2012 Ford Explorer: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Steering · 197,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making turns, the steering wheel made loud grinding sounds and was loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2022 · Wheels · NY

Rear Hub assembly’s making loud grinding noise. This should be a Warranty Recall similar to the federal safety agency 17E048000. Please advise.

Filed Oct 5, 2021 · Steering · 130,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle pulling into a parking spot and adjusting the wheels on the vehicle the contact heard a loud grinding scraping noise while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2021 · Transmission · PA

I was driving with my child in the car when u hear a loud noise. After that i heard grinding. So when i got home we put the car on jack stands. There seemed to be no problems. The next day i took the car to a shop and was called to come back down. The mechanic showed us that the transfer case blew a part and cracked the transmission. Not one warning lights or service engine light came on. Had the drive shaft fell out as a result it could have killed me and my child.

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Wheels · FL

purchased my ford from duval ford jax fl. heard a grinding noise. probably brakes. but cannot remove tires to check brake pads. swollen lug nuts. nothing will fit the nuts to remove the tire.

Filed Nov 12, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 120,000 miles · MO

07/25- had recall ordered- toe link on both sides, rear. Performed at harrisonburg ford, va. ; 09/04 driving on route 33 in va, mountain road. Heard grinding noise coming down mountain, noise steadily increased and began to feel like a loss of control. Slowed down and a mile from shop the noise stopped. Went to rice tire in va and had it checked. The bolt holding toe link on right side had dislodged nearly completely. Had it replaced and told to go to ford to re torque both sides.; 09/05 went to ford. Was informed that mechanic had hand torqued the bolts, essentially misread instructions. Manager actually stated that they were going to have to call many other customers to re torque their toe links correctly as well. I asked for alignment as well, because this problem would surely affect balance and alignment, this was performed as well. They billed it to recall warranty dept.; 11/6 driving on 25 in colorado springs 65 MPH, traffic stops and as I break heavily I lose control and vehicle hops a lane. No accident.; 11/07 take vehicle to ford to check toe links, was told both nuts were loose, left and right, the knuckle on one side has snapped the brakes are bad, rotors and back 2 tires are bad..I specifically asked , says that this is all related. The front brakes are worn as well, clearly from compensation of driving with bad toe links. I was told specifically yes this is all related. Ford recall manufacturer refusing to cover toe links as well as all associated damage, totaling over $3k. I have never had any issues with vehicle and perform regular maint on tires brakes and rotars, etc. And within 3 months of recall I have had 2 life threatening incidents and complete ruination of my vehicle safety, and alot of damage incurred. Receipt of recall on 11/25 stating everything related is green. No way this damage is not associated to "new, safer" toe links.

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · Steering · 108,107 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the steering wheel made an abnormal grinding noise when turned. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the VIN was included in an unknown recall. The vehicle was then taken to gosch ford of temecula (26895 ynez rd, temecula, ca 92591, (951) 708-9148) where it was diagnosed that a new power steering rack needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall repair could not be performed because the VIN did not match the vehicle. The failure mileage was 108,107.

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Steering · 106,000 miles · IN

Sudden grinding in the steering wheel. Suspect it is related to a prematurely failing steering gear box. Occurred while vehicle was stationary

Filed Jan 22, 2018 · Electrical, Suspension · 74,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 7 MPH, a grinding metal sound was heard and the vehicle stopped. The contact shut off the vehicle and restarted it, but it would not engage into gear. The contact had the vehicle towed to his personal auto mechanic and was informed that the passenger side axle mount fractured. The technician replaced the passenger side axle mount. While test driving the vehicle after the repair, the contact noticed that the instrument panel lighting, including the wrench icon, the service advance track indicator, and the cross traffic system fault indicator illuminated. The mechanic stated that the vehicle would have to be taken to the dealer to be reprogrammed so the instrument panel lighting would dim. The contact took the vehicle to helfman ford (12220 southwest fwy, stafford, tx 77477) to be reprogrammed. There were no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2017 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · FL

While driving the vehicle started to make a grinding noise coming from the front area. Pull over and tow to dealer . The transmission pto had a internal failure. The car only has 51k miles normal driving. I search on the internet and found that ford had several issues with this part breaking in low time. This could be a safety hazard.

Filed Nov 9, 2015 · Acceleration · 36,666 miles · MD

On 6/29/15 while driving to work at about 40 MPH the awd off light came on with a wrench on my 2012 ford explorer, the vehicle suddenly decreased in speed to less than 5 MPH. Pulled over turned the vehicle off & then turned back on. Computer seemed to reset itself. Took vehicle to ford & said they could not replicate the problem. Then again tonight (11/9/15) on my way home from work, again going about 40 MPH, the awd off light with the wrench came on again. Speed immediately dropped to less than 5 MPH & vehicle made grinding noises. Pulled over, turned the vehicle off & turned back on. Computer reset itself again & immediately drove it to ford. The only message they could find was a code for loss of communication to bcm. Was told there was nothing they could do and if it happened again to leave the vehicle running, call roadside assistance & have them tow it in while still running. I live in a rural area that does not have many places to pull over when your vehicle breaks down and I do not understand why the computer systems memory does not track these messages. I guess it will take a fatality before ford rectifies the problem.

Filed Aug 31, 2015 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · ME · fire

The left rear wheel began making a loud squealing sound (break pads) and when vehicle was at a complete stop, a large cloud of smoke was radiating off of the left rear wheel. The wheel was removed and the brake pads were stuck against the rotor. The brake pads are fairly new (replaced in february 2015). The caliper was removed and a retaining bolt was broken off/stuck inside of the caliper mount. The piston was pushed all the way inside of the caliper and would not extend out. The caliper was leaking brake fluid. The caliper could not be set back in place due to the faulty retaining bolt.