2022 Ford Expedition Problems And Complaints

Ford Expedition user complaints and problems

In the recent past according to the NHTSA, Ford vehicles have lacked reliability the most but their superior popularity and value for money kept the sales numbers intact. Among the major complained areas are the powertrain, safety systems, and electronics. The Ford Expedition, despite being around for more than a couple of decades now, isn’t an exception either. 

The Ford Expedition transmission problems are the most common ones recorded by the NHTSA, especially with the fourth-gen 2018 model onwards. Moreover, the Expedition faced several complaints regarding its electrical systems and safety systems including brakes as well. 

Engine problems

• Timing chain, turbo, and white smoke issue: The 2018 and 2019 Expedition models faced several complaints regarding the mentioned issues. Some reports stated that the timing chain of the affected vehicles would loosen, making a rattling sound and putting out white smoke. Another report against the 2018 Expedition stated that the turbocharger unit with the vehicle was defective and after seven repeated repair attempts, the issue remained unsolved. Also, the turbocharger failure resulted in the emission of white smoke as well.
• Cam phaser issue: It is a common issue with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost motor of the Ford Expedition. Several 2019 Expedition models were affected by this. All the complaints stated that within a short time or randomly, the cam phasers of the motor would fail and required replacement. 
• Transmission problems: This is the most common and serious problem with a majority of the fourth-gen Ford Explorers. All the complaints state that the transmission of the vehicle would malfunction randomly. Some of the issues reported were that the transmission would automatically switch from Drive to park mode, posing a serious threat to the safety of the occupants out in fast-moving traffic areas. Some complaints state that while reversing at slow speeds up to 15 mph, the vehicle would accelerate without any throttle input causing damage to the entire vehicle. Some complaints stated that the transmission would fail completely or in some instances, the entire vehicle would vibrate and jerk due to the transmission too.

Safety problems

• Brake failure: The 2018 model had several complaints regarding the brakes. And most common of them was a complete failure of brakes. As per the reports, under various driving scenarios, the brakes of the affected vehicles failed completely resulting in crashes in some cases. 

Electrical problems

• Vehicle failing to start: The 2018 Ford Expedition faced some complaints regarding this issue. A single complaint mentioned that right after purchasing the vehicle and driving for a few miles, the vehicle failed to start and required a battery replacement. In some other cases, the vehicle failed to start too along with the vehicle putting itself into deep sleep automatically.

2022 Ford Expedition recalls

The NHTSA records of the Ford Expedition seem not so appealing in terms of the long-term reliability of the vehicle. The Ford expedition problems by year show that the transmission problems were quite common and even the 2021 model also had a single complaint registered against it regarding a similar transmission issue as well. Ford did issue several recalls to fix multiple issues with the vehicle, especially the transmission, yet the 10-speed automatic transmission seems to develop one or more problems over time. However, Ford did not update or change the unit in the following model years.

Recall Date	NHTSA Campaign ID	Component Affected	Recall Issue	Explanation
December 1, 2017	17V775000	SEATS	Second Row Outboard Seat/FMVSS 202,207,210	If the seat back is not adequately secured, and/or the seat occupant is improperly positioned, there can be an increased risk of injury in a crash.
January 16, 2018	18V058000	VISIBILITY	Second Row Power Windows May Not Reverse/FMVSS 118	If the window does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is found, it can increase the risk of injury.
April 4, 2018	18V214000	POWER TRAIN	Shifter position may incorrectly indicate 'Park'	If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
April 4, 2018	18V213000	POWER TRAIN	Missing Roll Pin Causing Loss of Park Function	Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
June 12, 2018	18V392000	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	Fuel Pump Assembly Welds May Fracture Causing Leak	A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
November 14, 2018	18V805000	SEATS	Seats are Missing J-Channel Reinforcement Brackets	In the event of a crash, a seat that moves may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
August 28, 2019	19V633000	SEATS	Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207	A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
October 28, 2019	19V773000	SUSPENSION	Rear Toe Link Fasteners May Be Loose	A disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change to vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 8, 2020	20V263000	POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Out Of Park Warning Message and Chime Too Short	If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
April 3, 2020	20V197000	POWER TRAIN	Gear Position Display May Be Inaccurate	If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
April 16, 2020	20V217000	SEAT BELTS	Belt Tension Sensor Malfunction	In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide the intended level of protection, increasing the risk of injury.
May 8, 2020	20V262000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	Pre-Collison Assist can't be Enabled	If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
June 23, 2020	20V366000	SEATS	Middle Row Seat Headrest May Be Improperly Welded	An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
September 23, 2020	20V574000	SEAT BELTS	Seatbelt Tension Sensor Malfunction	In the event of a crash, the incorrect classification would enable the passenger air bag to deploy instead of disabling it, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
September 23, 2020	20V575000	VISIBILITY	Distorted or Inoperative Rearview Camera/FMVSS 111	Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
October 15, 2021	21V805000	AIRBAGS	Front Door Side Impact Sensors Damaged/FMVSS 214	An airbag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.

What model year of the Ford Expedition to avoid?

The Ford Expedition can prove to be a brilliant option in its segment in terms of sheer utility and commendable performance. However, its tainted track record as per the NHTSA has put its reliability index on the lower scale. The 2018 Ford Expedition transmission problems make it a strict no-no from the used car lots while the successive models till the most recent 2021 model also have similar issues with the transmission units. Hence, we would suggest you stay away from any used Ford Expedition models altogether. 

Should you buy a used 2022 Ford Expedition?

A used Ford Expedition would have made a great option if the reliability of the SUV was a bit better along with Ford being able to iron out the issues with the transmission unit. The 2022 Expedition has got almost everything you might expect from a vehicle of this size and the segment it's placed in yet its unreliable transmission along with the powertrain makes it the least of all choices while shopping for a used full-size people mover.