2012 Ford Explorer: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 29, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 72,000 miles · TX

(re)starting august 1, 2017, while driving, the vehicle would suddenly and without warning decelerate, with no response from the gas pedal. Ford calls this their "limp home mode." the wrench icon warning would display and the entire vehicle would shudder until it was put in park and turned off. Usually, it would resume normal operations after being restarted, however, on one occasion, it took three attempts to restart. After two such incidents occurring in less than a mile, I don't feel safe driving on the highway (or, really, any other place) as there is no indication to other drivers and the vehicle actively decelerates, rather than coasting. During one such incident, the deceleration was so pronounced that passengers jerked forward in their seats and a canine passenger lost its footing, falling into the back of the seats. We previously experienced this same issue in 2015, leaving me and a small child stranded when the vehicle did not restart at all. As part of a "goodwill" repair due to the vehicle being just out of warranty, the etb (electronic throttle body) and purge valve were replaced by ford. I filed complaint 10787972 with the federal safety agency on 10/25/2015. In 5 years, this will be the second replacement of a part that's expected to last well over 6 years. Ford is aware of the problem, is and has been sued, and is being investigated.

Filed Sep 25, 2015 · GA

I was driving my 2012 ford explorer at a reduced speed, approaching an unprotected left turn on green when my car suddenly jerked and sputtered and lost speed triggering the wrench icon to light up on my panel. I was applying gas to complete the intersection with no acceleration. I crawled through the intersection as my car continued to lose power and idle loudly and sputter. I was barely able to get off the road and had this been a busier time of the morning could have been in a side impact crash. The service center cleaned the throttle body and the problem appeared to be solved until almost a year later 9/25/2015, as I had just shifted from reverse to drive and as I accelerated and began driving, my car suddenly sputtered and went into the same stall described above. I applied gas and tried to accelerate with no success. The wrench light came on again. I was told to turn it off and then back on which allowed me to drive it with caution, to the service center. After diagnosis at my local service center, it was determined that the electronic throttle body is worn out and needs replaced. My vehicle isn't even 5 years old. This is very perplexing. The incidents are unsettling and should it happen on a busy roadway or while accelerating to make turns or pass a person is at a great risk of being injured or killed.

Filed Jun 29, 2015 · Steering · 49,696 miles · LA

On 6/23/2015 my wife brought her 2012 ford explorer to me stating it was very hard to steer. By the time I left work at 6pm, the hixson ford dealership was closed. The next morning, while on the way to the ford dealership and while going around a long curve on hwy 546, the steering wheel totally locked up causing me to be within inches of hitting an on-coming car in the curve. Jerking the wheel in the opposite direction that I was turning in the curve and then back unlocked it and enabled me to get back in my lane. Ford states that they had already "reprogrammed the pscm power steering control module" last july so therefore the "recall" for this issue (#14s06) has already been cleared for this particular vehicle. Whether ford already reprogrammed the pscm or not, the issue which the recall was issued "power steering may lock up" has happened. My position is that "reprogramming" or updating the software is not going to fix a faulty sensor which is a part of the steering gear so the "alternative" recall fix should have been completed in the first place which is "replacing the steering gear". Hixson wants $1,795 to replace the electronic steering gear. The faulty sensor cannot be replaced because it's apparently built into the steering gear. This recall issue should be paid for by ford who has already admitted to a faulty sensor. Im now on my 6th day of a rental car.

Filed May 3, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 47,627 miles · VA

I was driving when the steering wheel jerked. The steering immediately became very hard to operate and the engine appeared to lose power. Indicator lights came on about the same time the steering jerked. The lights said "service advance trac" and "terrain management system fault". I had to pull of the road and just trying to make to left turns to pull into a parking lot took all the strength I had in both arms. My turn signals would also not work. I even tried turning the 4 wheel drive knob, as I noticed that the lights were not working on that as well and nothing would light up or show up on the dash screen. I turned off the car while I pulled out my owners manual to look up information on these indicators. After letting the car sit for a while, I restarted the car and the indicator lights were still there. I called ford road side assistance and had the car towed. I also was put in a rental car. Then today the ford dealer told me that since my car had 47, 627 miles on it that this problem wasn't covered under warranty. They told me only if it happened in first 36,000 miles. They also said I would have to pay $1865 for a new rack and pinion steering or they would clear the code and I could chance it to see if it happens again. They said it was common and most times you just need to let the car cool down and restart it. This is very upsetting- they knew this was a common problem and then I investigated this further online and found many other people reporting the same issues. Some in just the first month of owning the vehicle. This is the same thing that happened to me with this vehicle and the engine fan not working causing the car to overheat in the first 6 months of owning it. Later I got a recall on it. This is very frustrating- I have a car that is 18 months old and I have to put $1865 into it to fix a common problem/defect. This is a serious defect!

Filed Nov 29, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 34,700 miles · MI

I started my vehicle as usual, had just turned left off my street onto a two lane road, and approximately 0.25miles later I lost power steering. As I was accelerating from my turn, going approximately 40mph I felt the brake pedal pulsate and the steering wheel jerk a little. Immediately I had an alert on my dash "power steering fault." I attempted to press the brake pedal with no success and there was no resistance. I put it in neutral and coasted to the safest parking lot (approx. 1 mile). I shut the vehicle down and restarted but I still didn't have power steering however I regained brakes. I drove the dealership (3miles away). They shut the vehicle down then restarted and everything appeared to be operating correctly. Later after several test drives the ford mechanic had my vehicle re-inact my same events for him.