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

2023 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 65 owner complaints for the 2023 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve electrical system (17) and power train (11). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
65
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

VisibilityReported Mar 31, 2026NHTSA 26V204000

Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Electrical systemReported Feb 20, 2026NHTSA 26V104000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

65 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2023 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system17
  2. Power train11
  3. Engine6
  4. Visibility6
  5. Vehicle speed control6
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Structure4
  8. Forward collision avoidance4
  9. Fuel/propulsion system3

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
5
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
7
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

17 reports1 crash1 fire
“A few months ago, I noticed there was a delay in the power running board on the drivers side. The passenger side running board came up but the drivers side would only come up after driving for a minute. Now, the drivers side does not come up, without assistance. The motor still moves. It be gins to come up, rising about an inch before immediately going back down, as if something is blocking it. It has been cleaned, free of debris, and lubricated and the issue continues. We got it back in manually, and turned them off for about a week, we continue to try, as we read things on the ford forums but no avail. The worst part is it seems like it doesn’t go all the way in, I tripped getting out of the car and hurt my knee because of this issue. It has been confirmed as a “known issue” with many dealers. And has been replicated. Their suggestion was to get rid of the power boards, but I paid for a vehicle with power boards and I want them to work. There was no system notification on the ford app nor on the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11768139

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“Driving on highway, tried to accelerate, the car was acting like it was in neutral and would not accelerate. Checked to ensure I was not. the car began decelerating and I started to pull over. As I entered the brake down lane - the car automatically switched to park jarring the car to a stop. The dashboard provided the following fault "shift system fault service required" Tried shifting to drive, neutral, reverse and each time it would shift back to park and give me the warning. Had to have the car towed. The dealership is very vague on the root cause of the issue saying i need a new transmission. I specifically asked if the root cause was the CDF drum issue but they will tell me why the failure happened. Still waiting for my car to be repaired.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Power trainODI 11751175

Engine

6 reports2 fires
“On May 16, 2026, my 2023 Ford Expedition with 6,197 miles caught fire while I was driving home from work. I smelled smoke inside the cabin, and within moments smoke began coming through the air vents. I pulled over and exited the vehicle. When I got out, I saw the engine compartment was on fire and heavy smoke was coming from under the hood. As I moved away from the vehicle, there were multiple loud pops and bangs coming from the engine area. Police and fire crews responded and extinguished the fire, but the vehicle is a total loss. This was a nearly new vehicle with very low mileage. I believe this was caused by a manufacturing defect. Ford previously settled a class‑action lawsuit involving 2021 Expeditions with engine fire issues, which suggests this problem has not been fully resolved. I am reporting this incident because it is a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in injury or death.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11740156
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 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 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 (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400462
Expedition 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550484
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Expedition Timberline AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
161917$3,800523
Expedition Timberline AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition Timberline AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    16 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition Timberline AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI
    15 city · 19 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

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Expedition SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition EL SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition EL SUV RWD
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 17294Vehicle 17293Vehicle 17296
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

2023 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Expedition have?

8 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 2023 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (17), power train (11), engine (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Ford Expedition at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026