2012 Ford Expedition electrical problems

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 · Electrical, Engine · WI

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.

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 Sep 6, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

I was driving regularly down the road when I noticed the smell of electrical fire. Smoke started coming from the undercarriage of the truck. I pulled into a gas station, and the engine died, and I got out to look at what's causing the smoke. I observed what looked to be engine or transmission oil on fire dripping from the undercarriage, so I moved a safe distance from the vehicle, and within about 30 seconds, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department came, and extinguished the fire. The vehicle is 100% casualty, along with everything inside of it.

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.

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 130,200 miles · CO

Identical to numerous other registered complaints (june 4, 2018 the federal safety agency id number: 11099593, september 26, 2018 the federal safety agency id number: 11131784, june 14, 2018 the federal safety agency id number: 11101913, april 9, 2018 the federal safety agency id number: 11084000, august 8, 2016 the federal safety agency id number: 10894005): sudden deceleration with gauges flashing - wrench light on, miles to zero with no numbers, speedometer fails. At the same time, the car begins bucking with sudden acceleration and deceleration, but ultimately the vehicle is losing power and acceleration is limited or useless. Several times I could reset the engine problem by turning the vehicle off and restarting. The last two times it occured when accelerating from a stop and the vehicle refused to shift from 1st gear. I attempted to restart it after pulling off the road but it did not fix it this time. (and on these occasions the dash lights did not change right away/first). I pulled over 3 more times and tried shifting through all the gears manually, including using the 4wd toggle, and that finally allowed the car to shift normally. This is extremely dangerous and at higher speeds can cause the car to lose traction. I've been fortunate that this has only happened twice at 65mph and I was in a position to get to the side of the road without incident. The total number of times has been 8 in approximately 2,000 miles of driving. If this happens now that snow and ice are on the road, it could cause a catastrophic crash.

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 98,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford expedition. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shut off and the speedometer gauge went to zero. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be coasted to the side of the road and would restart occasionally. The contact called monaco & sons motor sales, inc (767 new london turnpike, glastonbury, ct 06033, (860) 652-3000) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall and advised the contact to call the federal safety agency. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Sep 26, 2018 · Electrical, Transmission · 108,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford expedition. While driving, the low fuel indicator illuminated, all the lighting on the instrument panel flickered, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. When the vehicle was restarted, the instrument panel was reset and the vehicle was able to drive normally. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to all star ford (located at 2586 range park dr, denham springs, la 70726, (225) 490-7649) where it was diagnosed that the lead frame speed sensor of the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.