2012 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 13, 2025MAElectrical System

   Hello I’m a concerned citizen and I have a question about the Ford recall on the back up cameras, I have 2012 Explorer and my camera has been acting up for a while the same way that ford has mentioned, so I was wondering why isn’t the Explorer not included in this recall.

   NHTSA complaint #11687098 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2025111,000 miWIElectrical System

   The contact's wife owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, on at least three occasions, the steering wheel became very stiff. The contact's wife was not able to turn the steering wheel, so the vehicle was stopped and restarted each time. The contact stated that an unknown message was displayed, and the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: U3000 was retrieved, and the tech was…

   NHTSA complaint #11685900 · source
3. Filed Jun 26, 2025NCElectrical System

   My vehicles power steering alert came on suddenly while driving home. My cars steering wheel completely locked up while I had my children in my vehicle. It was very scary knowing we could have been in a wreck due to this issue. It’s. Not under recall but under the customer satisfaction program but I do not have funds to cover this. No dealership near me is able to tow and a tow would be a lot for me. I had a family friend tow us when my steering went out in town but was…

   NHTSA complaint #11669422 · source
4. Filed May 30, 2025FLElectrical System

   Sometimes putting it in reverse the rear camera doesn’t come on. Have to wait sometimes a minute before camera will come on. It doesn’t happen all the time. I read that ford is having problems and has a recall on some vehicles but my year doesn’t show up.

   NHTSA complaint #11663875 · source
5. Filed May 2, 2025KSElectrical System

   Back-up camera will display images backward and poses a collision hazard as driver won’t know which direction cars or pedestrians are coming from.

   NHTSA complaint #11658351 · source
6. Filed Jan 31, 2025PAElectrical SystemSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving 70 MPH in the passing lane, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated while the driver was decelerating, the vehicle started shuddering significantly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising of a power steering failure and to service the vehicle immediately was displayed. The tail lights and the hazard lights became inoperable. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11639862 · source
7. Filed Dec 18, 2024ORElectrical System

   There is a recall on the trim. There are no replacement parts and now there is a tiny leak, The leak is hitting the center console. I have to have a plastic bag over it at all times. it at one point leaked into the hazards lights and I woke up multiple days in a row to find my hazards on and then I had to manually dry it and eventually they'd go back on . Other buttons on the display have stopped working. The fan for the heater will not turn off at all ever.

   NHTSA complaint #11631519 · source
8. Filed Jun 27, 202490,000 miPADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after receiving a map update on the main control panel, the display screen immediately blacked out. The contact stated that when updating the ATI system map, the main control panel screen completely blacked out. The contact was unable to use any of the electrical systems including the Back Over Prevention camera. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was diagnosed that the ATI system had failed due to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11597241 · source
9. Filed Nov 22, 2023CAElectrical SystemSteering

   We were driving along when all of a sudden power steering completely went out and then warning lights came on for first time. There was no warning until already happened. We were in middle of traffic and almost impossible to get to side of road. Almost got slammed by other vehicle trying to get to side of road.Had to tow car to shop and found out electric power steering component failed and have to replace rack and pinion for thousands of dollars. There was a recall for this…

   NHTSA complaint #11556479 · source
10. Filed Jul 22, 2023SCElectrical System

    The part that is needed for the suv to work called the body module chip is not made by Ford anymore and I am still paying on this vehicle

    NHTSA complaint #11533777 · source
11. Filed Feb 9, 2023TNElectrical SystemSteering

    While I was driving the service advance trac light came on as well I stopped the car turned the key off went to leave and another light popped up in red saying service power steering now. There was a csp called the epas efforts on my vehicle and Ford dealer said it had been fixed in 2014 but I didn’t own the car so I’m not sure if it was

    NHTSA complaint #11506339 · source
12. Filed Feb 8, 2023151,000 miMIElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the warning indicator lights illuminated. The service power steering, traction control, anti-lock brakes became inoperable. The turn signal handle failed to remain down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who cleared the codes. The contact called the local dealer who referred her to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer…

    NHTSA complaint #11506189 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology