2020 Ford Expedition Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Ford Expedition ranks worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 414 complaints, and 18 recalls. Transmission and powertrain issues drive 63% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Expedition years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Expedition years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 414
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 18
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
Top 2020 Ford Expedition problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain260 (63%)
- Engine64 (15%)
- Other59 (14%)
- Electrical System40 (10%)
- Seat Belts37 (9%)
- Structure & Body25 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers13 (3%)
- Brakes10 (2%)
- Airbags8 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission can slam into gear, lose power, or unexpectedly shift into park while driving at highway speed.
- Some transmissions have leaked fluid onto the hot exhaust, filling the cabin with smoke after a prior repair.
- Owners report the recalled park pawl failing to hold, letting the vehicle move in reverse with the door open even after being placed in park.
- Electrical faults have triggered a check-charging-system warning, sudden shutdown, and in one case an electrical fire from the starter.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a rear-end collision and a hydroplaning crash, despite occupant injuries.
- Forward collision warning has activated without the brakes actually slowing the vehicle enough to prevent a crash.
2020 Ford Expedition recalls
18 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.
2020 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.
2020 compared with other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Expedition reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Expedition has the highest complaint index (100) of all 21 model years covered and carries 18 recall campaigns, so it ranks as an Avoid year relative to other Expedition model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Ford Expedition?
- Transmission and powertrain problems are the largest category, making up 63% of complaints (260 of 414), with a median mileage at failure of 65,300 miles.
- Does the 2020 Ford Expedition have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 26V402000 covers a transmission park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is in motion, and this issue also appears in owner complaints, including one where a vehicle moved in reverse and struck a mailbox.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Expedition have?
- NHTSA lists 18 recalls for the 2020 Expedition, covering transmission, structure, seat belts, engine, collision avoidance cameras, and electrical systems.
- Are there fire risks with the 2020 Ford Expedition?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 7 fires reported for the 2020 Expedition, and a separate recall, 25V628000, addresses a battery junction box short circuit that can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.