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2021 Ford Expedition: common problems and reliability
· U553One of the worst Expedition years.
One of the Ford Expedition years to avoid. All Expedition years
464 owner complaints, most about power train. 12 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Expedition?The 2021 Ford Expedition has 464 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. Owners most often flag cam phaser rattle/failure.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Ford Expedition vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Expedition years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Expedition?
Across the 31 Expedition model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (1996) to 1,007 (1999). With 464 complaints, the 2021 Expedition sits above the model's median of 299.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Expedition
air bags:sensor:side impact
Campaign 21V805000Ford 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 supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Campaign 22V250000Ford 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 windshield wipers to fail.
engine
Campaign 22V346000Ford 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 23V420000Ford 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 manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Show 8 more recalls
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 24V852000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V048000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Campaign 25V729000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Campaign 26V204000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
seat belts:pretensioner
Campaign 26V344000Ford 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.
structure:interior panels:center console
Campaign 26V368000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 26V402000Ford 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.
What owners report on the U553 Expedition
Owners of the 2017-2024 Expedition generally praise the 3.5L EcoBoost powertrain, the smooth ride, the spacious third row, and the upscale interior, with several calling this generation one of Ford's best.
- Very frequentCam phaser rattle/failure
- Very frequent10R80 transmission problems, including CDF clutch cylinder and 4th gear failure
- RecurrentElectrical issues including key fob not detected
Battery drain, and vehicle shutting off while driving.
- RecurrentSYNC/APIM infotainment glitches, reboots, and Bluetooth connection loss
- RecurrentParking aid sensor faults, often from unplugged or loose connectors after bumper work
Owner insights for the U553 Expedition. Read the full U553 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Expedition listings typically run $22,350–$49,244.
Other Expedition model years
Compare every Expedition year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Expedition against its rivals
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