2012 Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2012

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2012 Ford Explorer repairs by problem area

Engine (12%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (11%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (28%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (20%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 76 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 Ford Explorer.

2012 Ford Explorer repair cost distribution

$2500+ (7%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (7%)

$100 - $499 (29%)

< $100 (45%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 55 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 Ford Explorer

Engine not specified

Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States
May 2012 - Oct 2012
Jul 2012

17700 mi
Defective pillar mouldings Driver's power seat not sliding smoothly when going backward. 

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2012 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automatic FWD

Ford Explorer in Oklahoma, United States
Mar 2014 - Apr 2014
Apr 2014

65000 mi

US $300
Carriage bearing failed on passenger drive shaft. Replace drive shaft, seal and carriage bearing bracket. 
Ford Explorer in Illinois, United States
May 2017 - Jun 2022
Apr 2017

53000 mi

US $2200
Waste gate failed on the turbo. Had to replace the entire turbo assembly. Primary fuel pump failed. Had to replace the fuel pump. 
Jul 2021

101000 mi

US $1200
Rear AC evaporator coil developed a leak, lost all cooling in car. Replacement cost was more labor than cost of parts. 
Mar 2022

104000 mi

US $3000
Multiple issues came up. Control Arm Bushings on both sides, strut mounts on both sides. Tie rod ends. Alignment. 
Ford Explorer in Alaska, United States
May 2012 - Oct 2012
May 2012

7000 mi
Check engine 

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2012 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Ford Explorer in Oklahoma, United States
Jul 2013 - Jun 2018
Sep 2013

34000 mi
Leaking left rear shock was replaced 
Ford Explorer in Kentucky, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2014
Dec 2011

1600 mi
Side mirror condensation in LED Driver's - side mirror LED panel window has water/condensation inside. 
Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States
Mar 2015 - Jul 2022
Mar 2015

76000 mi

US $725
Needed to replace both rear calipers 
Mar 2016

99000 mi

US $320
Both top front strut brackets had to be replaced. 
Jun 2017

150000 mi

US $300
Rear high pressure AC corrosion & failure. Did not replace due to cost, capped real lines and run AC front only. Hard to reduce amount of refrigerant is system to compensate. 
Sep 2021

194000 mi
Routine brake service 
Ford Explorer in Dominican Republic
Sep 2011 - Sep 2013
Nov 2011

1020 mi
At 140 km/h a vibrating noise was generated by the windshield. after consulting with the dealer, he indicated that was a not frequent but known outside side frame issue. What they do is detach and reattach for a firmer fit. Took 4 hours. 
May 2012

3800 mi
Back led running lights were not working. Burnt. 
Ford Explorer in New Jersey, United States
Dec 2014 - May 2015
Mar 2015

30000 mi
this is my 2nd replaced battery, 3 in total. 
Ford Explorer in California, United States
Dec 2020 - Jun 2022
Jul 2021

163116 mi

US $2643
Replace upper & lower coolant hoses, thermostat replace right & left front strut assemblies 
Dec 2021

167429 mi

US $1373
central processing unit (APIM) for central touchscreen replaced 
Jun 2022

171694 mi

US $490
Driver's side seat belt buckle/pretensioner replaced 
Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2012 - Dec 2013
Sep 2013

33000 mi
windshield wiper random wipe. Oil being sucked from valve cover to intake tube 
Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States
Aug 2017 - Feb 2022
Apr 2018

86000 mi

US $700
A.C. Compressor seized up, burned up the serpentine belt. Compressor blew a quarter sized hole in underside. Replaced compressor and recharged system. 
Ford Explorer in Quebec, Canada
Nov 2011 - Jan 2022
Mar 2013

26040 mi

C $120
Lost a piece of outside windshield trim. Changed windshield earlier, and pins get broken when this is done. Need to replace trim when replace windshield. 
Apr 2013

27240 mi

C $120
Lost the other side windshield trim after a windshield change... Dealer said when you change your windshield, its better to change for new trim... 
Jun 2013

33480 mi
driver door, stich of leather elbow support opened and you could see the foam 
Sep 2013

43400 mi
Rust at bottom of driver door (inside). Dealer told us than sometime sand and dirt are stuck between inside bottom door and plastic trim... With vibration the paint his remove....So wash the inside door regularly 
Jun 2015

80600 mi

C $50
They change both front shock head support Rear wheel bearing passenger side scrap 
Aug 2015

81840 mi

C $100
Change front shocks passenger side ac was out of control.... fan was always changing to full speed and touch button was not working... They change all computer and Sony Radio...1200$$$ 
Sep 2015

84940 mi

C $50
Lood noise, change rear wheel bearing All 4 doors where squeaking...Dealer said sand was in the rockers...We did just one trip in a sand area with the truck!! 
Sep 2016

