Recalled components: engine, visibility, backover prevention and rearview camera, equipment, and 4 more. Most-described problem: jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (44 complaints, 18%). Most-reported area: powertrain (114 complaints, 47%; median mileage when it happened: 65,000).
More complaints than most Expedition years
The 2021 drew 85 owner complaints in its first three years, against 45 for a typical Expedition year: 1.8 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.
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.
12 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Expedition
Parts with a do-not-drive or park-outside recall come first, then the rest, largest first. Within a part, do-not-drive and park-outside recalls come first, then the newest. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Fix: 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.
66,221 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
Fix: 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.
422,613 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles.
Risk: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
174,853 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Fix: 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.
652,996 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250,F-350,F-450,F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
200,237 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.
Fix: 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.
91,580 vehicles.
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.
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: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 214 (side impact protection) · 777 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250,F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
NHTSA listing: EXPEDITION. Components: Air bags: sensor, side impact; Air bags: side/window. Ford campaign 21C26.
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: 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.
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.
NHTSA listing: EXPEDITION. Ford campaign 26S34.
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's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2021 Ford Expedition apart from an audit query, which reviews a company's recall and reporting duties rather than the vehicle.
What owners report
Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Expedition. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Median 65,000 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
Engine58 · 24%
Electrical system25 · 10%
Visibility13 · 5%
Body structure11 · 5%
Most named: body (8)
Speed control11 · 5%
Fuel and propulsion system10 · 4%
Unknown or other30 · 12%
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 2021 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).
Owner complaints
2021: 243 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
2021: 12 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 2021 Expedition problems?
In the 243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Expedition, the problems described most are jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (44), loss of power or limp mode (41), and transmission failure or replacement (34). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2021 Ford Expedition safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2021 Ford Expedition earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2021 Ford Expedition?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2021 Ford Expedition apart from an audit query, which reviews a company's recall and reporting duties rather than the vehicle.
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.