AI Damage2020 Ford Expedition: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Ford Expedition filed 425 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 173 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 425
- involving a crash
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 173
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 63% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 266 complaints (63% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Engine: 51 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Seat belts: 39 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 35 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
- Structure: 22 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 425 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 266 | 1 | 38 |
| Engine | 51 | 0 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 39 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 1 | 61 |
| Structure | 22 | 0 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Air bags | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 23 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was in a head on collision and my airbags did not deploy but my glove box separated from my dash by about 2 inches looking as if they tried to deploy
The contact stated that air bags did not deploy , the seat belts did not lock and no warning lights appeared upon impact. The contact and her daughter both sustained a headache and other aches to their neck and shoulders. A police report was filed.
I was traveling on the interstate when I was slowing down to get off an exit, got struck from behind at more than 80mph and rear ended a semi trailer that released the emergency brakes of his truck abruptly..my airbags did not deploy. suffered multiple lacerations through my body because of this double impact.
The forward collision warning flashed and beeped, but when forcefully applying the brakes, the brake pedal only pulsed (like anti-lock brakes) but didn't slow the car even enough for the driver or passenger to feel any inertia moving forward in their seats or with their heads.
Had the car 3 years and now I got a code saying the transmission is slipping in between 9-10 gears and 3-4 gears. The truck has ALWAYS done it but now it's gotten worse and no WARRANTY.
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.
In 2025, our 2020 Ford Expedition had harsh, erratic shifting, then would lurch during shifts or lose power. Ford service replaced the valve body plate and reset the transmission software. This did not fix the harsh shifting; it only cleared the warning lights when the harsh shifting occurred.
While operating the vehicle, the seatbelt retractor unexpectedly misfired and deployed with explosive force directly adjacent to my left ear. As a military veteran who already manages service-connected tinnitus, the concussive sound—comparable to a gunshot—significantly aggravated my condition, resulting in elevated…
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 132 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Expedition has 165 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 425, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion…
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
- Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may…
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument…
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns…
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's…
- Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles…
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
- 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…
- Reason for update
update the Part List Description and Labor Times Description Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement *…
- Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may…
Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the…
- Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black…
Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera…
- CERTAIN 2018-2024 MODEL YEAR VARIOUS VEHICLES — UPDATE SYNC SOFTWARE
- On your vehicle, the OBD monitoring system for the catalytic converter may not be operating as intended
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate on the instrument panel even though a catalytic converter repair may not be necessary.
- Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super…
Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Ranger/Transit/E-Series, 2021-2025 Bronco, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an engine cooling…
NHTSA lists 173 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 2020 Ford Expedition?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, seat belts. Total complaints: 425. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (23%), warning lights, check engine (22%), knocking, grinding or other noise (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA lists 173 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 2020 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 2020 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.