Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls and 426 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve power train (267) and engine (51). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Expedition model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 868 |
| 1998 | 851 |
| 1999 | 970 |
| 2000 | 942 |
| 2001 | 609 |
| 2002 | 383 |
| 2003 | 655 |
| 2004 | 297 |
| 2005 | 315 |
| 2006 | 299 |
| 2007 | 215 |
| 2008 | 146 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2011 | 71 |
| 2012 | 118 |
| 2013 | 92 |
| 2014 | 72 |
| 2015 | 164 |
| 2016 | 217 |
| 2017 | 359 |
| 2018 | 383 |
| 2019 | 521 |
| 2020 | 426 |
| 2021 | 241 |
| 2022 | 116 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2024 | 80 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 11 |
“When accelerating hard, the vehicle attempted to downshift the transmission, but failed and all power was suddenly lost. Vehicle transmission was loud and grinding. Warning lamps stating Shift failure was displayed but disappeared quickly. After removing acceleration, transmission seemed to slip into gear and normal acceleration was restored. About 30 seconds later when holding constant speed, vehicle suddenly jerked and downshifted unexpectedly, again grinding could be heard and RPM's shot extremely high. Again foot was removed from acceleration and normal driving was restored.”
“We have recurring safety issue with our car that has not been fixed despite multiple service visits to both Grieco Ford and Sawgrass Ford. They keep sending it back as “cannot duplicate”. We have contacted Ford Corporate and they also will not assist. We purchased this car used from Sawgrass ford and purchased an extended warranty with the car. The car issues include: Slipping into Neutral: The transmission unexpectedly loses gear engagement while merging or accelerating on the highway. • Hard Shifting/Clunking: Violent gear changes that cause the whole vehicle to jar physically. • Gear Hunting: The car hesitates and shifts up and down erratically instead of holding a gear. • Limp Mode: Sudden, dramatic loss of power where the car refuses to accelerate properly in traffic. These are serious safety hazards that put our family in harm's way. These failures happen consistently with our children in the car, and they have happened to our teenage son while he was driving. We purchased this car used from Sawgrass Ford. The earliest service documentation I currently have readily accessible showing that this vehicle was brought to Ford for transmission-related concerns…”
“While operating the vehicle, the seatbelt retractor unexpectedly misfired and deployed with explosive force directly adjacent to my left ear. As a military veteran who already manages service-connected tinnitus, the concussive sound—comparable to a gunshot—significantly aggravated my condition, resulting in elevated ringing and heightened health impacts. Furthermore, the seatbelt mechanism is now permanently locked in a compromised position. This creates an unsafe driving environment, as it squeezes me tightly against the seat and distances me improperly from the steering wheel. This failure has severely impacted multiple aspects of my daily life: Professional Impact: My role as a Security Project Manager requires frequent travel between various operational sites. The current condition of the vehicle makes commuting unsafe and directly impedes my ability to perform my job duties. Health & Lifestyle: The physical discomfort, combined with the severe aggravation of my pre-existing ear condition and the general disruption to my family's routine, has caused significant distress. Following the incident, I contacted Ford frontline support, documented the…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition 2WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 467 |
| Expedition 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,400 | 473 |
| Expedition MAX 2WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 467 |
| Expedition MAX 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
18 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.
Owners filed 426 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (267), engine (51), seat belts (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 Ford Expedition at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.