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NHTSA model-year recall report

2012 Ford Explorer Recalls

7 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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7

NHTSA campaigns

6

Affected systems

0

Urgent advisories

Jan 19, 2024

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is below the Ford Explorer average of 10.6 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Suspension › Rear, appearing in 2 campaigns.

  1. 1

    Read

    Review every campaign and urgent instruction below.

  2. 2

    Verify

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  3. 3

    Repair

    Contact an authorized dealer if a campaign applies.

Source campaign records

All 2012 Ford Explorer recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 24V031000

Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported Jan 19, 2024

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 21V746000

Suspension › Rear

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported Sep 22, 2021

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 19V435000

Suspension › Rear

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported Jun 10, 2019

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 17E048000

Wheels › Hub

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported Aug 28, 2017

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 15V171000

Structure › Body › Door

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported Mar 24, 2015

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 14V286000

Steering › Electric Power Assist System

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported May 29, 2014

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 14E001000

Steering

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Reported Jan 6, 2014

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Ford Explorer model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

202519 campaigns202410 campaigns202315 campaigns202224 campaigns202126 campaigns202033 campaigns20196 campaigns20187 campaigns201714 campaigns201615 campaigns
View all model years

Other 2012 Ford recall reports

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2012 Ford Explorer recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?

This verified dataset contains 7 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2012 Ford Explorer. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2012 Ford Explorer?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology