YearToAvoid

2011 Ford Expedition Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Ford Expedition, 30% of all 71 complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure was 37,500. No related recalls are listed for this area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
21
30% of 71
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
37,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Transmission stalls or fails to accelerate when shifting into reverse or drive, sometimes causing the vehicle to lock up or spin.
  • Loud noises from the transmission area followed by loss of gear engagement, in some cases requiring replacement of the transmission mechatronic and TCM units.
  • Violent shaking or vibration at highway speeds around 60 mph accompanied by a mechanical warning light and difficulty steering.
  • RPM oscillation and rough shifting at low speeds between 30 and 40 mph, paired with reduced fuel efficiency.
  • Rear wheels locking up unexpectedly at highway speed near 70 mph, causing rapid deceleration and rear-end swerve.
  • Loud stuttering noise when downshifting from second to first gear, and reports of the vehicle staying in gear even after the engine is shut off and key removed.

When 2011 Ford Expedition transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 16, 2011, latest Mar 5, 2026.

2011 Ford Expedition transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2011Aug 2012Oct 2012Mar 2016Jan 2017May 2018Sep 2018May 2024
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2011 to Mar 2026; peak Aug 2012 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2011 Ford Expedition

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Expedition model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200544 (14%)
  2. 200622 (7%)
  3. 200727 (13%)
  4. 200814 (10%)
  5. 20094 (14%)
  6. 201010 (17%)
  7. 201121 (30%)
  8. 201264 (54%)
  9. 201343 (47%)
  10. 201434 (47%)
  11. 201529 (18%)
  12. 201636 (17%)
  13. 201751 (14%)
  14. 2018146 (39%)
  15. 2019219 (44%)
  16. 2020260 (63%)
  17. 2021110 (47%)
  18. 202215 (13%)
  19. 202311 (17%)
  20. 20245 (7%)
  21. 20255 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2011 Ford Expedition have?
NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Expedition, making up 30% of the 71 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Ford Expedition transmission?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2011 Ford Expedition.
At what mileage do 2011 Expedition transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2011 Expedition is 37,500 miles.
What transmission symptoms do 2011 Expedition owners report?
Owners describe stalling when shifting into reverse or drive, loud noises followed by loss of gear engagement, violent shaking at highway speed, rough shifting at low speeds, and rear wheels locking unexpectedly.
Did the transmission issue cause any crashes on the 2011 Expedition?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 injury linked to complaints in this problem area for the 2011 Expedition, out of 21 total complaints in this category.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.