AI Damage2021 Ford Expedition: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Ford Expedition filed 239 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 141 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 239
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 141
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 47% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 113 complaints (47% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 39.
- Engine: 56 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 23 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Visibility: 23 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Structure: 10 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
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, 10-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 239 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 | 113 | 2 | 39 |
| Engine | 56 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 0 | 42 |
| Visibility | 23 | 1 | 4 |
| Structure | 10 | 1 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The safety risk is significant: the trailer detachment created a roadway hazard and impact, while the rear camera defect reduces visibility and increases crash risk when backing. The vehicle has been inspected by a Ford dealership and is being reviewed under an insurance claim with Tractor Supply’s insurer.
When the police and tow truck came the both could not believe the airbags did not deploy . The car was found to be totaled by my insurance Co. AAA The fact that not one of the airbags didn’t deploy is very disturbing to me!!! This was my first Ford and dont think i will ever own anther.
The contact depressed the brake pedal multiple times during the failure but the brakes failed to engage. No warning lights appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The police were not called and no medical assistance was needed.
While driving at highway speeds, specifically during sudden acceleration and lane-change maneuvers, the vehicle experiences a severe dynamic mechanical binding event.
These are inflatable second-row seat belts. The vehicle has not been involved in a crash and the restraint system has not deployed. Ford replacement parts JL1Z-7860045-FF and JL1Z-7860044-FF are reportedly discontinued or on indefinite backorder, leaving no available repair for these occupant-restraint failures on a…
After I pulled off the roadway and released the accelerator, the engine stalled. I was able to restart the engine once while applying approximately one-quarter throttle. It continued running rough and stalled again when I released the accelerator.
The engine stalled out while trying to pass someone. The car wouldn't go faster when hitting the gas and felt like I couldnt safely slow down to get back over. It felt like something slipped and lost traction, but roads were dry and not rocky or sandy. tapping breaks and letting off gas did nothing.
I hear a loud clunk from the transmission. The car goes into neutral-nothing, no acceleration. I quickly let off the accelerator pedal and quickly reapply force to the pedal in a smooth manner and transmission re-engages and I pull away. No accident this time. Occurred april 2026.
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 264 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Expedition has 165 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 239, 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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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…
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang,…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
- Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center…
Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center display screen after an over the air (OTA) update. The message can be cleared from the center display screen and…
- 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…
- For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test…
For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
- For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak…
For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
- 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 2021-2025 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit…
Some 2021-2025 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and may also exhibit a rattle noise…
- 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…
- Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped…
Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis/F-650/F-750/Transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.5L (non hybrid)/6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2026 E-Series may…
NHTSA lists 141 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 2021 Ford Expedition?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 239. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), jerking, harsh shifts (16%), knocking, grinding or other noise (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA lists 141 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 2021 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 2021 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.