The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Expedition · 2012

2012 Ford Expedition. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index44100 = average car
Complaints19NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold38,062U.S. model year
Per 100K sold50complaints
Year rank#2 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
5.4L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD14 / 20 / 16Regular$3,900
5.4L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD13 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,600 and 123,000 miles. Median 82,000, from 85 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain108,00073,600–142,20047
Electrical92,20060,300–132,90014
Speed control71,50017,500–132,90010
Body structure52,50033,000–71,20010
Engine95,50073,100–151,00010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control21%
Seats16%
Brakes16%
Suspension16%
Airbags11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
11862405

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 16V248000 Apr 2016 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. 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.

    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.

  • 12V190000 May 2012 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    Defect. 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 CON

    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.

  • 12V034000 Feb 2012 Seats / Mid/Rear Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedUnexpected transmission downshift20172019

Manufacturer communications 64

Ford filed 64 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • The sun visor vanity mirror door, on some vehicles, fails to close or is loos and causes…
  • Intermittent ikt
  • There is a noise coming from the front hub integrated wheel end (iwe) areas and when shifted…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Expedition EXTENDED SUV 4x4★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Ford Expedition EXTENDED SUV 4x2★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Ford Expedition SUV 4x4★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Ford Expedition SUV 4x2★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009–931,655Seats
2010612537,336Transmission & drivetrain
2011512440,499Transmission & drivetrain
2012441938,062Speed control
2013462238,350Transmission & drivetrain
2014231144,632Airbags
20151245241,443Fuel or ev drive system

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data