vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Ford EXPEDITION: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

231 owner complaints analyzed

12 distinct recall campaigns

43,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 108 of 231 complaints (46.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting9842.4%
Engine operation208.7%
Electrical and battery issues177.4%
Braking behavior156.5%
Fuel system concerns104.3%
Steering behavior31.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train
108
Engine
54
Unknown Or Other
28
Electrical System
22
Visibility
11
Fuel/Propulsion System
10
Vehicle Speed Control
9
Visibility/Wiper
9
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train108
Engine54
Unknown Or Other28
Electrical System22
Visibility11
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Vehicle Speed Control9
Visibility/Wiper9

Power Train: 108; Engine: 54; Unknown Or Other: 28; Electrical System: 22; Visibility: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Visibility/Wiper: 9

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
16
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
9
75,000 to 99,999
9
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00016
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9999
75,000 to 99,9999
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 190 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2021
4
2022
48
2023
33
2024
40
2025
54
2026
52
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20214
202248
202333
202440
202554
202652

2021: 4; 2022: 48; 2023: 33; 2024: 40; 2025: 54; 2026: 52

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 98 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11429951 · 2021-08-21 (August 21, 2021)

While accelerating on a busy tollway, the automatic transmission got stuck in 6th gear. The car then began to slow down, and the gear display went blank. This put my safety and the safety of others at risk, as it happened in the left lane of a busy, high-speed tollway. The local dealership refused to help--even though the car is within warranty--as they did not believe the issue was replicable. However, the car had a similar problem on a lower-speed roadway just a few weeks prior. In both incidents, the transmission became stuck in one gear, th…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429951 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11436302 · 2021-10-11 (October 11, 2021)

Backup camera does not always work and cuts out. Also, the 360 view cameras cut out. It is hard to see in the back during low light conditions with tinted back window. Afraid would hit someone or something when backing out in public parking spaces etc. or from home driveway. Yes, it was brought to dealer's attention in April 2021 right after vehicle was purchased and then again followed up July 2020 with no updates or repairs. Dealer acknowledged the issue and said the part is on back order.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436302 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11437619 · 2021-10-21 (October 21, 2021)

The reverse camera system does not display any images, i.e., the screen is black/blue (depending on night/day) and provides no view of what is behind the vehicle. The motion and parking sensors are still providing input, but the driver cannot see what the sensors are detecting. Since this is a large SUV with multiple blind spots, this creates a hazard when trying to back up the vehicle.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437619 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11441613 · 2021-11-24 (November 24, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the soy-based electrical wires had been damaged by rodents. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the cost of the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,100.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11441613 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11465053 · 2022-05-17 (May 17, 2022)

The vehicle transmission has failed, potentially do to towing (the vehicle is supposed to be towable) I bought the vehicle to be able to tow behind our RV. We took a trip last July from Thousand Oaks, CA up through 5 national parks all of the way to Glacier National Park in Montana. The vehicle appeared to tow normally, i never had a problem getting the vehicle to indicate the Tow Mode was active. In January of this year (almost 6 months after the trip), my transmission made a clunking sound, and started to perform poorly. We called the de…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465053 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11465424 · 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)

Went to accelerate on on ramp and vehicle was not able to accelerate.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465424 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11465427 · 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)

Vehicle is making Clicking sound when steering. Also there was an electrical sparking sound in steering wheel that was found and fixed.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465427 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11465568 · 2022-05-21 (May 21, 2022)

We saw on the news our Ford Expedition could be recalled for "under hood fires." We checked our Ford App and it shows two recall issues. One for the "under hood fires" and one related to a "wiper arm loose." We have not received any recall notices from Ford but we received these notices on our Ford App. When we called Ford, we did not get anyone to help us. They just told us to park our car outside our garage away from the house. We called our local Ford Dealer and they did not know anything about the recall and repeated the statement t…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465568 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

12 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V805000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact | Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2021-10-15 (October 15, 2021)

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 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."

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V250000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 2022-04-14 (April 14, 2022)

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 windshield wipers to fail.

Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V346000 · Engine

Reported: 2022-05-17 (May 17, 2022)

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.

Consequence: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 25, 2022. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Currently the remedy is available for vehicles equipped with heavy-duty radiator fan motors, and those letters were mailed July 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S36.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V420000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual

Reported: 2023-06-09 (June 9, 2023)

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 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."

Consequence: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V852000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 2024-11-08 (November 8, 2024)

Ford 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."

Consequence: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V048000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Reported: 2025-01-31 (January 31, 2025)

Ford 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.

Consequence: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:Software

Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)

Ford 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.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V729000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

Reported: 2025-10-24 (October 24, 2025)

Ford 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.

Consequence: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V204000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 2026-03-31 (March 31, 2026)

Ford 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.

Consequence: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V344000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner

Reported: 2026-05-27 (May 27, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V368000 · Structure:Interior Panels:Center Console

Reported: 2026-06-09 (June 9, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗
26V402000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2026-06-24 (June 24, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