Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Just purchased a certified used vehicle. 1) passenger DTRL is half way burnt out. Upon reading tons of forums online, I'm seeing this is a VERY COMMON issue. 2) the back up guide lines on the back up camera does not show. After master reset of the sync system , the lines appeared once. Since then it has not shown ever again.
Passenger side daytime running lights (DRL) have dimmed, diminishing daytime visibility . LED bulb may be out. Seems to be a common problem per other Expedition owners. There were no warnings or messages stating problem. The only way to fix the problem is by replacing the entire headlamp assembly ($1,200 plus labor).
Passenger side DRL (daytime running light) has dimmed and turned purple. Upon further research, this is happening to thousands of Ford Expeditions specifically on the passenger side. The only repair is to replace entire housing.
The headlights on this vehicle are absolutely the worst of any car I've ever driven. Did night driving yesterday; the peripheral lighting was virtually non-existent, and I couldn't even see my driveway from the road. There is no mention on the window sticker about what type of light fixtures the car has. I feel extremely unsafe when driving this vehicle at night, and will limit this exposure when I can. Totally unsafe in the dark of night. The road to our place is unlighted and kinda country . . . Couldn't see the driveway at 10mph with the turn signal flashing
Cpsc: the purported purpose of Ford's 'projector' headlight design was to increase lumens while decreasing power consumption. Instead of the headlight (as with 'normal' low-beam headlights) being aimed away from oncoming vehicles and displaying the entire road ahead, the headlight road visibility (as viewed by the driver through the windshield) has a distinct, horizontal line above which is absolutely dark and below is lit.
The headlights on the 2018 Expedition are awful. They are far too dim and distance coverage is far too short. They have a sharp cut off that makes it seem like something is in the way of them. The brights are better, but not nearly what they should be for a 2018, $60K+ vehicle. This is a huge safety concern. Not confident that I would see something in the road within a reasonable time to safely avoid it.
Defective daytime running light, passenger side, that does not fully illuminate. I've noticed this on several of the same make, model, and body style (with the same DTRLs).
The passenger side day time running light led halo is partially not working-Daytime Running Light defective. Several customers affected for the same reason all over internet.
Defective daytime running light, passenger side, that does not fully illuminate. I've noticed this on several of the same make, model, and body style (with the same DTRLs).
Front passenger DRL fail in lower 2/3 of LED strip. Im afraid other cars won't see me as well. No warnings on the inside dash display. A car flagged me down to tell me.
Headlight complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the lights of the 2018 Ford Expedition, 7% of the model year's 382 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Expedition headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2018 Ford Expedition, though it has 14 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 2018 Ford Expedition headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 83% before 25,000 miles.
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.