2012 FORD EXPLORER Structurebody Problems

Trunk liftgate isn't operating. Cannot open up the trunk. Interior driver sides armrest stitching is busted.

Jan 19,2024 Manufacturer Recall Number24S02 NHTSA Recall Number24V031 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available This recall has been unavailable due to "lack of parts" for 18 months. Mine had already come off, and I had been holding them on with black duct tape. In the heat, the glue from the tape melted and they flew off my vehicle on the freeway and I was unable to retrieve them. When is Ford supposed to have the parts? This has been going on too long.

Recall data refreshed on Dec 11,2024 1 Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN Jan 19,2024 Manufacturer Recall Number24S02 NHTSA Recall Number24V031 After almost a year, Ford has not made a fix available for this recall

On October 31, 2020, I pulled up to the grocery store and my sunroof opened by itself. I realize it was not closing so too fast forward I found out that leaks from my sunroof had messed up my electrical wiring in my roof or filling on my car so it causes the sunroof electrical parts to stop working. Every time it rain, heavy or consistently I had a puddle of water in my front passenger seat. I’ve been able to get my sunroof closed and that hasn’t been an issue opening back up, but it does not work at this time after getting it fixed, but also I was nervous about opening it up in case it would not close because it wasn’t cheap to repair it. Now that I am living somewhere that it rains more often I am continuously getting leaks in my door frame, and it...

Exterior A - Pillar applique trim coming off vehicle while operating the vehicle. Comes off, risking damage to cars behind and potentially causing an accident. Cloninger Ford in Salisbury NC has inspected the vehicle and confirmed new parts are needed. Was told they don't have parts and there is no short term or long term solution solution. Have been unable to receive assistance from Ford Motor Company. One side is duct taped and the other side came off while driving. Unacceptable.

In February of 2024 I had a second windshield exterior trim come off on the highway. The poor people behind me almost lost control of their vehicle on the ice because of this hitting their car. I have purchased this part in the past for the right side as that was coming off the passengers side. I had it replaced at my expense and would like to get that money back as it was a faulty part obviously. This cost me a great deal of money. I do not have the money to do this again while you are waiting to figure out how to make all the parts for people. This is now becoming a bigger issue as water is getting inside my vehicle around the dash. It looks also like someone tried to repair this part that is attached to the vehicle long ago (glue or weld), previously...

Driver's side window trim piece (which includes keyless entry keypad) detached from vehicle while driving 70+ mph & smacked several times against driver's side window before busting off. Bottom part is attached by wires (for keyless entry pad) & continued to smack against the window several times before I was able to safely pull over and tape to vehicle. I'm surprised it didn't bust the window as hard as it hit and startle of it detaching could have caused an accident in heavier traffic. Also, trim pieces on both sides of rear window are cracked in the same area on each side. I wouldn't be surprised if they flew off at some point and hit a car travelling behind me.

Seam seal where the roof, D pillar, and hatch area meet had a hole in it leaking water into the cabin causing underpadding of the floor to become soaked and creating a moldy/musty smell. Patched hole to stop water leak. Ruined the carpet from the spare tire well up to the front passenger floor board

The exterior A pillar on my Explorer flew off while driving. I had to pay out of my pocket to repair this. Now I have been notified that there is a safety recall notice on this item. I should be compensated for the repairs I had to make as a result of this faulty part. How do I go about receiving compensation from Ford?

February 2023 I was driving on interstate approximately 75 mph. This was not a particularly windy day. The passenger side windshield trim molding ripped off the vehicle. This is a piece approximately 2.5 feet long. Just a few weeks later the same thing happened on the driver side molding while driving on a state highway approximately 60 mph. After the first incident I have noticed multiple other Ford Explorers with this same cosmetic issue. I ordered a new set for both sides via Amazon and installed them in April 2023 but approximately 6 weeks later the passenger side tore off again while driving. The new driver side molding is hanging on but I hear it rumbling and cracking when on the highway. It is a matter of time before it will also fly off. I pray that no one is hurt when this happens. Aside from the cosmetic appearance issue...

