Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the body of the vehicle had shifted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger's side front axle seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started bouncing without warning. The contact stated that after several seconds, the vehicle stopped bouncing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front shocks were leaking, and that both front shocks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 17,000.
MacPherson Strut assemblies leaking large amounts of hydraulic fluid which spills into/on the brakes. Decreased fluid in the MacPherson Strut results in excessive rebound, decreased braking, at times no braking when fluid has spewed onto brakes, followed by a sudden grab of the brakes that feels as though the anti-lock system might engage. This defect poses a serious risk of accident, injury, or even fatality of loss of control occurs at the wrong time. Ford has been made aware of the problem, and is side-stepping the repair under the guise of calling the component a "shock absorber" (it's quite clearly mounted inside a spring with a STRUT MOUNT at the top). Their parts catalog calls it a STRUT ASSEMBLY section, but they skirt around claim denial on the grounds that it's a "shock absorber" (simply because they don't offer the complete STRUT assembly). …
We have put roughly 20,000 miles on this vehicle and were putting new tires on, when the technician showed me that all four struts were leaking. This vehicle is not driven excessively, it is primarily for short trips around the city and is not used in heavy traffic. A quick search identifies that this is a known issue, with multiple people identifying there concern. There are multiple several complaints on the NHTSA website. So after paying out of pocket, I called Ford to see if they would offer reimbursement. I received a call back from an extremely rude individual informing me that Ford will not reimburse me because there are no active recalls. After I explained that there are multiple complaints about this same issue she stated that Ford does not issue recalls and only the NHTSA will do that. Therefore, I am requesting the NHTSA look into this issue.
This is a widespread problem across the Ford expedition. I've read forum after forum, facebook group after facebook group and have seen that many expeditions are affected by this. The front end of the Expedition; primarily the steering and suspension components, cause a strong vibration when approaching 70-75 miles per hour. I have replaced the tires on my Expedition and had them mounted and balanced by Ford, only for the problem to still exist. I mentioned this to Ford directly and they told me that there is no way for them to replicate the problem because they won't take the vehicle over the local speed limit. However where I drive all across the country for work, the speed limit is approximately 70 -75 miles per hour. This is a severe issue as Vibrations could easily cause an accident.
All 4 struts failed at approximately 46,000 miles. It is available for inspection upon request but for safety reasons I will have it fixed as soon as possible. It had been riding rough for a while and started sending my children flying around the backseat particularly the third row and grew much louder and jostling with every bump in the road. Last oil change at 43,000 miles it was recommended to replace rear struts due to leaking but I was waiting for a second opinion. When I took it in for an alignment after new tires were put on I made no mention of this to see what they said and sure enough all 4 struts were leaking and needed replaced as soon as possible at 46,000 miles. No warning lamps or messages. Problems first appeared around July 2022 and progressively got worse.
When I drove a little bit uneven highway overpass about 50mph with family, three teenagers and my wife, I saw the rear bounces back a lot, almost lost control of the vehicle. Next day, I took it to local Ford Service and they say the rear structs and shocks were completely worn out, and need to be replaced. It has only highway mileage of only just over 20,000miles. Actually they were talking about leaking of oil through the seals and technician showed all four struts were leaking, rears much worse. The vehicle just passed 3 year warranty period by two months, and technician suggested the leakage had been there long before the factory warranty expired. So disappointed with Ford. This was my first Ford and will be the last.
While driving on to a rough area such as a bridge crossing the vehicle exhibited excessive bouncing and caused the direction of travel toward the next lane. Repairs to the front struts were made at the dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased. The repair part was described as JL1Z 18124 E Shock Absorber Asy. The service advisor said struts are described this way due to the way it is listed in the parts catalog. Since this repair the vehicle has increasingly repeated the same bouncing and driveability to the extent that another service call is required.
Front struts faulty. Drivers side blew and all the fluid leaked out and the passenger side was leaking. Unknown safety issue but the vehicle only has 42,000 miles and has never been off road. Still has original tires, shouldn't struts last longer than tires? The problem was confirmed by my local Ford dealer. I paid $1467.72 to have them replaced which is ridiculous for a vehicle with such low mileage. In my research I have found that this may be a widespread problem but there has been no recall. No warnings.
Left front strut leaked and back two struts provide very minimal dampening, which combined created a dangerous situation when banking on the interstate and hitting minimal bumps. When on the interstate at 65-70mph, if any bumps (e.g., bridge/overpass joints) are driven over the truck bounces wildly 5-8 times and the body twists, making it feel as though the truck is on the limit of controllability.
Suspension complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the suspension of the 2018 Ford Expedition, 7% of the model year's 382 complaints. The component named most often is rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Expedition suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 62% 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.