VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

The 2012 Ford Explorer has 87 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

87

Electrical System complaints

8%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Explorer electrical system complaints by model year211 complaints1988: 2 complaints1991: 63 complaints1992: 54 complaints1993: 51 complaints1994: 89 complaints1995: 64 complaints1996: 50 complaints1997: 96 complaints1998: 139 complaints1999: 108 complaints2000: 86 complaints2001: 34 complaints2002: 157 complaints2003: 61 complaints2004: 61 complaints2005: 39 complaints2006: 52 complaints2007: 28 complaints2008: 42 complaints2009: 4 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 129 complaints2012: 87 complaints2013: 211 complaints2014: 119 complaints2015: 106 complaints2016: 148 complaints2017: 95 complaints2018: 63 complaints2019: 21 complaints2020: 187 complaints2021: 42 complaints2022: 36 complaints2023: 13 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 17 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Explorer electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL AND BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER CALIBRATIONS NEEDED TO BE UPDATED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 12, 2016 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2012 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 87 complaints about the 2012 Ford Explorer electrical system — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.