2019 Ford Expedition Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Ford Expedition ranks 2nd worst of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 95 and 503 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission & powertrain issues lead at 44% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 28%, with 11 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Expedition years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 503
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 39
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 39 / 0
Top 2019 Ford Expedition problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain219 (44%)
- Engine142 (28%)
- Seat Belts101 (20%)
- Other46 (9%)
- Electrical System26 (5%)
- Airbags24 (5%)
- Structure & Body23 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (3%)
- Fuel System10 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have stalled in intersections mid-turn with a wrench warning light and a "drive mode not available" message on the dash.
- Drivers report brakes failing to engage even when pressed to the floor, leading to collisions.
- Seat belt retractors have failed to retract or unexpectedly locked, and in one case a seat belt pretensioner reportedly popped and emitted smoke.
- The chrome trim on the center console has cracked and caused lacerations when touched.
- Owners describe airbags failing to deploy during front-end collisions.
- An electrical fault tied to the factory remote starter was linked to a vehicle fire preceded by cruise control and advance trac warning lights.
2019 Ford Expedition recalls
11 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.
2019 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.
2019 compared with other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Ford Expedition reliable?
- It ranks 2nd worst among 21 model years of the Expedition, with a Complaint Index of 95 and 503 NHTSA complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Expedition years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Ford Expedition?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 44% of complaints (219 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 72,500 miles reported across the model year.
- Does the 2019 Ford Expedition have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2019 Expedition, covering transmission park pawl engagement, seat belt pretensioners, an instrument cluster software fix, and other components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Ford Expedition should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2020 having the highest Complaint Index at 100.
- Are seat belts a known issue on the 2019 Ford Expedition?
- Yes, Seat Belts account for 20% of complaints (101 complaints) with a median failure mileage of 85,000, and multiple recalls address seat belt pretensioner locking or deployment issues.