2018 Ford Expedition Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Expedition years
The 2018 Ford Expedition has a Complaint Index of 87, ranking 3rd worst out of 16 model years, and NHTSA lists 14 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 39% of reports, followed by Engine at 34%, earning it an Avoid rating relative to other Expedition years.
- Complaints
- 375
- Recalls
- 14
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2018 Ford Expedition problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain146 (39%)
- Engine126 (34%)
- Electrical System56 (15%)
- Other34 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (9%)
- Structure & Body16 (4%)
- Brakes15 (4%)
- Seat Belts12 (3%)
- Fuel System9 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report unintended vehicle movement while backing up, with the truck lurching or propelling forward or into objects without foot pressure on the pedal.
- Brake pedal failures are described where the pedal goes to the floor with no stopping power, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Some owners report front seats sliding forward or reclining unexpectedly during rear-end impacts, contributing to occupant injury.
- An under-hood electrical fire was reported that started spontaneously, preceded by a dashboard warning about conserving battery power.
- Owners describe the infotainment screen and backup camera losing function intermittently before failing completely, traced to a failed control module.
- One owner reported airbags not deploying during a T-bone collision at 45 MPH.
2018 Ford Expedition recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V368000Jun 9, 2026Structure & Body548,463 vehicles
Structure:interior panels:center console
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.
Risk: Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S38. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 10, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V344000May 27, 2026Seat Belts419,967 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
2018 Ford Expedition fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2018 compared with other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ford Expedition reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Expedition a Complaint Index of 87, the 3rd worst among 16 model years covered, with 375 complaints and 14 recalls, putting it in the Avoid category relative to other Expedition years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Ford Expedition?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 39% of complaints (146 of 375), with a median mileage at failure of 80,000, making it the top reported problem area.
- Does the 2018 Ford Expedition have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 26V402000 covers 2018-2021 Expedition and related models where the transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion.
- How does the 2018 Expedition compare to other years?
- It ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years with a Complaint Index of 87, better than 2019 (100, worst) and 2020 (93) but worse than 2017 (80) and most earlier model years.
- What fuel economy does the 2018 Ford Expedition get?
- EPA rates it at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.