2021 Ford Expedition Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Ford Expedition has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th-worst out of 21 model years, with 232 complaints and 12 recalls. It is rated Avoid, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain problems (47% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Expedition years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 232
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2021 Ford Expedition problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain110 (47%)
- Engine66 (28%)
- Other29 (13%)
- Electrical System25 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (9%)
- Fuel System14 (6%)
- Structure & Body11 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (3%)
- Brakes5 (2%)
- Airbags3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic transmission gets stuck in a gear such as 6th and loses gear display, sometimes at highway speed.
- Backup and 360-degree camera systems cut out or show a black or blue screen, especially in low light.
- Engine wiring gets damaged by rodents, triggering a check engine light shortly after purchase.
- Vehicle catches fire in the engine area while parked and unattended, with no crash involved.
- Steering wheel produces a clicking sound along with an electrical sparking noise.
- Airbag and brake complaints describe sudden unintended acceleration or brake lockup leading to a crash.
2021 Ford Expedition recalls
12 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.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford Expedition reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Expedition ranks 5th-worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 80, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Expedition years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Ford Expedition?
- Transmission and powertrain issues are the largest reported problem area, making up 47% of complaints (110 of 232), with a median failure mileage of 65,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Ford Expedition have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Expedition, covering areas including transmission park pawl engagement, wiper arms, moonroof deflectors, rearview cameras, and airbag warning labels.
- How does the 2021 Expedition compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 80, the 2021 model is worse than most other Expedition years, though 2019 (index 95) and 2020 (index 100) rank worse.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Expedition?
- EPA rates the 2021 Expedition at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.