Ford Expedition brake problems, 2016–2027
165 of the 2,406 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Expedition 2016–2027 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2017 (79), 2016 (52), 2018 (14). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 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.
Ford Expedition brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne 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 brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 14% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2024 | 9 | 12% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 14 | 4% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 79 | 22% | 92k | 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 52 | 24% | 60k | 1 recall | the record → |
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 brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 16 · 2021: 21 · 2022: 32 · 2023: 19 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 31 · 2026: 10
Across the model years, half of the 87 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 51,000 and 102,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, 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.
Brakes failed while driving. Mechanics found all brake fluid leaked internally from master cylinder into the brake booster. I have another Ford vehicle that was recalled for this exact problem in 2017
Wife started car. Pushed on the brake to put it in gear. Brake pedal went to floor. Checked master cylinder. Cylinder was completely empty. Brake fluid leaked past seals in master cylinder into the brake booster, then got sucked into engine and burned. No warning lights came on at all..
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. While driving 40 MPH and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact could not stop the vehicle. When the contact pumped the brake pedal, the vehicle stopped. Also, the brake fluid warning indicator illumined.
Brake fluid warning light came on while taking daughter to school, stopped at gas station to check. Was almost completely empty. No visible sign of leaks in engine compartment, under vehicle or on wheels/tires. Refilled. Warning light came on mile later. Stopped at another gas station, almost completely empty again.
No Brakes, Engine Racing, & ignition would not turn off, yes available for inspection at Seth Whatley Ford. Car crashed which was the only way it came to a stop, wheels were still turning when I got out of the car, if anyone one had been around they would have been hurt or killed.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V823000 HighDec 1, 2025 · 679 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- 25V488000 HighJul 25, 2025 · 312,120 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- 25V314000 HighMay 9, 2025 · 273,789 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.
- 25V236000 HighApr 11, 2025 · 123,611 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
- 22V150000 HighMar 11, 2022 · 195,864 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Expedition
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Expedition problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Expedition years have the most brake complaints?
2017, 79; 2016, 52; 2018, 14. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (24%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Ford Expedition?
Yes — 5 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V823000 (2025), 25V488000 (2025), 25V314000 (2024), 25V236000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Ford Expedition?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 65,744 miles across the model years; half of them between 51,000 and 102,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.