The Used Car Index

2012 Ford Expedition problems

NHTSA lists 118 complaints for the 2012 Ford Expedition, 6 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 4 complaints mention an injury, with 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD EXPEDITION.

At a glance

Complaints
118
With crash
6
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
4
Injuries
13
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
153,581
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
63

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN6454.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2016.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1815.3%
STRUCTURE1512.7%
ENGINE1210.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER97.6%
SERVICE BRAKES65.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM43.4%
AIR BAGS32.5%
SEATS32.5%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY15
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM1
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY1
WHEELSRIM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control2427.6%0.79
mechanical failure2023.0%0.73
electrical electronic1820.7%0.77
structural or corrosion1314.9%0.98
restraint or airbag55.7%0.89
fire or overheating33.4%0.85
noise or comfort22.3%0.92
fluid or fuel leak11.1%0.75
unclear11.1%0.97
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate5360.9%0.78
low2124.1%0.87
high1213.8%0.72
critical11.1%0.49

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 87 tagged complaints of 118 complaints (73.7%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

16V248000

Date: 2016-04-27. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V190000

Date: 2012-05-03. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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 A LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.A THESE VEHICLES MAY HAV (excerpt)

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE A RA POSITION AND THE VEHICLEA S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE A RA 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. THES (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V034000

Date: 2012-02-02. Systems: SEATS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

RQ17010

Opened: 2017-12-25. Closed: 2019-10-22.

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).E

Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Linked campaign numbers: 19V075000.

Manufacturer communications

63 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT20
POWER TRAIN19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
ENGINE7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
STRUCTURE6
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3

11031792

Date: 2026-04-29. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Harvest Program 25H05 a Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program

11029052

Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the

11026013

Date: 2025-11-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.

11008948

Date: 2024-10-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.

11005305

Date: 2024-07-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: WHEELS.

This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel a

10254138

Date: 2024-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,

10214754

Date: 2022-06-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure

10201086

Date: 2021-08-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.

10201087

Date: 2021-08-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.

10183669

Date: 2020-11-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, POWER TRAIN.

Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage In some of the affected vehicles, an output shaft speed (OSS) sensor failure may result in an illuminated malfunction indica

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
EXPEDITION118

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2012

Sources

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