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2012 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems

14 owner-reported suspension complaints from NHTSA data

14
Complaints
2
Recalls
Jan 2018Oct 2021
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Suspension Recalls (2)

RECALLCampaign #19V435000

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

Fix: 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.

RECALLCampaign #21V746000

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (14)

highSUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2025

Your steering wheel shakes noticeably when driving at speeds between 35-45 MPH, even though no warning lights appear on your dashboard. You became aware of a Ford recall (Campaign 19V435000) related to the suspension that may address this issue. The fix will likely involve having a dealer inspect and service the suspension components that are causing the steering vibration.

NHTSA #: 11690332
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA 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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension).

NHTSA #: 11653313
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2024

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA #: 11579384
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2024

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.

NHTSA #: 11576605
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2024

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.

NHTSA #: 11570125
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Sep 2022

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.

NHTSA #: 11487202
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2021

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.

NHTSA #: 11436182
mediumSUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2021

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.

NHTSA #: 11413698
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2020

PASSENGER SIDE STRUT MOUNT BROKE CAUSING NOISES WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION. MAKING STEERING HARD. WHEN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PART, IT WAS HARD TO LOCATE BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND PARTS CAN'T BE KEPT IN STOCK

NHTSA #: 11317587
mediumSUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2019

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA #: 11232141
mediumSUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILLY HOWELL FORD LINCOLN (1805 ATLANTA HWY, CUMMING, GA 30040, (770) 887-2311) FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE SAME DEALER PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA #: 11228697
mediumSUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2018

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.

NHTSA #: 11064179
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Jun 2017

THE STRUT MOUNTS ON THE EXPLORER ARE FAULTY. RESULTING IN A HORRIBLE NOISE WHEN TURNING OR ENCOUNTERING A BUMP; AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE STRUT MOUNT FROM THE VEHICLE BODY. I WAS ALERTED THAT IN MY SMALL COMMUNITY ALONE, I WAS ONE OF 5 VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH STRUT MOUNTS ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FORD HAS BEEN ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM, BUT SEEM TO TAKE NO ACTION IN RESOLVING IT.

NHTSA #: 10995522
mediumSUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2017

FRONT STRUT BEARINGS CLUNKING/ FAILED. NEEDED REPLACED. 55,000 MILES. STRONG ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE WHEN ACCELERATING OR FOLLOWING LARGE TRUCKS.

NHTSA #: 10984451

Other 2012 Ford Explorer Issues