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2012 Ford Expedition Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2012 Ford Expedition carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Unintended transmission downshift and lead frame failure.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #16V248000 · Apr 27, 2016

Issue: 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.

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.

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.

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

Campaign #12V190000 · Mar 5, 2012

Issue: 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.

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.

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.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Campaign #12V034000 · Feb 2, 2012

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Ford Expedition.

Reported to NHTSA

Unintended transmission downshift and lead frame failure

POWER TRAIN

77 NHTSA complaints · 2013-10 → 2026-08

“While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11720153
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle independently down shifted to first gear causing both rear tires to lock up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11425032
“WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR, RPMS REVVED UP, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TEMPORARILY HAD NO EFFECT, "FUEL LEVEL LOW" LIGHT CAME ON AND "TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11416159

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tailgate paint bubbling and corrosion

STRUCTURE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2023-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11507158
“HAVE RUST BUBBLES ON INSIDE BOTTOM OF REAR LIFT GATE. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WHERE LIFT GATE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865542
“PAINT BLISTERS ARE STARTING TO APPEAR ON REAR LIFT GATE WHERE THE HANDLE IS ATTACHED. DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS CORROSION DUE TO THE ALUMINIUM MATERIAL THAT THE LIFT GATE IS MADE OF AND POOR PREP WORK OR CONTAMINATION FROM THE FACTORY PAINT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10818219

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake fluid loss and ABS sensor failure

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2022-03

“ABS CPU control system. Error Code B1342-EC. Antilock braking system electronic control unit defect”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679636
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11458800
“MULTIPLE TIMES REPLACING BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS IN UNDER A YEAR AND 7,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11045910

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear air suspension failure

SUSPENSION

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2015-12

“WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION FAILED ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO BOTTOM OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10576990
“REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, AND THE REAR DROPPED GOING 45 MPH DOWN THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10706513
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10809077

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat headrest angle and seat heater or cooler overheating

SEATS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2014-12

“THE HEADRESTS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10489194
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10664062
“AFTER PURCHASING A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION, WE DISCOVERED THAT, WHEN RUNNING THE SEAT A/C, THE MOTOR INSIDE THE SEAT OVERHEATS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10455859

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical short and under-vehicle fire risk

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2023-09

“I was driving regularly down the road when I noticed the smell of electrical fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11543010
“CUSTOMER COMPLAINED OF THE VEHICLE STALLING. TESTING FOUND AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SUPPLY AND DELIVERY SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11064338
“SMELLED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10663647

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-12 → 2014-08

“VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED. SPEED WAS UNCONTROLLABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10619402
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487785

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

27 crashes 1990–2024

How the 27 occupant deaths break down

16

driver deaths

11

passenger deaths

27

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Ford Expedition reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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