Ford Expedition engine problems, 2016–2027

476 of the 2,406 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Expedition 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (139), 2018 (123), 2021 (59). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

476 complaints, 12 model years 20% of everything filed about the Expedition typically at 72k miles

Ford Expedition engine problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model year	Complaints naming the engine	Share of the year’s	Typically at	On file under the heading
2027	0	—	—	—	the year →
2026	0	—	—	—	the year →
2025	0	—	—	1 recall	the year →
2024	0	—	—	10 TSBs · 2 recalls	the year →
2023	7	11%	—	12 TSBs	the year →
2022	10	9%	—	11 TSBs	the year →
2021 in depth	59	25%	—	17 TSBs · 1 recall	the record →
2020 in depth	55	13%	97k	27 TSBs · 1 recall	the record →
2019 in depth	139	28%	75k	32 TSBs	the record →
2018 in depth	123	33%	80k	38 TSBs	the record →
2017	43	12%	80k	30 TSBs	the year →
2016	40	18%	60k	33 TSBs	the year →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.

When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database

476complaints name the engine, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 60 · 2023: 106 · 2024: 123 · 2025: 97 · 2026: 40

72kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 210 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 50,000 and 99,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal rattling sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement) however, the VIN was not included.

Engine at 62,000 miles Sep 16, 2022 NHTSA owner report

Our SUV has had problems in trying pick up speed. It started a few years back when I was taking a right turn and as I pushed on the gas pedal the SUV would not take off. We took it into the dealership but they could not recreate this problem.

Engine Aug 29, 2022 NHTSA owner report

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle to pull out of a parking lot, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed.

Engine at 77,000 miles Jun 8, 2022 NHTSA owner report

Ford had a recall on this vehicle for Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogram For Cam Phaser Rattle. I returned this vehicle to the dealer on 1/19/20 (37,830 miles on vehicle) the "VCT phasers" were replaced when the parts came in (2/2020). Earlier this month the same "rattle" started again.

Engine Apr 28, 2022 NHTSA owner report

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue.

Engine Jul 8, 2022 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the engine, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

25V628000 Critical park outside
Sep 19, 2025 · 4,632 vehicles
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
25V198000 Critical
Mar 28, 2025 · 4,356 vehicles
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
24V851000 Critical
Dec 20, 2024 · 2,490 vehicles
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
22V346000 Critical park outside
May 17, 2022 · 66,221 vehicles
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.

Other systems with a record on the Ford Expedition

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Ford Expedition problems by year →

From here

Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Ford Expedition years have the most engine complaints?

2019, 139; 2018, 123; 2021, 59. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (33%).

Is there a recall for the engine on the Ford Expedition?

Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V628000 (2020), 25V198000 (2025), 24V851000 (2024), 22V346000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do engine problems show up on the Ford Expedition?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 72,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 50,000 and 99,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?

The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.