2010 Ford Explorer vs 2012 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2010 Ford Explorer | 2012 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 115 | 822 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 25 | 88 |
| Investigations | 1 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 8 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15–17 | 19–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 56,355 mi | 70,050 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4 | 357 |
| Structure | 1 | 142 |
| Engine | 14 | 79 |
| Power Train | 28 | 55 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 63 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 27 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 27 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 17 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Hesitation / surging | 6 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 6 | 22 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 16 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 74 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 53 |
| Stalling | 0 | 41 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 15 |
| Water leaks | 0 | 13 |
2010 Ford Explorer
2012 Ford Explorer
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.