The windshield molding / trim on the driver side detached and flew off almost hitting a car behind me.

Driver's side windshield trim panel detached at highway speed.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the front windshield trim detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front windshield trim to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal snap and saw the trim panel of the front windshield detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass shop and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The contact stated that the trim panel has been replaced 3 times now. The fourth set of trim panel is now cracked and will have to be replaced again. All sets of trim panel were purchased from and installed by the same two companies each time. The contact also stated that the failure mileage was 50,000.

While traveling at highway speeds, the windshield trim panel on the passenger side of my Explorer, suddenly flew off my car, and caused the car behind me to swerve side to side. Fortunately, they did not have an accident, but it looked like they would for a moment. We weren't sure what happened until we pulled off an exit and examined my car. Unfortunately, traffic was heavy and I wasn't able to go back and pick up the trim piece. I have priced out the repair, and I understand the should be done by the dealer, or a glass shop, as it's now suggested the trim pieces be applied with some form of adhesive, in addition to the clips which normally hold it in place. My explorer has only 140,000 miles on it, and it's in excellent condition inside and out. I believe both trim pieces should be replaced by...

Driving down the freeway and one of the windowshield trim pieces flew off the car. About a week later it happened again with the other side.

Windshield trim on my 2012 Ford Explorer keeps coming/flying off. The trim keeps coming apart. Happened twice since owning my SUV and replaced.

Driving around 70 mph during last summer and trim piece on driver side pillar flew off. Into traffic. I bought a new one and installed. Saw a news article today about it and wanted to let you know.

The windshield trim is deteriorating and flies off occasionally while driving down the road. These pieces of flying debris could fly off and hit another car or worse a motorcyclist. This pertains to the investigation the nhtsa and ford are currently working on.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the front driver’s side trim detached from the vehicle and landed in the middle of the road. The driver then continued driving to his destination. The driver took the vehicle to the local dealer and ordered the front driver’s side trim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The hinge of the hatchback has cracked. water enters into my car through the rear right hinge. The water then runs down my 3rd row right seat belt. Down into the storage area for the spare. Mold has started growing. this is a safety hazard. I have searched and seen multiple complaints of the same issue. I purchased this car in 2018. And noticed from day one of rain. I also noticed the previous owners have tried to remedy with some type of caulking or glue. The car had been inspected by my mechanic.

WATER LEAKS INSIDE VEHICLE FILLING UP SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT (REAR OF SUV). THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE SAYING THE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD EXPLORER.

WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS INSIDE VEHICLE IN THE REAR AREA. I CHECKED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT WATER LEAKS. IF IT RAINS A LOT THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH WATER. ALSO, WHEN WATER LEAKS YOU GET THAT FUNKY SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. AFRAID THAT MOLD CAN BUILT OVER TIME.

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TODAY AT 70MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A SLAPPING NOISE ON PASSENGER SIDE THE RUBBER MOLDING FROM WINSHIELD CAME LOOSE AND WAS HITTING PASSENGER WINDOW. AFTER STOPPING AT NEXT EXIT I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK INTO TRIM PIECE BUT THE TRIM PIECE IS A LITTLE LOOSE.

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.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD THE MOLDING ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TRIM FLEW OFF. THERE WERE NO CRACKS OR DAMAGE TO IT PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. AFTER I LEAVING MY DESTINATION, THE STICKY RUBBER UNDERNEATH CAME LOOSE, FLAPPING AGAINST MY WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UNTIL IT FLEW OFF, HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS ALSO ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING AROUND 75 MPH WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR (A) COLUMN WINDOW TRIM FRACTURED AND WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER CHAMPAGNE FORD CITY (701 WEST MARKET VIEW CHAMPAGNE IL.) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT PART TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE (B) COLUMN TRIM. THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO PRESENT ON THE REAR HATCH TRIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAK AND FOUR INCHES OF RAIN WATER ENTERED THE REAR WHEEL WELL OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT MOLD WOULD GROW UNDER THE CARPET OF THE REAR WELL. THE CONTACT CALLED MOORESVILLE FORD DEALER, (151 E PLAZA DR, MOORESVILLE, NC 28115, (704) 664-1300) AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FEE OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER LEAKS FROM THE 3RD ROW SEATBELT. IT HAS RUINED THE CARPET IN THE BACK AND MOLDED IT. IT ALSO FILLED UP THE SPARE TIRE AREA WITH WATER AND RUSTED THE RIM OF THE SPARE TIRE AND THE INSIDE WHERE THE TIRE SITS. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL MANY MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE I WASN'T USING THE 3RD ROW AT THE TIME.

