In the front of my 2012 Explorer in the bumper there is a round cutout. What is it? I did not want to try to open it until I knew exactly what it is. It is on the passenger side. Thanks for your help!

 

The owners manual may note it, my guess is it's where you screw in a tow hook. Maybe. Possibly. Like some other cars, perhaps. If so, THAT will for sure be in the manual.

 

Got a pic?

I was looking on Ford's site and noticed that some Explorer's have a rectangular shaped opening on the passenger side of the lower valance cut out while others don't. The only round cutouts I see on the front end house the fog lights.

 

I think it may be where the eye or sensor for the adaptive cruise control would be located.
Do you have a Limited without the adaptive cruise? If so it may be where the camera/eye/sensor would be to detect when you are getting to close to the vehicle in front of you if you had the option. Of course this is only an uneducated guess.

 

I had mine come off for unknown reason. There is a fmeale thread connection of about 1/2" under the cover which the dealer described as having purpose should the vehicle need to be towed. Sounded like an odd explaination.