2012 Ford Expedition: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Ford Expedition: 3 recalls, 118 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #12V034000 · 2012 · 569 vehicles
What's wrong: 202, "head restraints." these vehicles May have inadequate welds on the head restraint support brackets for the second row, right-hand seat.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint May not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Exterior lights, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #12V190000 · 2012 · 10,500 vehicles
What's wrong: 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â these vehicles May have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
Why it matters: If this condition exists, the transmission May not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse ârâ position and the vehicleâs transmission does go in reverse, the ârâ May not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the…
The 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V248000 · 2016 · 153,581 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that May unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Why it matters: 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 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (64): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (49), warning light on (20).
- Electrical (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (6).
- Speed control / throttle (18): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (15): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (9), door / lock issues (4).
The 2012 Ford Expedition has 118 owner complaints, ranking #20 of 36 Expedition model years for complaints (well below the 260 average). Complaints peaked in 2018 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 82,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (71 complaints, 0 recalls), 2013 (92 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Ford Expedition.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Expedition problems?
Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (64), electrical (20), speed control / throttle (18).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford Expedition get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (5.4 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Ford Expedition repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.