Equipment complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 129,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 21,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 11,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 56,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 38,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% | 17,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% | 33,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 2% | 72,000 miles |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% | 83,000 miles |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% | 113,000 miles |
| 1998 | 20 | 2% | 87,000 miles |
| 1997 | 21 | 2% | 119,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Upon starting vehicle, loud pop sound and then excruciatingly painful white noise throughout the sound system. No controls will work to turn audio down. Upon shutting vehicle off, painful white noise continued for another 10sec or more. Waited a few minutes tried again, same thing happened with sound. Unable to drive vehicle with sound this loud. Tried 5x to shut off vehicle and restart, white noise continued. Hours later, ears are still ringing the noise was so loud. No controls on the touch screen would work and even shutting off car, disconnecting all phones excruciating white noise continues.
Bought car new last year. Current 15,000 miles. On Saturday, September 2, I turned the ignition off and then opened the drivers door. Suddenly there was a horrendous loud static noise coming from I assume the radio speakers. It was deafening, and lasted about 3 seconds. I have read about other Ford trucks having this problem, but it is the first time for me. I will take it to my Ford dealer tomorrow morning. Apparently there is a quick program update to correct the issue. If this happened while I was driving, it may have caused an accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and hauling a trailer attached to the tow hitch, the trailer suddenly detached from the vehicle. The trailer hitch had fractured due to extensive rust. The dealer was contacted and informed about the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, the infotainment screen was faulty for GPS navigation, voice command and temperature control for the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. Consumer stated apim module was faulty.
Own a 2008 king ranch Ford Expedition el, complained from the beginning that windows were slow to open and close. The windows would freeze shut. They eventually changed the window tracks, but didn't seem to help. Now the windows get stuck in the down or half up position, especially when the temp is cold. I pushed to have them change the window motor, but would not. Now that it is out of warranty. They want to replace the window motors!!!! I see this as a huge safety issue. If I would need to roll down my windows to escape in the winter...I would be unable to do so. My husband, son and dogs were in montana with blinding snow and freezing temps...with the window stuck in the half up position. They had to pull the window up with there hands.
While driving across the arizona desert in 104 degree temperatures, my air conditioner stopped working entirely. It would not blow any air. This created extremely hazardous temperatures inside the vehicle. Rolling the windows down was useless. It was 104 degrees outside. After allowing the vehicle to cool down, the A/C started working again.
The navigation system has been replaced 3 times so far with other parts that were reused by Ford. This vehicle has been deadlined(me not being able to drive it about 60days in the past year. It has been in the shop now for a week and they are going to try to replace the antenna on it. They (Ford)not the dealership puts the blame on the maker of the unit., but with each new unit comes other problems. None of Ford tech's send back the same response. What my next step?? Please help it has been in the shop to May times. The dealership is great but they can only do so much.
2007 Ford Expedition el front driver and front passenger window regulators broke at the same time. The SUV is only three years old. After researching problem online this seems to be a recurring problem with many consumers driving fords.
Related recalls (5)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints.
Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain 4x2 sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." the rear tire pressure is incorrectly listed on the label for 4.2 vehicles.
Remedy: A supplementary label will be sent to customers to place near the certification label to identify the appropriate rear tire pressure.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the affected expedition/navigator owner guides do not identify the locations of seating positions equipped with tether anchorages, and do not provide…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with owner guide inserts revised to provide the required information, and instructions for affixing these inserts to their owner guides.
Trailer hitches
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.
NHTSA investigations
Factory installed towing hitch separatio
This investigation was opened on September 27, 1999 based on five consumer reports alleging that some of the eight hitch mounting bolts either became loose or came completely out of its retaining plate.one of the complaints indicated that while towig a trailer the hitch actually separated from the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle when the four mounting bolts on that side came completely out.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Expedition years have equipment problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (21), 1998 (20), 2000 (19), 1999 (18) and 2001 (13) model years. Equipment complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford Expedition equipment problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 24V-852 (labels, Nov 8, 2024); 23V-420 (owners/service/other manual, Jun 9, 2023); 02V-239 (labels, Sep 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Expedition equipment problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the mechanical › carrier/rack (23 mentions), followed by the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (21).
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.