YearToAvoid

2016 Ford Expedition Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Ford Expedition has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 11th of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners logged 216 complaints, led by Engine (53), Brakes (48), and Transmission & Powertrain (36) issues, plus 3 recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 Expedition years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
216
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
8
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 20.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2016 Ford Expedition problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine53 (25%)
  2. Brakes48 (22%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain36 (17%)
  4. Electrical System35 (16%)
  5. Other23 (11%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (9%)
  7. Fuel System17 (8%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers12 (6%)
  9. Airbags5 (2%)
  10. Steering5 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some vehicles have rolled away or reversed unexpectedly after being shifted into park and the key removed, in one case with a child still inside.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration even while pressing the brake pedal, in one instance ending in a crash into a tree.
  • Several reports describe smoke or fire starting near the blower motor or glove box area, sometimes with a burning smell in the cabin.
  • One owner reported the engine surging multiple times before going to full throttle without warning.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a rear-end collision that caused injuries requiring medical attention.
2016 Ford Expedition complaints: complaints filed per quarter112015 Q42017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q12026 Q3
216 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (11).

2016 Ford Expedition recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 22V648000Aug 26, 2022HVAC198,482 vehicles

    Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:fan/motor

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.

    Risk: Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S56.

  3. NHTSA 22V150000Mar 11, 2022Brakes195,864 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

    Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

2016 Ford Expedition fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
20.5 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Expedition years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Best1572015.5
2015Good35164317
2016Caution50216317
2017Avoid90357417
2018Avoid853751419

All Ford Expedition years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Ford Expedition reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Expedition a Complaint Index of 50, ranking it 11th out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Expedition years.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Expedition?
Engine complaints make up 25% of reports, followed by brakes at 22% and transmission/powertrain issues at 17%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2016 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Expedition, covering the rearview camera, the front blower motor, and the brake master cylinder.
How does the 2016 Expedition compare to other years?
The 2016 model's complaint index of 50 is lower than 2017-2021, which range from 80 to 100 and carry Avoid verdicts, but higher than years like 2010-2014, which rank Best.
What mileage do problems typically appear at on the 2016 Expedition?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 66,760 miles across all reported problem areas for the 2016 Expedition.

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.