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2012 Ford Expedition problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Ford Expedition has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 118owner complaints
- 6crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 13injuries reported
118 complaints, against an average of 198 for the other 14 Ford Expedition model years.
Every Ford Expedition model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
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What goes wrong with the 2012 Ford Expedition?
The components named most often in the 118 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Ford Expedition owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 118 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Fault codes 2012 Ford Expedition owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2012 Ford Expedition been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission 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.
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.
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: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 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.
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.
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 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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 do 2012 Ford Expedition owners report?
12 of the 118 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer
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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated…
While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires.
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
ABS CPU control system. Error Code B1342-EC. Antilock braking system electronic control unit defect.
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 SERVICE NUMBER THAT THEY HAVE LISTED FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION LEAD…
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.
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 SPEEDS IS, IT IS EQUALLY AS DANGEROUS TO BE GETTING OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE IN…
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 explained to him what was happening and calmed down think God. It could have killed him…
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.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION TODAY, MAY 15, 2015, GOING SOUTHBOUND THE SPEED OF 45MPH ON A CITY STREET IN RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA. ANOTHER CAR GOING WESTBOUND DIDN'T WAIT AT STOP SIGN, WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING HER BUT WE COLLIDED, I WAS SPUN AROUND, SHE ENDED UP IN THE FRONT YARD THE HOUSE ON THE CORNER. THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT FENDER AND FRONT DOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. ONLY 1 AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH NO PASSENGER SITTING THERE. MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL…
2012 Ford Expedition: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Ford Expedition reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Expedition; the most common categories were power train (64, 54.2%), electrical system (20, 16.9%), vehicle speed control (18, 15.3%). There are 3 safety recalls. 6 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 13 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Expedition?
Across 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (54.2% of complaints), electrical system (16.9% of complaints), vehicle speed control (15.3% of complaints), structure (12.7% of complaints), engine (10.2% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Ford Expedition; the most recent (campaign 16V248000, 2016-04-27) concerns Power Train: Automatic Transmission. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 Ford Expedition?
10 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Expedition (8.5%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Randomly drops into first gear while driving and will not go out of first gear after that unless disconnecting battery and resetting everything. no check engine light or anything. this cannot happen with three kids in the car." (NHTSA complaint 11395196, February 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have rust or paint problems?
9 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Expedition (7.6%) describe rust, corrosion or peeling paint. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11507158, February 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Ford Expedition stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
6 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Expedition (5.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Customer complained of the vehicle stalling. testing found an electrical issue with the fuel supply and delivery system. removal and inspection of the fuel pump found the internal power wire to the pump rubbed through on the pressure regulator ground spade…" (NHTSA complaint 11064338, January 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Expedition
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2012 only. How these reports are made.