Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 determined that a failure had occurred with the transmission molded lead frame. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01-Supplement #1 (Power Train) However, the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
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 vehicle, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An attempt was made to contact the manufacturer, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.
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 was not included. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact there would be no assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact had to restart the vehicle and continued to drive. However, when leaving work the failure occurred again which at that time the contact had pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and have it towed to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure, but diagnosed the failure as a front end harness issue with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle independently down shifted to first gear causing both rear tires to lock up. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (Power train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle independently decelerated and nearly caused the vehicle to be rear ended by a tractor trailer. The contact indicated that the vehicle was driven home with the transmission stuck in 3rd gear. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,959.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, there was an unexpected transmission downshift and the vehicle speed decelerated inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
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 slammed on my brakes for no reason. I explained to him what was happening and calmed down think God. It could have killed him or me or even several other people. When it locked up the tires then it jumped back in drive and tried tot take off, I threw it in neutral and cut the key off. That scared the sh.. out of me!! …
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 UNEXPECTED SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS, IT IS EQUALLY AS DANGEROUS TO BE GETTING OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE IN MOVING TRAFFIC DUE TO FORD'S TERRIBLE DESIGN ON THIS VEHICLES POWER TRAIN/TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL Ford DEALER AND AL CERTAIN I'LL GET THE RUNAROUND/BLAME GAME FOR THIS ONE. …
The speedometer went to zero when the vehicle was driven on the highway at 70MPH and the transmission would shift down the wrench symbol came on the LCD display. Had to pull over and shut the vehicle off and open the drivers door to make sure that the vehicle was fully off/reset. Started the vehicle and drove home. Dealer noted that this may be covered under the extended warranty on the lead frame issue... Since the vehicle has 167759 miles on it, that the warranty would not cover the issue (Warranty to 150000 miles). I will get the vehicle repaired at my cost since this is our family vehicle. Since this is a safety issue the warranty should be for all the vehicles that experience this issue. The vehicle was traveling on a highway and this is not an acceptable condition for the safety of my family or others around us when driving. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles.
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Expedition, 54% of the model year's 118 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-248 (automatic transmission, Apr 27, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.