The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). The local dealer was contacted and provided a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, [XXX] [XXX] ) but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2012 Ford Explorer suspension problems
22 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 139,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 139,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
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 suspension problems in other years
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Recall number 21V746000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Risk
- A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Recall number 19V435000 · Recall details
What 2012 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Clunking noise coming from rear possible tow link, clicking noise coming from steering even when vehicle not moving
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION) and 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a loud sound of air coming from the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). Parts distribution disconnect for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a hard pull to the right while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving from a complete stop and while driving on the highway. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V746000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear toe links needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the failure was recurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle; however, the contact stated that the recall repair had not been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the bushings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000.
Rear tires rubbing and car is uneasy in rain. Had to have tires replaced due to rubbing on interior of rear of car. Tires wear extremely fast and dangerous to drive in any weather conditions such as rain. Inspection says there is no alignment or adjustment issues. However tires continue to wear apparently there are aftermarket parts to make it adjustable but what is wrong with it in the first place? Very dangerous to drive in rain. Slides all over the place. Tires slightly bend in.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH, the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The contact was able to continue driving by using his physical strength to steer the steering wheel. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that as he arrived to the residence, the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to the used car dealer it was purchased from, and it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The Ford dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered under Ford Campaign Number: 15N01, as the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension). The manufacturer were contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal snapping sound then a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to get the vehicle back to the residence while driving approximately 10 MPH. The contact stated that the front subframe was corroded, causing the subframe to fracture and the wheels were pushed outwards in opposite directions. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the subframe. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
I have had 3 upper rear lateral links snap off. 2 on the rear driver side and 1 on the rear passenger side. I am researching recalls. And there is a recall on some explorer models for the rear toe links. Sounds like the same thing that keeps happening to my vehicle. I am scared to drive it now. They literally just snap and the back tire starts steering however it wants.
Just purchased this car, decided to look up any recalls and found 1 pertaining to the toe links. Looking throughly at the vehicle there are a lot of major defects. This is going to be a daily driver for my daughter and I and I truly don't feel safe as I'm reading all the reviews and recalls. The only thing I can mention at this moment about this car would be the back washer fluid leaks into the cabin, the hood of the car does not shut correctly-handle for this area is loose. The state of this car is unknown.
Questions about the 2012 Ford Explorer suspension
Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 3% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Explorer suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 139,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Ford Explorer suspension?
Yes, 2 recalls: 21V746000, 19V435000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have bad suspension?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most suspension complaints are 2002 (422 complaints), 1998 (111 complaints) and 1997 (105 complaints).
Other 2012 Ford Explorer problems
Steering 360Body 144Engine 92Electrical 64Transmission 55Driver assistance 34Fuel system 34Airbags 27Visibility 24Brakes 21Acceleration 17Seat belts 14Lights 6Wheels 5Seats 2
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