2021 Ford Expedition: common problems and reliability

The 2021 Ford Expedition has 420 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. Owners most often flag 10-speed automatic transmission failures — very frequent reports of harsh shifting, jerking, clunking, banging, complete loss of acceleration, and total transmission failure requiring replacement, sometimes multiple times under 100,000 miles. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2021 model year

420
Owner complaints
12
Recalls
6
Crash reports
8
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Ford Expedition vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
190
engine
104
electrical system
44
visibility
26
visibility/wiper
18

Recalls affecting the 2021 Expedition

air bags:sensor:side impact

Campaign 21V805000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplie

visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

Campaign 22V250000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wind

engine

Campaign 22V346000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.

equipment:other:owners/service/other manual

Campaign 23V420000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. Long-term owners of older models, particularly those with the 5.4L Triton V8 (e.g., 2013 model), report very high reliability with only routine maintenance required, describing them as "rock solid" and "so reli

  • 10-speed automatic transmission failures — very frequent reports of harsh shifting, jerking, clunking, banging, complete loss of acceleration, and total transmission failure requiring replacement, sometimes multiple times under 100,000 miles. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Cam phaser failure — requires timing cover gasket replacement and phaser replacement; causes engine rattle on startup and performance loss. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Other EcoBoost engine issues — includes reports of excessive oil consumption (adding a quart monthly), coolant hose failures, and in one severe case, white smoke from exhaust with gasoline smell and loss of power. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Build quality / trim issues — interior and exterior trim pieces coming loose or not being flush; cited as a common problem. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Infotainment system problems — laggy response, software glitches, issues with Apple CarPlay connectivity and audio. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Expedition.

Typical used price

Used Expedition listings typically run $29,722–$73,294 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

Other Expedition model years