Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Ford Expedition problems

Owners filed 72 complaints about the 2014 Ford Expedition with NHTSA between Mar 2014 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is power train (34).

Complaints
72
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train34
  2. Electrical system13
  3. Engine10
  4. Air bags7
  5. Structure6
  6. Vehicle speed control4
  7. Visibility3
  8. Seat belts3
  9. Suspension3
  10. Wheels2
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  12. Seats2
  13. Tires1
  14. Back over prevention1

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
20142
20152
20162
20175
20185
20197
20206
20218
20226
202311
20247
20257
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

34 reports1 crash
“I bought this 2014 ford expedition. I didn't know at the time the Triton 5.4 had a transmission Lead Frame defect. I asked them to cover it under NHTSA 26V237 but they refused because they dsaid it wasn't part of the recall although this vehicle shares the same exact components. I also asked them to cover it under Safety Recall 26S28. I ended up having to pay $1842.00 to get this fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2026Power trainODI 11747325

Electrical system

13 reports2 fires
“Was driving 80MPH down the highway when instantly the rear wheels locked up, green wrench came on dashboard and my car came to a screeching halt. Complete loss of power, and am VERY lucky it did not create a major pile up on the highway! Had to "bunny" hop it over 4 lanes of traffic and barely survived the most terrifying experience of my life. Had it towed and the mechanic shop said the throttle body/actuator had magnetic problem which is VERY common, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! But there are no recalls on it, and they had to replace the entire unit, and now I am scared to death to drive the vehicle ever again. I am also very lucky it did not happen on snow, ice, or rain!!!!! SO DANGEROUS and SO SCARY!!!! And I could barely hop it out of oncoming traffic.... How can a vehicle go from 80MPH to ZERO in .02 seconds due to a faulty part and there is no recall???? SO GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE!!!! Ford needs to take some responsibility before there are deaths from a very simple preventative measure due to a part completely failing. After looking it up online I read hundred's of people having the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11687286

Engine

10 reports
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact stated that the check engine and Advancetrac warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission lead frame needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11660526

Air bags

7 reports6 crashes
“TRAVELING APROX 45-50 MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN A SUBURBAN PULL OUT IN FRONT OF WITH ABOUT 55 FEET AND I HIT THE TRAILER THEY WERE PULLING HEAD ON AND THEN IT SPUN ME SIDEWAYS AND INTO A 5 FT DEEP DITCH AND CAME TO ABRUPT STOP FROM THE FRONT NOSE DOWN. NONE OF OUR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, FOR EITHER MYSELF OR MY PASSENGER. WE WERE BOTH TAKEN BY AMBULANCE AND SUSTAIN CONTUSIONS, BACK AND NECK INJURIES.BOTH VEHICLES WER EIN MOTION AND IT OCCURED ON A HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 AND I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY, THEY PULLED OUT FROM A SIDE ROAD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11390865

Structure

6 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while at the car wash, the running boards extended downward and fractured. The contact stated that the running boards failed to retract as intended. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the running boards were extending and retracting independently. The contact engaged the running boards to extend down. The contact stated that the front driver's side window became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who repaired the window motor. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2024Electrical system, Visibility, StructureODI 11627649

Vehicle speed control

4 reports
“While driving on interstate at highway speeds (70mph), the transmission experienced sudden downshift, which increased the engine RPMs to redline and rapidly decelerated the vehicle. Occupant safety was put at risk while other drivers were forced to quickly avoid collision due to our much slower speed. Transmission would not select proper gear which made it difficult to proceed to a safe pull-off point. After restarting the vehicle, the situation repeated itself several times while attempting to drive home. Reoccurring problems include rapid deceleration and high engine revs when transmission suddenly shifts at high speeds, or stalling & lack of acceleration when transmission shifts improperly at low speeds (which makes moving the vehicle safely from the roadway difficult). Researching the problem, it appears to be an issue with the leadframe internal to the 6R80 transmission. Apparently there are safety recalls for other Ford SUVs and trucks with the same leadframe part all related to unexpected transmission shifts.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11733946
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.