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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 1 of 4)

problem #76

Feb 162023

Explorer

  • miles

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

Water Pump on the vehicle (That is inside the engine) start leaking without driver notice it. If you're driving in a busy Highway the engine can lose presure and stop in the middle of the highway puting driver and passengers in a risky position. This is a design mistake from FORD that they should address.

- Paterson, NJ, USA

problem #75

Sep 142022

Explorer 4-cyl

  • miles
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 3 anyway and it did it again leaving me stranded 3 times to count eventually leaving at Don Davis Ford Arlington Texas where it was again said repaired and is currently at Planet Ford Dallas where historically I paid $2850 and NOTHING was done as it again left me stranded and towed there where it can sit until it's fixed meaning this loss of horsepower the electric flashes and the gears in transmission ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS PER REQUESTED EACH TIME IN SERVICE

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #74

Oct 072021

Explorer

  • miles
Water coolant leaking out, engine over heating. Having to constantly add coolant and limiting driving of the vehicle.

- Larksville, PA, USA

problem #73

Oct 052021

Explorer

  • miles

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

the car unexpectedly loses power while driving on the highway causing several near crashed having to move to the brake down lane.The wrench symbol shows up on dash and the car is trying to stall at idle. I have to shut it off and restart to drive it. Check engine light does NOT go on. Car has 96k miles.It has happened 4x's in the last month. My research says its the Throttle body. I am trying to bring it to Ford to confirm.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #72

Apr 052021

Explorer

  • 0 miles
Persistent exhaust odor in vehicle upon start up. When the vehicle cranks up and with A/C on there is a strong exhaust odor, it isn't as noticeable at highway speeds but still there. This issue started a couple weeks ago and hasn't went away

- Hubert, NC, USA

problem #71

Apr 272020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
My truck burst into flames 🔥 and burn to the ground while parked in the drive way.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #70

Feb 062020

Explorer

  • 143,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off and the low oil pressure warning light flashed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with both a defective O2 sensor and low oil pressure sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on her vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The failure mileage was 143,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #69

Feb 022020

Explorer

  • 1,180,000 miles
Vehicle overheated without warning leaving me stranded on a deserted highway. After speaking with a mechanic and having them come to the vehicles location and performing a visual inspection he stated antifreeze was leaking from the water pump. The vehicle was taken to a local Ford dealer and upon completing a diagnostic check they confirmed the 'internal' water pump had failed without warning. I was contacted 5 times by the dealership and each time the news got worse. Then final call the advisor told me to fix it and nothing was going to be guaranteed to last it was going to cost approximately $4,000 before taxes. They'd also have to change the oil twice along with the spark plugs. The vehicle had just been at a local Ford dealership for maintenance and to fix outstanding recalls and after checking the service manual nothing is 'suggested' 'recommended' or 'required' to service the internal water pump.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #68

Jan 022020

Explorer

  • 132,000 miles
I have coolant leaking, I took it to a shop to be diagnosed and was told that it would cost over $2,000 since the water pump is in the front of the engine, there is only 132,000 miles on my car and I shouldn't be having this issue!!

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #67

Sep 112019

Explorer

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed an abnormal exhaust odor coming from the ventilation system without warning. The contact mentioned that the odor was only present when the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to hastings Ford Inc (3013 E 10th St, greenville, nc 27858, (252) 758-0114) where it was test driven and determined that the exhaust was leaking at the manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 25071531. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Bethel, NC, USA

problem #66

Jun 062019

Explorer

  • miles

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

I bought my Explorer in June 2019. After purchasing I noticed the smell of the exhaust inside the vehicle.throughout the summer months I drove with the windows down due to the a.C. not working properly. I continued smelling the exhaust but financially unable to seek repairs. With cooler temperatures the windows now closed the smell of the exhaust was more apparent and I begin to experience severe headaches, frequent nausea, fatigue and some dizziness and confusion. I was told of reports of carbon monoxide issues with this make of vehicle and spoke to Ford about repairs as well as other recalls needed for my Explorer. I took my car for the repairs today and am still experiencing the carbon monoxide issue still. I will be contacting the Ford dealership tomorrow as this wasn't repaired. I'm concerned for my health and having this issue not fixed.

- North Kingstown, RI, USA

problem #65

Sep 012018

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While the contact's wife was driving 65 mph, the vehicle shut off completely without warning. The contact called riverside Ford Lincoln (2089 riverside dr, macon, ga 31204, (478) 464-2900) and was informed that they were unaware of a possible defect and suggested the contact bring in the vehicle to be serviced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #64

Aug 012019

Explorer

  • 118,000 miles
Car won't go into park

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #63

Jan 012018

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
Oil is collecting at my air intake. I have replace the PCV valve but it is still leaking oil onto my air filter. This is also causing fumes in the vehicle.

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

problem #62

Jan 092019

Explorer

  • 88,500 miles
I have an exhaust smell coming from my vents. This odor is present in the front and back seats of the car. It is present when the vehicle is in motion, as well as when it is stationary. It happens at random times and can happen while driving at a slower rate, and while driving at high speeds. The dealership cannot identify the source of the smell.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #61

Dec 232018

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 58,900 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the throttle body assembly was faulty. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact pulled the vehicle over and it started shaking. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it operated normally. Sames Ford (4721 ayers St, corpus christi, tx 78415, (361) 851-7600) diagnosed that the throttle was faulty and provided the repair cost. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall and advised the contact to save the receipts for reimbursement if a recall was issued. The failure mileage was 58,900. Consumer stated car would not accelerate on a busy road. Problem was fixed.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #60

Sep 172018

Explorer

  • 73,000 miles
When trying to make an unprotected left turn at a stop sign, I pressed the gas and my car didn't move for a couple of seconds once it dod move it took a few more seconds for it to accelerate quickly to safely make my turn. The oncoming traffic in the lane I was crossing over for the turn had to brake suddenly because my car didn't make it through the intersection fast enough. I was told that my turbo boost was bad. I have a 2012 eco boost model and it was classified as 'under boost' which wasn't allowing my car to accelerate properly and would eventually give out completely not allowing me to accelerate at all.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #59

Jul 232018

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,362 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled, shut off, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to crossroads Ford of sanford (3251 nc-87, sanford, nc 27332, (888) 352-5045) where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,362.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #58

Apr 182018

Explorer

  • 102,000 miles
While driving on highway, lost power and speed dropped. It was like engine stopped working properly. Had to pull off road, it was so scary on highway to loose power not to mention dangerous!!! check engine light came on. After taking to Ford dealership, found out that ecoboost turbo had blown and seized up.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #57

Apr 092018

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While operating the vehicle, there was an odor being emitted from the exhaust that caused the contact to feel nauseous and dizzy. The vehicle was taken to barber Ford (640 E 8th St. Holland, Michigan 49423) on three separate occasions to have the voluntary Ford exhaust campaign completed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the failure he was experiencing was not part of the voluntary Ford exhaust campaign. The failure mileage and VIN were not provided.

- Jenison, MI, USA

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