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2012 Ford Expedition acceleration problems

18 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 76,024. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
76,024
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Expedition acceleration problems in other years

1996200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Ford Expedition owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · KS

vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · KS

vehicle shifting erratically and shows fuel mileage low and loss of speedometer

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Acceleration · KS

The speedometer will quit working and the vehicle will not shift out of 1st gear, if you can work through it it will start throwing error messages such as zero miles to empty, tire moniter system fault, etc. This is a very dangerous situation especially in high traffic areas. There was a customer satisfaction program on it but only up to 150,000 miles. This program should last the life of the vehicle, also, if it was fixed before ownership, why did it go bad again

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · IN

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 train . I contacted Ford head quarters they were no help even though there is clearly a recall . I also took the truck to ford of valparaiso and had to pay the 1,000 dollars for the lead frame to be replaced which was in the recall and I shouldn't have had to pay anything .. them replacing the lead frame did nothing the car is still not drive able and is extremely unsafe its my only vehicle and I am a single mother of 2 kids .

Filed Jul 26, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · WI

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 dealerships will not stand behind the customer service number that they have listed for a replacement of the transmission lead frame. I provided the local dealership with all of the necessary information as well as an independent diagnosis by a transmission specialist. Looks like I'll just have to wait for the day that it causes a massive accident by downshifting into 1st gear at 65mph. Terrible customer service and I can only hope this doesn't cost someone their life.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · WI

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. 150k miles and as I said, I have owned it for 2 months and have already had transmission issues, brake issues, belt tensioner pulley literally fell off.. And from what I read, what's next??? The cam phasers?? That's if the transmission issue is even fixed and it becomes safely drive able again. Come on ford, get your act together, you're better than this!

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Acceleration, Body · TN · crash

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 have talked to other people that have around the same year model truck as mine and some of them are having the same issues with it jumping in and out of gear not wanting to shift gears revving up on its own and no engine light comes on I've tried to get a code scanner scan it no codes come up on the truck Ford needs to fix this truck they had a recall on certain models that were manufactured at different plants or something like that I heard but they won't fix my truck they said it's not under recall this truck is going to kill somebody it's the only truck I have and I have to go to work I'm just asking if you can please do something about this before people get killed in or I get killed I'm going to try to get a video of what it does I'm just asking if you can please do something about this Ford knows what the problem is I read stuff on it and they need to fix these trucks before it kills people they know what the problem is if I have a bad wreck and I live to it or this truck causing somebody to lose their life it's going to be a multi multi multi million dollar lawsuit because they refuse to fix the truck I'm just asking you if you can please do something about this thank you

Filed Jun 6, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · NJ

My vehicle suddenly shifted downward, my gas pedal had no effect, my speedometer stopped working and my fuel and tire sensor lights came on. This happened multiple times on my drive this morning and would have caused an accident if I was being tailgated.

Filed May 11, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 170,000 miles · VA

While driving, the vehicle suddenly downshifted into 1st gear, rpms revved up, speedometer stopped working, pushing the gas pedal temporarily had no effect, "fuel level low" light came on and "tire pressure sensor fault" light came on. I was still able to drive the vehicle, though the speedometer was not working. I stopped, turned off the vehicle and restarted it and the vehicle worked fine. This event happened three times over the past month. Sheehy ford in ashland, virginia said that I needed a new "lead frame" and that the charge would be $900. Upon further research, I learned that there had been a recall for this issue for the 2012 ford expedition, but my 2012 expedition VIN number is not part of the recall. I believe my vehicle should have also been included in the recall and fixed by ford. I could have had a serious accident if this had happened while driving at a high rate of speed. Recall information found online: "ford has issued a safety recall for the 2011-2012 ford f-150, and 2012 ford expedition for a potential problem with the output speed sensor in the transmission's lead frame; in certain conditions the part can lead to a temporary downshift into first gear. Depending on how fast the vehicle is going, that could lead to an abrupt reduction in speed that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up. Ford said it's aware of three accidents reported and no injuries related to the issue. The affected vehicles have a 6r80 transmission in certain ford f-150s built at dearborn assembly plant and kansas city assembly plant, aug. 19, 2011 through march 9, 2012; 2012 ford expedition vehicles built at kentucky truck plant, aug. 19, 2011 through dec. 19, 2011; ford mustang vehicles built at flat rock assembly plant, aug. 19, 2011 through feb. 21, 2012; and lincoln navigator vehicles built at kentucky truck plant, aug. 19, 2011 through dec. 17, 2011.

Filed Aug 25, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 141,000 miles · PA

Driving on a highway at approx 50 MPH, vehicle speedometer goes to 0, mileage goes out, dash lights flash, wrench light comes on, vehicle downshifts (has done this several times (sometimes accelerated from 1st gear)) to 1st gear and goes into a limp mode. Had to pull over and shut off the truck- all fine when restarted. Could have caused a major accident. Very scary. This truck has had a recall repair fixed for what was described as exactly this problem. Has happened numerous times now.

Questions about the 2012 Ford Expedition acceleration

Does the 2012 Ford Expedition have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the acceleration of the 2012 Ford Expedition, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Ford Expedition acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 76,024 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Ford Expedition acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Expedition have the most acceleration problems?

The Ford Expedition model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2000 (124 complaints), 2001 (101 complaints) and 1997 (79 complaints).

Other 2012 Ford Expedition problems

Transmission 64Electrical 20Body 15Engine 12Brakes 6Driver assistance 4Fuel system 4Airbags 3Seats 3Suspension 3Seat belts 2Lights 1Tires 1Wheels 1

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