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 2011 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
So my 2011 expedition has a lead frame problem it is stuck in 4th gear and all the warning lights are on associating the lead frame. The shop I left told me it Is the lead frame. The problem is the ford f150 with the exact same transmission as mine has a recall for that exact part. But no recall on the expiration with the exact same transmission as mine. This is a safety problem as it is stuck in fourth gear and completely unsafe to drive. This is a ford factory problem and needs to be addressed before it gets someone gravely injured of killed I talked with ford and they sY since there is no recall there is nothing they can do I've beennout a vehicle for 2 weeks already and now they say they have no clue when they can find the part. So I'm just out a vehicle that I payed thousands of dollars for. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the contact's vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a parked vehicle. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle did not stop even when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact attempted to shift the vehicle into neutral, but it shifted into drive and accelerated forward. The only way to stop the vehicle was by turning the key to the off position. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
On December 12, 2017, while traveling at 75 MPH on the interstate with the cruise control set, the vehicle surged forward. Within seconds following the surge, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted causing loss of control and nearly a roll over accident. The vehicle would not move in any gear. Turning the vehicle off and on 2 times allowed the vehicle to move again. The dealer replaced the control module in the transmission as a result. My cost was $100 since we still have an active warranty.
I was traveling at about 70 MPH with cruise control on when the vehicle suddenly downshift twice (from 6th gear to I think 3rd then 1st gear) and the rpms red lined causing the vehicle to jerk and slow down rapidly. I lost all acceleration power and was barely able to make it to the shoulder of the highway. I could not get any acceleration in any gear once I was pulled over. I turned the vehicle off and back on and it work like nothing ever happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. While attempting to accelerate on an incline, the vehicle decelerated and the front wheels failed to turn. The 4x4 system also independently activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who discovered that the 4x4 motor and solenoid failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 65,000.
When slowing down and shifting from second to first the transmission makes a loud stuttering noise every time. This is not a normal noise a transmission should make. This is a safety concern that Ford needs to fix in new and older models. This is a very common issue people are reporting on the internet with fords around this year. Many have had this begin to occur around only 25K miles.
Hard, delayed, jump from idle when accelerator is pressed. Hard shift from park to reverse.
While my wife was driving on the interstate with the cruise control set at 78mph, the rear tires on our 2011 Expedition suddenly locked up, skidding the tires and caused the vehicle to fishtail she had no control of steering or acceleration. When the vehicle reached approximately 35mph the tires released and she was able to steer into the median. At this point, she could not move the vehicle. There was a picture of a wrench on the dashboard. When she was completely stopped, she put the vehicle in park and sat for a few minutes. She then attempted to put the vehicle in drive, but she had no power. The vehicle was running, but she was unable to accelerate in drive or reverse. She had to call for a tow truck. After the vehicle was towed home, I got in it and started it, then noticed the traction control light on. …
While on a family trip from tx to fl, the "limp home mode" wrench came on. Pulled over, checked what I could. Got back on the road, about 20 miles down the road, a fine mist starting blowing out the back and the SUV lost all power. Pulled over and call Ford. It was towed to a Ford dealer about 5 miles away. The dealer called Monday morning, to say the transmission was blown and needed to be replaced. Well Ford had a different plan, they told the dealer to rebuild. About 60 days and 5000 miles later, "limp home mode" wrench came on again. Drove it about 8 miles to the purchasing dealer. While at the dealer and a Ford tech came out to look at it. Had the dealer, run a bunch of test and only authorized a part replacement. Even at the request of myself and the selling dealer to replace the transmission, Ford said no. …
Traveling down the highway going approximately 70 MPH when the rear wheels locked causing the vehicle to rapidly decelerate and rear end to swerve. Fortunately there were no vehicles immediately behind the vehicle as this would have resulted in a major rear end collision. The rear wheels unlocked after approximately three to four seconds and I was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The powertrain malfunction wrench was lit on the dashboard and the vehicle would not move forward in any gear. I put the vehicle in park, shut off the engine and restarted the vehicle. The wrench on the dashboard extinguished and I was able to drive the vehicle to the dealership utilizing secondary roads. The dealership had the vehicle for three days and contacted Ford engineering for technical advice. …
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles.
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Ford Expedition, 30% of the model year's 71 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Ford Expedition. 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 2011 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.