YearToAvoid

2017 Ford Expedition Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#4 most-complained of 16 Expedition years

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

The 2017 Ford Expedition ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80, 357 complaints, and 4 recalls. Owners most often reported Electrical System issues (27% of complaints), followed by Brakes (21%) and Engine (16%), earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Expedition years.

Complaints
357
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
21 / 7
Injuries / deaths
27 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 20 hwy

Top 2017 Ford Expedition problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System95 (27%)
  2. Brakes76 (21%)
  3. Engine58 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain51 (14%)
  5. Other45 (13%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers34 (10%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras32 (9%)
  8. Fuel System20 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (5%)
  10. Airbags11 (3%)

What owners report

  • Some owners report the vehicle accelerating on its own while parked or parking, even with the brake pedal depressed, leading to crashes.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact collisions at speeds around 40 to 65 mph.
  • Owners describe the vehicle rolling on its own after being shifted into park and turned off.
  • A front wheel rim reportedly exploded while driving at 40 mph, sending fragments into the vehicle.
  • Owners report sudden electrical shutdowns while driving, with dashboard lights going black and loss of engine and power steering; one case involved an engine fire during towing.
  • Wobbling and instability were reported after a low tire pressure warning while the vehicle was parked.
2017 Ford Expedition complaints: complaints filed per quarter362016 Q32018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32021 Q42023 Q12024 Q22025 Q3
470 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q3 (36).

2017 Ford Expedition recalls

4 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 25V236000Apr 11, 2025Brakes123,611 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

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

    Risk: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing 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. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.

  3. 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2017 Ford Expedition →

2017 Ford Expedition fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
20 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.

2017 compared with other Expedition years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good33164317
2016Good40216317
2017Avoid80357417
2018Avoid873751419
2019Avoid1005031119

All Ford Expedition years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford Expedition reliable?
Compared to other Expedition model years, 2017 ranks 4th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 357 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ford Expedition?
Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 27% of complaints (95 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 86,000 miles.
Does the 2017 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Ford Expedition, covering the rearview camera, brake master cylinder leaks (two separate campaigns), and a front blower motor that may fail.
How does the 2017 Expedition compare to the 2018 and 2019 models?
The 2017 has a Complaint Index of 80, lower than the 2018 (87) and 2019 (100), but all three are rated Avoid relative to other Expedition years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Ford Expedition?
EPA rates the 2017 Ford Expedition at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

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.