The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering wheel had seized due to the electric power steering failure. The contact was informed that the electric power steering and ABS module needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 110,000.
2012 Ford Explorer steering problems
360 complaints (43% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 97,000. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 360
- of this car's complaints
- 43%
- typical mileage
- 97,000
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Electric power assist system4
- Rack and pinion2
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Linkages: tie rod assembly1
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
- Hydraulic power assist system1
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Ford Explorer steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Recall number 14V286000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Electric power steering failure
On May 27, 2014 and amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 179,027 model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (EPAS), including 82,328 MY 2011 Explorersthat are the subject of PE12-017.Ford has assigned the recall number 14S06.the federal safety agency recall number is 14V‑286.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Sudden loss of power steering assist while driving can occur in the subject vehicles if the system loses electrical power or whenever the system detects a fault that requires it to enter fail-safe mode, which removes power from the EPAS motor and defaults to manual steering.Ford's DIR indicates that the majority of steering assist failures in the recalled vehicles have been caused by an intermittent electrical connection in the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) that can lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the PSCM for diagnostic trouble codes (DTC).If upon initial inspection a loss of steering assist DTC is present, dealers will replace the steering gear at no charge to the owner and update the PSCM with revised software.Following detection of a motor position sensor signal fault, the revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver that a power steering system fault has been detected and will maintain steering assist for the remainder of that drive cycle.If no DTC is present, dealers will reprogram the PSCM with the revised software. Analysis of information from all sources identified a total of 969 complaints and 4,059 warranty claims related to loss of power steering assist while driving in the MY 2011 through 2012 Explorer vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of 5.4 incidents per thousand vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 2.3 percent.ODI identified 15 crashes with evidence indicating loss of power steering assist may have been a factor.All 15 crashes involved low-speed impacts with roadside objects during turning maneuvers, resulting in minor vehicle damage or no damage.In one incident that occurred in a low-speed curve, the driver attempted to brake in response to the sudden increase in steering effort and inadvertently applied the accelerator pedal instead.This caused the vehicle to run off the side of the road and strike a wooden pole at approximately 15 mph.Another incident occurred when the driver was unable to to negotiate a left-turn at an intersection and ran off the road into a shallow ditch, resulting in moderate front-end damage to the vehicle and minor injuries to the driver that did not require medical treatment. This investigation is closed.All ODI complaints associated with this closing resume are listed in the Attachment 1.
PE12017
What 2012 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, with the power steering fault message displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving at slow speeds. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
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.
Loss of power steering assist . Yes it is available for inspection on request. I can't steer it . It has not been confirmed by anybody yet. It has not been inspected by anybody yet. There are no warning lights on dash .
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the "Service Power Steering" message was displayed. The contact pulled into a parking lot, turned off and then restarted the vehicle. The failure persisted, and the power steering feature failed to operate as needed. While in reverse, the back over prevention camera display the "Service Camera - Take to Dealer" message on the screen. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was a recall for the failure, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 237,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The failed power steering warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, however the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,063.
Hi! I brought my car in to the Ford dealership in Lexington, SC to get a recalled A Frame Pillar repaired. They took the part off and didn’t repair it because they didn’t have the parts in. When I called corporate to check on the status of that part, I found out they had marked the recall as “complete” which was not the case. Corporate opened the case again for me, so it should’ve read incomplete in their system. (Therefore, maybe they would call me to let me know the part was in stock. That didn’t happen.) When I called back 2 months later, they had apparently marked it as complete a second time. Which again, was false. 12 months later, they’re finally agreeing to replace the part. I also found out from corporate in that same phone call that I had a recall to a power steering component. When I called the shop, they said that had been marked as complete too so I was not eligible for a second replacement. I have a hard time trusting that the original was actually replaced now. And the steering feels like a major safety concern! Point is, I’m worried that location may be doctoring their documentation, marking recalls as repaired when repairs have clearly not been made. I’d hate for it to cause a major accident or something. Bringing this up in case it warrants an audit. I’m sure I’m not the only person they’ve done this to. I’ve opened a case with Ford’s Automatice Safety Office as well and they are investigating but I thought it prudent to mention to an outside source. Like I said, I’d hate for someone to get in accident because they thought a repair had been made when it actually never was.
My car gave a “power steering fault” message on the dash while my son was driving on I-95 on April 12. The steering wheel locked up making turning impossible and could have been fatal. He had pull over and have the vehicle towed home.
The steering went out on the car and I was unable to steer. Almost causing me to have a accident. I had to have a tow truck come and pick it up off the road. Thank God I was alone and my whole family was not in the car. There needs to be a recall on this there has already been so many accidents. If it has not already happen there is going to end up causing a fatality. What is it going to take a child to loose their life before Ford does something about this?? WAKE UP FORD THIS IS CRAZY!!! Really 2 questions down you ask if there was a accident or fatality? Don't wait till someone's child or grand baby dies! It not a matter of if it is a matter of when! I have seen so many people saying online saying they have had the same problem. This is scary! I thank God daily I did not crash or even worse crash and Kill another person or an innocent baby! I can get photos and tow bill but I didn't have it handy.
Started the Explorer in a parking lot. When backing out the steering wheel was impossible to turn. A Power Steering failure light came on. Pulled the Explorer back into the parking spot and turned off the vehicle. Restarted the vehicle and steering became functional again. This appears to be a common ford problem and the recall should be reopened. It would be dangerous if this happened on a the road while driving.
Questions about the 2012 Ford Explorer steering
Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have steering problems?
Owners have filed 360 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 43% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Explorer steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 97,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Ford Explorer steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V286000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have bad steering?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (837 complaints), 2011 (743 complaints) and 2016 (532 complaints).
Other 2012 Ford Explorer problems
Body 144Engine 92Electrical 64Transmission 55Driver assistance 34Fuel system 34Airbags 27Visibility 24Suspension 22Brakes 21Acceleration 17Seat belts 14Lights 6Wheels 5Seats 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history