2012 Ford Expedition transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V248000Apr 27, 2016153,581 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

• Recall 12V190000May 3, 201210,500 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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 conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle’s not signaling it is in reverse.

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 7, 2026166,000 miMATowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, causing the occupants to lunge forward. The tires squealed and the wheels locked up. The vehicle was turned off but failed to restart. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). A tow truck company was contacted, and was able to restart the…

   NHTSA complaint #11729726 · source
2. Filed Oct 22, 2025OKTransmission & Drivetrain

   Over a period of time this problem is occurring more often. The vehicle will downshift into first gear. I pull over check engine light is on. I turn off wait turn back on and no problem for awhile. Within the last month this has occurred many times . Each time the check engine light comes on but also now the advance track light. Each time I have the same codes pulled. Driving on the highway with my daughter at 65mph it downshifted and the back tires locked up . Vehicles had…

   NHTSA complaint #11695051 · source
3. Filed Aug 29, 2025INAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving my 2012 expedition and suddenly the vehicle went from doing 60 to 40 immediately the tires squealed and threw me into the right lane . This vehicle transmission has a recall for down shifting and power train issues. My vin number does not fit the Recall but my vehicle has all the symptoms of multiple recalls and is not safe to drive . Had i not known how to drive i and my daughter would be in the hospital due to the faulty transmission lead frame and power…

   NHTSA complaint #11683830 · source
4. Filed Jul 26, 2025WIElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   July 2025 my 2012 ford expedition threw a p0742 code for a stuck torque converter clutch. The vehicle had just under 150k miles and started to jerk in and out of gear and the wrench light illuminated so i, thankfully was going approximately 45 mph when it happened and was able to pull the vehicle over as it was in limp mode. When i cleared the dtc code the problem went away temporarily but eventually locked back up again within a mile from my home. Unfortunately, ford…

   NHTSA complaint #11676319 · source
5. Filed Jul 25, 2025WIElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Campaign 19N01 Description Transmission molded leadframe extended coverage Next Steps Contact your dealer for next steps. Did this and was told that the vehicle was not covered due to it being after 10 years and barely over 150,000 miles. I am experiencing transmission issues where the torque converter clutch is now stuck on and the lead frame is more than likely the cause. Thanks FORD, NEVER AGAIN.

   NHTSA complaint #11676166 · source
6. Filed Jul 25, 2025WIElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I just purchased (2 months ago) a 2012 Ford Expedition EL 5.4l v8 from a private party. I wish I would have done more research as I am ALREADY EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT I BELIEVE ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE VEHICLES LEAD FRAME RECALL. IT THREW A P0742 CODE ON ME Torque Converter Clutch Circuit stuck on and decided that it would only drive in limp mode unless I cleared the code, pulled over, cycles the key, and restarted the vehicle. Even as dangerous as this…

   NHTSA complaint #11676082 · source
7. Filed May 21, 2025NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission failed to engage after startup, and while driving will slip out like its in neutral without warning. There was a series of messages that rolled over and over as the vehicle slowed. When we first took it to have it serviced for this problem June of 2024, they optioned to flush, change the filter, and put in new transmission fluid. They could not reproduce the problem. That seemed to take care of it until May 17, 2025 when it started slipping again. Again, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11662457 · source
8. Filed Jul 12, 2024GATransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving my vehicle, the transmission down shift on its on and the vehicle antilock brakes hit and suddenly stops on its on.

   NHTSA complaint #11601512 · source
9. Filed Jul 2, 2024203,000 miGATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and downshifted unintendedly. The contact stated there were two unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the output speed sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train); however, the VIN…

   NHTSA complaint #11598352 · source
10. Filed May 24, 2024OKTransmission & Drivetrain

    On [XXX] @ [XXX]. I was traveling [XXX] in Logan Co., OK in my 2012 Ford Expedition EL (purchased used Jan. 2020) at an approximate speed of 45 mph when the vehicle downshifted into 1st gear causing a rapid deceleration wherein the vehicle behind me had to take evasive action to avoid rear ending me. The engine rpms climbed significantly while the speedometer stopped working and the vehicle never shifted into any higher gears for the next five blocks wherein I was able to…

    NHTSA complaint #11590500 · source
11. Filed Oct 19, 2023TNCrashBody & StructureAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    The transmission jumps in and out of gear, the engine revs on its on. I was on the highway the first time and I going between 60 and 65 mph and it sounded like the whole bottom of the truck was just ripped out, the truck went from drive to either park or first gear it locked up the back tires and there was a truck behind me he tried to miss me but he hit the back passenger side of the truck. He was very very upset he threatening and cussing me because he thought I just…

    NHTSA complaint #11550843 · source
12. Filed Jul 3, 2023100,112 miMOTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon his wife depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM raised abruptly however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and seemed as if the transmission was in neutral(N). After restarting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…

    NHTSA complaint #11530230 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology