Car · Ford recalls

2012 Ford Explorer recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Explorer, filed between January 6, 2014 and January 19, 2024. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.

Check my VIN for open recalls

Campaign	Filed	Part
24V031000	January 19, 2024	Structure: roof and pillars
21V746000	September 22, 2021	Suspension: rear
19V435000	June 10, 2019	Suspension: rear
17E048000	August 28, 2017	Wheels: hub
15V171000	March 24, 2015	Structure: door
14V286000	May 29, 2014	Steering: electric power assist system
14E001000	January 6, 2014	Steering

Structure: roof and pillars (24V031000)

Filed January 19, 2024

What is wrong. 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.

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

The fix. 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.

Suspension: rear (21V746000)

Filed September 22, 2021

What is wrong. 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.

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

The fix. 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.

Suspension: rear (19V435000)

Filed June 10, 2019

What is wrong. 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.

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

The fix. 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.

Wheels: hub (17E048000)

Filed August 28, 2017

What is wrong. 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.

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

The fix. 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.

Structure: door (15V171000)

Filed March 24, 2015

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. 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.

The fix. 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.

Steering: electric power assist system (14V286000)

Filed May 29, 2014

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. 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.

The fix. 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.

Steering (14E001000)

Filed January 6, 2014

What is wrong. 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.

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

The fix. 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.

Check that your car is on the list

Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2012 Ford Explorer may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.

How to confirm the repair is free

Call any authorized Ford dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.

If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Ford may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Ford customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.

Other model years of the Explorer

More: all Ford recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.

2012 Ford Explorer recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Explorer. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.

Is a recall repair on a 2012 Ford Explorer free?

Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Ford dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.

How do I know if my 2012 Ford Explorer was already fixed?

Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.

Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.