Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, the vehicle regained motive power independently. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to a fuel system recall that had not included the model year of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Vehicle caught fire on February 29, 2024, with family members inside the vehicle. The fire appeared to start under the hood on the right passenger side, which would directly correlate with the current open recall. The family had just made a trip back from a basketball game and was dropping off a passenger when smoke was noticed. Upon further inspection, there was an active fire under the hood, which soon erupted into a burst of flames, causing the vehicle to be declared a total loss. Emergency responders had to be called to the scene to alleviate the fire. The fire report depicts a vehicle malfunction as the cause of the ignition. Ford has made no efforts to contact the consumer regarding the fire and subsequent damage.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware that the automatic power running board was suddenly raising and lowering independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was confirmed that the power running board needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the soy-based electrical wires had been damaged by rodents. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the cost of the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,100.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery junction box was replaced and other unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500. The VIN was not available.
My car continues to have electrical problems since 14 months after my purchase. I have reported it to Ford service multiple times as well as Corporate. Each time the same problem happens, I report it here as well. This is the 5th time that this has happened. Each time it has happened, I am at a red light and while waiting, my car just shuts off completely. In the beginning I could press my start button after 1-2 minutes and my car would restart. However, the 4th time it took 9 minutes before my car would start up. It happened again this past week. It took no longer than a minute for my car to start up again. I went to my local dealership and after they took a look, they just think the button with the "A and an arrow circling it" just triggered something and thats why it shut off. They told me there was nothing that they could do. My battery looked fine. …
I took my vehicle to the dealership to have all recall work done on Feb. 11th 2026. I was told i am up to date on all my recall work at that time. When I received my vehicle back It would intermittently just shut down for no apparent reason while sitting at stop lights, or just stopped in that fashion. I called and the dealership they said unless they could recreate the issue somewhat easily there was noting they could really do. So while parked in driveway the vehicle again had no power, I used my emergency key to get into vehicle and opened the hood to which I found the battery terminal connections were never tighten. I could take them off by hand. …
In the fordpass app, we get a notification that the vehicle has turned off certain function due to inactivity in order to reserve power. However, we will have just driven the vehicle. This message should only populate when the vehicle is inactive for 14 days. It can also populate when the battery drops below 9V or due to extremely hot or cold conditions. It is 70 degrees F outside, so this reduces the reason to only one problem, and that is the battery less than 9V. We just spent over $700 at the dealership on a new battery and service charges because they said it was a battery problem. We spent over $100 the first attempt to find the problem with a sync update. Now, with a new battery and updated sync, out vehicle is still draining the battery. Low and behold, when the message populate in the app, the vehicle will not start, leaving us stranded on multiple occasions in town. …
I received notice through carfax of a recall due to fire hazard. Numerous attempts at getting more information through ford has resulted in little more than referral to a local dealer. The dealer has no loaners available at this time. I Am forced to park in my driveway surrounded by trees as there is no place near me to park that avoids other structures In a chat with ford today I was told a potential temporary solution was to disconnect the battery. When I called the local dealer again and requested a quick disconnect be installed they said they don't /won't do that. So I am back to square one. A new expensive suv which may burn down my house and no clear solution. If I were to install a quick disconnect on my own I was told it had to be done with a ford service (why if I am paying out of pocket for it). …
Nn 9/15/2025 While the car was running but parked, we began to smell burnt plastic/electrical. Upon trying to shut off the vehicle several service lamps came on advising to go immediately to a service center and that there was a powertrain issue. Vehicle would also not shut off. Upon arrival at dealership they diagnosed that the battery box had corroded and would need replaced under the 1time battery Junction box replacement campaign (22N19). Upon repair they discovered that the wiring harness was badly melted and would need replace part [redacted] . The problem lies here. This part is backordered with no date for availability. Ford refuses to acknowledge this as a problem, and will not help with rental or loaner assistance, as that repair shouldn't take more then a few hours to complete.
Electrical complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Ford Expedition, 10% of the model year's 238 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Ford Expedition electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2021 Ford Expedition, though it has 12 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 2021 Ford Expedition electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.