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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-FORD-EXPEDITIONNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2012 Ford Expedition problems
The 2012 Ford Expedition has 116 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Ford Expedition has 116 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 64 complaints, typically surfacing around 111,084 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Expedition?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Ford Expedition EXTENDED SUV 4x4. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Ford Expedition? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 64 owner reports
· tends to show around 111,084 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
body — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 45,423 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
electrical — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 90,457 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 110,100 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 45,423 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Expedition· electrical
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
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…
Could hear a loud metal to metal grinding sound. Finally had the expedition towed to dealership. 3 struts need to be replaced as well as the shocks. Driver side bearing was worn out. The passenger side is almost there. The expedition only has 50,000 miles. After getting this…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle independently decelerated and nearly caused the vehicle to be rear ended by a tractor…
Had a problem with your 2012 Ford Expedition?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 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
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 vehicles 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 vehicles not signaling it is in reverse.
Fix: 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 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
In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Ford Expedition reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Ford Expedition is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Ford Expedition?
The 2012 Ford Expedition is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Ford Expedition?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 64 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 111,084 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Ford Expedition a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 116 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 111,084 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Ford Expedition?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 64 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 111,084 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 111,084 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Expedition has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Ford Expedition?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 116 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Expedition.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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