2012 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 168
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 168 stored complaint records:
- 6 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 132 records
- steering wheel · 35 records
- steering assist · 33 records
- assist fault · 22 records
- needed replaced · 14 records
- steering failed · 13 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 61 |
| 30–60k mi | 35 |
| 60–100k mi | 24 |
| 100–150k mi | 20 |
| 150–400k mi | 16 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Power steering assist fault, first appeared january 9th 2020 - purchased vehicle with around 146,000 miles on 4/2019 - we are the second owners, first owner bought new and had detailed maintenance records - never had recall work done from 2014 regarding this issue. Took to paul miller ford, lexington, ky - stated ford should have to fix - but they won't because it is over 150,000 miles. Power steering assist fault…
ODI 11308241
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. When the vehicle was started, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering required extra effort to turn. The vehicle was turned off and on and resumed normal operation after five minutes. The vehicle was taken to tropical ford (located at 9900 s orange blossom trail, orlando, fl 32837, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the eps software needed to…
ODI 11297330
Steering
LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL
ODI 11288758
Steering
Steering system failure appeared in my car and i could no longer move the steering as it got too hard for no reason, i don't even want to imagine what would have happened if i had driven on the highway with my family i think it is the defect of the ford for which ford should be responsible for solving this problem to prevent crashes
ODI 11283144
Steering
On 11-3-2019 at around 1820 hours while driving in the mountains, a yellow "service power steering soon" light illuminated. I acknowledged the warning and felt no change in handling at the time. I continued driving about another 10 minutes to my destination. As i turned into a driveway i could feel the steering get very tight and mentioned it to my passenger. I parked the car and returned about two and a half hours…
ODI 11277939
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering lost power and the service power steering indicator illuminated a few minutes prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuse. Surprise ford [redacted], located at [redacted], surprise, az 85388) was called and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of…
ODI 11278061
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed without warning and it became difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to corwin ford tri cities (1225 n autoplex way, pasco, wa 99301, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the manufacturer extended the warranty to ten years/150,000 miles…
ODI 11277502
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 25 mph, the "power steering aid off" warning message illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to anderson ford of grand island ([redacted], grand island, ne 68803, [redacted]) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown nhtsa campaign number and that the power steering needed to be replaced. A repair…
ODI 11270498
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 45 mph, the steering seized and the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to jim burke ford ([redacted], bakersfield, ca 93301, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the steering module was updated. The…
ODI 11271030
Steering
Came out to start up my vehicle when immediately my power steering assist fault came on. It wouldnt allow me to back my car back nor turn my steering wheel as if it was locked. So i turned the car off feeling discouraged i may have waited 20 minutes and started the vehicle up to now there is no message. I proceeded to drive the vehicle once i made it back home the message came on once again at this time i took out…
ODI 11269884
Steering
The vehicle was started up and went to back out of a parking spot. The vehicle was practically impossible to steer. The steering was the worse ever to try to turn the wheel. Had to pull into another parking spot and park it there. Turn the car off. Then came back a few hours later and started the car and the steering worked fine. This has happened on previous occasions when starting the vehicle. The steering is…
ODI 11242724
Steering
Since march 2019, i had been experiencing a slight stiffness in the power steering. By may, the traction sign came on then went off. When i asked the dealer about this, they said there was a 2-3 week wait to have the car looked at. It didn't happen often, but infrequently. Then one day in late june, when i turned on the car and backed down the driveway, there was no power in the steering. I drove back up the…
ODI 11245536
Engine · Power Train · Steering
CAR WON'T GO INTO PARK
ODI 11241162
Steering
When turning left steering would not return without extreme force on my part. Very dangerous because it kept me going left and would cause a wreck. Dealer duplicated the steering problem. Vehicle was in motion. Dealer stated the problem was with the steering gear: refer to recall 19v-435
ODI 11234705
Steering
Power steering went out. My vehicle is part of the recall. Took it to mcmullen ford in council bluffs, ia. They told me i'm 300 miles over the recall and it was going to cost $1,900 to fix. Vehicle has 108,954 miles on it.
ODI 11231235
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving, the steering wheel seized and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 14e001000 (steering) at visalia…
ODI 11259081
Steering · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that the electric power steering (eps) failed and the eps indicator randomly illuminated. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v286000 (steering) and 14e001000 (steering); although, the failure was the same as listed in the recalls. Classic ford of smithfield (1698 e booker dairy rd, smithfield, nc 27577, [redacted]) was notified of…
ODI 11221253
Steering
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel was wobbling and crashed into a tree. The vehicle flipped into an embankment. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the neck/back that required medical attention. All the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. There was no fire due to…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11241285
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at a unknown speeds around a curve, the steering wheel seized as a result, the driver hit a curve and crashed into a building metal pole. The driver did not sustained injury, the front and rear passengers sustained bump and bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the…
Crash reported · 3 injuries
ODI 11220037
Steering · Suspension
While my was driving she went to accelerate from a stop and heard a noise. She thought maybe she ran over glass or something. When she went to turn the corner the vehicle kept going straight. She ended up hitting another vehicle due to the rear suspension breaking. My vehicle is part of the rear suspension recall.
Crash reported
ODI 11244904
Electronic Stability Control · Power Train · Steering
Steering wheel locks up when you start truck and have to turn off and restarts to go away
ODI 11195568
Steering
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 ([redacted], temecula, ca 92591, [redacted]) where…
ODI 11195578
Steering
Power steering assist fault came on. 2014 a recall for this issue. I just bought this vehicle 3 weeks ago, can i still have work done.
ODI 11193228
Steering
I have been experiencing 'power steering assist fault' errors on startup on my 2012 ford explore fwd. This results in complete power steering failure which makes it impossible for me to turn the wheel to either direction. I've read that there is a recall but ford has not sent me any notifications in mail or notified me when i had the car at the dealership for service.
ODI 11187381
Steering
The power steering assist fault will randomly shut down my ability to steer the vehicle. This happened once while leaving my driveway to take my kids to the bus stop. I could not budge the steering, i lost all control. I turned the vehicle off, than restarted it, the assist fault was not on now and i was able to drive. Luckily this occurred be for i left my driveway because you loose all control of the steering.…
ODI 11185727