Ford Expedition Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
The Ford Expedition years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, with 2019 the worst (complaint index 100, 503 complaints, 11 recalls). Best years are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, each with low complaint indexes (0–20) and fewer recalls.
Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Best 2010Best 2011Best 2013Best 2014
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,958
- Recall campaigns
- 52
- Crashes reported
- 111
- Fires reported
- 52
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 57 | 10 | 1 | 0 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 0 | 71 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 27 | 118 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 7 | 92 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 13 | 72 | 10 | 2 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 164 | 8 | 6 | 3 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 216 | 8 | 8 | 3 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 357 | 21 | 7 | 4 | Electrical System | 17 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 87 | 375 | 8 | 2 | 14 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 503 | 8 | 3 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 93 | 414 | 5 | 7 | 18 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 67 | 232 | 3 | 4 | 12 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 60 | 113 | 4 | 0 | 12 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 53 | 64 | 5 | 4 | 8 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 73 | 76 | 6 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 47 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 18.5 | 5★ |
Expedition years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Ford Expedition Index 100 · 503 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Expedition ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100, 503 complaints, 39 injuries, and 8 crashes. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 44% of complaints (median mileage 76,000), with Engine problems at 28% (73,000 miles) and Seat Belts at 20% (85,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 11 recalls, including the transmission park pawl issue, peeling center console trim, and a seat belt pretensioner defect.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 engine problems →2019 seat belts problems →
2020 Ford Expedition Index 93 · 414 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2020 Expedition has a complaint index of 93, 414 complaints, and 18 recalls, the most recalls of any avoid year. Transmission & Powertrain complaints dominate at 63% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 65,300. Engine issues follow at 15% (91,034 miles) and Electrical System at 10% (49,500 miles). Fires were reported in 7 cases and injuries in 25, alongside recalls for the transmission park pawl and seat belt pretensioner defects.
2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 engine problems →2020 electrical system problems →
2018 Ford Expedition Index 87 · 375 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2018 Expedition carries a complaint index of 87 with 375 complaints and 14 recalls, the highest recall count among the avoid years. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 39% of complaints at a median mileage of 80,000, and Engine issues follow at 34%, also at 80,000 miles. Recalls cover a transmission park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is in motion, peeling chrome trim on the center console, and a seat belt pretensioner that can inadvertently lock. Crashes numbered 8 with 25 injuries reported.
2018 transmission & powertrain problems →2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →
2017 Ford Expedition Index 80 · 357 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Expedition has a complaint index of 80 with 357 complaints, 21 crashes, 7 fires, and 27 injuries. Electrical System problems lead at 27% of complaints (median mileage 86,000), followed by Brakes at 21% (median mileage 91,818). Owners also reported Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this year, including a brake master cylinder fluid leak recall and a rearview camera recall covering multiple Ford models.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 brakes problems →2017 engine problems →
Most common Ford Expedition problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,059 (36%)
- Engine684 (23%)
- Electrical System444 (15%)
- Other356 (12%)
- Brakes223 (8%)
- Structure & Body198 (7%)
- Seat Belts177 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers148 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras146 (5%)
- Fuel System128 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Ford Expedition should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Ford Expedition years stand out as the ones to avoid, with 2019 having the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 503.
- What is the best year for the Ford Expedition?
- The 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014 Expedition years show the lowest complaint indexes (0 to 20) and fewest recalls, making them the best years based on NHTSA data.
- Are Ford Expedition transmission problems common?
- Yes. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 36% of all complaints across every model year, and they are the top problem area in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 model years specifically.
- Does the Ford Expedition have transmission recalls?
- Yes. The 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Expedition are covered by recall 26V402000 for a transmission park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is in motion.
- Is the 2019 Ford Expedition reliable?
- The 2019 Expedition has the highest complaint index (100) of any Expedition year in NHTSA data, with 503 complaints and 11 recalls, making it the year with the most reported problems relative to other Expedition years.