Ford · Expedition · 2012
2012 Ford Expedition
3
Recalls
116
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Ford Expedition has 3 recalls and 116 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (46 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated May 4, 2026
Research Context
The 2012 Ford Expedition page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 46 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- Check the linked investigations for extra ODI context if you want to see whether owner complaints escalated into formal defect review.
Key Takeaways
- The 2012 Ford Expedition currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 116 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows 1 NHTSA investigation linked to this page.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (46), structure (10), unknown or other (5).
- Vehicle
- 2012 Ford Expedition
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 116
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
21.2% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 16V248000April 27, 2016
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 12V190000May 03, 2012
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 12V034000February 02, 2012
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Investigations
1 totalThe 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).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)Opened: Dec 25, 2017Closed: Oct 22, 2019Related recall: 19V075000
Owner Complaints
116 totalPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Apr 4, 2026
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...
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POWER TRAIN
Feb 23, 2026
While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 9, 2025
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. T...
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POWER TRAIN
Oct 13, 2025
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 li...
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POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 11, 2025
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...
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POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Jul 24, 2025
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 wh...
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POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 24, 2025
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 Torq...
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POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 24, 2025
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...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 15, 2025
ABS CPU control system. Error Code B1342-EC. Antilock braking system electronic control unit defect.
POWER TRAIN
May 17, 2025
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 option...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 116 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Ford Expedition Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Expedition have?
The 2012 Ford Expedition has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2012 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has received 116 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Ford Expedition.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2012 Ford Expedition?
The 2012 Ford Expedition received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Expedition?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Ford Expedition are power train (46 reports), structure (10 reports), unknown or other (5 reports).
Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2012 Ford Expedition. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.