WATER LEAKS IN THROUGH THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT TENSIONER. WATER RUNS DOWN THE SEAT BELT AND POOLS ON THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. WATER IN THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY RISK. I REPORTED IT TO FORD, THEY DECLINED TO FIX IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BLACK PLASTIC TRIM NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FRACTURED AND SCATTERED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER SWERVE TO AVOID THE DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. KISSELBACK FORD (1118 13TH ST, ST CLOUD, FL 34769, (407) 892-5477) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE PART MAY BE ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

WINDSHIELD SIDE MOLDING BRAKING APART AND FLYING OFF DURING DRIVE.

THE WINDSHIELD PILLARS FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING, AN THE WHEATHER STRIPPING UNDER IT DOES NOT STAY, IT SLOWLY FLAPS OUT WHEN AT DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50-70MPH. WHEN THE WHEATHER STRIP FLYS OFF IT CAUSES THE PILLARS TO BREAK MORE WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY

WATER LEAKS FROM ROOF RACK AND CRACKS IN WELDING AROUND TAIL-GATE ROOF AND WELDING AROUND HINGES. WATER IS POOLING AND STANDING IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. WATER IS RUNNING DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT, DOWN THE SOUND PROOFING/ INSULATOR PAD OVER THE FRAME, WICKING ONTO THE SPARE TIRE COVER AND FLOOR COVER. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ON THE INTERNET, FOUND MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND FORD DEALERS ARE NOT ADDRESSING IT.

AFTER PARKING MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVE WAY (VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED) I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING FORWARDS DOWN MY SLOPPED DRIVEWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO CHASE THE VEHICLE HOPING TO JUMP IN AND APPLY THE BRAKE BUT WAS UNABLE TO. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING MY FENCE, BUSHES, AND A SMALL TREE. THERE WAS BODY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE.

DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, SPRING SPRUNG, AND DOOR HANDLE IS ALMOST ALL THE WAY OPEN. JUST BY TOUCHING IT, THE DOOR OPENS. WITH THIS BEING A FRONT DOOR, THE LOCK WONT ALLOW IT NOT TO OPEN. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAY MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED. THEY SAID THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T PART OF THIS RECALL, YET IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR. THE RECALL NUMBER IS15S11.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WEATHER STRIPPING BECAME LOOSE. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL MOLDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES SEPARATED FROM THE DOORS. FURTHERMORE, THE REAR HATCH WAS NOT WELDED TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE TRUNK AREA. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RANDALL REED'S PLANET FORD 59, 19000 EASTEX FWY, HUMBLE, TX 77338). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673 AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

MY FORD EXPLORER 2012 HAS BEEN GETTING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALL I GET IS A RUN AROUND. THUS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME ONE DIES FROM THE FUMES.

PAINT "BUBBLING" HAS TAKEN PLACE ON THE LIFT GATE IN THE VICINITY OF THE LIFT GATE HANDLE. THE BUBBLING HAS ENLARGED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE I FIRST DISCOVERED IT IN DECEMBER OF 2016. NO ACCIDENT. NORMAL OPERATION AND USE BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER A PILLAR FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE A PILLAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER A PILLAR PREVIOUSLY FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF. UPON STOPPING AND INSPECTING, THE PLASTIC SLIPS THAT HELD IT IN PLACE WERE BROKEN. I CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE, AND THE CLIPS ARE STARTING TO BREAK ON THERE AS WELL, IT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED AT THE TOP AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME THAT FAILS COMPLETELY AS WELL. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOWING THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT FLEW OFF AND THE DRIVER SIDE THAT IS FAILING. *TR

THE ALUMINUM HOOD CAUSE GALVANIC CORROSION AND RUST BUBBLES FORMED ON THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THESE BUBBLES STARTED TO PEEL AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR DESIGN FLAW.

