2012 Ford Explorer Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 2%of 830 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 830 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had a sync black screen the central processing unit and apim was no good so I had no control of anything like the heat defrost or anything that controlled with the touch screen including the rear camera and sensors to the car and from what I read that is a known problem with that car of that year.”
NHTSA complaint #11208145, filed 2019-05, 61,000 miles“Power steering assist fault, my steering was intermittent but now its completely gone. I can not steer my car. It was stationary , it happened as soon as I started my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11343368, filed 2020-08, 95,657 miles“On friday april 18, 2014 my wife an I prestarted the car to go to dinner, after only 2 minutes the car shut of. Upon review of the issue the low oil pressure light came on, the stability control light came on, as well as he service engine soon light. The mileage at the incident was approx 45,500 but the complaint says 44,000 because this is the second time it has done this, and the first time for the stability control light to illuminate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583656, filed 2014-04, 44,000 miles“Purchase vehicle 2 21 2019 and the two engine lights warning lights breaking decelerates which is very dangerous driving on the highways. Service light tracking light stays on and the vehicle does all this on it's on. I have contacted by chat the Ford corporation about this serious issue with this make and model. I was told their was no service bulletin so they could not help me. They refuse to address the dangerous matter this make and model has very dangerousand the lights are still on. Also with the engine lights staying on all the time the cruise control does not work.”
NHTSA complaint #11231174, filed 2019-07, 94,000 miles“I have a 2012 Ford Explorer that was included in the safety recall 14s06. The pscm was reprogrammed prior to me purchasing the vehicle. Associated to recall 14s06 is the extended coverage program 15n01, which is to remain open on the vehicles that were recalled in the event that any loss of steering assist DTCS are present. My Explorer has a complete loss of power steering and the dealer has noted that my entire steering gear assembly must be replaced. Ford refuses to acknowledge extended coverage 15n01. This coverage is supposed to last for 10 years and 150,000 miles. I am at 144,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11254847, filed 2019-09, 144,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 18 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 14 | 1% |
| 2013 | 45 | 2% |
| 2012 | 19 | 2% |
| 2011 | 28 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 3 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 0% |
| 2002 | 3 | 0% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Explorer
360 complaintsBody and structure
144 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsEngine
79 complaintsElectrical system
64 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology