2012 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 360about this part
- Share
- 43%of 830 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,328miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 360 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 43% of the 830 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,328 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power steering assist failure is coming on and the steering wheel completely locks. In researching this- several other Ford explorers have been recalled due to this. This is a very serious concern - luckily this happened to me while in my driveway- I can not imagine what the outcome would be if I were on the road running 50 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11386000, filed 2021-01, 111,000 miles“As I was pulling out of a parking lot onto a city street the power steering alert came on and I lost power steering. The car was very difficult to steer and I barely managed to stay on the road. Turning was the difficult part. I parked the car and shut off the engine. When I started the car again the power steering had returned.”
NHTSA complaint #11404948, filed 2021-03, 88,000 miles“Started my 2022 Ford explora , and as I started to back out of my parking space I noticed I could not steer with the steering wheel , the steering froze on me . I attempted to start the vehicle once more and I found my self in the same situation with my steering frozen . I traveled over 78 miles with no steering capability.”
NHTSA complaint #11320158, filed 2020-04, 106,000 miles“Steering system failure appeared in my car and I could no longer move the steering as it got too hard for no reason, I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if I had driven on the highway with my family I think it is the defect of the Ford for which Ford should be responsible for solving this problem to prevent crashes”
NHTSA complaint #11283144, filed 2019-12, 10 miles“The power steering, four wheel drive, and traction control completely stopped working even after I had it towed to the dealership some months back to fix this problem! Also,the myford touch goes black and will not work for weeks. When the power steering quit I was on a paved side road near my home.”
NHTSA complaint #11386199, filed 2021-01, 168,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V286000May 29, 2014Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected…Covers: Ford Explorer 2011–2013
Related service bulletins
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% |
| 2015 | 347 | 19% |
| 2014 | 500 | 30% |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 2% |
| 1992 | 25 | 4% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Explorer
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 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 27, 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