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

2026 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2026 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve steering (4) and wheels (4). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2026
Owner complaints
11
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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 21, 2026NHTSA 26V104000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering4
  2. Wheels4
  3. Electrical system2
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Forward collision avoidance2
  6. Seats1
  7. Suspension1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

4 reports
“The empty passenger sea, steering wheel, center console and sun visor has aggressive shake at speeds over 35MPH. Dealer did the road force balance but that didn't fix it, it's something in drivertaina nd they are refusing to fix it. Vehicle seems unsafe to derive”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2026Steering, Wheels, SeatsODI 11755439

Wheels

4 reports
“Description On your vehicle it is possible that the trailer module trm may lose communication at vehicle start-up. If a trm loss of communication occurs and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, trailer stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. Additionally, for trailers equipped with electronic trailer brakes, the trailer brakes will not function. This loss of communication can occur with-or-without a trailer connected to the vehicle and can only initiate at vehicle start-up. If this occurs, a trailer brake module fault notification will pop-up on the vehicles instrument panel cluster. The vehicle brake and turn signal lamps will continue to operate normally and are not affected by this trm fault. If you do not tow with your vehicle, you may wait for ota deployment for your vehicle remedy. Safety Risk This may result in inoperable trailer brake lights, trailer turn signals and trailer braking functions that can reduce a drivers ability to control an attached trailer and make the trailer less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2026Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11744046

Electrical system

2 reports
“On October 10, 2026, while traveling down the interstate at approximately 80 mph, the dash on my vehicle began flashing the following error messages: Service AdvanceTrac, Check Brake System, Service Vehicle Soon, Part Brake Limited Function Service Required, and PreCollision Assist Not available. Also showed multiple service needed icons. The car did not have any brakes. It did not appear to have the hydraulic fail safe functioning either. We put the vehicle in neutral and coasted. Once we slowed down to about 30 mph, the rear brakes only began locking up. We did have park on the transmission. Once we got stopped, we shut the vehicle off, which appeared to reset the electronic issues. We were close to home so we made it safely. On Monday morning, we had it towed to the local Ford dealership. The brakes were working again and the entire brake system checked out fine. They did replace the Electronic Brake Booster and say the issue is now fixed. I have been in contract with Ford Motor Company, as the vehicle is well within warranty, and they will not complete a buy back - which I disagree with as this should fall under the safety concern umbrella.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11773943
All 2026 Expedition problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 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 Nov 10, 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$3,300474
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152218$3,450501
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 N/A 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 N/A 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 N/A 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 N/A 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 Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 21401Vehicle 21400Vehicle 21403
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

2026 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Expedition have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2026 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (4), wheels (4), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Ford Expedition at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026