2012 Ford Expedition Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2012 Ford Expedition, 54% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 108,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “lead frame” (19% of reports).
- 64power train complaints
- 108,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 50%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Lead frame: mentioned in 12 of 64 complaints (19%)
- First gear: mentioned in 12 of 64 complaints (19%)
- Output sensor: mentioned in 5 of 64 complaints (8%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 5 of 64 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 47 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 64 complaints, 2 mention a crash.
Ford Expedition power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Expedition | 5 | 14% | 16,000 |
| 2024 Expedition | 5 | 6% | — |
| 2023 Expedition | 11 | 17% | 79,409 |
| 2022 Expedition | 15 | 13% | 25,000 |
| 2021 Expedition | 112 | 47% | 65,000 |
| 2020 Expedition | 266 | 63% | 65,300 |
| 2019 Expedition | 222 | 43% | 76,000 |
| 2018 Expedition | 148 | 39% | 80,000 |
| 2017 Expedition | 51 | 14% | 65,000 |
| 2016 Expedition | 36 | 17% | 74,000 |
| 2015 Expedition | 29 | 18% | 72,500 |
| 2014 Expedition | 34 | 47% | 124,000 |
| 2013 Expedition | 43 | 47% | 90,500 |
| 2012 Expedition | 64 | 54% | 108,000 |
| 2011 Expedition | 21 | 30% | 37,500 |
| 2010 Expedition | 10 | 17% | 30,479 |
| 2009 Expedition | 4 | 14% | 65,500 |
| 2008 Expedition | 14 | 10% | 41,000 |
| 2007 Expedition | 27 | 13% | 11,420 |
| 2006 Expedition | 22 | 7% | 86,900 |
| 2005 Expedition | 44 | 14% | 80,512 |
| 2004 Expedition | 27 | 9% | 34,500 |
| 2003 Expedition | 50 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2002 Expedition | 18 | 5% | 54,943 |
| 2001 Expedition | 40 | 7% | 44,000 |
| 2000 Expedition | 42 | 5% | 77,367 |
| 1999 Expedition | 67 | 7% | 78,500 |
| 1998 Expedition | 70 | 8% | 119,000 |
| 1997 Expedition | 76 | 9% | 116,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Exterior lighting:back up lights; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: 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 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 vehicleâs 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires.
Over a period of time this problem is occurring more often. The vehicle will downshift into first gear. I pull over check engine light is on. I turn off wait turn back on and no problem for awhile. Within the last month this has occurred many times . Each time the check engine light comes on but…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Ford Expeditions have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 64 owner complaints about power train for the 2012 Ford Expedition (54% of the 118 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Ford Expedition power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 108,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2012 Ford Expedition?
The most frequent phrase is “lead frame”, in 12 of 64 complaints, followed by “first gear” (12).
See all 2012 Ford Expedition problems or power train problems across all Expedition years.