2012 Ford Expedition: Throttle body failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Expedition report: throttle body failure. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 105,000 miles.
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints for the 2012 Expedition in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11729726 (filed 04/07/2026): “The contact owns a 2012 ford expedition. the contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 mph, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, causing the occupants to lunge forward. the tires squealed and the wheels locked up. the vehicle was turned off but f…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11676166 (filed 07/25/2025): “Campaign 19n01 description transmission molded leadframe extended coverage next steps contact your dealer for next steps. did this and was told that the vehicle was not covered due to it being after 10 years and barely over 150,000 miles. i am experiencing tr…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace throttle body (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $800 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: electronic throttle body replacement
Average shop cost
$120
Range $50–$210 (labor)
0.5–1.5 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$180
Range $75–$315 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2011 Ford Escape: Complete loss of throttle response · 2014 Jeep Compass: Electronic throttle control faulty · 2015 Ford Edge: Died while driving
Page last updated .