2021 Ford Expedition Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 56 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2021 Ford Expedition, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 62,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “visibility engine” (13% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Visibility engine: mentioned in 7 of 56 complaints (13%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 7 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 14%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles1 · 14%
50k–75k miles2 · 29%
75k–100k miles3 · 43%
100k–150k miles0 · 0%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 56 complaints, 3 a fire.

Ford Expedition engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2019, with 108 complaints
1997: 1119971998: 161999: 262000: 2820002001: 152002: 272003: 4420032004: 292005: 572006: 8720062007: 212008: 52009: 220092010: 42011: 112012: 1220122013: 102014: 102015: 3120152016: 372017: 382018: 9920182019: 1081082020: 512021: 5620212022: 112023: 62024: 520242025: 3

n = 860 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Expedition38%—
2024 Expedition56%—
2023 Expedition69%—
2022 Expedition1110%8,065
2021 Expedition5624%62,500
2020 Expedition5112%97,500
2019 Expedition10821%69,118
2018 Expedition9926%68,933
2017 Expedition3811%62,000
2016 Expedition3717%58,000
2015 Expedition3119%55,154
2014 Expedition1014%138,500
2013 Expedition1011%78,500
2012 Expedition1210%95,500
2011 Expedition1115%110,000
2010 Expedition47%122,633
2009 Expedition27%110,000
2008 Expedition53%96,000
2007 Expedition2110%122,700
2006 Expedition8729%106,556
2005 Expedition5718%111,960
2004 Expedition2910%141,000
2003 Expedition447%154,000
2002 Expedition278%129,000
2001 Expedition153%193,500
2000 Expedition283%167,500
1999 Expedition263%174,716
1998 Expedition162%180,000
1997 Expedition111%193,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2022, with 27 complaints
2021: 1202112022: 272022272023: 8202382024: 6202462025: 8202582026: 620266

n = 56 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

EnginePark outsideMay 17, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V346000 · 66,221 vehicles

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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767381

VIN):[XXX]/Make/Model: 2021 Ford Expedition XLTCurrent Mileage: Approx. 150,000 milesLocation: [XXX] of the Safety Defect:El vehículo presenta un defecto de seguridad crítico y extremo en el tren motriz que pone en riesgo inminente la vida de los ocupantes y de terceros en la vía pública. En…

Received Sep 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763468

The engine stalled out while trying to pass someone. The car wouldn't go faster when hitting the gas and felt like I couldnt safely slow down to get back over. It felt like something slipped and lost traction, but roads were dry and not rocky or sandy. tapping breaks and letting off gas did…

Received Jul 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11753596
Ford Expedition
A 2025 Ford Expedition Platinum MAX photographed during the 2025 New York International Auto Show , inside the Javits Convention Center , at Hudson Yards, Manha. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2021 Ford Expeditions have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints about engine for the 2021 Ford Expedition (24% of the 237 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 2021 Ford Expedition engine?

Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine problems start?

The median reported mileage is 62,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about engine problems on the 2021 Ford Expedition?

The most frequent phrase is “visibility engine”, in 7 of 56 complaints.

Other 2021 Ford Expedition problems

See all 2021 Ford Expedition problems or engine problems across all Expedition years.