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2012 Ford Explorer electrical complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 65, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2012 Ford Explorer electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Body, Electrical · MI

See attached document for complaint

Filed Jun 27, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 90,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after receiving a map update on the main control panel, the display screen immediately blacked out. The contact stated that when updating the ATI system map, the main control panel screen completely blacked out. The contact was unable to use any of the electrical systems including the Back Over Prevention camera. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was diagnosed that the ATI system had failed due to the map update. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · CA

We were driving along when all of a sudden power steering completely went out and then warning lights came on for first time. There was no warning until already happened. We were in middle of traffic and almost impossible to get to side of road. Almost got slammed by other vehicle trying to get to side of road.Had to tow car to shop and found out electric power steering component failed and have to replace rack and pinion for thousands of dollars. There was a recall for this problem but we were never notified.

Filed Jul 22, 2023 · Electrical · SC

The part that is needed for the suv to work called the body module chip is not made by Ford anymore and I am still paying on this vehicle

Filed Feb 9, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · TN

While I was driving the service advance trac light came on as well I stopped the car turned the key off went to leave and another light popped up in red saying service power steering now. There was a csp called the epas efforts on my vehicle and Ford dealer said it had been fixed in 2014 but I didn’t own the car so I’m not sure if it was

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Electrical · 151,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the warning indicator lights illuminated. The service power steering, traction control, anti-lock brakes became inoperable. The turn signal handle failed to remain down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who cleared the codes. The contact called the local dealer who referred her to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who informed her she failed to meet the requirements for the customer satisfaction program and referred her to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000 The consumer stated the local mechanic completed the job and the power steering, traction control, anti lock brakes, and turn signal have been working properly ever since..

Filed Nov 28, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · TX

While driving down the middle of a busy interstate suddenly the power steering was lost and a power steering assist warning appeared. Vehicle was almost impossible to control with no steering. After making it off the roadway and into a local business and turning the car off, when I turned it back on the warning was gone and the steering worked normally. This is definitely a life threatening failure and it happens without warning.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX · 1 injury

The truck has been in shop 5 times or actually 5 different dealerships. The recall has yet to be fixed but I continually pay to have the problem INVESTIGATED. The dash flashes loss of fuel pressure, service advance track soon, Battery level and mechanic wrench . I have this on video as it is constant occurrence. Each time ford takes it in they can't make the issue happen or recreate it. As told several times happens sporadic and not under any certain conditions. Over and over paying diagnostic fee and what they say will repair the issue only it happens pulling off the lot at 5 star ford Dallas Texas took it in under default to Bob Tomas Mckinney where they scanned it and found 17 communication errors left it there nothing was done but more exploration of issues going down the list of com failures and paying for each 3 anyway and it did it again leaving me stranded 3 times to count eventually leaving at Don Davis Ford Arlington Texas where it was again said repaired and is currently at Planet Ford Dallas where historically I paid $2850 and NOTHING was done as it again left me stranded and towed there where it can sit until it's fixed meaning this loss of horsepower the electric flashes and the gears in transmission ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS PER REQUESTED EACH TIME IN SERVICE

Filed Jun 4, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · SC

Service AdvanceTrac Warning light illuminated, power steering fail...second time this happened around the same time last year. Also, right and left turn signals do not stay on while turning.

Filed Jun 29, 2021 · Electrical · CA

ABS Trac light came on while driving Car was taken to the dealership twice to fix the problem but Ford wasn't able to find the problem. I know there is a problem with the Ford Focus ABS Module due to recalls and I think on the Ford Explore but Ford isn't saying anything about this problem with the ABS module.

Filed Jul 1, 2020 · Body, Electrical · GA

Water is leaking from the roof that causes electrical issues. Bad design by ford in which seal seams not properly installed, which cause leaks inside vehicle.

Filed May 13, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · OH · crash · fire

My truck burst into flames 🔥 and burn to the ground while parked in the drive way.

Filed Jan 11, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 500 miles · TX

When engine is started, the airbag lights go off but come back on and stays on. This started a month ago and the warning light still switches on when the car is started

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 126,499 miles · MS

Power steering default activates which cause you to use extreme force to navigate the wheel and there is a popping noise in front of vehicle. All while driving and sitting still.

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · MI

Lost communication with the climate control system. The windows lock up, and the car blows constant heat through defrost. No hazards can be used as the entire control panel is out. Very unsafe without hazards, let alone full blown heat when its already . 105 outside with the heat index.

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Electrical · 118,875 miles · OH

The control panel that shows the rear backing and then switches to controlling temperature, radio, seats, etc has failed. There is no backing assist or any controls for interior functions. The feature stopped when in motion and hasn't come back on since.

Filed Jan 29, 2019 · Electrical · FL

The car has water leaks, I started having problems with electrical function and fear of fire or contact in my car .

Filed Dec 28, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 90,000 miles · CA

This is a safety issue - air bags could malfunction at anytime due to miscommunication within the system. Air bags can deploy at anytime or can fail to deploy when necessary. Air bag light turns on and stays on. According to ford dealer this is a known issue but has not yet been recalled. Seat belt buckle replaced, air bag diagnostic module replaced, program control module air bag reprogramed. Light continues to turn on. Has a wire harness issue l/f door module SRS - wiring loom needs to be replaced.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 1 miles · NJ

Power steering fault. The power steering just stopped work while I was driving with now warming until it was completely inoperable. I nearly crashed it to an on coming car in the parking lot of my gym. I notice there was a recall for this make and model but when I did a VIN search my truck was not registering a recall.

