general problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer

30 problems related to other fuel system have been reported for the 2012 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2012 Explorer.

1 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 07/06/2025

While driving the vehicle goes into what I have found is called sleep mode. . The check engine lite comes on and the left info panel shows that the all wheel drive is not working. The dealer tried to see what codes were set and found none. My solution is to pull off the road, put the vehicle in park and turn off the ignition. After about 30 seconds I can restart the vehicle and drive again. The restart lasts from 15 seconds to a month. I found a TSB ( 16-0139) that covered this problem. However it did not offer any cure. I am concerned that someone will hit me when this happens.

2 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 06/26/2021

When filling up the fuel starts dripping in the bottom behind the rear wheel even though the tanks is not full yet.

3 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2019

There is a strong smell of carbon monoxide when the engine is reved over 3000 -3500 rpm this happens every single time. It seems to be on par with the other complaints regarding this issue with the exhaust system. I noticed this issue since I bought the car from the used car lot.

4 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 02/18/2019

Monday, February 18, 2019 when I startedmy car I started smelling a strong order of a natural gas smell coming from my car. It gets so bad that I have to roll down the windows at times. I contacted Ford regarding this however they said thatt since me car is out of warranty it will be be covered and there are no current recalls on this vehicle. It's a constant gas smell whether I'm driving, idling, or parked. This is not safe.

5 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 09/30/2017

There is a smell of gasoline in and outside of the vehicle at all times. The check engine light keeps reappearing even after continuous examination.

6 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2017

(re)starting August 1, 2017, while driving, the vehicle would suddenly and without warning decelerate, with no response from the gas pedal. Ford calls this their "limp home mode. " the wrench icon warning would display and the entire vehicle would shudder until it was put in park and turned off. Usually, it would resume normal operations after being restarted, however, on one occasion, it took three attempts to restart. After two such incidents occurring in less than a mile, I don't feel safe driving on the highway (or, really, any other place) as there is no indication to other drivers and the vehicle actively decelerates, rather than coasting. During one such incident, the deceleration was so pronounced that passengers jerked forward in their seats and a canine passenger lost its footing, falling into the back of the seats. We previously experienced this same issue in 2015, leaving me and a small child stranded when the vehicle did not restart at all. As part of a "goodwill" repair due to the vehicle being just out of warranty, the etb (electronic throttle body) and purge valve were replaced by Ford. I filed complaint 10787972 with the NHTSA on 10/25/2015. In 5 years, this will be the second replacement of a part that's expected to last well over 6 years. Ford is aware of the problem, is and has been sued, and is being investigated.

7 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 07/14/2017

Turbo gone bad - car began making loud rattle noise when started. Noise would subside some after a few minutes. Car has been very slow to accelerate, whenever it's being driven, over the last few months. Have to really press down all the way on the gas in order to keep it going. The mpg have been steadily declining as well over the last few months. Dealer told me it's a "turbo problem". Was told that 180 other 2012 Explorers are also affected, parts on back-order for six weeks. Can't drive car. Repair cost approximately $3500. Ford offering no relief at this point.

8 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 06/12/2017

I abruptly accelerated around a car that maneuvered infront of me and my interior cabin was filled with an nauseating exhaust smell. I got a headache, light headed, and pulled over, because I was starting to get dizzy and develop headaches. This occurred on a highway, and nearly killed me. I am furious.

9 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2017

Fuel and exhaust fumes or smell of burning oil. Problems with turbo.

10 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 11/20/2016

Fumes entering the cabin making the passengers nauseous and resulting in headaches. We noticed that only when we are in my husband's car that my children and I become sick with headaches and nausea. My husband drives to work in this vehicle and usually arrives to work with a headache. He didn't realize that the car was making him sick. He trusted the service people when they told him the car was fine. He typically dives on highways. The fumes are coming through the vents.

11 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2016

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor while operating the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel odor could not be diagnosed; however, the check engine indicator failure was diagnosed as an air filter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

12 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 10/27/2016

My 2012 Ford explore ltd. Stops in the middle of the road while driving. A wrench light comes on in lower left dash, and the car loses power. I can no longer once this happens. I must turn off the car and restart the engine to get it going again. This has happened on a highway going 70 miles per hour, and in the middle of intersections, on regular city, suburban or neighborhood streets, not to mention it is now happening 2-3 times a day while with no warning. It happens while driving only, sometimes after turning, sometimes not, but the car is always in motion at the time, at various speeds in various temperatures, with climate control either off or on, seems to have no bearing. This is extremely dangerous and can easily cause an accident, injury or death. Apparently the current recall for the power steering does not address this. I am having that worked on right now as I type. This happened once last year on the highway, and once about 6 months ago as I pulled out of a parking lot. Hadn't happened again since until the month of October in the 80 degree weather of plano TX, whether car was already warmed-up or not.

