2012 Ford Explorer Base AWD
All photo credits
- Photo: Ford Explorer Limited U502 FL Shadow Black Hearse (3) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L (U502 facelift) front 7.22.19 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Explorer 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD Limited U502 Tuxedo Black Metallic (11) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L (U502 facelift) rear 7.22.19 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2012 Ford Explorer Base AWD is a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $30,280 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.
It makes 290 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 255 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).
The Explorer measures 197.1 inches long on a 112.6-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $30,280 ($42,861 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $31,105 ($44,029 *) |
| Destination Charge | $825 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 |
| Displacement | 3.5 L |
| Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 255 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Injection Type | Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Intelligent all-wheel drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Combined | 19 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 18.6 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Strut front suspension with coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with coil springs |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 197.1 in |
| Width | 78.9 in |
| Height | 70.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.6 in |
| Cargo Volume | 21 ft³ |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 41.4 in |
| Headroom Rear | 40.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 40.6 in |
| Legroom Rear | 39.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 61.3 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 61 in |
| Hip Room Front | 57.3 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 56.7 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2012 Ford Explorer Base AWD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (17.4 % risk) |
Other tested variants (1)
- 2012 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD: 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
| Steering | 360 |
| Structure | 144 |
| Unknown Or Other | 105 |
| Engine | 79 |
| Electrical System | 63 |
| Power Train | 55 |
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.