The Ford Expedition came out when truck-based SUVs were the real deal but the SUV has been going strong at present amidst the sharp rise in unibody and compact crossovers. The SUV is trusted by many for its rugged nature as well as its reliability. The current 2012 model of the SUV remains undeterred, especially in its reliability aspect as well. The current model has seen only 96 complaints officially along with 3 recalls and one investigation against it. The investigation was initiated by the NHTSA due to the sudden downshift from transmission issue while there has been a recall for the same problem as well. Apart from that, the SUV has been recalled two more times for faulty automatic transmission illumination and 2nd-row seat head restraint issues. On the part of the complaint, the powertrain of the vehicle has faced the maximum number of reports followed by the electrical system issues. The 2012 Expedition rivals the GMC Yukon, the Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Nissan Armada in its class.
Ford Expedition user complaints and problems
Engine problems
- Sudden downshifts from transmission: The major issue with the 2012 Expedition’s powertrain is the sudden downshifting. While driving, the transmissions of the affected vehicles downshifted suddenly, resulting in rapid deceleration and possible safety risks.
- Sudden acceleration: In one case, the owner complains about sudden acceleration. While the vehicle was stationary with the engine running, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and injured several people including the owner.
- Low oil pressure issue: One owner complains that he faced a low oil pressure problem. Due to the failure, the engine lost power while driving and was badly affected. The dealership quoted a high price for the repair along with an engine replacement.
- Engine stalling: After driving several thousand miles, the owner faced this issue. According to the report, the engine of the SUV stalled suddenly while driving. No exact reason was determined for the failure.
Safety problems
- Airbag non-deployment: In a few cases, the airbags of the affected vehicles failed to deploy. In one instance, despite being hit from a couple of directions, only the passenger side airbag deployed while the seat was unoccupied.
- Premature damage of brakes: One owner complains about this issue. After driving just 7,000 miles, the brake rotors required replacement. The replacements were done multiple times within a year,
Electrical problems
- Instrument cluster failure: Several owners have faced this problem with their 2012 Expedition. They report that while driving the instrument clusters of the vehicles failed to display any information. The analog speedometer and tachometer gauges also failed to work as well.
Miscellaneous problems
- Paint peeling: There have been issues with the exterior paint of some 2012 Expedition models. The report states that the rear tailgate paints developed rust bubbles or peeled off in multiple places.
2012 Ford Expedition recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
February 2, 2012 |
12V034000 |
2nd row head restraint support brackets |
In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury. |
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 21, 2012. |
|
2 |
May 3, 2012 |
12V190000 |
"PRNDL" illumination and backup lamp activation |
If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “R” may not illuminate on the dashboard and/or the backup lamp on the rear may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle not signaling it is in reverse. |
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 11, 2012. |
|
3 |
April 27, 2016 |
16V248000 |
Unexpected Transmission Downshift |
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. |
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. |
Should you buy a used Ford Expedition?
Need a dependable and rigged family hauler with ample cargo space? The Ford Expedition might be the most preferable one for you. The SUV also impresses with its excellent ride comfort and handling which is a rare combination for a truck-based SUV. On the reliability aspect too, the Expedition mostly offers a fuss-free ownership experience while there have been issues with a limited number of models. If you decide to opt for a used Ford Expedition, do carry out a detailed inspection for the paint peeling issue, transmission downshifting issue, and powertrain issues.
