FordExpedition2012Overview/ford/expedition/2012/base/

2012 Ford Expedition

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Expedition.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2012 Ford Expedition is an SUV that carries a 6‑speed automatic transmission and a 7.0‑quart oil capacity lubricated with 5W‑20 API oil, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 14 city/20 highway/16 combined mpg. Its power‑train remains the focal point of 116 owner complaints recorded for the model year, with three official recalls noted, while the broader historical record shows that complaint volumes have fallen dramatically from the peak of 1,007 in 1999 to just one complaint in the earliest years of the line. This context positions the 2012 Expedition as a late‑era example of a platform that has moved toward the lower end of its long‑term reliability spectrum.

Model year202520242023202120202019201820172012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-70R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.9 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height77.2 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight5805 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Expedition of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2015 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Platinum 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2015EL King Ranch 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.10 sec365 hp4x4
2008King Ranch 5.4L V88.10 sec16.10 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Limited 5.4L V88.40 sec16.20 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.00 sec16.80 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.10 sec16.90 sec300 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.2 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub20 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket28 ft-lbs / 27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle140 ft-lbs / 184 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.259 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5915 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Expedition sits on the low end of the federal trend for its generation, with 116 complaints and three recalls compared to 71 complaints and no recalls in 2011, and 92 complaints and no recalls in 2013. This year‑by‑year arc shows a modest decline from the peak of the early 2000s, a gradual rebound in the mid‑2010s, and a steady decrease into the 2020s. In 2012 the most common complaint area was Power Train (46), followed by Structure (10) and Engine (5), with a small number of unknown issues. Crash complaints were six and fire complaints two, both lower than the averages for the surrounding years. Overall, 2012 represents a moderate risk level within its generation, suggesting it can be a reasonable purchase if the vehicle has been well maintained and inspected for power‑train wear.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
64
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
116
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 116 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train46
Structure10
Engine5
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train,Electrical System5
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control4
Power Train,Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control3
Seats3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V248000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 27/04/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic… Remedy: 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. Owners may contact…

12V190000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 03/05/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 64 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25H05 S12026-04-29Electrical SystemHarvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25H052025-11-18Electrical SystemThis is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Expedition. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Expedition take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Expedition have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Expedition get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.