Ford Explorer 2012

• Recall 251071 [USA]: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
  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.
  dealers will inspect and replace the a-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed february 16, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24s02.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Nhtsa.Gov.

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• Recall 187839 [USA]: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
  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.
  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.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Nhtsa.Gov.

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• Recall 156576 [USA]: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
  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.
  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.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 136055 [USA]: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
  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.
  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.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 109668 [USA]: 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.
  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.
  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.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 104367 [USA]: 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.
  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.
  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.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 100582 [USA]: The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
  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.
  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.
  owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 2021587 [Canada]: Suspension
  Issue: on certain vehicles that have had one (or both) of the rear wheel knuckle(s) replaced, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: this recall only affects vehicles equipped with a rear ball joint manufactured by zf. Safety risk: a loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective actions: ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect if it has had ball joints installed to replace the original bushings in the rear suspension. If so, the ball joints will be inspected. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle and toe link, as necessary.

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• Recall 2019280 [Canada]: Suspension
  Issue: on certain vehicles, the rear suspension toe link(s) could break. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: this problem is more likely to occur on vehicles that are driven on rough roads. Safety risk: a loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective actions: the company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to install improved rear suspension toe links.

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• Recall 2017577 [Canada]: Suspension
  On certain vehicles operated in alberta, saskatchewan and manitoba, soil properties unique to these areas could cause an accumulation of soil to occur at the attachment point of the rear suspension toe link. This could impede the toe link's travel, causing bending stresses and potential fracture. A fractured toe link would affect vehicle handling and could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: dealers will replace the toe links with revised parts. Note: this is an expansion of recall 2017-224.

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• Recall 2015127 [Canada]: Structure
  On certain vehicles, the return spring within the interior door handle assembly could become unseated, resulting in an interior handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation. This could allow a door to unlatch during a side impact crash, which could increase the risk of injury to a seat occupant. Correction: dealers will inspect, and repair or replace the interior handles as necessary.

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• Recall 2014194 [Canada]: Steering
  On certain vehicles, a fault in the electric power steering (eps) system could result in an immediate loss of power steering assist without warning to the driver. This would unexpectedly increase the steering effort force necessary to steer the vehicle at lower vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: dealers will affect repairs as necessary and will reprogram the eps controller with updated software. In the event that an eps fault occurs, this updated software would allow for continued eps function while displaying visual and audible warnings to the driver until the end of the drive cycle.

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• Recall 2014002 [Canada]: Steering
  A safety defect may exist in certain service parts installed after september 1st, 2013. Replacement steering gear assemblies could contain a defect potentially resulting in steering lockup and an inability to steer the vehicle. This would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: owners of affected vehicles will be notified based on warranty and dealer service records and affected parts will be replaced.

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• Recall 2012325 [Canada]: Accessories
  Certain vehicles fail to conform to canada motor vehicle safety standards. Specifically, the compliance label identifies the vehicle type as "tru/cam" instead of "mpv/vtum". Correction: due to the inconsequential nature of this non-compliance, no action will be taken.

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To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Windshield trim molding item detachment investigation # PE23001

  On january 27, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-001 to investigate allegations of a-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (my) 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) reporting this failure. Odi has received 671 voqs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the nhtsa. In its april 17, 2023 response to odi’s information request, ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to a-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic a-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The a-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On january 19, 2024, ford filed safety recall 24v-031 for my 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the part 573 safety recall report, ford identified that a detached a-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing a-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy a-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by ford, odi is closing this preliminary evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the closing resume odi report identification number document, go to nhtsa.Gov.
  

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• Windshield trim panel detachment investigation # PE23001

  The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 164 complaints on model year 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles alleging a windshield trim panel on the vehicle detached while driving at highway speeds. Some of the complaints reported that the driver of the vehicle following behind the subject ford vehicle allegedly was startled when the trim piece hit the windshield and momentarily lost control of the vehicle. Odi has opened a preliminary evaluation to assess the scope, frequency and consequence of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.The odi reports cited below can be viewed on nhtsa.Gov using the following reference numbers: 11497490, 11497214, 11496748, 11491809, 11490115, 11489184, 11486700, 11484465, 11484398, 11484160, 11482519, 11481000, 11479067, 11477314, 11476845, 11475721, 11474698, 11473341, 11473217, 11472207, 11471332, 11470414, 11468081, 11466173, 11464915, 11464179, 11463960, 11460668, 11460232, 11460068, 11459992, 11458199, 11457562, 11456681, 11455330, 11454504, 11452932, 11451873, 11446450, 11444063, 11442217, 11440387, 11436890, 11436709, 11435595, 11435182, 11432613, 11431606, 11431197, 11430627, 11430136, 11429918, 11426503, 11426389, 11426027, 11423661, 11423503, 11421226, 11420502, 11418701, 11418475, 11418090, 11416003, 11414142, 11407271, 11406865, 11406852, 11404915, 11400160, 11399448, 11365466, 11363716, 11362448, 11360235, 11352540, 11350327, 11350264, 11344084, 11338484, 11329017, 11328028, 11282607, 11282459, 11280305, 11253721, 11253267, 11242744, 11241798, 11241043, 11232621, 11229349, 11219639, 11216925, 11197379, 11195976, 11195911, 11195908, 11181370, 11174309, 11170513, 11166085, 11162886, 11162158, 11156014, 11155936, 11155160, 11145368, 11142772, 11139583, 11133449, 11132891, 11122363, 11119670, 11119555, 11113583, 11113576, 11110598, 11102660, 11101206, 11092064, 11091284, 11075250, 11072017, 11065705, 11061001, 11047363, 11047098, 11042881, 11041156, 11030193, 11025183, 11025018, 11022474, 11021648, 11021020, 11016390, 11015341, 11013502, 11013423, 11013308, 11012662, 11011352, 11003482, 11001605, 11000407, 11000185, 11000023, 10993756, 10992897, 10991964, 10985877, 10985070, 10983460, 10978831, 10978604, 10968299, 10968209, 10966454, 10958548, 10934505, 10918132, 10916740, 10916252 and 10915996.
  

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• Ford explorer exhaust odor investigation # EA17002

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Exhaust odor in passenger cab investigation # EA17002

  During the ea17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of model year 2011 to 2017 ford explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxide (co) entering the occupant compartment was examined and independent tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the final field service actions (fsa) for both consumer and police vehicles were conducted. As part of the investigation, the agency also examined the effects of cracked exhaust mani-cats on the measured co levels in the vehicles and tested the fsa repairs to ensure they did not adversely impact occupant compartment co levels due to cracked mani-cats.The investigation identified upfitting issues for police interceptor vehicles. Upfitting (sirens, lights, cages, auxiliary power, etc.) is typically performed by governmental fleet operations, independent repair facilities, or local ford dealers after the sale of the new vehicle. Sealing issues caused by upfitting were responsible for the highest measured carbon monoxide levels in tested vehicles. The police fsa instructs how to inspect the quality of the vehicle upfits and how to properly seal any leaks caused by these upfits, at no cost to the police agency. Similarly, the highest co levels measured in consumer vehicles were usually traced to sealing issues caused by rear crash damage where the repairs did not ensure sealing integrity. The most recent ford fsa procedure for both the police (17b25) and consumer vehicles (17n03) includes an hvac reprogramming operation. Tests by ford and nhtsa have demonstrated a substantial reduction of co levels due solely to the hvac reprogramming. Other fsa repairs also demonstrated measurable contributions to co level reductions during controlled tests.Throughout the investigation, vehicles accurately measured with higher levels of carbon monoxide were almost always affected by upfitter alterations, damage, or other causes compromising rear passenger cabin seals.Nhtsa received thousands of reports alleging odors which triggered a variety of physiological responses, predominately nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness. Nhtsa focused the investigation on accurately measuring vehicle co levels, and accurately measuring carboxyhemoglobin (cohb) levels from properly administered blood tests. Using rigorous test methods to produce exhaust gas intrusion in vehicles with a properly performed fsa, occupant compartment co levels remained below current environmental limits for co in any environment (epa ambient air quality standards). Furthermore, even without fsa repairs, no vehicles unaffected by upfitter issues or prior crash damage were identified with co levels that exceed accepted occupational co exposure levels. This investigation finds that the 2011-2017 ford explorer vehicles when accurately measured produce occupant compartment co levels which fall below current accepted health standards, and could not identify cohb levels for vehicle drivers or other occupants, which exceeded thresholds for acute physiological effects. Therefore, the agency has not identified a defect that represents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.This inve
  

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• Ford explorer exhaust odor investigation # EA17002

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Electric power steering failure investigation # PE12017

  There is no summary currently available
  

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Ford sync screen goes black and stays black. You cannot control rear air such as heat and or a/c. With this in mind and someone having small children that ride in the back and live in an area that sees 90 to 104 degree temperature well i am sure you can guess how hot the car is inside for them. I have been told by dealerships this is a common problem with this year of ford so why is their not a recall for this yet as children and pets are suffering and risking heat stroke due to this issue.

