2018 Ford Expedition Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2018 Ford Expedition, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 80,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “cam phaser” (7% of reports).
- 148power train complaints
- 80,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 49%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cam phaser: mentioned in 10 of 148 complaints (7%)
- Rear ended: mentioned in 10 of 148 complaints (7%)
- 4TH gear: mentioned in 8 of 148 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 35 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 148 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Ford Expedition power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Expedition | 5 | 14% | 16,000 |
| 2024 Expedition | 5 | 6% | — |
| 2023 Expedition | 11 | 17% | 79,409 |
| 2022 Expedition | 15 | 13% | 25,000 |
| 2021 Expedition | 112 | 47% | 65,000 |
| 2020 Expedition | 266 | 63% | 65,300 |
| 2019 Expedition | 222 | 43% | 76,000 |
| 2018 Expedition | 148 | 39% | 80,000 |
| 2017 Expedition | 51 | 14% | 65,000 |
| 2016 Expedition | 36 | 17% | 74,000 |
| 2015 Expedition | 29 | 18% | 72,500 |
| 2014 Expedition | 34 | 47% | 124,000 |
| 2013 Expedition | 43 | 47% | 90,500 |
| 2012 Expedition | 64 | 54% | 108,000 |
| 2011 Expedition | 21 | 30% | 37,500 |
| 2010 Expedition | 10 | 17% | 30,479 |
| 2009 Expedition | 4 | 14% | 65,500 |
| 2008 Expedition | 14 | 10% | 41,000 |
| 2007 Expedition | 27 | 13% | 11,420 |
| 2006 Expedition | 22 | 7% | 86,900 |
| 2005 Expedition | 44 | 14% | 80,512 |
| 2004 Expedition | 27 | 9% | 34,500 |
| 2003 Expedition | 50 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2002 Expedition | 18 | 5% | 54,943 |
| 2001 Expedition | 40 | 7% | 44,000 |
| 2000 Expedition | 42 | 5% | 77,367 |
| 1999 Expedition | 67 | 7% | 78,500 |
| 1998 Expedition | 70 | 8% | 119,000 |
| 1997 Expedition | 76 | 9% | 116,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Risk: If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
Risk: Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was traveling on the interstate and went to accelerate to pass a vehicle. My car displayed system fault codes and made a clicking noise and dropped to neutral while my RPMs stayed high. I lost acceleration and had to swerve to avoid a collision. The engine then had a loud clank and jerked into…
TCM component major failure as diagnosed by dealership. Vehicle has inadvertently tried to go into park on multiple occasions when trying to speed up/ overtake. This failure has also caused the transmission to need a complete overhaul.
My 2018 Ford Expedition with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine has developed a pronounced rattling/knocking noise at startup. This appears consistent with the well documented cam phaser/VCT problem affecting this engine family. At approximately 118,212 miles, an independent Firestone Complete Auto Care…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Ford Expeditions have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 148 owner complaints about power train for the 2018 Ford Expedition (39% of the 380 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Expedition power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 80,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
The most frequent phrase is “cam phaser”, in 10 of 148 complaints, followed by “rear ended” (10).
Other 2018 Ford Expedition problems
- Engine problems (100)
See all 2018 Ford Expedition problems or power train problems across all Expedition years.