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2012 Ford

Explorer FWD

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Ford Explorer: best and worst years
2012 Ford Explorer FWD
PhotoRichard SmithCC BY 2.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

HP
287
Power to weight
0.063 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.16
Cyl
6EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
25 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
18 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
20 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$3,100EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Real-world MPG
20.4 mpg, reported by 1 driverabout 0.4 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
197 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
79 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
70 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
113 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
4,557 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
Optional
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
7
Owner complaints
817
Reported injuries
13

Feature availability

Which features come standard, cost extra, or are locked to a pricier trim arrives with the next data phase. Standard equipment shows here today.

Standard

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • STEERING35%
  • STRUCTURE14%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER10%
  • ENGINE8%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6%
  • POWER TRAIN5%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 1,019 total.

Ford Explorer: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • PE23001opened Jan 27, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

    Windshield trim molding Item detachment

  • EA17002opened Jul 27, 2017STRUCTURE:BODY

    Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

  • PE16008opened Jul 1, 2016STRUCTURE:BODY

    Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor

  • PE12017opened Jun 19, 2012STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    Electric power steering failure

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

81 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Feb 24, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSM 54601

    Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applica

  • Oct 10, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHERSSM 53040

    While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmis

  • Apr 24, 2024EQUIPMENTSSM 52476

    All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer

  • Apr 4, 2023STRUCTURESSM 51536

    For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repai

  • Feb 7, 2023SUSPENSION22N01 S1

    Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms: added 21R01 and 21R02 REASON FOR PROVIDING A NO-COST, ONE-TIME REPAIR: added 21R01 and 21R02 OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE: added mailing schedule for 21R01 and 21R02 OASIS ACTIVATION: added 21R01 and 21R02

  • Nov 4, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER21R02

    Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with Rear Wheel Knuckles that have been Replaced Rear Toe Link Inspection/Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S43, some of the affected vehicles that have had one (or both) rear wheel knuckle(s) replaced and were sold or operated in certain traditional corrosion areas where road salt is used extensively during winter months, may experience a seized toe link ball joint resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link

  • Nov 4, 2022SUSPENSION21R01

    Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Toe Link Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S32, some of the affected vehicles exposed to a highly corrosive environment where road salt is used extensively during winter months, have experienced a seized toe link ball joint resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

  • Mar 31, 2022WHEELS22N01

    Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement Ref 21S32 Submitting Owner Letter

  • and 73 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.