2012 Ford Explorer: Power steering failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Explorer report: power steering failure. CarComplaints.com lists 14 owner complaints, average mileage 94,400 miles.
NHTSA has 360 owner complaints for the 2012 Explorer in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768099 (filed 09/30/2026): “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 failure persisted. the vehicle was towed to the residence, …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767698 (filed 09/29/2026): “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 stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while d…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: needs new steering gear assembly (6 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Electric power steering faults typically need module diagnosis with a scan tool and calibration. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $430 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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