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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,470 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 6 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #156

Aug 042019

Explorer

  • 161,200 miles

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

Since March 2019, I had been experiencing a slight stiffness in the power steering. By may, the traction sign came on then went off. When I asked the dealer about this, they said there was a 2-3 week wait to have the car looked at. It didn't happen often, but infrequently. Then one day in late June, when I turned on the car and backed down the driveway, there was no power in the steering. I drove back up the driveway and turned off the car. Then turned it back on and all was fine. In late July it happened again and early August it completely went out. I was able to get the car in at the dealership on a Friday and they found it was the steering gear failed internally. They finished repairing the car by the following Tuesday. When the car was at 141,000 miles I had asked if there were any recalls that haven't been done on this car. They said no. My questions is: Does a safety recall expire?

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #155

Apr 202019

Explorer

  • 157,884 miles
While my was driving she went to accelerate from a stop and heard a noise. She thought maybe she ran over glass or something. When she went to turn the corner the vehicle kept going straight. She ended up hitting another vehicle due to the rear suspension breaking. My vehicle is part of the rear suspension recall.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #154

Aug 082019

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
The vehicle was started up and went to back out of a parking spot. The vehicle was practically impossible to steer. The steering was the worse ever to try to turn the wheel. Had to pull into another parking spot and park it there. Turn the car off. Then came back a few hours later and started the car and the steering worked fine. This has happened on previous occasions when starting the vehicle. The steering is impossible to turn the wheel. Again, this has happened to me before, but luckily only when starting up and initial driving. It has probably happened at least 4 times to me and at least 2 times for my wife. I have heard of other people's steering stop when driving!

- Bangor, MI, USA

problem #153

Jun 162019

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel was wobbling and crashed into a tree. The vehicle flipped into an embankment. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the neck/back that required medical attention. All the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. There was no fire due to the crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called five star Ford Lincoln of warner (900 russell pkwy, warner robins, ga 31088 (478) 273-8151) but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted who provided case number: Cas 21979461 but no further assistance was provided. The contact received NHTSA campaign number 19V435000 suspension. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #152

Aug 012019

Explorer

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

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #151

Jul 122019

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
When turning left steering would not return without extreme force on my part. Very dangerous because it kept me going left and would cause a wreck. Dealer duplicated the steering problem. Vehicle was in motion. Dealer stated the problem was with the steering gear: Refer to recall 19V-435

- Beckley, WV, USA

problem #150

Jul 062019

Explorer

  • 108,954 miles

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

Power steering went out. My vehicle is part of the recall. Took it to mcmullen Ford in council bluffs, ia. They told me I'm 300 miles over the recall and it was going to cost $1,900 to fix. Vehicle has 108,954 miles on it.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #149

Jun 192019

Explorer

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering (eps) failed and the eps indicator randomly illuminated. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V286000 (steering) and 14E001000 (steering); although, the failure was the same as listed in the recalls. Classic Ford of smithfield (1698 E booker dairy rd, smithfield, nc 27577, (877) 679-8179) was notified of the failure and indicated that a diagnostic appointment needed to be scheduled. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V435000 (suspension) and the dealer was to also schedule an appointment for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Four Oaks, NC, USA

problem #148

Jun 082019

Explorer

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at a unknown speeds around a curve, the steering wheel seized as a result, the driver hit a curve and crashed into a building metal pole. The driver did not sustained injury, the front and rear passengers sustained bump and bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Stockwell, IN, USA

problem #147

Apr 032019

Explorer

  • 108,107 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the steering wheel made an abnormal grinding noise when turned. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the VIN was included in an unknown recall. The vehicle was then taken to gosch Ford of temecula (26895 ynez rd, temecula, ca 92591, (951) 708-9148) where it was diagnosed that a new power steering rack needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall repair could not be performed because the VIN did not match the vehicle. The failure mileage was 108,107.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #146

Apr 112019

Explorer

  • miles

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

Steering wheel locks up when you start truck and have to turn off and restarts to go away

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #145

Apr 012019

Explorer

  • 108,000 miles
Power steering assist fault came on. 2014 a recall for this issue. I just bought this vehicle 3 weeks ago, can I still have work done.

- Marion, WI, USA

problem #144

Mar 172019

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
I have been experiencing 'power steering assist fault' errors on startup on my 2012 Ford explore fwd. This results in complete power steering failure which makes it impossible for me to turn the wheel to either direction. I've read that there is a recall but Ford has not sent me any notifications in mail or notified me when I had the car at the dealership for service.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #143

Mar 042019

Explorer

  • 161,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion when power steering locked up and all dash lights flashed. Resulted stranded on side of busy road and all power steering failed. Was driving side street at time of occurrence. I made multiple attempts to contact Ford corporate to resolve and they refuse to cover under guaranteed recall of the power steering rack and pineon. I have auto service center repairs with a repair cost of $2000. Please assist in covering this cost for repairs under warranty recall. I have only owned this vehicle for 2 years. Thank you.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #142

Mar 092019

Explorer

  • 960,400 miles
The power steering assist fault will randomly shut down my ability to steer the vehicle. This happened once while leaving my driveway to take my kids to the bus stop. I could not budge the steering, I lost all control. I turned the vehicle off, than restarted it, the assist fault was not on now and I was able to drive. Luckily this occurred be for I left my driveway because you loose all control of the steering. Other times it comes on when I start the vehicle and will not go off right away, leaving me stuck at work, grocery store so on. My car is now in my driveway with the fault on. I have tried everyday, but the car is not drivable and the fault will not shut off this time. I have only owned this car for two years and only drive it when I have to. I don't feel safe in a car that looses steering at any time. If I'm on the highway when it shuts down I feel this is risking life and safety of myself and anyone around me.

- Templeton, MA, USA

problem #141

Feb 252019

Explorer

  • 130,400 miles
Power steering locks up and needs replacement. Ford dealer claims this is not covered under recall, and VIN search indicated no open recall for this vehicle. Dealer has reset vehicle computer and that may be why no open recall shows up. Internet searches indicate that this is a very common problem and should have been covered under a previous recall, but there is no evidence that the vehicle ever had recall work done. So far the problem only presents itself upon initial startup while the vehicle is stationary. However, internet searches show that others have had steering lock up while in motion, causing vehicle accidents.

- Durant, OK, USA

problem #140

Feb 242019

Explorer

  • 100,100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. Approximately two and a half years after the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering), the steering ability failed and the power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to junge cedar rapids (319-393-6500, located at 1200 boyson rd, hiawatha, ia 52233) where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,100.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #139

Feb 232019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 150,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While operating the vehicle, the power steering failed, which made the steering wheel very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to watson quality Ford (6130 I 55, jackson, ms) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Electric steering gear was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,700.

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #138

Jan 252019

Explorer

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While pulling out of the driveway at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering assist fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was called, but the contact did not speak with anyone. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Saint Charles, IL, USA

problem #137

Jan 042019

Explorer

  • 100,295 miles
While driving on a rural road warning lights came on. Pulled over, turned vehicle off. Turned back on. Complete power steering failure. Appears to be same issue as previous recall.

- Caldwell, TX, USA

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