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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,897 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Oct 312017

Explorer

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- W Columbia, TX, USA

problem #55

Aug 172017

Explorer

  • miles
An exhaust odor repeatedly occurred in the cabin while the vehicle was accelerating.

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

problem #54

Feb 012017

Explorer

  • miles
Rotten egg/sulfur smell inside cabin/occupant area coming from vents when engine under heavy load such as going up hill or coming onto highway and RPM's increase, accelerating at higher speeds to merge into traffic from off ramp. Noticed more when ac is on. Bought vehicle used from a local car dealer in Feb of 2017

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #53

Aug 012017

Explorer

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

(re)starting August 1, 2017, while driving, the vehicle would suddenly and without warning decelerate, with no response from the gas pedal. Ford calls this their "limp home mode." The wrench icon warning would display and the entire vehicle would shudder until it was put in park and turned off. Usually, it would resume normal operations after being restarted, however, on one occasion, it took three attempts to restart. After two such incidents occurring in less than a mile, I don't feel safe driving on the highway (or, really, any other place) as there is no indication to other drivers and the vehicle actively decelerates, rather than coasting. During one such incident, the deceleration was so pronounced that passengers jerked forward in their seats and a canine passenger lost its footing, falling into the back of the seats. We previously experienced this same issue in 2015, leaving me and a small child stranded when the vehicle did not restart at all. As part of a "goodwill" repair due to the vehicle being just out of warranty, the etb (electronic throttle body) and purge valve were replaced by Ford. I filed complaint 10787972 with the NHTSA on 10/25/2015. In 5 years, this will be the second replacement of a part that's expected to last well over 6 years. Ford is aware of the problem, is and has been sued, and is being investigated.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #52

Aug 282015

Explorer

  • miles
Purchased this car in August 2015. Every time I accelerate quickly to pass someone or go up hill fumes enter the car. Very strong odor and I have two young daughters who are unable to tell me if they feel funny from the fumes. Purge valve sensor replaced due to engine light coming on repeatedly.

- Duncannon, PA, USA

problem #51

Jul 142017

Explorer

  • 88,000 miles
Turbo gone bad - car began making loud rattle noise when started. Noise would subside some after a few minutes. Car has been very slow to accelerate, whenever it's being driven, over the last few months. Have to really press down all the way on the gas in order to keep it going. The mpg have been steadily declining as well over the last few months. Dealer told me it's a "turbo problem". was told that 180 other 2012 Explorer are also affected, parts on back-order for six weeks. Can't drive car. Repair cost approximately $3500. Ford offering no relief at this point.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #50

Jun 052015

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am experiencing the exhaust fumes smell in my vehicle when accelerating up hills or when merging into traffic. My family has suffered symptoms such as headaches and lightheadedness due to the smells. The smell is a very strong exhaust fumes smell and lasts for at least 30 seconds to a minute.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #49

May 262017

Explorer

  • 58,000 miles
Turbo failure while driving, large loss of power and potential for an accident. Turbo charger failed on my 2.0L ecoboost engine at 58,000 miles. Turbo failed while in traffic and caused very poor performance and could have easily caused a wreck. Turbo failure does not create a check engine light or give any indication that is has failed other than a large loss of power and the engine continues to run. Turbo failure is sudden and there is no indications prior to it failing. The turbo was not covered by warranty due to vehicles age even though under 60K.

- Mauldin, SC, USA

problem #48

Jun 122017

Explorer

  • 59,000 miles
I abruptly accelerated around a car that maneuvered infront of me and my interior cabin was filled with an nauseating exhaust smell. I got a headache, light headed, and pulled over, because I was starting to get dizzy and develop headaches. This occurred on a highway, and nearly killed me. I am furious.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #47

Feb 152017

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
Our 2012 Ford Explorer has a heavy fuel smell in the cabin after driving for more that a few minutes. It seems to be getting worse as time passes.

- Harvest, AL, USA

problem #46

Jan 302015

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #45

Jan 012017

Explorer

  • miles
We have noticed intermittent odors in the cabin. Sulphur smelling odor after accelerating quickly (for example passing, merging). It happens when the heat is on, or off. It has happened intermittently for as long as we can recall however the smell is now (approx. The last year) noticeable just about any time we do highway driving. It almost exclusively happens on the highway. On the infrequent occasion that I need to make a quick acceleration while doing around-town driving, the smell can be noticed. I am currently receiving medical attention for severe symptoms of, what I believe to be, carbon monoxide exposure. Symptoms include extreme fatigue and headaches.

- Shelburne, VT, USA

problem #44

Nov 012016

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor while operating the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel odor could not be diagnosed; however, the check engine indicator failure was diagnosed as an air filter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Terry, GA, USA

problem #43

Jul 042011

Explorer

  • 5,000 miles
Drove vehicle with air conditioning on and recirculation closed from Texas to Virginia and back at normal highway speeds. There was an exhaust smell in the car most times. Had to be taken to emergency care with respiratory distress a couple of days after returning. Was on treatment for copd for the next five years.

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

problem #42

Sep 022016

Explorer

  • 52,736 miles
My 2012 Ford Explorer would all of a sudden sound like it was slipping out of gear while driving. I would lose all control of the accelerator & vehicle would idle very rough. The "wrench" light would appear on the dash display. I would have to drift over to the side of the road, turn the vehicle off, & then re-start the vehicle. This happened without warning & became more frequent. Dealership replaced the throttle body (at my cost) & explained no recall had been determined yet, but expected it to be issued in the future due to the number of complaints. I also had to pay to have my selector lever assembly replaced again since I was again having the issue of vehicle problem of "shift to park" appearing once again. The first time this part was replaced it was covered under tsb 15-0047, but this time it was at my expense.

- Lynn Havn, FL, USA

problem #41

Nov 082016

Explorer

  • 131,400 miles
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.

- Henryville, IN, USA

problem #40

Oct 242016

Explorer

  • 55,128 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,128.

- Stevenson, CA, USA

problem #39

Nov 022016

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
While driving the vehicle suddenly power would be lost. When applying more pressure to the accelerator, no usable power was present and the vehicle could not exceed 30 mph. After this occurred on the 4th time on a subsequent day, the "engine" symbol was displayed. Currently the vehicle is at a Ford dealership to troubleshoot the problem. On two occasions this discrepancy with acceleration and functionality of available power nearly caused an accident with small children in the vehicle. This should cause a major concern to other owners and Ford Motor Company as a whole due to the potential damage, injury, or death that could occur due to completely losing acceleration and/or power while driving.

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #38

Oct 012015

Explorer

  • 95,000 miles
Strong exhaust (burning oil smell) coming into cabin under medium to high acceleration through ventilation ( ac on). The smell permeates the car and burns your nostrils. I could smell it for quite some time even after existing the vehicle (as the smell remains in my nose). Even felt a bit lightheaded after existing the vehicle. I have had passengers notice this smell on several occasions also.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #37

Sep 012015

Explorer

  • 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the contact observed an abnormal odor through the air conditioning unit when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

- Crowley, TX, USA

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