99200 mi

C $300
Park sensor not working, they change shifter 
Jan 2018

111600 mi

C $400
Wheel bearing 
Dec 2019

124000 mi

C $1000
Both gaz pump Cracks on top cover gaz smell 
Apr 2020

127100 mi

C $1100
Alternative dead charge to Much 16 v 
Aug 2021

148800 mi

C $700
Rear caliper stuck 
Ford Explorer in Louisiana, United States
Jan 2012 - Aug 2018
Oct 2012

7300 mi
Rear wiper inoperable Ford Sync System shut down. Dealer installed SOP module and replaced APIM module and program. 
Ford Explorer in South Carolina, United States
Sep 2016 - Jan 2018
Oct 2016

86000 mi

US $50
Caliper stuck 
Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States
Jan 2012 - Mar 2015
May 2014

51000 mi

US $350
Drivers side rear brake caliper froze up causing it to smoke and make noise. 

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2012 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States
Apr 2016 - Mar 2018
Oct 2016

76000 mi

US $135
Right-front Wheel bearing replaced. Dealer also had to replace the front axle since there was a new part from the manufacturer that couldn't be used with the original axle. 
Jul 2017

92000 mi

US $100
Two wheel bearings failing 
Ford Explorer in Massachusetts, United States
May 2022 - Jul 2022
Jul 2022

141121 mi
Leaking passenger-side fuel pump. 
Ford Explorer in British Columbia, Canada
Mar 2017 - Jun 2022
May 2017

109740 mi

C $2300
rear brakes, pads, rotors etc. Front struts and shocks. 
Ford Explorer in Massachusetts, United States
Dec 2011 - Aug 2021
Jun 2017

45000 mi

US $44600
Cracked Windshield Washer Bottle 
Sep 2017

46000 mi

US $300
warped rotor 
Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States
Apr 2015 - Mar 2016
Dec 2015

50000 mi

US $150
Touch pad for electrical locks did not function properly and was replaced. 
Ford Explorer in California, United States
Mar 2013 - Jan 2016
Jul 2014

37000 mi
Not shifting it to park occasionally. 
Ford Explorer in New York, United States
Dec 2011 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

4000 mi
The A-pillar trim piece was slightly faded when I took delivery of the car, so this service was scheduled to replace it at no charge. 
Ford Explorer in California, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2018
Dec 2011

2000 mi
Buzz sound in Right A pillar 
Feb 2012

4000 mi
Plastic A pillars and gaskets replaced per Ford TSB 
Mar 2012

5000 mi
Plastic A pillar on passenger side blew off going down the Freeway. Dealer replaced both plastic A pillars 
Oct 2012

12300 mi
MyFordTouch screen quit working. Dealer ordered and replaced the APIM an loaded the latest version 3.2.2 of MFT 
Ford Explorer in New York, United States
Aug 2011 - Jun 2015
Nov 2011

7000 mi
Door panel keypad shorted out, causing door locks to constantly lock / unlock until battery died. 
Jan 2012

11000 mi
Car would not start, error code "Ignition System Fault" on the console. Dealer said the security code in the key was throwing errors. Also said battery was throwing errors. Replaced key and battery. 
Mar 2012

15000 mi
SYNC system black screen on update. Couldn't reboot. 
Nov 2013

50700 mi
Battery stopped charging, had to be replaced. 
Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2012 - Jun 2022
Sep 2013

9920 mi
replaced leaking PTU seal for driveshaft 
Sep 2014

17360 mi
Replaced battery 
Feb 2018

49600 mi
replace both rear upper arm bushings 
Jun 2022

72540 mi

C $2500
spark plugs, pcv valve Brakes all around pads and rotors 
Ford Explorer in Colorado, United States
Dec 2012 - Jan 2017
Jan 2017

25000 mi

US $700
Cv boot cracked Pcv valve starting to fail 
Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States
Apr 2014 - Dec 2016
Dec 2015

67000 mi

US $350
Rear view camera became inoperable and had to be replaced. 
Ford Explorer in Texas, United States
Aug 2011 - Nov 2017
May 2012

9700 mi
Third row seat covering came loose 
Apr 2013

22300 mi
Warnings displayed regarding "service advancetrac." Nothing was done as dealer could not reproduce and said there was no sign of error stored in computer. 
Apr 2014

35500 mi
Replaced A pillar trim due to wind noise Fuel gauge was reading incorrect levels 
Jun 2017

71000 mi

US $390
Clunking noise at slow speeds; dealer replaced failed strut bearings. 
Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States
Sep 2014 - Dec 2016
Jun 2015

25000 mi
This is the second time that the seat belt buckles have broken. The buckle does not break but the plastic casing around the buckle falls off making it hard for the kids to buckle themselves. Ordered a part. 
Dec 2015

32000 mi
Battery died. Dealer replaced the battery under warranty. 

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2012 Ford Explorer Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 Ford Explorer problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.