2012 Ford Expedition Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 20 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Ford Expedition, 17% of all 118 complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 92,167. One related recall (12V190000) covers instrument cluster/lighting and powertrain wiring issues.
- Electrical System complaints
- 20
- 17% of 118
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 92,168 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Instrument cluster gauges, including the speedometer and fuel gauge, drop to zero or flicker while driving, sometimes at highway speed.
- Vehicle downshifts abruptly or stalls without warning at various speeds, forcing drivers to coast to the shoulder.
- Loss of power or complete engine shutdown occurs while driving, with the vehicle sometimes restarting on its own or needing to be restarted manually.
- Owners report a burning plastic smell tied to an overheated third brake light housing melting into the frame.
- A fuel pump internal power wire rubbing through on the pressure regulator ground spade has caused a short circuit inside the fuel tank, blowing a fuse and stalling the vehicle.
- One report describes smoke and a fire smell coming from the undercarriage while driving.
When 2012 Ford Expedition electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 14, 2014, latest Jul 26, 2025.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Ford Expedition
- NHTSA 12V190000May 3, 2012Electrical System10,500 vehicles
Exterior lighting:back up lights
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 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â 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 ârâ position and the vehicleâs transmission does go in reverse, the ârâ 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 vehicleâs 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.
Electrical System complaints by Expedition model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Ford Expedition?
- NHTSA lists 20 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Expedition, which is 17% of the 118 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Ford Expedition electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 12V190000, reported May 3, 2012, covers the electrical system on 2011-2012 F-150, 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, and 2012-2013 Mustang vehicles for failing to meet federal safety standards; it does not require parking outside or stopping driving.
- At what mileage do these electrical failures typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component is 92,167 miles.
- Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these complaints, though 1 report mentioned a fire.