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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Ford Expedition Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Ford Expedition has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 118 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Ford Expedition, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Ford Expedition owner complaints

Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Expedition, describing incidents dated September 3, 2011 to August 10, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 64 complaints
  • Electrical System 20 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 18 complaints
  • Structure 15 complaints
  • Engine 12 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 9 complaints

Of the 118 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 118 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11756399 · Filed

    vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

  • ODI #11756398 · Filed

    vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

  • ODI #11729726 · Filed

    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…

Read all 118 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Ford Expedition in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

NHTSA #16V248000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported April 27, 2016 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 153,581 vehicles

Repair completion: 68.92% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 16S19 · Owners notified September 16, 2016 · Vehicles built August 26, 2011 – September 10, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

"PRNDL" ILLUMINATION AND BACKUP LAMP ACTIVATION

NHTSA #12V190000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported May 3, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 10,500 vehicles

Ford campaign 12C23 · Owners notified June 11, 2012 · Vehicles built October 19, 2011 – December 17, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12C23.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2ND ROW HEAD RESTRAINT SUPPORT BRACKETS/FMVSS 202

NHTSA #12V034000 · Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 2, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 569 vehicles

Ford campaign 12C22 · Owners notified February 21, 2012 · Vehicles built November 19, 2011 – December 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12C22.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Ford Expedition model years

Check your 2012 Ford Expedition VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Expedition at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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