2012 Ford Expedition vs 2012 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Ford Expedition | 2012 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 116 | 822 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 64 | 88 |
| Investigations | 1 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 6 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15–16 | 19–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 86,500 mi | 70,050 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Expedition | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 0 | 357 |
| Structure | 15 | 142 |
| Power Train | 64 | 55 |
| Engine | 12 | 79 |
| Electrical System | 20 | 63 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 17 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 27 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 27 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 10 | 16 |
| Rust / corrosion | 9 | 11 |
| Stalling | 6 | 41 |
| Loss of power | 6 | 53 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 74 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 22 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 15 |
| Water leaks | 0 | 13 |
2012 Ford Expedition
2012 Ford Explorer
Compare all Ford Expedition vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.