2012 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
18.6gal · 70 L
The 2012 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 18.6 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 428–465 highway miles or 316–335 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
18.6 gal · Smaller than 51% of 2012 models we list.
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- Gas cap & parts
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- Miles per tank
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- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2012 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
All 6 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 335 / 465 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A | FWD | 18.6 gal70 L | 18 / 25 | 335 / 465 mi | |
| 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD MPG 17 / 23Range 316 / 428 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | 17 / 23 | 316 / 428 mi | |
| Limited 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 335 / 465 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A | FWD | 18.6 gal70 L | 18 / 25 | 335 / 465 mi | |
| Limited 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD MPG 17 / 23Range 316 / 428 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | 17 / 23 | 316 / 428 mi | |
| XLT 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 335 / 465 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A | FWD | 18.6 gal70 L | 18 / 25 | 335 / 465 mi | |
| XLT 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD MPG 17 / 23Range 316 / 428 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | 17 / 23 | 316 / 428 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2012 Ford Explorer goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 20 MPG, a full 18.6-gallon tank covers about 372 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 18.6 | 465 | 335 |
| 3/4 | 14.0 | 349 | 251 |
| 1/2 | 9.3 | 233 | 167 |
| 1/4 | 4.7 | 116 | 84 |
| 1/8 | 2.3 | 58 | 42 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 750 gallons, roughly 40 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 19–20 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 444–468 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2012 Ford Explorer
$79.42 to fill the 18.6-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.6 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $79.42 | $59.57 |
By region, 18.6-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $74.77 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $79.42 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $68.82 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $82.96 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $100.81 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $109.55 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 18.6-gallon tank$79.42
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,202
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Explorer tank size in other years
The 2012 Explorer uses the same 18.6 gal tank as the 2011 model.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 502 mi |
| 2016 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2015 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2014 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2013 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2012 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 465 mi |
| 2011 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 465 mi |
| 2010 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2009 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 473 mi |
| 2008 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2007 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
- 2027
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
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- 2012
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- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
2012 Ford Explorer vs similar 2012 SUVs
The Explorer has the smallest tank of the seven 2012 SUVs compared here: 18.6 gallons, against 24.6 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
| 2012 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 24.6 gal | 566 mi |
| Toyota 4Runner | 23.0 gal | 529 mi |
| GMC Acadia | 22.0 gal | 528 mi |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 22.0 gal | 528 mi |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 21.1 gal | 464 mi |
| Mazda CX-9 | 20.1 gal | 482 mi |
| Ford Explorer | 18.6 gal | 465 mi |
Other 2012 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
2012 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls
None of the 5 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2012 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
2012 Ford Explorer fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2012 Ford Explorer, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Ford Explorer?
The 2012 Ford Explorer holds 18.6 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2012 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?
The 2012 Ford Explorer tank holds 70 liters, or 18.6 gallons in US gallons.
Does AWD change the 2012 Ford Explorer gas tank?
No. FWD and AWD versions of the 2012 Ford Explorer use the same 18.6 gal tank.
How far can a 2012 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?
About 428–465 miles on the highway and 316–335 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2012 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?
About 116 highway miles or 84 in town from the 18.6-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.7 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 2012 Ford Explorer take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2012 Ford Explorer?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.6-gallon tank from empty costs $79.42. It ranges from $68.82 in the Gulf Coast to $109.55 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2012 Ford Explorer?
About 115 pounds for the 18.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2012 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Nissan Pathfinder?
No. The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder holds up to 21.1 gallons; the 2012 Ford Explorer holds up to 18.6.
Has the 2012 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 5 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2012 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Ford fuel system recalls).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.