Filed Oct 24, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 69,000 miles · UT

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.

Filed Oct 14, 2018 · Electrical, Transmission · 62,000 miles · MI

2012 ford explorer xlt 4w. The terrain management system fault light came on and car went immediately into limp mode on a major road.there was no warning and was almost rear ended. Took to dealer oct.1 and they kept it two days. The dealer said they could not find a code. Dealer said it is fixed by updating and calibrating the ABS system. It was not fixed. . Oct 13 same light went on and car immediately into limp mode on expressway. Nearly caused accident because car immediately slowed down and would not go more than 5mph in limp mode. You loose complete control of the transmission and throttle. There are 53+ cases with this problem on the internet just this year. Https://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2016/engine/wrench_light_on.shtml this happens suddenly while driving and without warning. The car immediately begins to shutter and vibrate and immediate begins to slow down to 5mph. This is a dangerous situation and should be investigated. You have no control over the speed of the car or the transmission.. Please google (terrain management system fault light) and see that there are many more ford cars are affected by this problem there are 3 youtubes showing this problem. They cars are not safe to drive. Anyone who had a terrain management system light that goes on while driving will experience the same dangerous situation

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 Nov 24, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · CA

After starting the car while parked the 'service advance trac" warning came on. After driving approx. 100 feet the warning went away. There was a slight hardness in the steering at this time. That went away when the warning went away. This occurred on nov. 10, 2017. The second problem occurred on nov. 23, 2017. While parked overnight and all day in our garage I started the car and the "power steering assist fault'' warning came on. I could not turn the steering wheel at all. I turned off the engine and within 10 to 15 seconds I started the car again. No warning came on and the power steering worked o.k. I started the car again this morning and no warning or problem.

Filed Nov 1, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 155,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving various speeds with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled and the oil pressure and power train wrench warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was unable to start on the first attempt. The failure recurred over three times. The contact noticed the failure after she depressed the accelerator pedal after a complete stop. The local dealer (gulf coast ford, n, 3000 state hwy 288, angleton,tx, 77515) was contacted scheduled an appointment for two days later. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 155,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 82,900 miles · CA

I was driving on an intersection that dashboard lights started flickering and the car indicated check manual and orange wrench came out... And all of the sudden car stop & I tried starting it but it would it was in the middle of nowhere... I was on 342 n. San fernando rd., los angeles, ca 90031 around 2:00 pm

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 45,000 miles · OH

Bad smell with heat or AC on at higher speeds headaches and lightheadedness felt at times. A seperate issue altogether windows and door locks have failed to work a couple times leaving me stuck inside car until it decides to work. Dealer has had suposed part on back order for 2 months.

Filed Feb 21, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 40,000 miles · CA

My vehicles air turns on on it's own as you drive. This is not the AC nor heater. As you drive you can hear your air vents turn on and you smell a foul smell and the air pushing through the vents is muggy sticky air that makes your skin feel clammy. This has been reported to the dealership before and had been "repaired" however, the air continues to push through the vents whether you have the switch set to on or not.

Filed Nov 8, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 131,400 miles · IN · fire

Drove about 2 miles in the morning while turning onto the interstate ramp the steering locked up would not go over 30mph, SUV started to smoke while the temperature gauge never changed inside of the vehicle. Lucky to not have caused a major accident. After having vehicle towed, per the mechanic the computer system is fried, motor valves melted, and all spark plugs need to be replaced. This SUV is only a 2012 and should not have this major of problems when it has been well taken care of. Ford really needs to look further into this so this does not happen to someone else.

Filed Oct 25, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 152,600 miles · GA

Takata recall I purchased this vehicle in january 2016, on october 22, 2016 while driving in elberton georgia my car alerted me that the power steering needed to be serviced. About 2 miles down the road my turn signal wouldn't stay on when being used to turn. A few hours later when ready to head home I could not get my car to steer without major effort on my part. I am a mother of 3 and I refuse to put my kids in an unsafe vehicle. The issue has to do with the power steering control module and I was informed by ford that they would not fix the issue at no charge because the recall 14s06 has expired and I had exceeded the mileage warranty by almost 3000 miles. I don't feel that I am responsible for the charges to get this issue fixed being as I was not aware of the recall. I'm not happy that I'm expected to cover charges on something I wasn't aware was a problem with my vehicle until the service alert appeared. This is my 1st ford vehicle and I absolutely love it, however, if this is the customer service that I am going to receive I will not ever buy another ford vehicle and I will not recommend anyone to purchase from ford. I have been without a vehicle for 2 days as of right now, which makes it very difficult to get my kids to daycare/school and get to work. My husband has had to ask about changing his schedule in order to help me since I don't have a vehicle. Sincerely, unhappy mother of 3

Filed Oct 18, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · VA

My air bag light is on and won't turn. What I have read is once it on the airbags will not deploy I'm case of an accident. Ford know about this problem and is not trying to fix this is very unacceptable for such an expensive vehicle.

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