2012 Ford Expedition
The 2012 Ford Expedition earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 61/100. Expect about $47,992 to own it for five years, or $800 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 118 complaints.
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 118
- 5-yr cost
- $48k
- MPG (EPA)
- 16
2012 Ford Expedition vs nearby years
Compare this year with the model years next to it on the same hub.
Looking at a specific Expedition?
Paste its VIN for the exact trim, recalls that may apply, and a Fits / Stretch / Not yet verdict for your budget. Free.
3 recalls may apply
For the 2012 Ford Expedition. NHTSA matches recalls by model and year — confirm by VIN.
What's wrong: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
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5-year cost to own
Estimated $17,500 price, 20% down, 11.19% APR for 60 months (Experian avg.), 12,000 mi/yr.
| Depreciation | $3,959 |
| Insurance (national avg.) | $12,000 |
| Fuel / charging | $12,565 |
| Maintenance | $8,625 |
| Repairs | $4,000 |
| Loan interest | $4,793 |
| Taxes & fees | $2,050 |
Estimate, not financial advice. How we calculate.
Owner complaints & safety
What real owners reported to NHTSA for this model year.
- Power Train64
- Electrical System20
- Vehicle Speed Control18
- Structure15
- Engine12
- Unknown Or Other9
Complaint counts scale with how many were sold; compare against similar models.
- Overall
- 4 out of 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 out of 5 stars
- Side
- 5 out of 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 out of 5 stars
Rated as: 2012 Ford Expedition EXTENDED SUV 4x4
What to check on a used 2012 Ford Expedition
Ordered by what owners of this model year reported most. Reports are not proof of a defect.
- Engine and transmission
- Cold start: listen for knocking, ticking or rough running.
- Shifts should be smooth with no slipping or jerking.
- Electrical and lights
- Test every window, lock, light and wiper.
- Watch for warning lights that stay on after start-up.
- Body and structure
- Look for uneven gaps, mismatched paint or rust underneath.
- Check that every door, the hood and the trunk latch properly.
If anything in a safety area feels wrong (brakes, steering, airbags, tires), stop driving and get it inspected before you buy or drive it further. Paste a VIN above for the full printable checklist.
Common 2012 Ford Expedition problems
Cheaper alternatives
FAQ
- Is the 2012 Ford Expedition a good car to buy?
- The 2012 Ford Expedition earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 61/100. Expect about $47,992 to own it for five years, or $800 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 118 complaints.
- Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Expedition, including Power Train › Automatic Transmission; Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm); Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
- What are the most common 2012 Ford Expedition problems?
- Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are power train (64), electrical system (20), vehicle speed control (18), structure (15).
- How much does a 2012 Ford Expedition cost to own for 5 years?
- About $47,992 over 5 years ($800/month) at an estimated $17,500 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP ratings; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data refreshed weekly. Complaint counts scale with sales volume.