NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 531 owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Expedition.
Recalled components: seat belts, equipment, powertrain, body structure, and 3 more. Most-described problem: seat belt problems (88 complaints, 17%). Most-reported area: powertrain (224 complaints, 42%; median mileage when it happened: 76,000).
One of the best Expedition years by owner complaints
The 2019 drew 27 owner complaints in its first three years, against 45 for a typical Expedition year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
No Expedition year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Best year
Includes the longer Expedition Max.
11 safety recalls for the 2019 Ford Expedition
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
419,967 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.
112,951 vehicles.
(TTY: 1-888-275-9171), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.
77,574 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection) · 27,678 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 202 (head restraints) · 691,133 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023F-Super Duty F-250,F-350,F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Fix: 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.
741,195 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles.
NHTSA listing: EXPEDITION. Ford campaign 26S48.
automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
10,460 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles.
NHTSA listing: EXPEDITION. Components: Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; Powertrain: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl). Ford campaign 20S21.
Risk: Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.
Fix: 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.
548,463 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles.
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C71. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 15, 2026.
890 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V263.
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Fails federal standard 202 (head restraints) · 639,137 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020F-150 and 2019-2020F-250,F-350,F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms.
NHTSA listing: EXPEDITION. Components: Seats: front assembly, recliner; Seats: mid/rear assembly. Ford campaign 19C07.
Risk: A disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change to vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rear suspension toe link fasteners may not have been properly tightened to the frame, possibly allowing separation from the frame.
Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the rear toe link fasteners, check and adjust the rear toe alignment, and inspect the rear tires for abnormal tire wear, replacing them if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S36.
18 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
NHTSA listing: EXPEDITION. Ford campaign 19S36.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations that name the 2019 Ford Expedition; both are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Seat belt retractor pretensioner inadvertent deployment
Recall query RQ24015Closed Jul 23, 2025 (opened Nov 15, 2024)
On November 22, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) PE23021 to investigate complaints of front seat belt retractor pretensioner inadvertent deployment in model year (MY)… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 25V-197, listed above.
Preliminary evaluation PE23021Closed Jul 29, 2024 (opened Nov 22, 2023)
On November 22, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-021 to investigate instances of seat belt pretensioner inadvertent deployment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Expedition vehicles manufactured… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 24V-099, listed above.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 531 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Expedition. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Seat belt problems88 · 17%
Median 90,500 miles at failure, from 38 reports with mileage
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting80 · 15%
Loss of power or limp mode66 · 12%
Transmission failure or replacement63 · 12%
Median 83,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Hesitation or slow acceleration44 · 8%
Median 73,200 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
Check engine light34 · 6%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell34 · 6%
Shaking, shuddering or vibration33 · 6%
Median 73,200 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Most named: automatic transmission (6) · Median 76,000 miles at failure, from 58 reports with mileage
Seat belts118 · 22%
Most named: pretensioner (5) · Median 90,000 miles at failure, from 46 reports with mileage
Engine108 · 20%
Median 69,100 miles at failure, from 54 reports with mileage
Engine and cooling31 · 6%
Most named: exhaust system, emission control, catalytic convertor (4); engine, crank/camshaft position sensor (3) · Median 79,700 miles at failure, from 30 reports with mileage
Air bags25 · 5%
Electrical system17 · 3%
Body structure16 · 3%
Most named: body (10)
Unknown or other47 · 9%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford Expedition recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2019 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2021 Expedition drew the most (85) and the 2019 drew 27.
Owner complaints
2019: 531 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford Expedition
Model year
Complaints
2010
58
2011
71
2012
119
2013
92
2014
72
2015
164
2016
217
2017
359
2018
384
2019
531
2020
430
2021
243
2022
117
2023
65
2024
80
2025
38
2026
11
Safety recalls
2019: 11 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford Expedition
Model year
Recalls
2010
0
2011
0
2012
3
2013
0
2014
0
2015
3
2016
3
2017
4
2018
14
2019
11
2020
18
2021
12
2022
12
2023
8
2024
7
2025
6
2026
2
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What are the most common 2019 Expedition problems?
In the 531 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Ford Expedition, the problems described most are seat belt problems (88), jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (80), and loss of power or limp mode (66). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2019 Ford Expedition safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2019 Ford Expedition earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2019 Ford Expedition?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2019 Ford Expedition. It lists 2 closed ones; the most recent closed on Jul 23, 2025.
How do I check if my Expedition has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: EXPEDITION.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.