complaints
Total loss of Electric power steering assistance while driving on the interstate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
See attached document for complaint
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES 🔥 AND BURN TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY. *TR
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
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.
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.
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.
THE CAR HAS WATER LEAKS, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FUNCTION AND FEAR OF FIRE OR CONTACT IN MY CAR .
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHILE PARKED THE 'SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 100 FEET THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THERE WAS A SLIGHT HARDNESS IN THE STEERING AT THIS TIME. THAT WENT AWAY WHEN THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THIS OCCURRED ON NOV. 10, 2017. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NOV. 23, 2017. WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT AND ALL DAY IN OUR GARAGE I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT'' WARNING CAME ON. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WITHIN 10 TO 15 SECONDS I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. NO WARNING CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED O.K. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NO WARNING OR PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL PRESSURE AND POWER TRAIN WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE AFTER SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THE LOCAL DEALER (GULF COAST FORD, N, 3000 STATE HWY 288, ANGLETON,TX, 77515) WAS CONTACTED SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSECTION THAT DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE CAR INDICATED CHECK MANUAL AND ORANGE WRENCH CAME OUT... AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN CAR STOP & I TRIED STARTING IT BUT IT WOULD IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE... I WAS ON 342 N. SAN FERNANDO RD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90031 AROUND 2:00 PM
BAD SMELL WITH HEAT OR AC ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS HEADACHES AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS FELT AT TIMES. A SEPERATE ISSUE ALTOGETHER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TO WORK A COUPLE TIMES LEAVING ME STUCK INSIDE CAR UNTIL IT DECIDES TO WORK. DEALER HAS HAD SUPOSED PART ON BACK ORDER FOR 2 MONTHS.
MY VEHICLES AIR TURNS ON ON IT'S OWN AS YOU DRIVE. THIS IS NOT THE AC NOR HEATER. AS YOU DRIVE YOU CAN HEAR YOUR AIR VENTS TURN ON AND YOU SMELL A FOUL SMELL AND THE AIR PUSHING THROUGH THE VENTS IS MUGGY STICKY AIR THAT MAKES YOUR SKIN FEEL CLAMMY. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND HAD BEEN "REPAIRED" HOWEVER, THE AIR CONTINUES TO PUSH THROUGH THE VENTS WHETHER YOU HAVE THE SWITCH SET TO ON OR NOT.
DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES IN THE MORNING WHILE TURNING ONTO THE INTERSTATE RAMP THE STEERING LOCKED UP WOULD NOT GO OVER 30MPH, SUV STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER CHANGED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKY TO NOT HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED, PER THE MECHANIC THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS FRIED, MOTOR VALVES MELTED, AND ALL SPARK PLUGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SUV IS ONLY A 2012 AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MAJOR OF PROBLEMS WHEN IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE.
TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2016, ON OCTOBER 22, 2016 WHILE DRIVING IN ELBERTON GEORGIA MY CAR ALERTED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD MY TURN SIGNAL WOULDN'T STAY ON WHEN BEING USED TO TURN. A FEW HOURS LATER WHEN READY TO HEAD HOME I COULD NOT GET MY CAR TO STEER WITHOUT MAJOR EFFORT ON MY PART. I AM A MOTHER OF 3 AND I REFUSE TO PUT MY KIDS IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND I WAS INFORMED BY FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE RECALL 14S06 HAS EXPIRED AND I HAD EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE WARRANTY BY ALMOST 3000 MILES. I DON'T FEEL THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED BEING AS I WAS...
MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T TURN. WHAT I HAVE READ IS ONCE IT ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY I'M CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT TRYING TO FIX THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR, FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL OR STALLS OUT. SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. 6F35 TRANSMISSION. DEALER(S) REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE OR REPAIR DESPITE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AND TRANSMISSION FAULT CODE. VEHICLE STALLS WHILE AT ALL SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS, OR WHILE IN INTERSECTIONS. TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM AT HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-SEAT-BELT-WARNING.349429/ THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALL OF THE FIFTH GENERATION FORD EXPLORERS. ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS UNDER THE SEATS THAT RUN TO THE SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS ARE HAVING CONTINUITY ISSUES AND CAUSING AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A" KEY NOT RECOGNIZED START CAR" MESSAGE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL AND BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER CALIBRATIONS NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE AFFECTING HER CHILDREN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR WHICH PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM DEFROSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN ALSO, THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. UPDATED 01/26/16.*JB
I WENT TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCK MY DOORS. I UNLOCKED MY DOORS MANUALLY AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTING INDICATOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. I PLACED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS STILL NO POWER. I HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND BARELY USE IT. HOW CAN A VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD JUST STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER? THIS IS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO PUT OUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING JUST TO GET IT TO A PLACE WHERE IT CAN BE CHECKED OUT. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FORD VEHICLES? I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED!!! *TR
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. THROTTLE WILL NOT WORK. YOU ARE STRANDED UNTIL YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD EXPLORER DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WENT STIFF (POWER STEERING WENT OFF), CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE, AFTER WHICH THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. I HAPPENED TO BE IN OUR OTHER CAR FOLLOWING DIRECTLY BEHIND HER AND WAS ABLE TO WATCH THE INCIDENT HAPPEN. SHE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SWITCHED VEHICLES WITH HER AND DROVE THE EXPLORER TO OUR HOUSE, WITH NO ADDITIONAL TROUBLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAULT LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. OUR VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THIS WEBPAGE, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A FATALITY: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2012/FORD/EXPLORER/STEERING FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS ONLY TRAVELING 45 MPH AND THERE WAS...
MAY 2013 (13490 MILES) WAS DRIVING 30 35 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON, I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. ALL WAS OK. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK DECEMBER 23,2013, (21173 MILES) WAS DRIVING 40 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON. WOULD NOT RESET BY TURNING ON AND OFF. DROVE TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING AND DEALER RESET COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. JANUARY 17,2014 (21808 MILES) WAS DRIVING 35 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, TRACTION LIGHT WENT ON WOULD NOT RESET BY TURNING ON AND OFF. DROVE TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING. DEALER RESET COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. *TR
THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING MAKING PULLING OVER AND STOPPING VERY DIFFICULT FOR A MATURE MALE DRIVER. I FIND IT DIFFICULT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS THIS COULD BE FOR MY WIFE OR ANY SMALLER OR LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING REGULAR DRIVING ON FAIRLY SMOOTH SURFACE NORMAL CONDITIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE ADVANCE TRACKING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *TR
THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM REPORT ONE 8/10/13 19,000 MILES: POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE <15 MPH AND BACK CEILING LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OUT. FORD: 8/13/2013 SAID CEILING LIGHT SHORTENED OUT BATTERY AND CAUSED POWER STEERING TO GO OUT - ORDERED LIGHT BULB CAME BACK IN 3 DAYS TO REPLACE LIGHT BULB - THEY SAID POWER STEERING WAS FIXED. REPORT TWO 9/23/13 23,891 MILES: POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE PARKED. FORD: DID DIAGNOSTIC SAID THE ISSUE WAS MOST LIKELY WIRING AND SAID ISSUE WAS FIXED AND I LEFT WITH CAR REPORT THREE 10/02/13 24,280 MILES: POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 65 MPH, PULLED OFF HWY. REPORTED INCIDENT TO FORD. FORD: RAN DIAGNOSTIC, SAID ISSUE WAS MOTHERBOARD. ORDERED PART AND I RETURNED IN A FEW DAYS TO REPLACE...
Other 2012 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Steering
341 complaints
Unknown Or Other
102 complaints
Engine
79 complaints
Structure
75 complaints
Structurebody
59 complaints
Power Train
55 complaints
Air Bags
27 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
27 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
19 complaints
Service Brakes
19 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
17 complaints
Seat Belts
14 complaints
Visibilitywiper
8 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
7 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
5 complaints
Visibility
5 complaints
Visibilitywindshieldcritical Fasteners
5 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Back Over Prevention
4 complaints
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
4 complaints
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
4 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
3 complaints
Exterior Lighting
3 complaints
Traction Control System
3 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
3 complaints
Back Over Prevention Warnings
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Equipment Adaptivemobility
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinion
2 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systempump
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
1 complaint
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
1 complaint
Equipmentelectrical
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
1 complaint
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
1 complaint
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulic
1 complaint
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
1 complaint
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
1 complaint
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
1 complaint
Structurebodydoor
1 complaint
Structurebodyhood
1 complaint
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
1 complaint
Structureframe And Members
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
1 complaint