Is the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION reliable?

The 2012 Ford EXPEDITION has 163 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (64 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (20 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Ford EXPEDITION?

The 2012 Ford EXPEDITION has an EPA rating of 16 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $4802. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Ford EXPEDITION?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION is approximately $1,781/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Ford EXPEDITION

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Ford EXPEDITION has 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 163. The most common issue is transmission problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: on many occasions from around may or june of 2013, when the car is accelerating from first to second gear it "jumps". it feels as if someone has hit the back of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken back to the dealership 3 times. each time they have updated the software and supposedly solved the pr. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 12 crash reports 34 injuries

163

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

64 complaints

39%

• ON MANY OCCASIONS FROM AROUND MAY OR JUNE OF 2013, WHEN THE CAR IS ACCELERATING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR IT "JUMPS". IT FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY HAVE UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND SUPPOSEDLY SOLVED THE PR
• COULD HEAR A LOUD METAL TO METAL GRINDING SOUND. FINALLY HAD THE EXPEDITION TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 3 STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE SHOCKS. DRIVER SIDE BEARING WAS WORN OUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ALMOST THERE. THE EXPEDITION ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES. AFTER GETTING THIS INFORMATION FROM THE DE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE READINGS FLUCTUATED AND THE TRANSMISSION JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V190000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“ON MANY OCCASIONS FROM AROUND MAY OR JUNE OF 2013, WHEN THE CAR IS ACCELERATING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR IT "JUMPS". IT FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY HAVE UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND SUPPOSEDLY SOLVED THE PR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Ford EXPEDITION

Based on 116 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 76K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 72K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 53K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 53K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 92K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 96K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Later than typicalmedian 108K mi · 47 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION27/04/2016

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.

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.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Ford EXPEDITION

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$4,759

Per month

$397

Per mile

39.7¢

kWh/mi

2.11

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Ford EXPEDITION

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,781

Full coverage / month

$148

Liability only / year

$665

vs US avg

+6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1781

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford EXPEDITION Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2012 EXPEDITION, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2012 Ford EXPEDITION

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 163 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: ON MANY OCCASIONS FROM AROUND MAY OR JUNE OF 2013, WHEN THE CAR IS ACCELERATING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR IT "JUMPS". IT FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY HAVE UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND SUPPOSEDLY SOLVED THE PR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE WE WERE TRAVELING AT THE RATE OF SPEED LISTED ABOVE WITH NO POWER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO SOMEONE IN THIS POSITION. AS WE ATTEMPTED TO SEE IF WE COULD FIG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: STOPPED AT 0MPH. WITNESS IN CAR BEHIND. FOOT ON BRAKE. TOUCHED ACCELERATOR NORMALLY. HEARD NOISE. CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED. HIT WALL APPROX TWENTY FEET AWAY. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ONE IN PASSENGER SEAT. SEAT BELT ON, PER DRIVER, WITNESS WHO HELPED DRIVER THRU WINDOW, AND EXAMINATIO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MOVED IRREGULARLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ALERT SYS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)