Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Ford Expedition EL problems
Owners filed 181 complaints about the 2016 Ford Expedition EL with NHTSA between Dec 2015 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is engine (36).
Complaints
181
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine36
- Service brakes34
- Power train33
- Electrical system23
- Vehicle speed control20
- Service brakes, hydraulic17
- Fuel/propulsion system16
- Visibility7
- Steering5
- Air bags5
- Equipment5
- Back over prevention4
- Structure3
- Wheels3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
6
7
23
23
27
20
22
28
16
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 8 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
36 reports1 crash2 fires
“The vehicle stops accelerating randomly it’s been in the shop (Ford dealer) a few times and they are unable to pinpoint the issue. The warning lamps would come on after the vehicle fails to accelerate. It would lose power at any interval and coast until it’s fully stopped.”
Service brakes
34 reports2 crashes
“Multiple times while driving the vehicle I had trouble getting the brakes to work while driving and needing to slow down or coming to a complete stop. This almost resulted in an accident 2 times. We thought it was the current related to recall 22S11 which we had fixed already in July 2022. However, it is an issue that is not a reported recall at the moment. It is for the Hydrolic Control Unit. Ford will not replace this part at their cost and is forcing me to pay even though it is a major safety issue.”
Power train
33 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the accelerator was depressed, and there was a grinding sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with rear differential failure. On a separate occasion, a year later the rear differential failure recured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the rear end was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 85,913.”
Electrical system
23 reports2 fires
“The front AC stopped blowing and it got excessively warm in the cab. I thought it may be the blower motor and wanted to start with fuses. Under the hood was so hot that when I tried to pull our a fuse my nails melted. Since then, sometimes it blows sometimes it doesn't but it does seem to be emanating excess heat. I'm unsure of true date of occurrence as I just purchased the vehicle on”
Vehicle speed control
20 reports1 crash
“Wife driving 2016 Ford Exped with 61000 miles. Was driving on a remote road when the vehicle suddenly lost power and power train fault indicator came on. No cell service and no other traffic so no way to get help. Finally managed to restart which cleared the problem for now. Took the car to a Ford dealer immediately but code reader could find no fault. Dealer, however, said it is a throttle body malfunction and is not uncommon and will happen again. Now concerned about problem occurring on a freeway or other congested roadway. The sudden loss of power and resulting necessity to get off a busy roadway/highway creates a real safety issue.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
17 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, a burning odor was detected. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front blower motor connector and resistor needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the front blower motor connector was previously replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that only the brake master cylinder and front blower motor assembly would be replaced free of charge under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.