AI Damage2016 Ford Expedition: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Ford Expedition filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about backover prevention and electrical system. The maker issued 75 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 75
What fails most often
- 1 Backover prevention 42% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 4 Lane departure 8% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- Backover prevention: 15 complaints (42% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (28% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Lane departure: 3 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backover prevention | 15 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 35 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
2 separate ford dealerships have failed to solve my rear camera failure wasting about 12 hours of my time. The rear camera does fail to work quite often, but when in the dealer’s possession, they claim it’s working fine without showing any codes.
The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera would occasionally display a blank screen, while at other times a "Camera Not Available" warning message was displayed.
My wife was driving the vehicle on the highway and the check engine light came on and the vehicle went into "limp mode" causing the vehicle to decelerate to approximately 35 mph. Needless to say, she almost caused several accidents as she tried to move to the shoulder at a very reduced speed.
The contact stated that the A/C functioned as intended during the cooler months but was intermittently inoperable in the warmer months, requiring that the wires that were overheating be repaired.
The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The message “Camera Unavailable” was displayed. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the recall repair was completed.
I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved and potentially dangerous safety defect involving the rearview camera system on my Ford vehicle, which was presented to Wade Ford Auto Dealership and Service in Smyrna, Georgia for a rear camera recall repair.
The contact stated while reversing, the rear view camera displayed a distorted image. The contact later received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred.
And I start smelling what appears to be a gas smell and I wasn’t quite sure what was coming from so I cracked the window a little bit and said that I would try to check it when I got to work seeing that I was only roughly about 10 minutes away from work and out the corner of my right eye I noticed a flicker of light…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,004 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 48% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Expedition has 165 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 36, below average.
What to check before buying
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
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Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable…
This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to…
- Some 2016-2018 F-150 and 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may require pressure bleeding of the…
Some 2016-2018 F-150 and 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may require pressure bleeding of the brake system. The brake system pressure bleeding procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-00, has been…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may…
Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the…
NHTSA lists 75 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Expedition?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: backover prevention, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (39%), infotainment or screen glitches (22%), warning lights, check engine (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA lists 75 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford Expedition from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.