Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Ford Expedition: common problems and reliability
· U354One of the better Expedition years.
118 owner complaints, most about power train. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Expedition?The 2012 Ford Expedition has 118 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag cam phaser rattle and failure.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Ford Expedition vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Expedition years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Expedition?
Across the 31 Expedition model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (1996) to 1,007 (1999). With 118 complaints, the 2012 Expedition sits below the model's median of 299.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Expedition
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 16V248000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 12V190000FORD 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.
seats:mid/rear assembly
Campaign 12V034000FORD 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.
What owners report on the U354 Expedition
Owner sentiment for the 2006-2014 Expedition is mixed and heavily dependent on the 5.4L 3-valve V8, which dominates the discussion.
- Very frequentCam phaser rattle and failure
- Very frequentTiming chain, tensioner, and guide wear
- Very frequentSpark plug issues, including two-piece plugs breaking or ejecting on the 5.4 3V
- RecurrentPoor fuel economy
- RecurrentRear liftgate paint peeling
Owner insights for the U354 Expedition. Read the full U354 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Expedition listings typically run $22,350–$49,244.
Other Expedition model years
Compare every Expedition year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Expedition against its rivals
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