DRIVER DOOR BOUNCED WHEN CLOSING. WOULD NOT LATCH. TRIED TWICE. WENT OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. FOUND PART OF DOOR LATCH ON GROUND. ABLE TO CYCLE LATCH WITH KEY FOB AND DOOR WAS ABLE TO LATCH TO GET HOME. WAS REPAIRED UNDER A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $100. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME .

THE HOOD HAS PAINT THAT IS BUBBLING UP AND COMING OFF. THE HOOD IS ALUMINUM SO IT ISN'T RUSTING, IT APPEARS THAT THAT THE METAL WAS NOT PREPPED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY

I WAS DRIVING ON I30 EASTBOUND IN TEXAS ON OCTOBER OF 2015 WHEN WITHOUT WARNING MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. AFTER STOPPING AND CHECKING BOTH VEHICLES NO INJURIES OR DAM AGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AND WE WENT ON OUR WAY. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT WARRANTED AND THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $400. I EXPRESSED MY DISPLEASURE WITH THIS AND HAD IT REPAIRED.I CHALKED IT OFF TO A FLUKE, ON MAY 10 2016 WE WERE COMING BACK FROM AN EVENT DOING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING "POP" AND REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE FREEWAY WAS BUSY AND IT WAS AT NIGHT SO THE DECISION WAS MADE TO KEEP DRIVING AS WE WERE ONLY A COUPLE OF MILES FROM HOME. UPON ARRIVING AT HOME OUR INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THIS TIME THE WINDSHIELD...

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY / SPRING CAME APART AND THE HANDLE REMAINED STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AS A SMALL PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC FROM BEHIND THE HANDLE MOLDING BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE DOOR INTERIOR AND THE HANDLE ITSELF (LEAVING IT PROPPED IN THE 'OPEN' POSITION)

THIS VEHICLE LEAKS WATER IN THE WHEEL WELL WHEN IT RAINS AND HAS CASED THE CARPET TO MOLD...THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE REAR HATCHBACK AND UNDER THE LUGGAGE RACK AND THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS A STREAM OF WATER GOING IN THE REAR DOWN THE SEAT BELT CANNOT HAVE THE SPEAR TIRE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS TO HAVE A TOWEL THERE TO SOAK UP THE WATER..MOLD MAKES ME SICK TO DRIVE IT..

THE VEHICLE HAS WATER LEAKS ON THE HATCHBACK,THE RIGHT REAR ROOF AREA AND OTHER PLACES YET TO BE DETERMINED WHEN IT RAINS THE WHEEL WELL HAS 3 INCHED OF WATER IN IT AND IT HAS CAUSED THE CARPET TO MOLD AND STINK UP THE WHOLE VEHICLE

THERE ARE WATER LEAKS ON THE HATCHBACK ON BOTH SIDES AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS A WATER LEAK IN THE RIGHT REAR BODY SEAM..OTHER LEAKS COULD BE POSSIBLE.WHEN IT RAINS THE WHEEL WELL HAS 3 INCHES OF WATER IN IT. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE AND THE MOLD IS MAKING ME SICK..IT'S A OVERWHELMING SMELL AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH NO SPARE

THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE PILLAR BLEW OFF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON I-75 (70 MPH). IT JUST MISSED A CAR THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME. THE PLATE THAT HOLDS THE PILLAR ON THE FRAME, SHOWS STRESS CRACKING AT EACH BOLT AND THE LOWER TWO TABS THAT CONNECT THE PILLAR ARE SHEARED. THE TABS AT THE TOP OF THE PILLAR PULLED OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE THE WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PILLAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED IF I WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NOISE. THEY DID NOT REMOVE THE PILLAR TO INSPECT ANYTHING, LIKELY KNOWING THEY WOULD DAMAGE IT.