Ford Expedition Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford Expedition years to avoid are 2017-2021 and 2024, with complaint indexes from 75 to 100 and recall counts up to 18. The best years are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, each with a complaint index of 20 or lower and zero recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2024Best 2010Best 2011Best 2013Best 2014
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,962
- Recall campaigns
- 59
- Crashes reported
- 184
- Fires reported
- 71
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Expedition Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Expedition problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 60 | 315 | 20 | 6 | 0 | Engine | 14 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 70 | 299 | 19 | 6 | 2 | Engine | 14 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 30 | 215 | 8 | 5 | 2 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 55 | 146 | 24 | 2 | 3 | Structure & Body | 14 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 0 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 58 | 10 | 1 | 0 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 5 | 71 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 25 | 118 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 10 | 92 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 15 | 72 | 10 | 2 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Good | 35 | 164 | 8 | 6 | 3 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 216 | 8 | 8 | 3 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 90 | 357 | 21 | 7 | 4 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 85 | 375 | 8 | 2 | 14 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 95 | 503 | 8 | 3 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 414 | 5 | 7 | 18 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 80 | 232 | 3 | 4 | 12 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 65 | 113 | 4 | 0 | 12 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 45 | 64 | 5 | 4 | 8 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 75 | 76 | 6 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 18.5 | 5★ |
Expedition years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Ford Expedition Index 100 · 414 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2020 Expedition has the highest complaint index of all years at 100, with 414 complaints and 18 recall campaigns. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 63% of complaints (median 65,300 miles), with Engine at 15% (median 91,034 miles). The same transmission park pawl, console trim, and seat belt pretensioner recalls apply. Owners reported brake pedals that pulsed without slowing the vehicle, electrical shocks from a 120V connector, and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes.
2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 engine problems →2020 electrical system problems →
2019 Ford Expedition Index 95 · 503 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Expedition posts a complaint index of 95 with 503 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 44% (median 76,000 miles), Engine 28% (median 73,000 miles), and Seat Belts 20% (median 85,000 miles). Recalls address the transmission park pawl, center console trim, and seat belt pretensioners. Owners reported fires linked to remote starters, brake failures, seat belts that failed to retract in crashes, and lacerations from sharp chrome console trim.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 engine problems →2019 seat belts problems →
2017 Ford Expedition Index 90 · 357 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Expedition carries a complaint index of 90 with 357 complaints. Electrical System issues lead at 27% of complaints (median mileage 86,000), followed by Brakes at 21% (median 91,818 miles). NHTSA lists four recall campaigns, including a brake master cylinder fluid leak recall and a rearview camera recall. Owners reported unintended acceleration while parking, brake failures, and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. Engine complaints made up 16% of cases at a median 63,000 miles.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 brakes problems →2017 engine problems →
2018 Ford Expedition Index 85 · 375 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2018 Expedition has a complaint index of 85 across 375 complaints and 14 recall campaigns, the most of any avoid year. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 39% of complaints (median 80,000 miles), and Engine issues 34% (median 80,000 miles). Recalls cover the transmission park pawl, peeling chrome trim on the center console, and seat belt pretensioners. Owners reported vehicles moving unexpectedly while backing up or parking, and brakes that failed to stop the vehicle.
2018 transmission & powertrain problems →2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →
2021 Ford Expedition Index 80 · 232 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2021 Expedition shows a complaint index of 80 with 232 complaints and 12 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain complaints are 47% of the total (median 65,000 miles) and Engine 28% (median 48,000 miles). Recalls again include the transmission park pawl, console trim, and seat belt pretensioners. Owners reported engine fires while parked and unattended, vehicles that accelerated abruptly when shifted to park, and brakes that locked up during turns.
2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 engine problems →2021 electrical system problems →
2024 Ford Expedition Index 75 · 76 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2024 Expedition has a complaint index of 75 with 76 complaints and 7 recall campaigns despite being a recent model year. Electrical System issues lead at 20% of complaints, Engine at 17%, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 17%. Recalls cover peeling console trim, trailer module software, and brake lines that may contact the air cleaner outlet pipe. Owners reported unintended acceleration during turns, airbags that failed to deploy, and brakes that did not slow the vehicle as expected.
Most common Ford Expedition problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,170 (30%)
- Engine1,086 (27%)
- Electrical System585 (15%)
- Other409 (10%)
- Brakes344 (9%)
- Structure & Body302 (8%)
- Fuel System265 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires198 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers189 (5%)
- Seat Belts185 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Ford Expedition years should I avoid?
- Avoid the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 model years. These carry complaint indexes between 75 and 100, well above other years, and 2020 has both the highest complaint index (100) and 18 recall campaigns.
- What is the best Ford Expedition year to buy?
- The 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 5, 10, and 15 respectively and zero recall campaigns each.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford Expedition?
- Across all years, Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 30% of the 3,962 total complaints (1,170 complaints), followed by Engine at 27% (1,086 complaints).
- Does the Ford Expedition have transmission recalls?
- Yes. The 2018-2021 Expedition is covered by recall campaign 26V402000 for a transmission park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is in motion, one of several recalls tied to the 2018-2021 avoid years.
- Why is the 2024 Ford Expedition rated Avoid despite being new?
- The 2024 model has a complaint index of 75 and 7 recall campaigns, including issues with brake lines contacting the air cleaner outlet pipe and peeling console trim, which push it into the Avoid category relative to other years.