Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Ford Expedition problems

Owners filed 92 complaints about the 2013 Ford Expedition with NHTSA between Feb 2013 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is power train (43).

Complaints
92
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train43
  2. Engine10
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Vehicle speed control7
  5. Suspension5
  6. Service brakes4
  7. Air bags3
  8. Visibility2
  9. Wheels2
  10. Fuel/propulsion system2
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  12. Seat belts2
  13. Seats2
  14. Equipment2

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20135
20146
20155
20166
20177
20189
201911
202010
20215
20226
20236
20247
20255
20264

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

43 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to shake and jerk abnormally. The speedometer was fluctuating, and the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the parents' residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Power trainODI 11749972

Engine

10 reports
“2013 Ford Expedition Limited 5.4 engine. The vehicle was purchased new with an extended warranty with all services performed by Ford dealer. On or about [XXX], with no warning or indication of problem the vehicle experienced what was determined to be a catastrophic internal engine failure, with only 93840 miles. The engine problems were known by Ford Motor Company as replacement engines had design changes and modifications. The engine failure resulted in an immediate stop, which occurred on a 4-lane state road with a fifty-five MPH limit. Fortunately, no vehicles were in close proximity at the time. Dense traffic, at speed, could have resulted in a multivehicle accident. The vehicle required flatbed towing to a service center. Ford Motor Company has not taken action (recall) to address the engine problems, nor has Ford offered reimbursement to customers for replacement engine cost. Ford Motor Company receives the defective engine back when a replacement engine is purchased. The cost was near $8K.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2025EngineODI 11682595

Electrical system

10 reports1 fire
“When driving veh wrench light came on veh jerks and drops down to first gear rpm and speed gauges go out for second had to pull over cut veh off and cut it back on to get it home this happened several times took it to the closes shop they said it the transmission speed sensor loosing connection with the computer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2024Power train, Electrical systemODI 11596589

Vehicle speed control

7 reports1 crash
“2/13/19- Ford Issued Recall on 2013 Ford Expedition for OSS failure and downshift 2/20/19- I go to the Preston Ford Mazda dealership, Maryland. I view and test drive a 2013 Ford Expedition, during the test drive the RPMs ran high on the Expedition and it felt sluggish and “off” crossing a road, and at one point it jumped, and the wrench symbol came on as we were returning. My concern was shrugged off by my salesman, as he said ‘maybe Fords are just like that’. As we returned, and had the issue with the wrench symbol, salesman advised me “ well when you came and interrupted as they were just getting this thing checked out and tested.” 2/19/19 When I returned following days to purchase, the vehicle was not ready. It turned out the battery had died and they had some other issue with a “computer code”. They put in another battery on hand, and told me I should now be “good to go”, knowing that I was in desperate need of a vehicle, and would likely be trusting if they told me it was now repaired. At this point we were within manufacturer’s warranty, and under 60k miles. -was never informed that there was a recall issued by Ford that EXACTLY applied to our vehicle,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2025Vehicle speed controlODI 11645524

Suspension

5 reports
“REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS THREE TIMES ON BOTH SIDES”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2018SuspensionODI 11099944

Service brakes

4 reports
“SEVERAL STALLS FOLLOWED BY CRANK NO START CONDITIONS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO ASSOCIATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P0627 WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. 4M AUTO SERVICE CENTER ABILENE TX PERFORMED FUSE 27 RELOCATION TO FUSE 73 ACCOMPLISHED. VEHICLE RETURNED TO SERVICE. SEVERAL STALLS FOLLOWED BY CRANK NO START CONDITIONS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO ASSOCIATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P0627 WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. CODE CLEARED, VEHICLE RETURNED TO SERVICE. STALLED FOLLOWED BY CRANK NO START CONDITIONS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODES P025A, U0109 AND P0627 WHILE VEHICLE STATIONARY. 4M AUTO SERVICE CENTER ABILENE TX REPLACED FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE RETURNED TO SERVICE. SEVERAL STALLS FOLLOWED BY CRANK NO START CONDITIONS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO ASSOCIATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO CODES. VEHICLE OWNER REPLACED FUEL PUMP DUE TO BURNT WIRE (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO). VEHICLE RETURNED TO SERVICE. CONTACTED 4M AUTO SERVICE CENTER, ARROW FORD ABILENETX AAND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2020Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11299740
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.