2012 Ford Expedition Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Expedition, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)6239.5%
- Driver assistance2113.4%
- Electrical2012.7%
- Body & structure159.6%
- Engine127.6%
- Brakes63.8%
- Fuel system42.5%
- Suspension31.9%
- Airbags31.9%
- Seat belts31.9%
- Transmission21.3%
- Interior & seats21.3%
- Other / unspecified10.6%
- Exterior lighting10.6%
- Tires & wheels10.6%
- Heating & air conditioning10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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.
While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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.
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS CPU control system. Error Code B1342-EC. Antilock braking system electronic control unit defect.
My wife backed my vehicle out of the garage and began her drive to work. She stopped a few times at stop light through town before she got to the freeway. Driving on the highway she notice/got a message on the dash that stated Low Brake Fluid. She wasn't sure what that meant as the brakes were working fine. On her drive to work she has 2 stop lights that are on the highway. Coming up to the first stop light she was unable to stop as the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Her inability to stop caused to to run the red light at around 40 mph. I am a mechanic of 20 years. I went to her work to inspect the vehicle. There were no leaks or broken hoses, the master cylinder was empty except for the front of the reservoir that had maybe an 1/8" of fluid in it. Upon doing some internet research I found that 2013 - 2014 F-150 had the exact same problem with the master cylinder leaking into the brake booster causing the loss of the service brake system to function properly. More research found that the master cylinder in question is the same part number used on all f150 and expeditions from 2010 -2014. The recall number is 16s24. I called Ford customer service and was told that my vehicle had no open recalls. I explained to the agent that I understood recalls are VIN specific but my vehicle has the same master cylinder (based on part number) as the ones failing in the F150 and it has failed in the exact same way (brake fluid leaking, or being sucked into the brake booster) as described in the recall for this issue. This is a serious issue as the brakes worked as designed one minute and there was no brakes the next when needed. The only warning was a low brake fluid light/message. My wife could have been killed or killed someone else had there been another vehicle entering the intersection. There easily could have been a crash/fire/injury or fatality. How many failures/deaths do there need to be before a recall is issued and Ford does the right thing.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND HEARD A SOUND WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS AND SHOCKS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WITH THE SHOCKS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WERE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD INCLUDED THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE AND THE SAFETY BELT MINDER PER THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN BEEPING AS USUAL TO NOTIFY HER WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS UNBLOCKED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RCM HAD NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE MANUAL STATED THAT THE RCM WAS INCLUDED. THE DEALER THEN IDENTIFIED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE SERIES OF BEEPING SOUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,311.
REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, AND THE REAR DROPPED GOING 45 MPH DOWN THE ROAD. CHANGED RELAYS, BUT THE REAR IS STILL SAGGING. THE AIR SUSPENSION WON'T KICK ON. CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 OTHER AIRBAGS THAT DID NOT DEPLOY, EVEN THOUGH THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS SMASHED. ALSO, THE ONE AIRBAG THAT DID DEPLOY CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK WITH A BURNING WHITE SMOKE, NOT POWDER. IT WAS A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL THAT I INHALED A LOT OF. NOT SURE WHY ONLY THE ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND ALL THE OTHERS DIDN'T??? PLEASE HELP ME IN GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. SHOULD OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE BE RECALLED? I HAVE TO SAY, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WAY BETTER IF MY SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WOULD HAVE WORKED THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER INSTANCES LIKE MINE? WHAT SHOULD FORD MOTOR COMPANY DO FOR ME? WHAT DO I DO NEXT? PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU, [XXX] ## VIN PASSED ## FORD, EXPEDITION, 2012 ## INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND HEARD A SOUND WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS AND SHOCKS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WITH THE SHOCKS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WERE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD INCLUDED THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE AND THE SAFETY BELT MINDER PER THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN BEEPING AS USUAL TO NOTIFY HER WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS UNBLOCKED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RCM HAD NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE MANUAL STATED THAT THE RCM WAS INCLUDED. THE DEALER THEN IDENTIFIED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE SERIES OF BEEPING SOUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,311.