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Vehicle safety record

2012 Ford Expedition Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 119 complaints about the 2012 Ford Expedition with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (64) and the electrical system (20). Those complaints describe 6 crashes, 2 fires and 13 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in April 2016 for the automatic transmission. For comparison, the 2011 has 71 and the 2013 has 92.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Expedition year, for its age

#83 most complained-about 2012 vehicle

Complaints
119
Recalls
3
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
13
Deaths
0

Most common 2012 Ford Expedition problems

Share of all 119 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2012 Ford Expedition recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Power train: automatic transmission

16V248000153,581 vehicles affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
The risk
An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

Power train: control module (tcm / pcm / tecm)

12V19000010,500 vehicles affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 ford f-150, 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 “lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.” These vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
The risk
If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse “r” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “r” may not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle’s not signaling it is in reverse.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Seats: mid / rear assembly

12V034000569 vehicles affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator vehicles, manufactured from November 19, 2011, through december 2, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 202, "Head restraints." These vehicles may have inadequate welds on the head restraint support brackets for the second row, right-hand seat.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on february 21, 2012. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

What owners say

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119 complaints about the 2012 Ford Expedition

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.

Engine & cooling

Our 2012 Ford Expedition, approximately 66,000 miles was purchased from the KEN GROODY FORD dealership on December 30, 2025. The vehicle has a failed molded lead frame in the 6R80 transmission, the output shaft speed sensor. This is a known factory problem on 2011-2012 vehicles build at the Kentucky Truck Plant. There was a Customer Satisfaction Program 16NO@/19N01 extending the overage to 10 years/150,000 miles and related Safety Recall 16S19. The failure can cause a sudden unintended downshift into first gear...

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while driving, running funny with the engine revving high as the transmission forces the wrong gear, false "FUEL LOW" "NO GAS" WARNINGS lighted on the dash board when there is plenty of gas in the tank, TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT lights up on the dashboard, other symbols light up - ALL of these issues happen while driving the car, CREATING A SAFETY RISK and a danger to the driver, passengers and surrounding vehicles on the road. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership and confirmed that it is the failing molded lead frame. FORD dealership did not tell us that this problem came from the Kentucky Truck factory. We had to research and find out ourselves. This potential liability defect was not disclosed at the time of purchase. Low mileage indicates this is not normal wear. We did sign an "as is" waver, but California dealers have a duty to disclose known material defects. "As is" does not protect them from nondisclosure or misrepresentation claims. There was only one previous owner, he serviced the car twice a year at the FORD dealership since he bought it in 2012. The previous owner fulfilled the recall 16S19. We have owned the 2012 Expedition for ONLY 10 months and are asking the KEN GROODY FORD DEALERSHIP to cover all costs associated with this repair. This is a well- documented long known safety problem on these exact vehicles. It is FORDS responsibility to pay for their manufacturing SAFETY ERRORS.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11776863
Acceleration & cruise controlFuel system

vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11756399
Acceleration & cruise controlFuel system

vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11756398
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, causing the occupants to lunge forward. The tires squealed and the wheels locked up. The vehicle was turned off but failed to restart. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). A tow truck company was contacted, and was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The local...

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dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An attempt was made to contact the manufacturer, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11729726
Transmission & drivetrain

While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11720153
Acceleration & cruise control

The speedometer will quit working and the vehicle will not shift out of 1st gear, if you can work through it it will start throwing error messages such as zero miles to empty, tire moniter system fault, etc. This is a very dangerous situation especially in high traffic areas. There was a customer satisfaction program on it but only up to 150,000 miles. This program should last the life of the vehicle, also, if it was fixed before ownership, why did it go bad again

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11699752
Transmission & drivetrain

Over a period of time this problem is occurring more often. The vehicle will downshift into first gear. I pull over check engine light is on. I turn off wait turn back on and no problem for awhile. Within the last month this has occurred many times . Each time the check engine light comes on but also now the advance track light. Each time I have the same codes pulled. Driving on the highway with my daughter at 65mph it downshifted and the back tires locked up . Vehicles had to swerve to miss us. The check engine...

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light was on advance track light same codes pulled. The dealership said it's not in the recall even though it was built in Jefferson co Kentucky 9/2011. I don't understand why this vehicle wasn't recalled . I have to continue to drive it's my only vehicle. I'm so scared for my life.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11695051
Driver assistance

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the image displayed on the back over prevention screen was either upside down, distorted, static only, or completely black. The failure was intermittent. During the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle to fix the image; however, the fix was intermittent. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and found information on NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V270000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN and model year was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Filed Incident Back over preventionNHTSA 11686275
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise control

I was driving my 2012 expedition and suddenly the vehicle went from doing 60 to 40 immediately the tires squealed and threw me into the right lane . This vehicle transmission has a recall for down shifting and power train issues. My vin number does not fit the Recall but my vehicle has all the symptoms of multiple recalls and is not safe to drive . Had i not known how to drive i and my daughter would be in the hospital due to the faulty transmission lead frame and power train . I contacted ...

