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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2012 Ford Expedition

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 118 safety complaints about the 2012 Ford Expedition with the US government. Of those, 6 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 13 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the power train and the seats.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 64 complaints, 54% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 82,000 miles, the median across the 85 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2012 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

118 complaints on file

118

Complaints

6

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

13

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 64 · 54%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20 · 17%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18 · 15%
STRUCTURE 15 · 13%
ENGINE 12 · 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 · 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 3%
AIR BAGS 3 · 3%
SEATS 3 · 3%
SUSPENSION 3 · 3%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 · 2%
0 27 54

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 118.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 21.

24 18 12 6
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test EXTENDED SUV 4x2 EXTENDED SUV 4x4 SUV 4x2 SUV 4x4
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 21.2% 19.8% 21.2% 19.8%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

16V248000 · April 27, 2016

The 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.
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 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 153,581 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

12V190000 · May 3, 2012

The 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 “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 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.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 10,500 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

12V034000 · February 2, 2012

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

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 569 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

RQ17010

Closed recall query · opened December 25, 2017 · closed October 22, 2019 · led to recall 19V075000

the power train

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).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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE:BODY

6 injured · crash · 30,000 miles

VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED. SPEED WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. DRIVER AVOIDED TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITIES STANDING WORKERS AND UNINTENTIONALLY HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND WORKERS INSIDE THOSE VEHICLES. 6 INJURED TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TWO CRITICALLY HURT! *TR

NHTSA complaint 10619402. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · fire · crash · towed · 68,200 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10985892, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

3 injured · crash · towed · 82,000 miles

B POST FAILED CAUSING SEAT BELT TO RIP OUT. I CAN SEND MORE PICTURES IF NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint 11153432. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 7,581 miles

STOPPED AT 0MPH. WITNESS IN CAR BEHIND. FOOT ON BRAKE. TOUCHED ACCELERATOR NORMALLY. HEARD NOISE. CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED. HIT WALL APPROX TWENTY FEET AWAY. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ONE IN PASSENGER SEAT. SEAT BELT ON, PER DRIVER, WITNESS WHO HELPED DRIVER THRU WINDOW, AND EXAMINATION OF SEAT BELT BY INSPECTOR. HOWEVER EDR READ SEAT BELT AS NOT ENGAGED. BRAKE READ AS NOT ENGAGED, HOWEVER EDR ALSO READ VEHICLE AT 0MPH. ACCELERATOR 0% AT 3.5 SECONDS PRIOR TO IMPACT, INITIAL ACCELERATION 23% THREE SECONDS PRIOR TO IMPACT, 99% 1.5 SECONDS PRIOR TO IMPACT. ENGINE RPMS DATA MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE. MULTIPLE VEHICLES USING REMOTE CONTROLS AT NEARBY GATE. *TR UPDATED 12/27/12 *CN UPDATED

NHTSA complaint 10487785, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

NHTSA complaint 11756398. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

NHTSA complaint 11756399. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 166,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11729726, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11720153. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED 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

NHTSA complaint 11699752. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 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

NHTSA complaint 11695051, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Expedition

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 10 2 —
2025 36 6 —
2024 76 7 —
2023 65 8 —
2022 113 12 —
2021 235 12 —
2020 417 18 —
2019 505 11 —
2018 375 14 —
2017 357 4 —
2016 217 3 —
2015 164 3 —
2014 72 0 —
2013 92 0 —
2011 71 0 —
2010 58 0 —

Other 2012 Ford models

Focus 3,769 Fusion 2,516 F-150 1,782 Edge 1,134 Explorer 828 Fiesta 617 Escape 602 Mustang 469

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst