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Body and structurePart report

2012 Ford Expedition Body and structure Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
13%of 118 total for the year
Median mileage
52,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Ford Expedition, 13% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Recently, the rear tailgate around the lift handle has become corroded and the paint is peeling. I keep the vehicle stored and rarely use it. I keep it in immaculate condition and very well maintained. This is the only blemish on it, but I can see it is getting worse and will eventually need to be repaired and repainted. I understand the is a problem with all expeditions and believe Ford should be responsible for the repair since it appears to be a manufacturing defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10863122, filed 2016-05, 55,000 miles

“I just bought this vehicle used. The paint on the tailgate of my truck has bubbled up in several locations and started to peel. After talking to the local dealership and the manufacturer, they stated that it's a cosmetic problem, not covered by the corrosion warranty. After much research, I have realized that this is a very common problem. I owned a similar make and model that was 9 years older and thought it was a limited issue. Unfortunately, the manufacturer knows they have an issue, but refuse to cover it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10968225, filed 2017-03, 75,000 miles

“I was involved in a traffic collision today, may 15, 2015, going southbound the speed of 45mph on a city street in rancho cucamonga ca. Another car going westbound didn't wait at stop sign, went through the intersection, I slammed on the brakes and turned wheel to the right to avoid hitting her but we collided, I was spun around, she ended up in the front yard the house on the corner. The front of my vehicle hit the front fender and front door of the passenger side of her vehicle. Only 1 airbag deployed in my vehicle, the passenger side, with no passenger sitting there. …”

NHTSA complaint #10985892, filed 2017-05, 68,200 miles

“Paint blisters are starting to appear on rear lift gate where the handle is attached. Dealer has indicated that this is corrosion due to the aluminium material that the lift gate is made of and poor prep work or contamination from the factory paint.”

NHTSA complaint #10818219, filed 2016-01, 50,000 miles

“Paint is bubbling on tailgate. Common problem. Ford dealer knows about it, Ford knows about it. Ford will not repair as there is no metal perforation. Aluminum tailgate is corroding under paint. This should not happen on a 3 -4 year old vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10886069, filed 2016-07, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202525%
202456%
202346%
20221311%
2021115%
2020225%
2019163%
2018133%
201762%
201631%
201585%
201468%
20121513%
20111014%
20101017%
2009725%
20083423%
200794%
2006196%
2005155%
2004248%
2003325%
2002144%
2001254%
2000475%
1999202%
1998253%
1997384%

Other parts of the 2012 Ford Expedition

Transmission and drivetrain
64 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Engine
12 complaints
Other or unknown
10 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Expedition

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology