Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Ford Expedition problems
Owners filed 315 complaints about the 2005 Ford Expedition with NHTSA between Jul 2005 and Mar 2024. The most-cited component is electrical system (76).
Complaints
315
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system76
- Vehicle speed control66
- Engine57
- Engine and engine cooling47
- Power train44
- Fuel system, gasoline36
- Fuel/propulsion system20
- Structure15
- Steering10
- Tires9
- Air bags9
- Fuel system, other9
- Service brakes8
- Visibility8
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 Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
11
7
13
21
55
51
33
25
30
27
13
14
7
1
4
1
0
0
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 51 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2012 | 25 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
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
Electrical system
76 reports1 crash4 fires
“CRANK NO START, AFTER REPLACED NEW FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND OTHER PARTS WOULD NOT START AND NOT GETTING FUEL. WAS IN MOTION AND DIED AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK.”
Vehicle speed control
66 reports3 crashes
“MY CAR AT TIMES WILL GIVE A HARD START. TURNING, BUT NOT FULLY TURNING OVER OR GIVES OFF A SOUND THAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS AN ELEPHANT TRUMPETING. WHEN IT DOES START AT TIMES IT WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF JUST AS FAST. IT HESITATES TO PICK UP ADEQUATE SPEED AND WILL STUMBLE OR JERK, AND WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT WILL COMPLETELY STALL OUT. I'VE HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND BOOTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, BUT TO NO AVAIL.”
Engine
57 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was notified of an engine misfire. The spark plugs were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the brake pedal became stiff, and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the spark plugs, and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
47 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT RADIATOR HAD BECOME ROTTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.”
Power train
44 reports3 crashes
“MY TRUCK LOST ALL FORWARD GEARS EXCEPT FOR REVERSE OUT OF THE BLUE THE OTHER MORNING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE HOME. VALVE BODY, SERVOS, SOLENOIDS, HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE VEHICAL HAS LESS THEN 155000 MILES”
Fuel system, gasoline
36 reports1 fire1 related recall
“DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I HAD ELECTRICAL POWER JUST NO FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FUEL TANK WAS JUST BELOW A 1/4 TANK. ADD A GALLON OF GAS AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. CALLED FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE HAD TO DROP THE FUEL TANK AND TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD. THEY HANDED ME THE MODULE UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE AND I CAN TELL YOU WHY THE MODULE WENT BAD. IT HAS A HOLE IN IT FROM CORROSION. I HAVE SAID MODULE IF ANYONE FROM FORD OR NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE THE MODULE. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.