← Back to Search

2012 Ford Explorer Base

The 2012 Ford Explorer Base is a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $28,280 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 290 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 255 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Explorer measures 197.1 inches long on a 112.6-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$28,280 ($40,030 *)
MSRP with Destination$29,105 ($41,198 *)
Destination Charge$825
Engine
Engine Type3.5L Ti-VCT V6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower290 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque255 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeSequential Multiport Fuel Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity18.6 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionStrut front suspension with coil springs
Rear SuspensionMulti-link rear suspension with coil springs
Dimensions & Weight
Length197.1 in
Width78.9 in
Height70.4 in
Wheelbase112.6 in
Cargo Volume21 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front41.4 in
Headroom Rear40.5 in
Legroom Front40.6 in
Legroom Rear39.8 in
Shoulder Room Front61.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear61 in
Hip Room Front57.3 in
Hip Room Rear56.7 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (16.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

7 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford EXPLORER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jan 19, 2024 · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

NHTSA campaign 24V031000

Sep 22, 2021 · 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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V746000

Jun 10, 2019 · 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 19V435000

Aug 28, 2017 · WHEELS:HUB

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.

NHTSA campaign 17E048000

Mar 24, 2015 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V171000

May 29, 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V286000

Jan 6, 2014 · STEERING

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.

NHTSA campaign 14E001000

829 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Ford EXPLORER

Owner Complaints

829 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford EXPLORER (10 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering360
Structure144
Unknown Or Other105
Engine79
Electrical System63
Power Train55
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 30, 2026 · Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the…”
Sep 29, 2026 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the power steering became inoperable, with the power steering fault message displayed. The contact…”
Sep 9, 2026 · Structure
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side exterior A-pillar trim detached. The contact used tape on the driver's side…”
Sep 2, 2026 · Structure
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle…”
Aug 31, 2026 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making turns, the steering wheel made loud grinding sounds and was loose. The vehicle was not…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 FORD EXPLORER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search