13 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 10/24/2016

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,128.

14 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2016

I/we have had multiple occasions of the engine failure to accelerate while in a regular driving mode. The engine will not continue to respond to the accelerator. The vehicle was driven to the local Ford dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Today I was able to pull a code p2111 and took that in. I was told it was a malfunctioning throttle body. This appears to be a problem that is occurring in this and similar vehicles. Ford has said they will not correct the problem. The vehicle was being driven on a local road at the time of the condition occurred. We pulled into a parking lot to get it off the street. After pulling the code the vehicle still would not respond to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. Upon restart it ran correctly.

15 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 08/09/2016

Awd off error and wrench symbol - issue has occurred multiple times, under different conditions. Without warning, the vehicle loses acceleration and the wrench icon and awd errors display. The throttle becomes unresponsive, but all other systems remain functioning. If you leave it in gear without the brakes engaged, it will move at idle speed on flat ground, but is unable to navigate inclines. When slowing to a stop, the whole vehicle shudders. Stopping and restarting normally returns the vehicle to normal operation. This has accured over a dozen times. Dealer has said that there are no codes reporting the problem. Recommended we replace tires. Replaced tires and issue is still present. Have filed a complaint with Ford to bring in other resources to triage/diagnose issue without success. This is a very dangerous issue as when to issue presents itself, the car stops unexpectedly and must be shifted into park in order to clear the problem. On roads without shoulders or multiple lanes, this is a very dangerous as the car is sometimes not able to make it to the side of the road and must be put into park where it stops. The car is to dangerous to drive and there are no know fixes right now.

16 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 07/20/2016

While driving down the highway my Explorer made a loud clunk sound and then the wrench symbol appeared on my dashboard. Then the gas pedal quit working, and we had to roll off the highway avoiding being hit by other traffic. I had to stop and restart my car 5-6 times before the gas pedal would work again. This has happened 5 times in the past two months, and when I called to have it serviced they told me the wrench light had to be on for them to identify the problem. But I cant go anywhere when the wrench light comes on and a tow truck will not tow a car with it running for me to get it to the dealership to be tested. This is a safety issue that other people are having. The throttle body is going out on many Explorers after 55,000 miles. Is it going to take deaths before this is a recall?.

17 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2016

For about the last year, I would smell something burning inside my vehicle when entering the freeway. I was never able to identify the source of the smell, even after repeatedly stopping to sniff the engine compartment and around the tires and exhaust. I could not detect the smell outside of the car, nor did I find any evidence of anything burning (no smoke, charred areas, stuck brakes, melted rubber, etc). There didn't appear to be any pattern, as I would smell something burning at different points in my commute, with the only time I consistently experienced it being merging onto the freeway. On June 20, 2016 at 1:38 pm central time, I sent my husband the following text: "is the fire extinguisher still in the car?" due to the overpowering smell of smoke in the passenger compartment shortly after getting on the freeway. I rolled down the windows and exited the freeway, stopping at the far end of a parking lot. There was no smoke nor odor emanating from the exterior of the vehicle. Due to the heat, we drive with the air recirculating most of the year. Much of our driving is in the city, with light acceleration. Typically, the only time we rapidly accelerate is when entering the freeway. On this occasion, I accelerated more than normal due to a semi's position in the right lane. At times, my 7 year old has complained about not being able to breathe with the windows rolled up.

18 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 06/19/2016

Throttle body electronics, vehicle will suddenly stop. I was driving in traffic at 55mph and suddenly stopped moving when failure occurred. Dashboard indicated a 4 wheel drive or engine check. I was slowed to 2mph luckily no other vehicles were behind me. This is very dangerous in traffic, no warning. Ford knows about this problem and is not recalling vehicles why, the parts are in short supply my SUV was in the garage for 10 days waiting for part, this issue should be a recall. Ford repaired my Explorer but many drivers are on the road and have no idea this could happen to them. Safety first please.

19 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/12/2016

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving a strong fuel odor and burning smell was in the vehicle. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the heat and ac calibrations need to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that she was very concerned about the fumes in the vehicle affecting her children. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. Ec.

20 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 10/12/2015

This happened three times at speeds of 40, 50 and 60 mph, on highway, veh. Engine light comes on and veh. Comes to a stop. The engine is still idling but the gas petal does not work. There is no warning, the veh. Just comes to a stop. I was lucky to have been on rural two lane roads so I could pull of road. If you were on a multi lane highway you would be in big trouble, because veh. Comes to a stop and you have no control of the speed. The first problem, switched off veh. Restated, no engine light and everything worked, took veh. To Ford, they check it out, could not find any problem. The veh. Worked fine for about 6000 more thousand miles, then at 60 mph it cut off again, I got off road, restarted veh. Engine light stayed on but gas petal worked. I drove about two more miles and veh. Cut of again, engine idling gas petal not working. Restarted veh. Engine light stayed on but gas petal was working. I drove veh. To Ford dealer, they now said the problem was the throttle module. Ford said there was no recall on this module, so I paid over $600 for the repair work. This is a very serious safety problem there should be a recall or something to warn Ford Explorer owners this could happen to them. I would think, I am not the only Explorer owners to have had this problem.

