Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Unknown about what causes the issue but was Told it was manufacturers fault not mine. Insurance adjuster came out as well and said that my full coverage won't cover anything at this point and told me as well to go contact the manufacturers to see what the option are available
It was 5/5/09, my wife was driving vehicle on a 'chip and sealed' street. She parked it on the shoulder and went to some yard sales. She return to the vehicle and was backing it, to turn around. The engine changed sound and began to rev up. [she was now half its length up a concrete driveway.] with her foot still on the brake peddle she immediately shift the transmission into a forward. The engine was really loud and revving up with the rear tires squealing, and spinning, the vehicle's front tires begin to slide on the gravel of the 'chip and seal' and then slide on the crushed rock of the next drive way. With her foot still firmly on the brake peddle and now both hands on the steering wheel, the vehicle lunges and scoots forward out of control on its own, plowing into a brick mail box. …
Vehicle was traveling about 70 MPH on the interstate. Pressed accelerator to pass a tractor trailer. The vehicle downshifted to pass (automatic transmission), but then downshifted all the way down to 1st gear on its own, which immediately revved the engine up to red line (5000 RPM) and caused the rear tires to start to slow to less than vehicle speed. As a result, the tires started smoking and caused the vehicle to skid sideways to the right off the road and down the embankment. Luckily, I was able to maintain some control of the vehicle down the grassy embankment and finally get the transmission slipped into neutral to regain control of the rear tires and narrowly avoid crashing. The only reason there was not a crash was due to that section of the interstate having a relatively shallow grassy downward embankment. …
When you drive the vehicle and come to a stop, ie: (intersection) the vehicle will go into neutral while it's in drive and upon pressing the accelerator pedal, it enters a safety type mode with no indication and will remain in gear zero for approximately 1-2 seconds and then as it starts moving, it does so with very little power leaving the vehicle in danger of getting struck by another vehicle from cross traffic. At this time, I have no idea what is causing this issue but it seems to be common via the internet complaints on the 6r80 transmissions on Ford vehicles. This has happened to me 4 times while trying to cross multi lane highways but the most recently came very close to what could have ended into a multiple fatal accident with a semi truck who was barely able to stop in time before I was able to cross a 3 lane highway. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Expedition. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a sensor next to the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving 60 MPH, the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 219,935.
Tl*- the contact stated that the 2007 Ford Expedition el had transmission problems from the day he drove the vehicle off the parking lot of the dealership. When coming to a stop and trying to accelerate the vehicle stayed in a high gear and the engine revved. The vehicle accelerated in the wrong gear. The transmission slipped when driving with the vehicle full of passengers. He took the vehcile to the dealership on 02/07/07 which was the appointment date the dealership gave him, and the dealership took the vehicle for a test ride with the contact, and the service mechanic informed him that they were aware of the transmission problems on the 2007 Ford expeditions, but they havd no remdey for the failure. …
I had purchased a 2007 Ford Expedition el and have had multiple problems with being able to go in reverse while facing down on any kind of grade. I also have problems with the vehicle accelaration while coming from a stop into traffice. Myself along with my two small children will no longer drive the vehicle. We were very close to being hit twice because of the defect in this Ford vehicle. I had submitted for lemon law and so far I have not received my answer from arbitration. I can tell you that Ford is covering this up because I know of serveral persons and businesses that have the same issues and Ford stated that there are no issues. While on the phone with the Ford representative in the arbitration they only showed a few visits to the dealership and told me that the ones that I received from the dealership were false. What a crock. …
The first occurrence was the transmission slipping on acceleration and stopping or going up hill. Its been to our Ford dealer where we purchased it and at first they felt it and said they fixed it but now everytime I take it in for that or the ac blower going off and on they say they don't feel or see anything it gotten ridiculous. In the freeway I-10 me and my son were trying to accelerate on and almost got hit by a semi truck the vehicle would not go fast enough. I wont bother with the dealership here in town they don't care. It has happened many times and now the air bag light goes off and on in temperature change it seems like. Our dealer fixed the door handle but now any rain the inside of our door fills with water and they say its not there fault and wont fix that either. Very disappointed with Ford. Spoke to them about the air bag and they also say they wont fix. …
The wiring harness from the transmission to the engine compartment crosses over the catalytic converter on the passenger side. There are a series of clips that are supposed to hold the wire harness close to the under body of the chassis. These clips prevent the wiring harness from touching the catalytic converter. During use, the catalytic converter gets hot and this heat degrades the plastic clips to the point where the are brittle and fail. This can result in the wire harness contacting the catalytic converter. The heat from the catalytic converter subsequently destroys the wiring and insulation to the point that the ECM receives erroneous indications from the transmission. If exposed for sufficient time the condition could cause an accident due to the transmission begin in limp mode, suddenly failing or a fire due to the wiring harness igniting.
The vehicle began to idle real rough to the point of bouncing in an uncontrolled manner. A knocking noise started coming from the engine. When you tried to increase speed two cylinders missed. When the vehicle was manufactured incorrectly, it caused the oil to be distributed unevenly through the engine and the engine to heat unevenly. This starvation of oil over time to the engine allowed for metal to shred and contaminate the engine and the engine has to be replaced in a 5 year old car. If the engine is not replaced the conditions would continue to intensify and the outcome is unknown. After investigation into the problem I learned that Ford had sent out a technical advisory bulletin to help service departments identify the problem so obviously this is not a one time based failure.
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Ford Expedition, 13% of the model year's 215 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Ford Expedition, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.