Is the 2021 Ford Expedition reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Ford Expedition is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Expedition?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Expedition have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

2021 Ford Expedition

● Typical for this model

2021 Ford Expedition
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 236
Recalls: 12
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Power train

Complaints per year

2021: 236 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1991	1
1993	1
1994	4
1995	1
1996	3
1997	853
1998	836
1999	946
2000	890
2001	578
2002	340
2003	615
2004	296
2005	315
2006	299
2007	215
2008	146
2009	28
2010	58
2011	71
2012	118
2013	92
2014	71
2015	164
2016	216
2017	357
2018	376
2019	503
2020	410
2021	236
2022	112
2023	65
2024	77
2025	37
2026	10
2027	0

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

47% · 111 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter unexpectedly shifted to park(P). No warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20

The transmission shifts erratic and will sometimes just kick out of gear. The car was taken to ford for repair and they flashed the transmission but, it did not repair it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-19

I have a 2021 Ford Expedition Max that we purchased new. From the time we first purchased it, it has had an intermittent issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-15

Engine

24% · 56 reports

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle caught fire on February 29, 2024, with family members inside the vehicle. The fire appeared to start under the hood on the right passenger side, which would directly correlate with the current open recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-02

Also filed under Electrical system and structure

The Government Owned Vehicle was parked, unattended, engine off and a fire started in the engine area.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-07-21

Electrical system

10% · 23 reports

FIREINJURY

Visibility

6% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and sun/moon roof assembly.

Fuel/propulsion system

4% · 10 reports

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2021-11-03Air bags21V805000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-07-21Engine22V346000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire.

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R

2022-10-21Visibility22V250000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022.

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R

2023-07-21Equipment23V420000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023.

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R

2024-12-19Equipment24V852000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

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R

2025-09-04Back over prevention25V442000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair,...

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

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R

2025-09-18Back over prevention25V048000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.

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R

2025-11-10Visibility25V729000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7.

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I
2026-06-09Audit queryOpen NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls
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Date not on fileSeat belts26V344000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026.

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R

Date not on filePower train26V402000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 3, 2026.

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R

Date not on fileStructure26V368000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026.

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Date not on fileVisibility26V204000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available.

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Buy-smart checklist

2021 Ford Expedition — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Power train: 111 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 56 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V344000 · Seat belts
Recall 26V402000 · Power train
Recall 26V368000 · Structure
Recall 26V204000 · Visibility
Recall 21V805000 · Air bags
Recall 22V346000 · Engine
Recall 22V250000 · Visibility
Recall 23V420000 · Equipment
Recall 24V852000 · Equipment
Recall 25V442000 · Back over prevention
Recall 25V048000 · Back over prevention
Recall 25V729000 · Visibility

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Ford Expedition reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Ford Expedition is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Expedition?: The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Expedition have?: 12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.