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Ford Expedition: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Ford Expedition problems by model year, from 2,860 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2019 (80%, 315 drivetrain complaints), 2020 (75%, 286 drivetrain complaints) and 2018 (71%, 241 drivetrain complaints). 10 of the 14 Ford Expedition years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 7 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2022 (25%), 2023 (27%) and 2017 (30%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2021 (71%) to 2022 (25%), down 46 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2019 drew the most drivetrain complaints (315 of 1,511 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Ford Expedition year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Expedition | no elevated signal | 33% | 17 | 58 | 11/14 | 0 |
| 2011 Expedition | high | 49% | 34 | 71 | 8/14 | 0 |
| 2012 Expedition | very high | 69% | 77 | 118 | 5/14 | 3 |
| 2013 Expedition | very high | 60% | 52 | 92 | 7/14 | 0 |
| 2014 Expedition | very high | 62% | 38 | 72 | 6/14 | 0 |
| 2015 Expedition | high | 43% | 68 | 164 | 9/14 | 3 |
| 2016 Expedition | elevated | 36% | 75 | 217 | 10/14 | 3 |
| 2017 Expedition | no elevated signal | 30% | 101 | 357 | 12/14 | 4 |
| 2018 Expedition | very high | 71% | 241 | 375 | 3/14 | 14 |
| 2019 Expedition | very high | 80% | 315 | 504 | 1/14 | 11 |
| 2020 Expedition | very high | 75% | 286 | 419 | 2/14 | 18 |
| 2021 Expedition | very high | 71% | 163 | 235 | 4/14 | 12 |
| 2022 Expedition | no elevated signal | 25% | 27 | 113 | 14/14 | 12 |
| 2023 Expedition | no elevated signal | 27% | 17 | 65 | 13/14 | 8 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ford Expedition years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Ford Expedition engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns on the Ford Expedition involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 47 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2012 | 12V190000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2012 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V248000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2012 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V213000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2018 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V214000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2018 |
| Jun 2018 | 18V392000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018 |
| Apr 2020 | 20V197000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2020 |
| May 2020 | 20V263000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2019 |
| May 2022 | 22V346000 | engine | 2021 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V128000 | power train: axle assembly | 2023 |
| Jul 2025 | 25V455000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2022 |
| Sep 2025 | 25V628000 | engine | 2020 |
| Jun 2026 | 26V402000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2018–2021 |
35 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2012 | 12V034000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2012 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V775000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2018 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V058000 | visibility: power window devices and controls | 2018 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V805000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2018 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V633000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2019–2020 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V773000 | suspension: rear | 2019 |
| Apr 2020 | 20V217000 | seat belts | 2020 |
| May 2020 | 20V262000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2020 |
| Jun 2020 | 20V366000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V574000 | seat belts | 2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V575000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2020 |
| Oct 2021 | 21V805000 | air bags: sensor: side impact | 2021 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V150000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist | 2016–2017 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V193000 | electrical system: integrated trailer brake control | 2022 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V250000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages | 2020–2021 |
| Aug 2022 | 22V648000 | visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor | 2015–2017 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V420000 | equipment: other: owners/service/other manual | 2018–2023 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V099000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2018–2020 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V852000 | equipment: other: labels | 2018–2023 |
| Jan 2025 | 25V048000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2021 |
| Feb 2025 | 25V132000 | electrical system: integrated trailer brake control | 2022 |
| Apr 2025 | 25V236000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder | 2017–2018 |
| Apr 2025 | 25V270000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2015 |
| May 2025 | 25V314000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2022–2023 |
| May 2025 | 25V315000 | back over prevention: software | 2022–2023 |
| May 2025 | 25V197000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2018–2020 |
| May 2025 | 25V346000 | electrical system: body control module: software | 2020 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V442000 | back over prevention: software | 2020–2021 |
| Sep 2025 | 25V572000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2015–2017 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V729000 | visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2021–2022 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V886000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2019 |
| Feb 2026 | 26V104000 | electrical system: integrated trailer brake control | 2022–2023 |
| Mar 2026 | 26V204000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages | 2021–2023 |
| May 2026 | 26V344000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2018–2022 |
| Jun 2026 | 26V368000 | structure: interior panels: center console | 2018–2023 |
What the free pages leave out on the Ford Expedition
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Ford Expedition
What are the worst years for the Ford Expedition?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ford Expedition years are the 2019 (80% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2020 (75% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2018 (71% of relevant complaints, very high). 10 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Ford Expedition?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Ford Expedition years are the 2022 (25%), the 2023 (27%) and the 2017 (30%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 1,511 of 2,645 relevant NHTSA complaints (57%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Is the Ford Expedition reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 10 of 14 Ford Expedition years we score have an elevated complaint share and 4 do not. Pooled across those years, 57% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ford Expedition?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ford Expedition years we track, out of 47 in total: 25V455000 (Jul 2025, 2022), 25V628000 (Sep 2025, 2020), 26V402000 (Jun 2026, 2018–2021), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.