2012 Ford Explorer Review

2012 Ford Explorer is a Sport Utility 4-dr style car measuring 197.10 in length and 70.40 in height. Made in United States, 2012 Ford Explorer has 6 trims priced by the manufacturer at 30,170 with just total of 5 recalls in the past 2012 Ford Explorer. It’s seating 7 people with 4 doors and a rank size of 18.60 gallon. The engine is 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V and uses 18 - 20 of gasoline in the city and 18 - 20 on highways.

Make: Ford
Model: Explorer
Trims Available: 6
Location: UNITED STATES
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Driveline: 4WD
Seats: 7
MSRP: $30,170 USD
MPG: 17 City / 23 HWY
Tires: 245/65R17
Tank Size: 19 gallon

Ford Explorer 2012 Trims

2012 Ford Explorer Base FWD

Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Drivetrain: FWD
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Seating: 7
MPG: 18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY

2012 Ford Explorer XLT FWD

Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Drivetrain: FWD
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Seating: 7
MPG: 18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY

2012 Ford Explorer Limited FWD

Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Drivetrain: FWD
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Seating: 7
MPG: 18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY

2012 Ford Explorer Base 4WD

Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Drivetrain: 4WD
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Seating: 7
MPG: 17 City / 23 HWY

2012 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD

Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Drivetrain: 4WD
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Seating: 7
MPG: 17 City / 23 HWY

2012 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD

Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission: 6A
Drivetrain: 4WD
Body & Doors: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Seating: 7
MPG: 17 City / 23 HWY

Vin Numbers

  • 1FMHK8B80CGA00067
  • 1FMHK8B80CGA21341
  • 1FMHK8B80CGA78672
  • 1FMHK8B81CGA21624
  • 1FMHK8B81CGA45342
  • 1FMHK8B81CGA74114
  • 1FMHK8B81CGA85534
  • 1FMHK8B83CGA10379
  • 1FMHK8B83CGA37193
  • 1FMHK8B83CGA49389
  • 1FMHK8B84CGA75287
  • 1FMHK8B85CGA89389
  • 1FMHK8B86CGA21411
  • 1FMHK8B86CGA78708
  • 1FMHK8B87CGA99339
  • 1FMHK8B89CGA86687
  • 1FMHK8B89CGA99939
  • 1FMHK8B86CGB03221

Safety and Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

overall
front
rollover
side
* National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

overall
front
rollover
side
* Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Safety & Recalls

Recall 14E001000 started on /Date(1388984400000-0500)/.

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.

Consequence: The inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.

Recall 14V286000 started on /Date(1401336000000-0400)/.

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.

Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

Recall 15V171000 started on /Date(1427169600000-0400)/.

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequence: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.

Recall 17E048000 started on /Date(1503892800000-0400)/.

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

Consequence: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall 19V435000 started on /Date(1560139200000-0400)/.

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

FAQ

One of the main issues about the 2012 Ford Explorer is related to the latest recall where "the inability to steer the vehicle increases the risk of a crash". 2012 Ford Explorer is ranked 4 in safety ratings, which is higher then the rating for 2011 Ford Explorer.

The 2012 Ford Explorer has NHTSA crash test rating of 4 and IIHS Crash test rating of 5.

The 2012 Ford Explorer is FWD and isn't the best choice for driving in snow, as it doesn't have enough ground clearance.

Before going to the dealership, get an appraisal for your 2012 Ford Explorer so you know how much it’s worth. Usually, the value of used 2012 Ford Explorer is lower than $14,085.

There are 5 recalls recorded in our database for 2012 Ford Explorer that’s on average above the average number of recalls per car in our database.

Ford All models of 2012

Ford Econoline

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Edge

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Escape

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Escape Hybrid

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Expedition

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Explorer

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-150

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-250

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-250 SD

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-350 SD

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-450 SD

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-550

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford F-650

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Fiesta

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Flex

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Focus

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Focus BEV

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Fusion

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Fusion Hybrid

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Mustang

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Shelby GT500

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Taurus

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

Ford Transit Connect

$28,170 - $39,740
18 - 20 City / 25 - 28 HWY
6 Trims
7
1
3.5L V6 DOHC 24V

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