Ford Expedition Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Ford Expedition across 30 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (43). The words owners use most often: “brake fluid” (25% of reports).
- 253service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 33mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 27%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 64 of 253 complaints (25%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 60 of 253 complaints (24%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 26 of 253 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 141 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 253 complaints, 33 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 13 an injury.
Ford Expedition service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Expedition | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2025 Expedition | 5 | 14% | — |
| 2024 Expedition | 8 | 10% | — |
| 2023 Expedition | 5 | 8% | — |
| 2022 Expedition | 6 | 5% | — |
| 2021 Expedition | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Expedition | 9 | 2% | 55,975 |
| 2019 Expedition | 6 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Expedition | 14 | 4% | 15,000 |
| 2017 Expedition | 43 | 12% | 71,500 |
| 2016 Expedition | 35 | 16% | 56,256 |
| 2015 Expedition | 8 | 5% | 74,500 |
| 2014 Expedition | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2013 Expedition | 4 | 4% | 31,813 |
| 2012 Expedition | 6 | 5% | 30,000 |
| 2011 Expedition | 1 | 1% | 74 |
| 2010 Expedition | 2 | 3% | 120,500 |
| 2009 Expedition | 3 | 11% | 65,500 |
| 2008 Expedition | 19 | 13% | 69,213 |
| 2007 Expedition | 12 | 6% | 108,500 |
| 2006 Expedition | 6 | 2% | 106,500 |
| 2005 Expedition | 8 | 3% | 123,000 |
| 2004 Expedition | 7 | 2% | 141,433 |
| 2003 Expedition | 14 | 2% | 116,785 |
| 2002 Expedition | 6 | 2% | 117,000 |
| 2001 Expedition | 8 | 1% | 125,000 |
| 2000 Expedition | 4 | 0% | 189,500 |
| 1999 Expedition | 1 | 0% | 18,900 |
| 1998 Expedition | 4 | 0% | 158,416 |
| 1997 Expedition | 3 | 0% | 65,012 |
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.
I was in a collision with another car. The brakes failed.\n Going over 3540 miles per hour, airbag and passenger side and drivers side neither one deployed.
Vehicle Component: Hydraulic Brakes / Flexible Rubber Brake Hose (Front Passenger Side, Fromt Driver side ) Description of Incident: The front passenger-side braking system experienced a severe, unannounced mechanical failure that caused the brake pads to locked up tightly against the rotor while…
Was trying to merge into traffic by accelerating but the transmission was not shifting properly or slipping which caused me to almost be in a wreck due to this problem. Took vehicle to dealer and was told the transmission needs replaced due to a cdf drum inside transmission. Said there is a tsb for…
The parking pawl is engaging during speeds of about 25-30 mph when switching gears. This happens randomly at times and puts everyone in my car at risk because I lose all horsepower to my car. I have to wait until my car drops to about 20 mph to begin accelerating again. The component has not been…
Vehicle is experiencing brake degradation matching safety recall 25S37/22S11. Dealership states the vehicle is unsafe but refuses to provide a loaner car. Ford Customer Support escalated the parts order but explicitly denied interim rental assistance, leaving me with no safe transportation options
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Expeditions have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 253 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Ford Expedition?
The most frequent phrase is “brake fluid”, in 64 of 253 complaints, followed by “master cylinder” (60).
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.