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Ford Expedition reliability and problems by year

Owners have filed 2,996 complaints about the Ford Expedition with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and engine. Ford has filed 5 warranty extensions and 8 service campaigns for it, and there are 53 safety recalls on file.

From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.

How reliable is the Ford Expedition? What NHTSA's records show

We don't give the Expedition a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.

Owner complaints
2,996
Filed with NHTSA, all model years
Warranty extensions
5
Filed by Ford
Service campaigns
8
Filed by Ford
Safety recalls
53
Each covers part of the model

Model years with the most complaints

Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Expedition with each other, not with other models.

Every model year compared

Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Expedition with each other.

Owner complaints by Expedition model year
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
YearComplaintsMost namedRecallsWarranty / campaigns
20270—20
202610Steering (40%)20
202537Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (22%)60
202477Other or unspecified (19%)72
202365Electrical system (26%)82
2022113Other or unspecified (17%)121
2021237Transmission and drivetrain (47%)121
2020421Transmission and drivetrain (62%)184
2019510Transmission and drivetrain (44%)115
2018377Transmission and drivetrain (39%)145
2017357Electrical system (26%)41
2016217Engine (17%)31
2015164Electrical system (27%)31
201472Transmission and drivetrain (47%)00
201392Transmission and drivetrain (47%)02
2012118Transmission and drivetrain (54%)33
201171Transmission and drivetrain (30%)00
201058Transmission and drivetrain (17%)00

Look up one model year, or a VIN

See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Expedition model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.

Acknowledged by Ford

Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Expedition, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.

  • Warranty extensionSep 2021· Electrical system· model years 2018–2020

    Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.• Submitting Claims with Customer Loyalty Program for Balance Remaining: Added instruction on how to claim the customer paid portion of the FSA using CLP Funds.

  • Warranty extensionAug 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012

    This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.

  • Warranty extensionAug 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2013

    This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.

  • Warranty extensionJul 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2018–2020

    In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine.

  • Warranty extensionJul 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2018–2020

    In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine.

  • Service campaignApr 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2015–2017

    Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement

  • Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2018–2021

    Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

  • Service campaignMar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2022–2024

    Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold.

  • Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2024

    In some of the affected vehicles, it is possible the required software required for the Pro Trailer Backup Assist (PTBA) feature was not installed in the vehicle during assembly.

  • Service campaignMar 2024· Equipment and accessories· model years 2023

    Customer Satisfaction Program 23B90 Certain 2023 Model Year Expedition Vehicles - Missing Rear Cargo Mat

  • Service campaignApr 2021· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018

    Certain 2018 Model Year Expedition and Navigator Vehicles Equipped With R-1234yf Refrigerant Special R-1234yf Refrigerant Service Information Vehicles not previously repaired with certain build dates, and that remain in program 18N01, can now request loaner equipment for…

  • Service campaignJun 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2013

    Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage

  • Service campaignJun 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2019

    Customer Satisfaction Program 19B15: Certain 2019 Model Year F150, Expedition, Navigator and Transit Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost Engine - Cam Cover Torque

What owners report most

The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Expedition model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.

  • Transmission and drivetrain1,067 (36%)
  • Engine482 (16%)
  • Electrical system396 (13%)
  • Other or unspecified340 (11%)
  • Seat belts144 (5%)
  • Cruise control and speed control124 (4%)
  • Body and structure111 (4%)
  • Brakes107 (4%)

Safety recalls

53 recalls cover at least one Expedition model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • 26V606000Sep 2026· Exterior lights· model years 2025–2027

    The headlight assemblies may contain a contaminated LED chip, which can result in a loss of daytime running lights, parking lights, high beams or low beams.

  • 26V402000Jun 2026· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2018–2021

    The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

  • 26V368000Jun 2026· Body and structure· model years 2018–2024

    The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.

  • 26V344000May 2026· Seat belts· model years 2018–2022

    The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

  • 26V204000Mar 2026· Visibility· model years 2021–2023

    The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

  • 26V104000Feb 2026· Electrical system· model years 2022–2027

    When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function.

  • 25V886000Dec 2025· Electrical system· model years 2019

    The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.

  • 25V823000Dec 2025· Brakes· model years 2025

    The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.

  • 25V729000Oct 2025· Visibility· model years 2021–2022

    The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.

  • 25V628000Sep 2025· Engine· model years 2020

    A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.

  • 25V572000Sep 2025· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2015–2017

    The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

  • 25V488000Jul 2025· Brakes· model years 2025

    The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.

  • 25V455000Jul 2025· Fuel system· model years 2022

    The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

  • 25V442000Jun 2025· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2020–2021

    A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

  • 25V439000Jun 2025· Airbags· model years 2025

    The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.

And 38 more recalls on NHTSA.

NHTSA investigations

Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.

  • AQ26001Audit query· opened Jun 2026, still open· None· model years 2021

    NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls

  • RQ24015Recall query· opened Nov 2024, closed Jul 2025· Seat belts· model years 2018–2020

    Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment

    Led to recall 25V197.

  • PE24019Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2024, closed Sep 2025· Fuel system· model years 2022

    Low-pressure fuel pump failure

    Led to recall 25V455.

  • PE23021Preliminary evaluation· opened Nov 2023, closed Jul 2024· Seat belts· model years 2019

    Seat Belt Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment

    Led to recall 24V099.

  • RQ21002Recall query· opened Aug 2021, still open· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2020

    Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance

    Led to recall 26V104.

  • RQ17010Recall query· opened Dec 2017, closed Oct 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2013

    Unexpected Transmission Downshift

    Led to recall 19V075000.

NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Ford Expedition has the complaint text and every document.

Common questions

Is the Ford Expedition reliable?

We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 2,996 owner complaints, 5 warranty extensions and 8 service campaigns Ford filed, and 53 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (510), 2020 (421), 2018 (377). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.

What are the most common problems with the Ford Expedition?

Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (36%), engine (16%), electrical system (13%). Ford has filed 5 warranty extensions covering the Expedition, listed on this page.

Which Expedition model years have the most complaints?

2019 (510), 2020 (421), 2018 (377). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Expedition with each other rather than with other models.

Has Ford extended the warranty on the Expedition?

Yes: electrical system (model years 2018–2020); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012–2013), and 2 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.

How do I check recalls on a Expedition?

Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 53 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.