Ford Expedition Problems by Year

We compared every Ford Expedition model year from 1997–2027 using 9,377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 77 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2024, 2017 and 2018, which drew far more complaints than other Expedition years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2013 and 2012.

31model years
9,377complaints
77recalls
2019, 2020worst years
2014, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26’27853836946890578340615297315299215146285871118927216421735738251842523811665783810
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Expedition. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20270—2—Too new
2026101.6×2SteeringAverage
2025381.5×6Collision AvoidanceCaution
2024781.9×7Collision AvoidanceCaution
202365typical8ElectricalAverage
2022116typical12Collision AvoidanceAverage
20212381.6×12TransmissionCaution
20204252.2×18TransmissionAvoid
20195182.4×11TransmissionAvoid
20183821.8×14TransmissionCaution
20173571.8×4ElectricalCaution
2016217−18%3BrakeAverage
2015164−43%3ElectricalGood
201472−77%—TransmissionGood
201392−70%—TransmissionGood
2012118−59%3TransmissionGood
201171−74%—TransmissionGood
201058−77%—TransmissionGood
200928−89%1BodyGood
2008146−49%3BodyGood
2007215−20%2Fuel SystemAverage
20062991.2×2EngineAverage
20053151.3×—EngineAverage
2004297typical—EngineAverage
20036152.4×1EngineAvoid
20023401.3×2EngineAverage
20015782.3×6EngineAvoid
20008903.7×7ElectricalAvoid
19999464.1×5EngineAvoid
19988363.5×5SuspensionAvoid
19978533.5×7SuspensionAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Expedition year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford Expedition problems

Latest Ford Expedition recalls

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 26V-606 · Sep 22, 2026 · 41,748 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Expedition, 2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD vehicles. 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 26V-402 · Jun 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.

Structure › Interior panels › Center console

NHTSA recall 26V-368 · Jun 9, 2026 · 548,463 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026.

Seat belts › Pretensioner

NHTSA recall 26V-344 · May 27, 2026 · 419,967 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026.

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages

NHTSA recall 26V-204 · Mar 31, 2026 · 422,613 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

All 77 Ford Expedition recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford Expedition should you avoid?

2019, 2020, 2024, 2017, 2018 and 2021 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Expedition years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2019.

What is the best year for the Ford Expedition?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Expedition years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford Expedition problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (2,013), transmission & drivetrain (1,574) and electrical system (1,383). Engine complaints peak in the 1999 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford Expedition had?

77 recalls across 1997–2027. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Ford Expedition recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.