Skip to content
Exterior lightingPart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202555%
202322%
202252%
202182%
2020564%
201841%
2017121%
201660%
2015171%
2014251%
2013251%
201261%
201161%
201022%
2008128%
200731%
200610%
200551%
200471%
200361%
2002191%
200192%
2000263%
1999463%
1998382%
1997201%
1996151%
1995162%
199491%
199371%
199230%
199161%

Other parts of the 2012 Ford Explorer

Steering
360 complaints
Body and structure
144 complaints
Other or unknown
108 complaints
Engine
79 complaints
Electrical system
64 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
55 complaints
Fuel system
34 complaints
Air bags
27 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Brakes
21 complaints
Electronic 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