When filling up the fuel starts dripping in the bottom behind the rear wheel even though the tanks is not full yet.

Abs trac light came on while driving car was taken to the dealership twice to fix the problem but ford wasn't able to find the problem. I know there is a problem with the ford focus abs module due to recalls and i think on the ford explore but ford isn't saying anything about this problem with the abs module.

Vehicle feels like loses control, briefly and warning lights coming on. Had noticed intermittent, but was heading back from vacation and warning lights stayed on. Drove cautiously back on back roads, avoiding highway and took to local ford dealership and it was determined that the past steering recall repair has failed (15n01). The fix is warranteed so they ordered parts needed to fix problem. Unfortunately the vehicle has been out of use due to serious safety concern as advised by dealership as well as ford, but part has no eta on when available. I have been without a vehicle for over a month. Dealership was aware i reached out to ford and also contacted representative at ford i had contacted. Claim was filed, but to this day we still have no eta on the fix and i am without use of this vehicle and they won't do anything in the interim to rectify the concern. I have a claim with ford with a yeniss frias case no. Cas-31788394-f9k2y9  - 1-866-631-3788 extension #:79,088 and myself and kyle at kimber creek ford 1-218-818-4419 have reached out and we have no answers and i have no driveable vehicle and no info on when if ever i will. This is beyond poor customer service on ford's behalf to rectify a dangerous problem and to tell a customer sorry we don't know when and the customer has nothing safe to drive in the interim and they won't help with that either, is very poor and may cause others if in similar situation to just take the risk and drive the defective vehicle as people need their transportation and to offer no timeline. I was told when asked about loaner or rental by ford, i didn't qualify as i didn't have a warranty, despite the recall fix being warranteed. They told me basically sorry, these are unusual times so doing their best. But yet as i noted, i get unusual times, but then maybe some things like helping someone have a safe vehicle to use in the interim should be reconsidered. The consumer stated there is no communication with ford and an inability to drive the vehicle due to the defect.

Just purchased this car, decided to look up any recalls and found 1 pertaining to the toe links. Looking throughly at the vehicle there are a lot of major defects. This is going to be a daily driver for my daughter and i and i truly don't feel safe as i'm reading all the reviews and recalls. The only thing i can mention at this moment about this car would be the back washer fluid leaks into the cabin, the hood of the car does not shut correctly-handle for this area is loose. The state of this car is unknown.

Just purchased this car, decided to look up any recalls and found 1 pertaining to the toe links. Looking throughly at the vehicle there are a lot of major defects. This is going to be a daily driver for my daughter and i and i truly don't feel safe as i'm reading all the reviews and recalls. The only thing i can mention at this moment about this car would be the back washer fluid leaks into the cabin, the hood of the car does not shut correctly-handle for this area is loose. The state of this car is unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle loss power steering assist without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be driven with manual steering only. Roundtree ford (8770 business park dr, shreveport, la 71105, (318)798-3673) was contacted and informed the contact that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was then informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that upon the starting of the vehicle, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The power steering assist fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact called lorenzo ford (30725 south federal highway, homestead, fl 33030) where they informed her to bring the vehicle in for an inspection. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that upon the starting of the vehicle, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The power steering assist fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact called lorenzo ford (30725 south federal highway, homestead, fl 33030) where they informed her to bring the vehicle in for an inspection. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Common OBD-II Error Codes

• P161A [1] P161A
• P0236 [1] Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
• P0106 [1] Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance Problem
• P144C [1] P144C
• B1212 [1] EIC Switch-2 Assembly Circuit Short To Ground
• B1213 [1] Anti-Theft Number of Programmed Keys Is Below Minimum
• U2011 [2] Module Transmitted Invalid Data (Non SCP)