2012 Ford Expedition Power Train

While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 to 50 mph, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear locking up the tires.

Over a period of time this problem is occurring more often. The vehicle will downshift into first gear. I pull over check engine light is on. I turn off wait turn back on and no problem for awhile. Within the last month this has occurred many times . Each time the check engine light comes on but also now the advance track light. Each time I have the same codes pulled. Driving on the highway with my daughter at 65mph it downshifted and the back tires locked up . Vehicles had to swerve to miss us. The check engine light was on advance track light same codes pulled. The dealership said it’s not in the recall even though it was built in Jefferson co Kentucky 9/2011. I don’t understand why this vehicle wasn’t recalled . I have to continue to drive it’s my only vehicle. I’m so scared for my life.

Transmission failed to engage after startup, and while driving will slip out like its in neutral without warning. There was a series of messages that rolled over and over as the vehicle slowed. When we first took it to have it serviced for this problem June of 2024, they optioned to flush, change the filter, and put in new transmission fluid. They could not reproduce the problem. That seemed to take care of it until May 17, 2025 when it started slipping again. Again, the service center cannot reproduce the problem. The sudden slowdown, puts us in a risk for an accident with other vehicles. The vehicle is available for inspection if needed.

While driving my vehicle, the transmission down shift on its on and the vehicle antilock brakes hit and suddenly stops on its on.

On [XXX] @ [XXX]. I was traveling [XXX] in Logan Co., OK in my 2012 Ford Expedition EL (purchased used Jan. 2020) at an approximate speed of 45 mph when the vehicle downshifted into 1st gear causing a rapid deceleration wherein the vehicle behind me had to take evasive action to avoid rear ending me. The engine rpms climbed significantly while the speedometer stopped working and the vehicle never shifted into any higher gears for the next five blocks wherein I was able to pull my vehicle into a safe place. Again, the vehicle continued only in 1st gear! After turning the vehicle off and letting it sit for a few minutes, it appeared everything had reset and I slowly drove it straight to my mechanics shop. (However, shop was closed until after Memorial Day, so I again drove it slowly back home). Total trip was approximate 12 miles. Issue took place approximate 5 miles from when I left my residence. Ironically, I had visited my mechanic the day before inquiring about an issue wherein the vehicle would beep and a "wrench symbol" would display on the instrument panel and the speedometer and instrument display would stop working. I advised this was the 2nd time that issue occurred within the past few days, however, once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, all seem to be okay. In responding to my inquiry, my mechanic seemed to think it was an instrument cluster issue. That if it persisted, return to have it checked out. Never during any of these two (2) prior occurrences did the vehicle downshift as it did on the [XXX] of May. As an attorney, I began researching potential causes and came across the NHTSA's previous investigation(s) into this issue. However, I am dumbfounded that as serious as this issue is, NO recall has been made. As to me, it is my understanding that Ford's Customer Service Program has even expired regarding fixing this life threatening issue. I am lucky that there was not a semi-truck behind me or it would have been serious. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 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 failure mileage was 100,112.

Uncommanded downshift to first gear in 6R80 transmission. While driving at approximately 30mph, transmission downshifted into 1st gear. Problem repeated itself several times. No "codes" or warning lights. I put the transmission in "3" and drove slowly back home. This is the same issue that has occurred in F-150's. The problem was intermittent at first. Had this occurred at highway speeds it may have resulted in a rear end "lock-up", loss of control and possible accident. Took the vehicle to the repair shop where they were initially unable to get a "code". Later, I was able to repeat the problem and got warning lights and codes showing failure of the transmission output speed sensor which is located on the molded lead frame. This is the same failure as on the F-150. The molded lead frame was not available as single piece so it was necessary to replace the entire valve body unit.

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 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. I am confident in noting that the warranty should be amended for this issue. If this issue was caused by me due to carless driving I would not have an issue. Since this is a design/reliability issue I do not understand why I am responsible for the cost of the repair.

My gear shaft gets stuck in park as if it’s not recognizing that the break is getting pressed. It gets stuck for a while. There is no sticky substance that is causing this.

RANDOMLY DROPS INTO FIRST GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT GO OUT OF FIRST GEAR AFTER THAT UNLESS DISCONNECTING BATTERY AND RESETTING EVERYTHING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN WITH THREE KIDS IN THE CAR. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY? OCCURRED 2/3/21 AND 2/8/21.

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.

VEHICLE IS DOWNSHIFTING GEAR WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED JERKS IN THE SUV AS IT TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS AND THEN BECAME STUCK ON FIRST GEAR. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND AGAIN ON A CITY STREET. FORD DEALERSHIP REPORTING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR CURRENT RECALL ALTHOUGH OTHER 2012 FORD EXPEDITIONS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE.

unexpected transmission downshift for no reason and it hesitate and it chugs along down shifts drops out and kicks back in

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 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY SLOW. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE WITH AN UNKNOWN RECALL. DON MYER FORD, INC. (2010 N LINCOLN ST, GREENSBURG, IN 47240) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, CROSSING THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. DURING THE INCIDENT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAS FAULTY GEAR SHIFTER AND PARTS WERE BACKORDER. DAMAGED HANDLE REPAIRED.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (COURTESY FORD 1636 DOGWOOD DR SE, CONYERS, GA 30013) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000.

MY 2012 EXHIBITION EXHIBITS THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN RECALL# 12V190000. WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS; SPEEDOMETER DROPS TO ZERO, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO 5TH GEAR AND WHEN THE BREAKS ARE APPLIED DOWNSIFTS TO 1ST GEAR CAUSING WHEEL HOP AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND INJURY. IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE INCLUDED TIME FRAME AND AT THE INCLUDED KENTUCKY MANUFACTURING PLANT, YET THE VEHICLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL REGISTRATION SYSTEM SO DEALERS WON'T FIX IT. THIS IS A EXPENSIVE REPAIR RECALL WITH POTENTIALLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE GEARS TO SEIZE WITH THE RPMS INCREASING. ADDITIONALLY, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND DROVE OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (60-65MPH) THERE'S A VERY NOTICEABLE "CLANK" WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT AN INCLINE AT 1,800-2,000 RPM. I HAVE TO KEEP VEHICLE ABOVE THAT SPEED OR AT A DIFFERENT RPM RANGE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES. THE FIRST ONE I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING, ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE NEXT WAS ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY CRUISING AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRES, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CODE WAS P0270 FOR THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR. SYSMPTONS ARE THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN FORDS RECALL #16S19 BUT I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE BUILD DATE ALTHOUGH THE SAME TRANSMISSION A D COMPONENTS WERE USED. THE INSTANCE HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY WITH MY WIFE AND 3 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, CRUISING APPROX 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP, TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO FIRST GEAR, VEHICLE SKIDS TOWARD THE EDGE OF AN EMBANKMENT, JUST BEFORE GETTING THERE THE WHEELS UNLOCK AND MY WIFE IS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A NEAR BY CHURCH PARKING LOT TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED DOWN THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED BY A POLICE OFFICER WITH DIVERTING TRAFFIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY MOVED OFF OF THE ROADWAY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL ROAD FORD (LOCATED AT 2401 W. BELL ROAD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023, (602)457-2144) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,628. *BF *TR