Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 358 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve electrical system (93) and power train (51). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2025
Owner complaints
358
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Back over preventionReported Sep 4, 2025NHTSA 25V572000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 11, 2025NHTSA 25V236000

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.

VisibilityReported Aug 26, 2022NHTSA 22V648000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

358 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system93
  2. Power train51
  3. Service brakes43
  4. Engine38
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic35
  6. Back over prevention31
  7. Visibility29
  8. Vehicle speed control21
  9. Fuel/propulsion system19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Expedition model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997868
1998851
1999970
2000942
2001609
2002383
2003655
2004297
2005315
2006299
2007215
2008146
200928
201058
201171
2012118
201392
201472
2015164
2016217
2017358
2018383
2019521
2020426
2021241
2022116
202365
202479
202538
202610
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
27
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

93 reports2 crashes5 fires
“I smelled something burning in my vehicle and then after that my air conditioner stopped working and it turned out to be the blower motor that was replaced in December of 2023”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11773804

Power train

51 reports2 crashes
“Our 2017 Ford Expedition, has been diagnosed with a failure involving the molded lead frame/transmission sensor assembly in its 6R80 transmission. We were advised that the failure can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift at highway speed, resulting in sudden deceleration and possible loss of control. Ford has recalled 2015–2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with the 6R80 for a substantially similar unintended-downshift condition, but Ford states that our Expedition is not included and has declined financial or repair assistance. The required component is currently backordered, leaving us without a safe vehicle or a timely repair. We request that NHTSA investigate whether 2015–2017 Expeditions equipped with the 6R80 should be included in the affected population.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Power trainODI 11752445

Service brakes

43 reports2 crashes
“Vehicle is experiencing brake degradation matching safety recall 25S37/22S11. Dealership states the vehicle is unsafe but refuses to provide a loaner car. Ford Customer Support escalated the parts order but explicitly denied interim rental assistance, leaving me with no safe transportation options”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Service brakesODI 11765351
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Expedition 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152118$3,550507
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800537
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Expedition SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 11216Vehicle 11215
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Expedition have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 358 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (93), power train (51), service brakes (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Ford Expedition at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026