Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Expedition Reliability by Year
Ford Expedition buyers should skip 2018 and 2020 over transmission trouble and look at 2024 first.
Ford Expedition Reliability Overview
Used Expedition shoppers should favor 2024 and skip 2018 and 2020. The main worry is the 10-speed automatic, which slips, drops into neutral, or downshifts hard at speed, often with no warning light. Cold-start rattle from failing cam phasers is the second issue. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep at $861, above the $784 full-size SUV average.
Current generation: 5th gen (2025–present).
Best & Worst Ford Expedition Years
Best Ford Expedition Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreComplaints per vehicle sold drop sharply for 2024, at 8.2 per 10,000 against 65.5 for 2018 and 47.5 for 2020. Its top complaints are electrical, not transmission failure. It has also been on the road long enough to judge. Watch for rodent-chewed wiring and adaptive cruise control that changes speed on its own.
Ford Expedition Years to Avoid
Power train complaints reach 233 of 370. The 10-speed slips, slams into gear, or drops out of gear while passing, and several owners say it went into park at speed and cut all power. Hard shifts often start between about 38,094 and 60,020 miles. Some trucks had more than one transmission replaced. Seven fire reports also stand out.
Ford Expedition Reliability Score Trend
Ford Expedition reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 68/100 compared to 54/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 52/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 53/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 52/100 | Mixed |
| 2021 | 57/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 61/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 71/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Ford Expedition
1 recalls · 6 complaints
Final year of the fifth generation, rated good with few complaints so far, though owners report a steering shake at highway speed.
2025 Ford Expedition
5 recalls · 27 complaints
The best-scoring of nine Expedition years and the first of the fifth generation, with five recalls and highway vibration as the top owner complaint.
2024 Ford Expedition
7 recalls · 68 complaints
Final year of the fourth generation, with good reliability and seven recalls, but serious brake, cruise control and early drivetrain complaints.
2023 Ford Expedition
8 recalls · 62 complaints
Mid-pack among nine scored years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2022, but owners still report power loss, sunroof glass failures and unintended acceleration.
2022 Ford Expedition
12 recalls · 106 complaints
Sits in the middle of the Expedition lineup with fewer complaints than the 2021, but brake line failures, electrical faults and rough shifting still stand out.
2021 Ford Expedition
12 recalls · 214 complaints
Sits in the middle of the Expedition lineup, with transmission complaints and recall repairs held up by missing parts; the 2022 rates better and the 2020 worse.
2020 Ford Expedition
16 recalls · 370 complaints
The weakest of nine scored years, led by 10-speed transmission complaints and 16 recalls, one of them a park-outside fire risk.
2019 Ford Expedition
11 recalls · 455 complaints
Transmission shifting problems and seat belt pretensioners that fire on their own put this year among the weaker Expedition years, with 11 recalls on record.
2018 Ford Expedition
12 recalls · 358 complaints
First year of the fourth generation, with a slipping 10-speed transmission, cam phaser rattle, and 12 recalls that place it among the weaker Expedition years.
Common Ford Expedition problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Ford Expedition? Check Its History
Steering (3) problems come up most in Ford Expedition owner complaints, and 84 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Ford Expedition Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3/5
Annual Repair Cost
$861
Repair Frequency
0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk
15%
$77 above the fullsize SUVs average of $784/yr.
Ranked #7 of 14 among fullsize SUVs.
Ford Expedition Resale Value
The Ford Expedition is estimated to retain about 52% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 52%
- Depreciation
- 48%
- Listings Analyzed
- 172
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Ford Expedition depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comFord Expedition Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Ford Models
Compare all Ford models by reliability
Compare Ford Expedition With Similar SUVs
The Ford Expedition competes with other full-size suvs such as Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia, and Chevrolet Tahoe.
Expedition vs Nissan Armada
9 years tracked · 225 complaints
Expedition vs Toyota Sequoia
5 years tracked · 36 complaints
Expedition vs Chevrolet Tahoe
9 years tracked · 971 complaints
Expedition vs Chevrolet Suburban
9 years tracked · 519 complaints
Expedition vs GMC Yukon
9 years tracked · 1357 complaints
More Ford Expedition comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Ford Expedition year to buy used?
- The 2024 model year is the site's pick. It has been on the road long enough to show its problems, and its complaint rate is far below 2018 and 2020. The 2025 and 2026 years rate highest, but they are too new to call the safest choice.
- What are the most common Ford Expedition problems?
- The 10-speed automatic is the biggest issue, with 679 power train complaints. It slips, drops into neutral, or downshifts hard at speed. Next come cold-start rattle from failing cam phasers, electrical faults such as a dark center screen, and seat belt pretensioners that fire on their own.
- Is the Ford Expedition reliable?
- Its overall standing is good, but it varies by year. Model years 2022 and newer rate good, while 2018 through 2021 are mixed. Against other SUVs on the site it sits well below average, so pick the year with care.
- How much does a Ford Expedition cost to repair?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates $861 a year for the Expedition. The average for full-size SUVs is $784. That makes the Expedition somewhat pricier to keep running than a typical rival, before any major transmission or engine work.
- Are there seat belt problems on the Ford Expedition?
- Yes, owners filed 81 seat belt complaints. Front pretensioners fire on their own with a loud pop, sometimes with smoke, then the belt locks tight. Two injuries are reported. Owners also say the outboard second-row lap belts are too short for larger adults, with no extender available.
How we score the Ford Expedition
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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