Is the 2012 Ford EXPLORER reliable?

The 2012 Ford EXPLORER has 1024 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Ford EXPLORER?

Top problems: STEERING (356 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (141 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (113 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Ford EXPLORER?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): SUSPENSION:REAR, WHEELS:HUB, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:REAR, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Ford EXPLORER?

The 2012 Ford EXPLORER gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Ford EXPLORER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Ford EXPLORER is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Ford EXPLORER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Ford EXPLORER has 1024 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 1024. The most common issue is steering problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: i stopped at a stop sign and took a left hand turn as i proceeded down a hill. my steering wheel wouldn't turn,like the wheel locked up, and the brakes were hard to push, not slowing me down. the explorer went off of the road striking a concrete pole. it destroyed the entire right front end, and des. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 11 fire reports filed.

11 fire reports 13 crash reports 15 injuries

1024

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

356 complaints

35%

• I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN AS I PROCEEDED DOWN A HILL. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN,LIKE THE WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PUSH, NOT SLOWING ME DOWN. THE EXPLORER WENT OFF OF THE ROAD STRIKING A CONCRETE POLE. IT DESTROYED THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT END, AND DES
• WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE 60 WEST FREEWAY I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND VEHICLE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LANE CHANGE AND WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY A TRAILING DIESEL TRUCK. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL ONE INCH TO THE RIGHT AND ONE INCH TO THE LEFT. I PULLED OF
• WHILE DRIVING GRANDCHILD TO SCHOOL THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT REQUIRING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TORQUE TO TURN CAR. I RECEIVED SEVERAL FAULTS INCLUDING TRACTION CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS ABLE TO MANHANDLE THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 6 crashes

“I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN AS I PROCEEDED DOWN A HILL. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN,LIKE THE WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PUSH, NOT SLOWING ME DOWN. THE EXPLORER WENT OFF OF THE ROAD STRIKING A CONCRETE POLE. IT DESTROYED THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT END, AND DES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Ford EXPLORER

Based on 721 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

144

30-60K

187

60-100K

151

100-150K

139

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 39K mi · 44 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 49K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 53K mi · 70 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 53K mi · 61 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 50 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

SUSPENSION:REAR10/06/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Ford EXPLORER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Ford EXPLORER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,585

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford EXPLORER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2012 EXPLORER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1024 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN AS I PROCEEDED DOWN A HILL. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN,LIKE THE WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PUSH, NOT SLOWING ME DOWN. THE EXPLORER WENT OFF OF THE ROAD STRIKING A CONCRETE POLE. IT DESTROYED THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT END, AND DES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: I BROUGHT MY CAR TO FORD FOR SERVICE. I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD WAS BUBBLING. I SHOWED IT TO THE SERVICE WRITER. HE REPORTED IT TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR IT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOUCHSCREEN OF THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT A REMEDY FOR THE F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION, THE GILLS ALLOWED EXHAUST FUMES TO BE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)