Model year guide

2012 Ford Expedition

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Ford Expedition is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 191 on record.

2012 Ford Expedition — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Ford Expedition at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints118
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$25,086

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Ford Expedition recalls 3

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #16V248000 · 27/04/2016

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.

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm) NHTSA Campaign #12V190000 · 03/05/2012

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 RANG…

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.

Seats:mid/rear Assembly NHTSA Campaign #12V034000 · 02/02/2012

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Ford Expedition common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2012 Ford Expedition safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Ford Expedition EXTENDED SUV 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Ford Expedition MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,975

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Ford Expedition worth?

Low
$16,800
Typical price
$25,086
High
$32,400

From 190 comparable 2012 Ford Expedition listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Ford Expedition costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$16,600
Total$36,475
Per mile$0.49

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($25,086) with the same model 5 model-years older ($8,478), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Ford Expedition trims & engines on record

Trims
Limited · XLT · EL Limited · EL King Ranch · XLT/ KING RANCH · King Ranch · EL-Limited · XL
Engines
5.4L 8-cyl 310 hp

2012 Ford Expedition vehicles on record

Other Ford Expedition model years

2012 Ford Expedition — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Expedition?

Based on 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, vehicle speed control, electrical system.

What is the 2012 Ford Expedition safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Ford Expedition an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford Expedition get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Ford Expedition at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2012 Ford Expedition worth?

Comparable 2012 Ford Expedition listings run roughly $16,800–$32,400, typically around $25,086 (from 190 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.