2012 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 7%of 830 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,740miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 830 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,740 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Experiencing hard shifts with a thud. Happens when the vehicle is slowing down then when I accelerat there is a delay then a thud when it finally shodts into gear. Apparently I'm not the inly one from what ive heard. I wish Ford would fix this issue. I have taken it to garage but they were unable to determine the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11208914, filed 2019-05, 75,000 miles“November 13, 2015 carolina, puerto rico I'm driving normally then a wrench light pops up on the dash & says see service manual . I then immediately without warning loose all control to my gas pedal & the engine shakes at an idle. I am forced to pull over. We return home less 10 mile per hour, then turn the car off. Once I turn it back on it warnings 0 in some way & runs normally.”
NHTSA complaint #10790132, filed 2015-11, 2 miles“Repeated issue with malfunctioning TCM. Went into default mode while driving on state highway. Repairs made but have since taken vehicle in again for same service issue and is scheduled for a third repair. I know the 2012 focus, fiesta and expedition have class action suits due to TCM. Dealer has twice told me vehicle is safe to drive in it's current state since service and check engine lights are not flashing in default mode.”
NHTSA complaint #10864017, filed 2016-05, 52,000 miles“I was driving on the highway with the speed of 60 miles per hour and suddenly the wrench icon shows on the left hand side of my steering wheel and my car speed is slowing down. I tried to push my accelerator harder but it will not pick up speed, so I pull off the road and turn off my engine. After a few minutes, I started my car and it starts and drove home with a low speed and made an appointment to coggins Ford in jacksonville,fl.05/14/2018. I will follow up on the result.”
NHTSA complaint #11093488, filed 2018-05, 46,702 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10095858Feb 27, 2017Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a…
- 10075273Mar 15, 20166F35 TRANSMISSION - FLUID LEAK AT LEFT SIDE HALFSHAFT SEAL BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/14/2013 ISSUE Some 2009-2014 Escape, 2009-2011 Mariner, 2010-2014 Fusion, 2010-2011 Milan…
- 10204979Oct 20, 20152.0 GTDI/2.3L - Front wheel drive - Bibration and/or grinding/banging/clicking noise
- 10205008Oct 14, 20136F35 Transmission - Fluid leak at left side halfshaft seal - built on or before 10/14/2013
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 502 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Explorer
360 complaintsBody and structure
144 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsEngine
79 complaintsElectrical system
64 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 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