carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $32,000–$39,088 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.5/10, the 2012 Ford Expedition earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.5/10, while Value at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.4/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.5/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.1/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $32,000–$39,088, 10 MPG, seating 8, the Ford Expedition sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 5.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2012 Ford Expedition, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and reliability and technology and value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Ford Expedition ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $32,000 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 11%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Expedition model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $58,797 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $58,797 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $57,085 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $55,372 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $53,659 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $51,947 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $50,234 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $48,522 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.1/10 | $46,809 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $45,097 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $43,384 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $41,672 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Power train / Automatic transmission 27/04/2016 · 16V248000 | 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 transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to… |
|---|---|
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 03/05/2012 · 12V190000 | 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… |
| Seats / Mid/rear assembly 02/02/2012 · 12V034000 | FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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