2012 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 830 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 152,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 830 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 152,600 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hazard lights and other surrounding indicator systems were inoperable. Additionally, the rearview camera displayed a blank image while reversing. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 208,974.”
NHTSA complaint #11734667, filed 2026-04, 208,974 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact pressed the hazard warning light icon on the display screen to pull over, but the hazard warning lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that an unknown unit in the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11674555, filed 2025-07, 87,000 miles“Hazard Light switch is not functional. Hazard lights that are inoperable causes high risk for vehicle occupants and others on the road when traffic flow is altered. The issue has been reproduced by the dealer and another repair shop. The main symptom is the ability to not turn on the hazard lights. The issue first appeared Nov 2021”
NHTSA complaint #11463723, filed 2022-05“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the power steering fault, the turn signal, advance-trac alert, and power train warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the control modules were inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 237,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11664869, filed 2025-06, 237,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058110Sep 19, 2014Ford/lincoln: the ambient lighting on lincoln (mylincoln touch) vehicles will default to white and on ford (myford touch) vehicles will default to ice blue after the ignition…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
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 complaintsElectronic stability control
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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