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE THE GRACO MY RIDE 65. I HAD TO PUT THE SEAT IN MY MOTHER IN LAWS CAR AND CAN'T GET IT OUT NOW. IT SEEMS LIKE THE LATCH IT LOCKED OR STUCK. IT WILL NOT FEED ANY SLACK TO HELP REMOVE HE SEAT. NORMALLY THIS SEAT IS IN MY EXPEDITION AND A BIT EASIER TO GET OUT HOWEVER STILL VERY HARD. I HATE TO TAKE THIS SEAT OUT AND RE INSTALL OFTEN BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION. AT THE MOMENT THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY STILL STUCK IN THE CAR. I CAN CUT THE STRAPS HOWEVER DON?T WANT TO DO THAT IF I DON'T HAVE TOO! (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2012, MAKE=EXPEDITION , MODEL=FORD) *DT *DT *TR *DT NO VIN, NO ATTACHMENTS.*JB
B POST FAILED CAUSING SEAT BELT TO RIP OUT. I CAN SEND MORE PICTURES IF NEEDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
My gear shaft gets stuck in park as if it’s not recognizing that the break is getting pressed. It gets stuck for a while. There is no sticky substance that is causing this.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact had to restart the vehicle and continued to drive. However, when leaving work the failure occurred again which at that time the contact had pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and have it towed to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure, but diagnosed the failure as a front end harness issue with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
NECK PROBLEMS DUE TO ANGLE OF HEAD REST WHILE BREAKING, I AM 6'5'. THE EXISTING HEADREST IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
THE HEADRESTS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE. WE DID NOT NOTICE WHILE TEST DRIVING, SINCE NEITHER OF US SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT ON THE DRIVE HOME I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TRYING TO REST MY HEAD AGAINST THE HEADREST AND FOUND IT UNCOMFORTABLE. IN THE DAYS TO COME, MY WIFE FOUND IT MORE SO. OUR WORKAROUND HAS BEEN TO INSERT A NECK PILLOW AT THE BASE OF THE HEADREST. WE CONTACTED FORD 800#, AND THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE HEADREST WAS DESIGNED WITH THE ANGLE FORWARD LIKE THAT FOR SAFETY, AND THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY DID NOT SEEM TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE POSTED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS 'FEATURE' ON THE WEB. APPARENTLY IT IS NOT EVEN NEW FOR THE 2011 MODEL YEAR. FOR ME, IT IS ANNOYING; FOR MY WIFE, INTOLERABLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN KING ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIMS WERE REPLACED IN APRIL 2015. HOWEVER, THE NEW ARE MISSING THE CLEAR COAT IN CERTAIN AREAS AND THE SURFACE OF THOSE AREAS WERE ROUGH. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMELLED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE . AFTER SEARCHING I DISCOVERED THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING HAD OVERHEATED AND HAS MELTED IN THE FRAME FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHTING. THIS IS A STOCK HOUSING FROM FORD WITH FORD INSTALLED LIGHTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2012 FORD EXPEDITION SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE TIRE WAS ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED PROPERLY AND HAD NO EXTERNAL SIGNS OF WEAR. SLIGHTLY BEFORE THE TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED I HEARD A SLAPPING SOUND FROM THE LEFT FRONT AND EASED OFF THE GAS. THE TIRE THEN POPPED LOUDLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME HARD TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SPARE. THE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THE TREAD CAUSED SOME MINOR DAMAGE IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAUSED BY AN UNRELIABLE TIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER PURCHASING A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION, WE DISCOVERED THAT, WHEN RUNNING THE SEAT A/C, THE MOTOR INSIDE THE SEAT OVERHEATS. THIS CAUSES THE UPPER SECTION OF THE SEAT TO BECOME HOT, AND THE SEAT POCKET BEHIND THE SEAT TO BECOME VERY HOT. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION FOR THE MOTOR, AND THERE WAS NO FIX. NOT JUST FOR OUR VEHICLE BUT FOR ALL 2012 EXPEDITIONS....ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE ADVICE GIVEN BY FORD WAS "DON'T USE THE SEAT A/C DURING THE SUMMER." I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OKAY TO USE THE SEAT HEATER IN THE WINTER. HOWEVER, IF THE BLOWER DOESN'T VENTILATE PROPERLY, THE MOTOR WILL STILL BECOME HOT. MY FEAR IS THAT IT WILL BECOME SO HOT THAT IT COULD EITHER SHORT OUT, GIVING SOMEONE A NASTY SHOCK, OR WORSE, CATCH FIRE. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .