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2012 Ford Explorer Recalls

2012 Ford Explorer Recalls
Updated May 30, 2026·Ethan Miller2 Critical Recalls

Recall Summary

The 2012 Ford Explorer has 10 recalls recorded by NHTSA.

2 High Risks Found — View Now

Total Recalls

10
2 High Risks

Source: NHTSA Campaign Data

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How to Handle Recalls

Check your VIN

Locate your 17-character VIN on the dashboard or driver's door jamb.

Verify Status

Visit the NHTSA Recall Website or the manufacturer's official page.

Schedule Repair

Contact a franchised dealership. Recall repairs are always free of charge.

Document It

Keep records of the repair for your vehicle history file to maintain value.

Note: Unrepaired recalls can affect vehicle safety and resale value. We recommend checking for open recalls at least once a year.

Recall Summary

What the recall count means for the 2012 Ford Explorer

The 2012 Ford Explorer has 10 recall campaigns on record. Yes, buyers should pay close attention. The 2012 Ford Explorer has 2 serious recalls touching safety-critical systems, so a VIN-specific remedy check should happen before you buy.

Which systems are affected?

The main systems named in recall filings for the 2012 Ford Explorer include STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, WHEELS:HUB, SUSPENSION:REAR, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS.

What should buyers check before purchase?

Run a VIN recall lookup, confirm dealer remedy completion, and compare the recall themes against the maintenance and complaints reports before committing.

What is the most serious recall on the 2012 Ford Explorer?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.

Read the full buyer guideMaintenance costs and intervalsOwner complaints by system2011 Explorer recalls2013 Explorer recalls2014 Explorer recalls
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Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?

There are 10 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Explorer.

Recall rows are tied to NHTSA campaign-level source references.

Review recall campaigns

Are there safety critical recalls for the 2012 Ford Explorer?

There are 2 which have high risk. Prioritize campaigns affecting brakes, steering, airbags, fuel systems, or fire risk, then confirm remedy availability with VIN lookup.

Recall response workflow is provided next to the data table.

Show high risk recalls
Recall campaigns
10
Primary source
NHTSA recall filings and campaign references
Workflow
Count, campaign details, remedy status, and VIN verification

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Start here for the 2012 Ford Explorer

Start here

Buyer guide

Full ownership breakdown

Maintenance guide

Costs + intervals

Owner complaints

Issue volume + categories

Tuning guide

Potential + upgrade path

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Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2012 Ford Explorer.

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Action Plan
  3. 03Should Buyers Worry?
  4. 04NHTSA Recalls
  5. 05Data and Methodology

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Recalls for 2012 Ford Explorer Buyer's Guide

10 total campaigns, 2 marked high risk

High Riskcritical
ID: 14E001000

Steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.

High Riskcritical
ID: 14V286000

Steering

Electric Power Assist System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.

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ID: 15V171000

Structure

BodyDoor

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

low
ID: 17E048000

Wheels

Hub

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

low
ID: 17E048000

Suspension

Rear

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

low
ID: 19V435000

Suspension

Rear

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.

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ID: 21V746000

Suspension

Rear

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

low
ID: 21V746000

Suspension

Rear

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

low
ID: 24V031000

Structure

BodyRoof And Pillars

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

low
ID: 24V031000

Structure

BodyRoof And Pillars

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.