2012 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 2%of 830 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the seat belts of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 830 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,400 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.
“My 2012 Ford Explorer leaks from the 3rd row seatbelt. It has ruined the carpet in the back and molded it. It also filled up the spare tire area with water and rusted the rim of the spare tire and the inside where the tire sits. I did not notice this until many months after I bought it because I wasn't using the 3rd row at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #11234793, filed 2019-07, 37,000 miles“Transmission shifts out of gear, from drive into neutral or stalls out. Safety hazard while driving. 6f35 transmission. Dealer(s) refuse to acknowledge issue or repair despite customer complaint and transmission fault code. Vehicle stalls while at all speeds on highway, city streets, or while in intersections. Too dangerous to drive”
NHTSA complaint #10887931, filed 2016-07, 38,000 miles“Water leaks in through the third row seat belt tensioner. Water runs down the seat belt and pools on the floor. This happens when the vehicle is stationary or moving. Water in the seat belt assembly is a safety risk. I reported it to Ford, they declined to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #11207185, filed 2019-05, 66,000 miles“Front passenger seat pretensioner has failed causing the airbag light to come on. A technical service bulletin has been created on Ford's end blaming the connect. See TSB 12-5-11. It tells the mechanic to inject dielectric grease as a fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11142427, filed 2018-10, 69,000 miles“Water leaks inside the cabin every time it rains or car gets washed. Water drips down from top through rear seatbelt retractors near rear hatch/door and streams down seat belts and then puddles under third row seat and spare tire well. Leaks anytime no matter if parked or in motion. Seatbelts and seat bolts/hinges are starting to rust. Wires near 12v cigarette lighter and tail lights also get wet. 2012 Ford Explorer xlt (no sunroof/moonroof).”
NHTSA complaint #10818818, filed 2016-01, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109079Sep 30, 2016Some vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use. This…
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 23 | 1% |
| 2016 | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 | 38 | 2% |
| 2014 | 28 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 34 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 2% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 54 | 3% |
| 1996 | 78 | 5% |
| 1995 | 59 | 7% |
| 1994 | 13 | 1% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 24 | 4% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
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 30, 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