Ford Expedition Steering Problems
Owners have filed 343 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford Expedition across 29 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (94). The words owners use most often: “tie rod” (22% of reports).
- 343steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 37mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 38%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.
- Tie rod: mentioned in 75 of 343 complaints (22%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 138 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 343 complaints, 37 mention a crash, 20 an injury.
Ford Expedition steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Expedition | 4 | 40% | 800 |
| 2025 Expedition | 7 | 19% | 2,500 |
| 2024 Expedition | 4 | 5% | 20,500 |
| 2023 Expedition | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2022 Expedition | 4 | 3% | 65,000 |
| 2021 Expedition | 2 | 1% | 24,000 |
| 2020 Expedition | 4 | 1% | 25,450 |
| 2019 Expedition | 5 | 1% | 29,500 |
| 2018 Expedition | 4 | 1% | 500 |
| 2017 Expedition | 11 | 3% | 45,000 |
| 2016 Expedition | 5 | 2% | 96,800 |
| 2015 Expedition | 2 | 1% | 80,500 |
| 2013 Expedition | 1 | 1% | 105,000 |
| 2011 Expedition | 1 | 1% | 66,000 |
| 2010 Expedition | 1 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2009 Expedition | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2008 Expedition | 2 | 1% | 45,396 |
| 2007 Expedition | 5 | 2% | 130,000 |
| 2006 Expedition | 14 | 5% | 92,000 |
| 2005 Expedition | 10 | 3% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Expedition | 13 | 4% | 42,159 |
| 2003 Expedition | 20 | 3% | 52,000 |
| 2002 Expedition | 4 | 1% | 42,000 |
| 2001 Expedition | 8 | 1% | 62,072 |
| 2000 Expedition | 30 | 3% | 66,548 |
| 1999 Expedition | 32 | 3% | 79,500 |
| 1998 Expedition | 52 | 6% | 87,000 |
| 1997 Expedition | 94 | 11% | 134,000 |
| 1995 Expedition | 1 | 100% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:gear box:shaft sector
Model years: 1997
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.
Risk: This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. Owner notification began on may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
âThis vehicle is experiencing an intermittent complete loss of power while being operated. It has now happened multiple times, including twice within one week after the vehicle was in your shop for 30 days. I have children in this vehicle. I am requesting that this be treated as a safety-related…
2025 ford expedition android auto communication error 11 loops in connect-disconnect sequence continually Stopping/Restarting the engine WHILE DRIVING. Both phone and in vehicle displays screens flashing error screens. Real Clockwork Orange. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. Single driver in traffic, Fumbling…
This is a widespread problem across the Ford expedition. I've read forum after forum, facebook group after facebook group and have seen that many expeditions are affected by this. The front end of the Expedition; primarily the steering and suspension components, cause a strong vibration when…
Similar to what has been widely reported online, my Expedition has an uncontrollable shake at highway speeds (70-85 mph). I have attempted to get the wheels and tires rotated and rebalanced which did not fix the issue. I will be taking the car back to the dealership for additional diagnosis and…
This was a rental vehicle obtained from Budget at [XXX]. On XXX at approximately 2:45 p.m., while driving south toward [XXX], the Ford Expedition developed increasingly severe rumbling and shaking and became difficult to control. All occupants noticed the condition. We reduced speed and pulled off…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Expeditions have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 343 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford Expedition?
The most frequent phrase is “tie rod”, in 75 of 343 complaints.
Other Ford Expedition problems
- Power Train problems (1,571)
- Electrical System problems (1,384)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,163)
- Engine problems (860)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (834)
- Tires problems (656)
- Suspension problems (542)
- Visibility problems (534)
See all Ford Expedition problems.