Ford Expedition Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 432 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Expedition across 21 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (96). The words owners use most often: “brake fluid” (12% of reports).
- 432service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 43mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- $1,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 20%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.
- Brake fluid: mentioned in 50 of 432 complaints (12%)
- Brakes failed: mentioned in 36 of 432 complaints (8%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 33 of 432 complaints (8%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 32 of 432 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Ford Expedition at $1,250, and half of them between $1,150 and $2,100.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2010), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 217 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 432 complaints, 43 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 13 an injury.
Ford Expedition service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Expedition | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Expedition | 3 | 3% | 22,033 |
| 2020 Expedition | 1 | 0% | 117,000 |
| 2019 Expedition | 2 | 0% | 120,000 |
| 2017 Expedition | 35 | 10% | 96,000 |
| 2016 Expedition | 17 | 8% | 79,000 |
| 2015 Expedition | 1 | 1% | 87,000 |
| 2010 Expedition | 1 | 2% | 20,555 |
| 2009 Expedition | 1 | 4% | 10,000 |
| 2008 Expedition | 13 | 9% | 26,545 |
| 2007 Expedition | 15 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2006 Expedition | 11 | 4% | 28,000 |
| 2005 Expedition | 7 | 2% | 37,546 |
| 2004 Expedition | 34 | 11% | 12,298 |
| 2003 Expedition | 61 | 10% | 20,000 |
| 2002 Expedition | 16 | 5% | 80,000 |
| 2001 Expedition | 13 | 2% | 58,700 |
| 2000 Expedition | 26 | 3% | 79,000 |
| 1999 Expedition | 30 | 3% | 99,438 |
| 1998 Expedition | 48 | 6% | 76,000 |
| 1997 Expedition | 96 | 11% | 98,875 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S77.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.
Risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S47.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder; service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 2017, 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder; service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 2016, 2017
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a missing or partially installed retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm.
Risk: Increased brake stopping distance can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles to see if the retainer clip was installed, and repair, if necessary.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving over 10 MPH with her husband inside the vehicle, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated, and the brakes independently engaged. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the front driver's side wheel well. The contact had to depress the brake pedal sooner to allow more stopping…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V236000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the part to do the recall repair on the rearview camera was not yet available. The contact stated that the…
The contact called on behalf of a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while he was driving his 2017 Kia Rio at 10-20 MPH, and approaching a red traffic light, the 2019 Ford Expedition that was driving approximately 60 MPH crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition EL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V236000 (Service Brake Hydraulic); however, the part required for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Expeditions have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 432 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Ford Expedition. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Expedition service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Expedition?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $1,150 and $2,100), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Expedition?
The most frequent phrase is “brake fluid”, in 50 of 432 complaints, followed by “brakes failed” (36).
Other Ford Expedition problems
- Power Train problems (1,573)
- Electrical System problems (1,384)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,163)
- Engine problems (861)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (834)
- Tires problems (656)
- Suspension problems (542)
- Visibility problems (534)
See all Ford Expedition problems.