21 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 07/20/2015

Power cut off. (golden wrench of I dont know what's wrong came on) on 4 lane had to pull over to shoulder of road. Cut off engine, restart, no light drove to Ford shop Monday and left car. Shop to check out and get back with me. Friday had to call and see if any news of whats wrong. Told after 3 hr runaround, needs battery and throttle body $ 900. 00 +- out of warranty consumer satisfaction program 13n03.

22 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 04/25/2015

Smell of exhaust gas inside the vehicle while in motion or acceleration.

23 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2015

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the sender and pump assembly needed to be replaced. However, the vehicle was not repaired since the parts were not available anywhere in the country. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000. Pam.

24 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 09/27/2014

The throttle box has gone bad. The car stalls randomly when taking off from a start and requires a new throttle body at only 47k miles. This is part of the powertrain, but not covered by the warranty. Ford had lots of problems with throttle bodies in earlier models and it seems they haven't fixed it yet.

25 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2014

We have a 2012 Ford Explorer with 46,000 miles at this time. On August 30, 2014, we were driving about 35 mph when the car lost all power, and the powertrain/wrench light came on in the display. The check engine light did not come on. I pulled to the side of the road where the car was shaking like it wanted to stall. I turned the car off and back on, and it started up fine, and the wrench light went off. We drove another 100 miles when it did the same thing again on September 1 going about 50 mph. I took it to the local shop who noticed that the voltage was dropping from 14 volts down to 12volts and shutting down the computers (so they said). They changed out the alternator- $560. Everything was fine until September 20 when the car did the same thing twice again, about 10 minutes apart, going 70 mph (car lost power, wrench light on, had to pull over and restart). I took it to the closest Ford dealer within 2 days; they drove the car 55 miles and could not duplicate the problem because it is intermittent. There were no error codes present. The check engine light never came on. They said to come get the car and keep driving it. Internet research indicates that this is likely a throttle body (etb) malfunction. I called the Ford dealer where we bought the car (not where it was now) and described the problem to a service manager with 19 years experience. He said it was likely the throttle body since the car would restart. He said only 2 things trigger the wrench light- the transmission and the throttle body. Since my wife and daughter ride in this car, I decided to have the throttle body replaced at my expense on September 24 - $470. Continuing to drive the car as Ford suggested, with an intermittent cut-off problem, was not an option for me so I decided to make an educated guess/diagnosis and throw parts at it and see.

26 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2014

On Friday April 18, 2014 my wife an I prestarted the car to go to dinner, after only 2 minutes the car shut of. Upon review of the issue the low oil pressure light came on, the stability control light came on, as well as he service engine soon light. The mileage at the incident was approx 45,500 but the complaint says 44,000 because this is the second time it has done this, and the first time for the stability control light to illuminate. After dinner we came home and attempted to restart the vehicle, everything seemed normal, it started it drove, but subsequently we had it towed to Ford, so they could address the problem.

27 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2013

I am experiencing an odor of carbon monoxide inside the car. I live in el salvador central America and have found in the internet that there is a recall for this problem the agency in my country does not responsabilize on this I have small children and we cant be smelling this exhaust fumens and strange odors inside our car.

28 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 11/08/2012

My Ford Explorer 2012 has been getting exhaust fumes inside car ever since I bought the car new. I have taken the car back to dealer a couple of times and all I get is a run around. Thus issue needs to be addressed before some one dies from the fumes.

29 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2012

When car was 3 weeks old, we had an intermittent gas odor when restarting car. Also, when sitting in garage. Dealer could not reproduce problem. Eventually did and replaced the fuel canister. Odor came back within 3 weeks. Now has 40,000 miles and still have same problem. Saw 2 recalls on 2013 Explorer related to fuel odor and thought are 2012 would be included, but Ford says no. Our car was built on 12/15/2011.

30 Other Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2012

After a month of owning the 2012 Ford Explorer we noticed a very foul exhaust smell from inside the cabin of the Explorer. We would smell the odor under acceleration, especially when rpms reached 3,000 plus. This particular odor smell under the above conditions have been observed ever since. We did not think anything of the smell until we began researching it recently and came across several sources indicating this could be harmful to our health.


Other Other Fuel System related problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer

Other Fuel System problems
30
Other Fuel System Pump problems
2

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