Ford Expedition years to avoid (and the best years)
2,943 NHTSA owner complaints and 52 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,943complaints
- 52recalls
- 111reported crashes
- 52reported fires
- 200reported injuries
Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Ford Expedition years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2018, 2017 and 2021. The typical Ford Expedition year has 115 complaints on file.
- 2019: 497 complaints, 4.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (44% of complaints) and the engine (27% of complaints).
- 2020: 412 complaints, 3.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (63% of complaints) and the engine (13% of complaints).
- 2018: 374 complaints, 3.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (39% of complaints) and the engine (32% of complaints).
- 2017: 357 complaints, 3.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (26% of complaints) and the brakes (21% of complaints).
- 2021: 232 complaints, 2.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (47% of complaints) and the engine (25% of complaints).
What are the best Ford Expedition years?
The Ford Expedition years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (64), 2011 (71) and 2013 (92). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 | 0.3× | 5 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2024 | 72 | 0.6× | 7 | 6 | 9 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 64 | 0.6× | 8 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 112 | 1.0× | 12 | 4 | 10 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 232 | 2.0× | 12 | 3 | 5 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 412 | 3.6× | 18 | 5 | 24 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 497 | 4.3× | 11 | 8 | 38 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 374 | 3.3× | 14 | 8 | 25 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2017 | 357 | 3.1× | 4 | 21 | 27 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 216 | 1.9× | 3 | 8 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2015 | 164 | 1.4× | 3 | 8 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 72 | 0.6× | 0 | 10 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | 92 | 0.8× | 0 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 118 | 1.0× | 3 | 6 | 13 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2011 | 71 | 0.6× | 0 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2010 | 58 | 0.5× | 0 | 10 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,056 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain560 (53%)
- Electrical & infotainment141 (13%)
- Structure & body125 (12%)
- Other systems101 (10%)
- Airbags & seat belts52 (5%)
Recalls (52)
Transmission · 26V402000 · Jun 2026 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 26V368000 · Jun 2026 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 26V344000 · May 2026 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Body & glass · 26V204000 · Mar 2026 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 26V104000 · Feb 2026 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V886000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2019
If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Brakes · 25V823000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2025
An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 25V729000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2021, 2022
A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V628000 · Sep 2025 · model year 2020
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 25V572000 · Sep 2025 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 25V488000 · Jul 2025 · model year 2025
An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 25V455000 · Jul 2025 · model year 2022
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V442000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2020, 2021
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 25V439000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2025
An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Seat belts · 25V197000 · May 2025 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 25V346000 · May 2025 · model year 2020
Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Brakes · 25V314000 · May 2025 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024
A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V315000 · May 2025 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V270000 · Apr 2025 · model year 2015
A blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 25V236000 · Apr 2025 · model years 2017, 2018
A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 25V198000 · Mar 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 25V132000 · Feb 2025 · model year 2022
Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V048000 · Jan 2025 · model year 2021
Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 24V851000 · Dec 2024 · model year 2024
A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 24V852000 · Nov 2024 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Seat belts · 24V099000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 23V420000 · Jun 2023 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 23V128000 · Feb 2023 · model year 2023
A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V648000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
Safety · 22V346000 · May 2022 · model year 2021
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 22V250000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V193000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2022
Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 22V150000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2016, 2017
A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V805000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2021
An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 20V575000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2020
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 20V574000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a crash, the incorrect classification would enable the passenger air bag to deploy instead of disabling it, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Safety · 20V366000 · Jun 2020 · model year 2020
An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Transmission · 20V263000 · May 2020 · model year 2019
If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Electrical system · 20V262000 · May 2020 · model year 2020
If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Seat belts · 20V217000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide the intended level of protection, increasing the risk of injury.
Transmission · 20V197000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2020
If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Suspension · 19V773000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2019
A disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change to vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V633000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2019, 2020
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 18V805000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2018
In the event of a crash, a seat that moves may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Fuel system · 18V392000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 18V213000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2018
Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Transmission · 18V214000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2018
If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 18V058000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2018
If the window does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is found, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 17V775000 · Dec 2017 · model year 2018
If the seat back is not adequately secured, and/or the seat occupant is improperly positioned, there can be an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 16V248000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2012
An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 12V190000 · May 2012 · model year 2012
IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.
Safety · 12V034000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2012
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.