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

2025 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2025 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (8) and steering (7). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2026
Owner complaints
38
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Expedition, 2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD vehicles. The headlight assemblies may contain a contaminated LED chip, which can result in a loss of daytime running lights, parking lights, high beams or low beams. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Sep 22, 2026NHTSA 26V606000

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

Service brakes

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Dec 1, 2025NHTSA 25V823000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

38 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance8
  2. Steering7
  3. Seats6
  4. Electrical system6
  5. Power train5
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Wheels4
  8. Engine3
  9. Lane departure3

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

Forward collision avoidance

8 reports2 crashes
“On August 11, 2026 at approximately 5:17 PM, the vehicle was traveling about 25–30 MPH and approaching a stop sign. The driver began braking normally, but the vehicle did not adequately slow despite repeatedly pressing the brake pedal. The vehicle continued completely through the stop sign and intersection. Fortunately, no cross traffic was present and no collision occurred. After passing through the intersection, the vehicle slowed while traveling uphill. At approximately 5 MPH, the electronic parking brake automatically applied by the vehicle and brought the vehicle to a stop. After being placed in Park, the vehicle would not shift out of Park and displayed multiple fault messages. FordPass recorded simultaneous faults for Antilock Brakes, Electronic Parking Brake, Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power, Pre-Collision Assist, and Blind Spot/Cross Traffic systems. One message specifically stated that the anti-lock brake system had detected a fault and was disabled. After several power cycles, the vehicle could be moved, but an orange wrench remained illuminated and cruise control was unavailable. After being shut down for approximately one hour, the warnings…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11756496

Steering

7 reports1 crash
“2025 ford expedition android auto communication error 11 loops in connect-disconnect sequence continually Stopping/Restarting the engine WHILE DRIVING. Both phone and in vehicle displays screens flashing error screens. Real Clockwork Orange. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. Single driver in traffic, Fumbling with phone stuck flashing error-11 screen to turn it off. Quick dash to breakdown lane power down the phone. Phone must be turned off to restore normal operation of vehicle. If the phone is then turned on again, it attempts to make BT connection and same fiasco all over again until the BT pairing is disabled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11766931

Seats

6 reports
“I own a 2025 Ford Expedition MAX Platinum Ultimate. The second-row passenger-side seat has repeatedly failed to latch securely to the floor after being moved/folded. This problem has occurred multiple times. The vehicle has previously been taken to the Ford dealer for the problem, and repairs have been attempted. I have also previously been charged approximately $500 for a repair related to this recurring seat-latching issue, when the dealership blamed trash from the kids causing the issue. The condition has now occurred again, and the vehicle is displaying a warning indicating that the second-row seat is not properly latched. I am concerned this is a serious occupant-safety issue. A passenger, including a child, could potentially occupy the second-row seat while the seat is not securely latched to the vehicle. In a sudden stop or collision, an improperly secured seat could move and potentially cause injury. Ford has also issued SSM 54355 addressing certain 2025 Expedition/Navigator second-row seats that may not return to the latched position following Easy Entry operation. Given the repeated failures on my vehicle and the current seat-latch warning, I believe…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026SeatsODI 11769639
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 (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 · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400472
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152218$3,550501
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    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
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
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
23.7%
Overall
5 / 5
FORD EXPEDITION MAX SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Overall
5 / 5
FORD EXPEDITION MAX SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
23.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 20306Vehicle 20305Vehicle 20308
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

2025 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Expedition have?

6 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 2025 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (8), steering (7), seats (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Ford Expedition at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026