Your vehicle report

2021 Ford Expedition

The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.

NHTSA data through October 2026View original NHTSA data Change vehicle

Your vehicle at a glance

Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.

Owner complaints
241
Received Aug 2021 to Oct 2026
Official recalls listed
12
Naming this model year; check your VIN for applicability
BrakeNews flagged problems
3
Statistical signals, not official defect findings or recalls

Owner reports

Most reported problems

  1. 1
    Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips56 complaints · 23% of this vehicle’s complaints
  2. 2
    Transmission fails or loses power while driving25 complaints · 10% of this vehicle’s complaints
  3. 3
    Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates10 complaints · 4.2% of this vehicle’s complaints
See all reported problems

Official NHTSA records

Recalls to check

  • Recall #22V346000Park outsideFord 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.
  • Recall #26V402000Ford 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.
View recall details

BrakeNews signals

Flagged complaint patterns

Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.

How flags are identified

Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 4 crashes, 4 fires, 6 people injured, 0 deaths.

Explore by system

Where do owners report problems?

Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.

Schematic car with five system shortcutsGeneric side view, with the front on the left. Numbered links explore engine, brakes, steering, electrical, and body complaints. Text controls below provide the same choices.12345FRONTSCHEMATIC VIEW

Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.

View selected problems

Showing all 13 listed problems by system.

Engine & powertrain

5 more problems

Brakes

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Electrical & lights

Airbags, belts & seats

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Steering, suspension & tires

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Body, doors & glass

Driver assistance

Other

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Complaints received about the 2021 Ford Expedition
18
Show as a table
MonthComplaints
August 20211
September 20210
October 20212
November 20211
December 20210
January 20220
February 20220
March 20220
April 20220
May 20225
June 202214
July 202210
August 20225
September 20224
October 20223
November 20224
December 20223
January 20235
February 20231
March 20234
April 20230
May 20231
June 20235
July 20232
August 20239
September 20234
October 20230
November 20232
December 20230
January 20243
February 20242
March 20240
April 20242
May 20243
June 20245
July 20246
August 20243
September 20243
October 20244
November 20244
December 20245
January 20256
February 20256
March 20254
April 20252
May 20253
June 20254
July 20258
August 20254
September 20258
October 20253
November 20252
December 20254
January 20261
February 20260
March 20261
April 202611
May 20264
June 202610
July 202618
August 20266
September 20265
October 20266
Total241

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

ProblemComplaintsShareShare ratioStatus
Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips5623%9.6×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jan 2023 · Recent surge
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 4.3%
Transmission fails or loses power while driving2510%6.9×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Aug 2024
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 8.2%
Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates104.2%5.7×
Unintended acceleration despite braking104.2%–
Ford F-150 transmission unexpectedly downshifts or jerks72.9%2.1×
Glass shatters or cracks without impact62.5%0.9×
Engine suddenly shuts off while driving62.5%–
Fuel pump fails and engine stalls62.5%3.6×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Sep 2025
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 3.7%
Windshield wipers work intermittently or fail52.1%9.2×NHTSA recall #22V250000, #26V204000
Rearview backup camera fails or goes black52.1%–NHTSA recall #25V048000, #25V442000
Vehicle catches fire from wiring41.7%–NHTSA recall #22V346000
Rear door latch fails to open or close31.2%1.7×
Gear shifter fails to register Park31.2%–

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

  • NHTSA recall #22V346000May 17, 202266,221 vehicles affected

    Park outside: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.

    engine

    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.

    A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

    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. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 25, 2022. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Currently the remedy is available for vehicles equipped with heavy-duty radiator fan motors, and those letters were mailed July 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S36.

  • NHTSA recall #26V402000June 24, 2026741,195 vehicles affected

    power train: automatic transmission

    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.

    Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

  • NHTSA recall #26V368000June 9, 2026548,463 vehicles affected

    structure: interior panels: center console

    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.

    Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.

    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. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S38. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 10, 2026.

  • NHTSA recall #26V344000May 27, 2026419,967 vehicles affected

    seat belts: pretensioner

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

    Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    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. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.

  • NHTSA recall #26V204000March 31, 2026422,613 vehicles affected

    visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

    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.

    Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.

  • NHTSA recall #25V729000October 24, 2025174,853 vehicles affected

    visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

    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. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.

    A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

    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. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.

  • NHTSA recall #25V442000June 27, 2025200,237 vehicles affected

    back over prevention: software

    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, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

    A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • NHTSA recall #25V048000January 31, 202591,580 vehicles affected

    back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • NHTSA recall #24V852000November 8, 202427,678 vehicles affected

    equipment: other: labels

    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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    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.

  • NHTSA recall #23V420000June 9, 2023691,133 vehicles affected

    equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

    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. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."

    Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.

  • NHTSA recall #22V250000April 14, 2022652,996 vehicles affected

    visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

    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.

    Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

  • NHTSA recall #21V805000October 15, 2021777 vehicles affected

    air bags: sensor: side impact; air bags: side/window

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

    An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    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. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.

Other model years

About this data

NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2021 Ford Expedition.

Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.

Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN