2016 Ford Expedition Transmission Problems

36 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2016 Ford Expedition to NHTSA — 17% of all 217 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 74,000 miles. That ranks #15 of 29 Expedition model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 40). No transmission recall has been issued for this model year.

36complaints
74ktypical miles
0related recalls
4crashes
0fires
1injuries

Which parts fail

  • Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
    1
  • Driveline › Differential unit
    1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    312%
  • 25k–50k
    28%
  • 50k–75k
    832%
  • 75k–100k
    728%
  • 100k–150k
    520%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. While parked in her friend's driveway with her child in her car seat, the contact heard an abnormal, popping sound as she was outside of the vehicle. The vehicle began to roll back without warning with her child inside the vehicle; she attempted to hit the emergency brake but was unsuccessful. The vehicle continued to roll backward into a neighbor's fence before the vehicle came to a halt. The contact's daughter was safe inside the car seat and did not sustain any injuries; however, the contact sustained mental trauma as a result of the failure. A police report was filed due to the neighbor's damaged fence. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number; she was then referred to NHTSA for additional assistance. …

100,000 miles · Jan 2023 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, she entered the trunk, and the vehicle rolled down her driveway into traffic and crashed into a fence while her 7-month-old daughter was still inside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that it sounded like the shifter was stuck between the gears of park and reverse. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not yet taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic tests or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

100,000 miles · Jan 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while driving uphill. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded upon depressing the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle stalled while driving. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission molded lead frame had failed. The mechanic contacted the dealer to order the part; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part #AL3Z-7G276 had been discontinued. The contact later purchased the part from an aftermarket dealer and the part was installed on the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. …

100,000 miles · Feb 2020

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 38,484. The contact stated that the lead frame was replaced, and a sensor was added to the vehicle. However, that did not help the issue and the recall repair has yet to be performed.

38,000 miles · May 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the accelerator was depressed, and there was a grinding sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with rear differential failure. On a separate occasion, a year later the rear differential failure recured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the rear end was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 85,913.

Driveline › Differential unit · 86,000 miles · Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and the vehicle was restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

109,000 miles · Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission inadvertently downshifted into a lower gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the leadframe, valve body, and output shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body · 126,000 miles · Dec 2023

3 times now, My 2016 ford expedition has randomly down shifted at high speed. first time truck down shifted to first gear and was stuck in first until I used the manual gear shift button. The second time truck downshifted from 6th gear to 4th gear on a freeway, and it was stuck in 4th gear. The engine was over revving, I had to use the manual shift button to get truck out of 4th gear. and off the freeway. Third time I was on a freeway driving at freeway speeds and it downshifted/lost power, I was nearly hit by a motor home coming up behind me and I luckily pulled off on the shoulder before being hit. Thankfully I did not have any of my 4 children in the vehicle. Once again, no warning lights or codes, just random downshift, The truck has also slammed into gear when it downshifts when I am on surface roads. That too, is random and intermitent The truck has become unsafe to drive. …

Aug 2022

My 2016 Expedition has the same 6R80 transmission as the Ford F150, for which there is a recall for the Lead Frame. My wife was driving the vehicle on the highway and the check engine light came on and the vehicle went into "limp mode" causing the vehicle to decelerate to approximately 35 mph. Needless to say, she almost caused several accidents as she tried to move to the shoulder at a very reduced speed. The code was P0715 and P0717 which is the Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor which is part of the lead frame in the transmission. As stated before, there was a recall on this issue with the F150 but not to the Expedition since Ford did not sell as many Expeditions as F150's? …

Aug 2026

While driving on [redacted] at approximately 35 mph the vehicle displayed a wrench warning lamp and at same time vehicle went into limp mode. No power I had to coast to the side of road, engine running but no power. Turned engine off restarted vehicle and drove short distance home. Holiday Ford in Gordon, Texas was contacted they advised bring vehicle in for diagnostic test. Vehicle was driven to Holiday Ford dealership in Gordon, Texas for an appointment 4 days after the occurrence but on the way to dealership it occurred again turned engine off restarted an drove to dealership. Picked vehicle up same day but it occurred again . Took back to dealership, they kept vehicle for 4 days and advised they couldn't find anything wrong. The vehicle has gone to limp mode 3 times. I was lucky very little traffic it would be very much safety hazard in moderate to heavy traffic.

Aug 2024

Transmission complaints in other Expedition years

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26’2776706742401850274422271441021644334293651148222266113151155
Transmission complaints per model year, Ford Expedition.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Expedition, 17% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › fluid/lubricant › valves/valve body (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Expedition transmission problems?

No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Ford Expedition, though it has 3 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 2016 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 4 crashes, 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.