Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2018 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 383 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve power train (149) and engine (100). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
383
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Power train: automatic transmission

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Power trainReported Jun 24, 2026NHTSA 26V402000

Structure: center console

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.

StructureReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V368000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

Seat beltsReported May 28, 2026NHTSA 26V344000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

383 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train149
  2. Engine100
  3. Electrical system34
  4. Suspension26
  5. Exterior lighting25
  6. Engine and engine cooling25
  7. Service brakes15
  8. Vehicle speed control15
  9. Seat belts14

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
202611
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

149 reports2 crashes
“I was traveling on the interstate and went to accelerate to pass a vehicle. My car displayed system fault codes and made a clicking noise and dropped to neutral while my RPMs stayed high. I lost acceleration and had to swerve to avoid a collision. The engine then had a loud clank and jerked into gear. Once I had pulled off enough I turned the car off and on again and resumed driving. This has happened multiple times. Each time when I have contacted Ford they say it’s a known issue with the make of the Clutch drum and realized the issue after the 2022 year and changed the way it was made. However they stated it would cost me over $6500 to repair mine. They do not accept fault only state it is a known issue. When my car goes from 65 to 39 in a span of a few seconds it is a huge safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11771039

Engine

100 reports1 crash1 fire
“Vehicle was disabled multiple times after failures of the OEM coolant / heater hoses at plastic fittings. Hoses includes the primary radiator coolant hoses, bypass hoses and engine coolant hoses for the transmission cooler. First hose failure on 10/21/2022 (51,177) miles was repaired by Ford dealer in Davenport, FL. OEM replacement hoses have also failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026EngineODI 11768553

Electrical system

34 reports1 crash2 fires
“TCM component major failure as diagnosed by dealership. Vehicle has inadvertently tried to go into park on multiple occasions when trying to speed up/ overtake. This failure has also caused the transmission to need a complete overhaul.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11770696
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 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 (S10)
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 30, 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 (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200441
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400466
Expedition MAX 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400464
Expedition MAX 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition MAX 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition MAX 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Expedition EL EXTENDED SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition EL EXTENDED SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.8%
Overall
5 / 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
19.3%
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
20.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 12145Vehicle 12144Vehicle 12153
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

2018 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Expedition have?

14 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 2018 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 383 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (149), engine (100), electrical system (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Expedition at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026