2021 Ford Expedition Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Expedition years
- About as many complaints as other years 15th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 12 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 237 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Expedition. That ranks 15th out of 33 Expedition model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (112 complaints, 47%), typically at around 65,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries. There are 12 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 237owner complaints
- 12safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Ford Expedition problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 112 | 47% | 65,000 | “10r80 transmission” (7%) | — |
| Engine problems | 56 | 24% | 62,500 | “visibility engine” (13%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 30 | 13% | 10,550 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 23 | 10% | 13,050 | — | — |
| Visibility | 13 | 5% | 27,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 10 | 4% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 4% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 9 | 4% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | 2% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 2% | 72,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1% | 14,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Firerelated | 1 | 0% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 100 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Ford Expedition recalls (12)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
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.
Structure:interior panels:center console
Problem: 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.
Risk: Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:pretensioner
Problem: 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.
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Problem: 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.
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: 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.
Risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: 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."
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
EnginePark outside
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Problem: 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.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:sensor:side impact; air bags:side/window
Problem: 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."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls (AQ26001) — opened Jun 9, 2026, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
At approximately 12:10 p.m. on October 5, 2026, we had just washed the Expedition and I was going to move it over to put it in the middle bay of the garage that is attached to the house. I put the vehicle in reverse and it took off like it was going 100 miles an hour. I crashed into the garage…
My 2021 Ford Expedition MAX XLT with the 10R80 automatic transmission has experienced repeated momentary âneutral-outâ events while driving. The transmission/park-system components are available for inspection upon request. The most serious incident occurred in September 2026 while I was…
Vehicle has 84,000 miles at it. It started to jerk when putting it into a gear. I thought it was due to the colder mornings no. I was taking the kids to school and It was skipping gears. I was very leary of driving but had no choice. It would not get up to speed the rpms was suffering. I stopped at…
Both second-row captainâs-chair seat-belt buckle assemblies are separating. The driver-side buckle has separated enough that it will no longer latch, and the passenger-side buckle is beginning to separate in the same manner. These are inflatable second-row seat belts. The vehicle has not been…
"Catastrophic simultaneous failure of both the Main (front) and Aux (rear) HVAC evaporator cores at 60,000 miles. The component defect causes atomized chemical refrigerant and system compressor oil to leak and vent directly through the dashboard and rear vents into the sealed passenger cabin. This…
Other Ford Expedition years
← 2020 Expedition · 2022 Expedition →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Expedition | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 Expedition | 10 | 2 |
| 2025 Expedition | 37 | 6 |
| 2024 Expedition | 77 | 7 |
| 2023 Expedition | 65 | 8 |
| 2022 Expedition | 116 | 12 |
| 2021 | 237 | 12 |
| 2020 Expedition | 425 | 18 |
| 2019 Expedition | 517 | 11 |
| 2018 Expedition | 380 | 14 |
| 2017 Expedition | 357 | 4 |
| 2016 Expedition | 217 | 3 |
| 2015 Expedition | 164 | 3 |
| 2014 Expedition | 72 | 0 |
| 2013 Expedition | 92 | 0 |
| 2012 Expedition | 118 | 3 |
| 2011 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
| 2010 Expedition | 58 | 0 |
| 2009 Expedition | 28 | 1 |
| 2008 Expedition | 146 | 3 |
| 2007 Expedition | 215 | 2 |
| 2006 Expedition | 299 | 2 |
| 2005 Expedition | 315 | 0 |
| 2004 Expedition | 297 | 0 |
| 2003 Expedition | 615 | 1 |
| 2002 Expedition | 340 | 2 |
| 2001 Expedition | 578 | 6 |
| 2000 Expedition | 890 | 7 |
| 1999 Expedition | 946 | 5 |
| 1998 Expedition | 836 | 5 |
| 1997 Expedition | 853 | 7 |
| 1996 Expedition | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 Expedition | 1 | 0 |
See all Ford Expedition problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
Embed this 2021 Ford Expedition badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Expedition?
Owners most often report power train, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 112 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Expedition?
Yes, 12 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Ford Expedition a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Expedition model years, the 2021 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.