Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Ford Expedition problems
Owners filed 118 complaints about the 2012 Ford Expedition with NHTSA between Apr 2012 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is power train (64).
Complaints
118
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train64
- Electrical system20
- Vehicle speed control18
- Structure15
- Engine12
- Service brakes6
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Air bags3
- Suspension3
- Seats3
- Back over prevention2
- Seat belts2
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Child seat1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
4
7
5
16
15
21
7
5
10
5
4
3
9
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
64 reports2 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Electrical system
20 reports1 fire
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
18 reports3 crashes
“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”
Structure
15 reports4 crashes1 fire
“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…”
Engine
12 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Service brakes
6 reports1 crash
“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…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.