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Ford head quarters they were no help even though there is clearly a recall . I also took the truck to ford of valparaiso and had to pay the 1,000 dollars for the lead frame to be replaced which was in the recall and I shouldn't have had to pay anything .. them replacing the lead frame did nothing the car is still not drive able and is extremely unsafe its my only vehicle and I am a single mother of 2 kids .

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11683830
Brakes

ABS CPU control system. Error Code B1342-EC. Antilock braking system electronic control unit defect.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakesNHTSA 11679636
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

July 2025 my 2012 ford expedition threw a p0742 code for a stuck torque converter clutch. The vehicle had just under 150k miles and started to jerk in and out of gear and the wrench light illuminated so i, thankfully was going approximately 45 mph when it happened and was able to pull the vehicle over as it was in limp mode. When I cleared the dtc code the problem went away temporarily but eventually locked back up again within a mile from my home. Unfortunately, ford dealerships will not stand behind the customer...

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service number that they have listed for a replacement of the transmission lead frame. I provided the local dealership with all of the necessary information as well as an independent diagnosis by a transmission specialist. Looks like I'll just have to wait for the day that it causes a massive accident by downshifting into 1st gear at 65mph. Terrible customer service and I can only hope this doesn't cost someone their life.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11676319
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Campaign 19N01 Description Transmission molded leadframe extended coverage Next Steps Contact your dealer for next steps. Did this and was told that the vehicle was not covered due to it being after 10 years and barely over 150,000 miles. I am experiencing transmission issues where the torque converter clutch is now stuck on and the lead frame is more than likely the cause. Thanks FORD, NEVER AGAIN.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11676166
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

I just purchased (2 months ago) a 2012 ford expedition el 5.4L v8 from a private party. I wish I would have done more research as I am already experiencing transmission issues that I believe are directly related to the vehicles lead frame recall. It threw a p0742 code on me torque converter clutch circuit stuck on and decided that it would only drive in limp mode unless I cleared the code, pulled over, cycles the key, and restarted the vehicle. Even as dangerous as this unexpected shifting into 1st gear at highway...

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speeds is, it is equally as dangerous to be getting out of your vehicle in moving traffic due to ford's terrible design on this vehicles power train/transmission system. I have scheduled an appointment with the local ford dealer and al certain I'll get the runaround/blame game for this one. 150K miles and as I said, I have owned it for 2 months and have already had transmission issues, brake issues, belt tensioner pulley literally fell off.. And from what I read, what's next??? The cam phasers?? That's if the transmission issue is even fixed and it becomes safely drive able again. Come on ford, get your act together, you're better than this!

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11676082
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failed to engage after startup, and while driving will slip out like its in neutral without warning. There was a series of messages that rolled over and over as the vehicle slowed. When we first took it to have it serviced for this problem June of 2024, they optioned to flush, change the filter, and put in new transmission fluid. They could not reproduce the problem. That seemed to take care of it until May 17, 2025 when it started slipping again. Again, the service center cannot reproduce the problem. The sudden slowdown, puts us in a risk for an accident with other vehicles. The vehicle is available for inspection if needed.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11662457
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving my vehicle, the transmission down shift on its on and the vehicle antilock brakes hit and suddenly stops on its on.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11601512
Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and downshifted unintendedly. The contact stated there were two unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the output speed sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was...

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contacted and informed the contact there would be no assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11598352
Transmission & drivetrain

On [[redacted]] @ [[redacted]]. I was traveling [[redacted]] in Logan Co., OK in my 2012 Ford Expedition EL (purchased used Jan. 2020) at an approximate speed of 45 mph when the vehicle downshifted into 1st gear causing a rapid deceleration wherein the vehicle behind me had to take evasive action to avoid rear ending me. The engine rpms climbed significantly while the speedometer stopped working and the vehicle never shifted into any higher gears for the next five blocks wherein I was able to pull my vehicle...

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into a safe place. Again, the vehicle continued only in 1st gear! After turning the vehicle off and letting it sit for a few minutes, it appeared everything had reset and I slowly drove it straight to my mechanics shop. (However, shop was closed until after Memorial Day, so I again drove it slowly back home). Total trip was approximate 12 miles. Issue took place approximate 5 miles from when I left my residence. Ironically, I had visited my mechanic the day before inquiring about an issue wherein the vehicle would beep and a "wrench symbol" would display on the instrument panel and the speedometer and instrument display would stop working. I advised this was the 2nd time that issue occurred within the past few days, however, once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, all seem to be okay. In responding to my inquiry, my mechanic seemed to think it was an instrument cluster issue. That if it persisted, return to have it checked out. Never during any of these two (2) prior occurrences did the vehicle downshift as it did on the [[redacted]] of May. As an attorney, I began researching potential causes and came across the NHTSA's previous investigation(s) into this issue. However, I am dumbfounded that as serious as this issue is, NO recall has been made. As to me, it is my understanding that Ford's Customer Service Program has even expired regarding fixing this life threatening issue. I am lucky that there was not a semi-truck behind me or it would have been serious. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11590500
Transmission & drivetrainBody, doors & structureAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

The transmission jumps in and out of gear, the engine revs on its on. I was on the highway the first time and I going between 60 and 65 mph and it sounded like the whole bottom of the truck was just ripped out, the truck went from drive to either park or first gear it locked up the back tires and there was a truck behind me he tried to miss me but he hit the back passenger side of the truck. He was very very upset he threatening and cussing me because he thought I just slammed on my brakes for no reason. I...

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explained to him what was happening and calmed down think God. It could have killed him or me or even several other people. When it locked up the tires then it jumped back in drive and tried tot take off, I threw it in neutral and cut the key off. That scared the sh.. out of me!! I have talked to other people that have around the same year model truck as mine and some of them are having the same issues with it jumping in and out of gear not wanting to shift gears revving up on its own and no engine light comes on I've tried to get a code scanner scan it no codes come up on the truck Ford needs to fix this truck they had a recall on certain models that were manufactured at different plants or something like that I heard but they won't fix my truck they said it's not under recall this truck is going to kill somebody it's the only truck I have and I have to go to work I'm just asking if you can please do something about this before people get killed in or I get killed I'm going to try to get a video of what it does I'm just asking if you can please do something about this Ford knows what the problem is I read stuff on it and they need to fix these trucks before it kills people they know what the problem is if I have a bad wreck and I live to it or this truck causing somebody to lose their life it's going to be a multi multi multi million dollar lawsuit because they refuse to fix the truck I'm just asking you if you can please do something about this thank you

Filed Incident Power train · Structure · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11550843
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I was driving regularly down the road when I noticed the smell of electrical fire. Smoke started coming from the undercarriage of the truck. I pulled into a gas station, and the engine died, and I got out to look at what's causing the smoke. I observed what looked to be engine or transmission oil on fire dripping from the undercarriage, so I moved a safe distance from the vehicle, and within about 30 seconds, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department came, and extinguished the fire. The vehicle is 100% casualty, along with everything inside of it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11543010
Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon his wife depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM raised abruptly however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and seemed as if the transmission was in neutral(N). After restarting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that a failure had occurred with...

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the transmission molded lead frame. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01-Supplement #1 (Power Train) However, the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,112.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11530230
Body, doors & structureDriver assistance

Metal corrosion on the back liftgate is allowing water to leech into the electrical connections to the back camera, causing it to intermittently not work leading to complete failure eventually. The service techs at the ford dealership have described this common problem with this year model expeditions and is due to a chemical problem either with the metal or factory paint or both. Corrosion is not due to rust. We bought the car new in late 2011.

Filed Incident Structure · Back over preventionNHTSA 11507158
Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle independently decelerated and nearly caused the vehicle to be rear ended by a tractor trailer. The contact indicated that the vehicle was driven home with the transmission stuck in 3rd gear. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,959.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11496107
Transmission & drivetrain

Uncommanded downshift to first gear in 6R80 transmission. While driving at approximately 30mph, transmission downshifted into 1st gear. Problem repeated itself several times. No "codes" or warning lights. I put the transmission in "3" and drove slowly back home. This is the same issue that has occurred in F-150's. The problem was intermittent at first. Had this occurred at highway speeds it may have resulted in a rear end "lock-up", loss of control and possible accident. Took the vehicle to the repair shop...

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where they were initially unable to get a "code". Later, I was able to repeat the problem and got warning lights and codes showing failure of the transmission output speed sensor which is located on the molded lead frame. This is the same failure as on the F-150. The molded lead frame was not available as single piece so it was necessary to replace the entire valve body unit.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11485590
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

My vehicle suddenly shifted downward, my gas pedal had no effect, my speedometer stopped working and my fuel and tire sensor lights came on. This happened multiple times on my drive this morning and would have caused an accident if I was being tailgated.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11467696
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle independently slowed to approximately 2 MPH. The contact observed that the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer went blank. The contact stated that when she depressed the accelerator, the vehicle would jerk forward. The contact pulled off of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that when she restarted the vehicle the vehicle failed to respond when shifted...

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into drive with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11463039

Ford Expedition: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
2016217388BrakesC
2015164386Electrical systemC
2014720102Transmission & drivetrainB
201392033Transmission & drivetrainB
2012119362Transmission & drivetrainC
201171021Transmission & drivetrainA
2010580101Body, doors & structureB
200928120Body, doors & structureA
20081464242Body, doors & structureC
All Expedition years

2012 Ford Expedition vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2012 Ford Expedition

Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Ford Expedition: automatic transmission (April 2016); control module (tcm / pcm / tecm) (May 2012); mid / rear assembly (February 2012). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Expedition?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (64), electrical system (20), acceleration & cruise control (18).

How many complaints has the 2012 Ford Expedition had?

119 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 20, 2012 and the latest on November 9, 2026. Of these, 6 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 13 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2012 Ford Expedition a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 58 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford Expedition year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Ford Expedition years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2012 Ford Expedition has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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