2020 Ford Expedition

Above average

Owners filed 412 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 18 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
62,935 milesMedian miles at failure

99 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train232
123
Unknown or Other41
018
Seat Belts30
007
Engine27
010
Electrical System21
020
Structure › Body9
000
Air Bags6
305
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly5
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
000
Service Brakes4
101

18 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission26V402000
Filed Jun 24, 2026741,195 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Structure › Interior Panels › Center Console26V368000
Filed Jun 9, 2026548,463 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Seat Belts › Pretensioner26V344000
Filed May 27, 2026419,967 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Engine25V628000Park outside
Filed Sep 19, 20254,632 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 23, 2025.

Back Over Prevention › Software25V442000
Filed Jun 27, 2025200,237 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Electrical System › Body Control Module › Software25V346000
Filed May 23, 2025556 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Navigator vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 20V262. The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are not functional due to a software error.

Risk. Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy. Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S56.

Seat Belts › Pretensioner25V197000
Filed May 23, 2025112,951 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels24V852000
Filed Nov 8, 202427,678 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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."

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.

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.

Seat Belts › Pretensioner24V099000
Filed Feb 9, 202477,574 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual23V420000
Filed Jun 9, 2023691,133 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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."

Risk. 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.

Showing 10 of 18 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Sep 16, 2026133,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the transmission independently shifted into park(P), and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with a recall. The contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive with the unrepaired recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, parts were unavailable for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 16, 2026101,000 milesUT

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the parts to be available. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway and shifting into park(P), the parking brake engaged independently, causing the vehicle to jerk into park. The failure was intermittent. The following morning, the gear shifter shifted hard into reverse(R) while attempting to reverse out of the driveway. While driving at lower speeds under 50 MPH and coasting forward, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact attempted to continue driving but the vehicle slightly jolted forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there were metal shavings inside the transmission. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Sep 15, 2026UT

During 2025/early 2026 the chrome peeled up around the center console. We carefully folded it back down, thinking it was just tape. I was cut twice across finger tips during this time. Then we got the recall notice from Ford in June 2026. It seems ridiculous that Ford will take (anticipated) up to 9 months from date of notice to find remedy for this problem. It's clearly a safety hazard. We have been forced more than once to use snippers to trim away peeling edges to prevent further injury.

Power Train
Filed Sep 15, 2026TX

The transmission malfunctioned at highway speed on the highway. When traveling on the highway at approximately 45 mph in the middle lane, I accelerated moderately to reach 65 mph to safely change lanes. While accelerating to change lanes, the transmission dropped the gear and banged violently, causing temporary loss of forward drive and steering, causing excessive swerving. The collision warning system was beeping since the transmission surge was so violent. The vehicle has been into the dealer for transmission warranty repair before this issue. This issue has occurred three times since the repair. I have taken the vehicle in multiple times to correct the recurring error, but the dealer is claiming they can't reproduce the issue. The vehicle is now out of warranty, and they are claiming there is no issue.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 11, 2026VA

My 2020 Ford Expedition has an open Ford safety recall 26S34 involving the front seat belt retractor/pretensioner. My driver’s seat belt is now completely unusable (shredded and locked in place), making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Ford and the dealership have confirmed that the recall applies to my vehicle, but I have been told the permanent recall part is currently unavailable. I was told that if I want a functioning driver’s seat belt while waiting for the recall part, I must pay out of pocket to have a temporary/older part installed. I explained to Ford that I cannot safely operate the vehicle without a functioning driver’s seat belt and asked what no-cost solution Ford would provide while its recall remedy is unavailable. I requested either a covered temporary repair or alternate transportation and asked for the matter to be escalated. Ford customer service refused to transfer me to a supervisor, and the representative ultimately disconnected the call. I am requesting NHTSA review whether Ford is meeting its obligations under this safety recall when an affected vehicle currently has an unusable driver’s restraint, the recall remedy is unavailable, and the owner is being required to pay out of pocket to restore a functioning restraint while waiting. Ford Case #CXH09305259

Power Train1 injured
Filed Sep 9, 2026TX

My name is [XXX] [XXX] and i own a 2020 Ford Expedition Limited Max, there is a recall to inspect transmission recall#26S48/26V402. I contacted Ford dealer and stated there is no fix yet, I asked them what do i do in the meantime, stated i have to wait until Ford figures out the fix. So, in the meantime, we have to continue driving this vehicle with this known issue/safety concern and hope that it does not do it again and cause an accident or god forbid something happen to my family. This is my wife's daily driver with our 4 kids; the vehicle has done this twice where it goes into park while still driving on its own. Luckily both times we were only going about 15MPH, had to turn the vehicle off to be able to turn it back on. This cannot be good for the transmission; the transmission constantly slips i believe as a result now and when i try to accelerate quickly it hesitates. If i wasn't going to be upside down i would trade it in but unfortunately i can not at the moment. I would like to see something done to fix the issues with this vehicle. Aside from this i have had constant AC issues, the center console trim cut my wife's finger, the running boards sometimes come out, it's an ongoing battle with this vehicle. I would for Ford to fix these issues or buy the vehicle back. Please let me know something, rather it be to fix these issues or buy it back, if i don't hear backi will be consulting a lawyer next. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

Power Train
Filed Sep 9, 2026GA

Recurring dangerous transmission defect in my 2020 Ford Expedition (3.5L EcoBoost, 10-speed 10R80, ~136,826 mi). It has lost power and shifted violently multiple times, each a crash risk. 1) ~Aug 22, 2026: Accelerating to pass on the highway, the whole vehicle shut down. I lost all power INCLUDING power steering and had to coast off the road. It restarted after stopping. Losing power and steering while passing at speed is extremely dangerous. 2) Weekend of ~Aug 29-31, 2026: Going up a slight residential driveway, the transmission slipped (engine revved, vehicle didn't move) then slammed into gear with a hard jolt. 3) Another time, accelerating to pass, it made an extremely loud bang and violent jolt; I thought the transmission had failed. ONGOING since I bought it used (June 2023): it repeatedly slams/clunks hard into gear, including while just coasting down a slight grade with NO foot on gas or brake, jolting violently as if it dropped into Park. This is not just my vehicle. The 10R80 transmission (2020 Expedition, F-150, etc.) has many complaints for the same thing (sudden downshifts, power loss, harsh shifting, slipping) and is subject to a class action (filed 4/2023, MA) covering 2017-present F-150/Expedition/Mustang/Ranger/Navigator, alleging Ford knew since 2018. I raised this repeatedly with Ford and two dealerships and was told there were no recalls and no known issue. Ford's open recall 26S48 (26V402) is only about the PARKING system and does NOT cover this loss-of-p

Steering
Filed Sep 4, 2026MA

The leather on the steering wheel keeps peeling off. It’s unsafe Becuse the steering wheel becomes slippery

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 3, 2026MI

My 3rd / Center brake light assembly had to be replaced as it was not working. The issue was caused by condensation. I paid to have it replaced but feel this should be a warranty item. Root cause should be improper seal around light assembly. This would not be normal user “wear and tear”. It is improper design/mfg process. Since it is the high brake light this is a serious safety concern. Thank you

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 2, 2026LA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. While entering the vehicle, the contact became aware that the front passenger’s side seat belt was locked but was able to be retracted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 2026TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered extremely while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the failure and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.

Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 202660,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive with the unrepaired seat belt recall. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 1, 2026TX

The car will lose power when trying to accelerate on the highway. The car’s transmission will completely shift out of a high gear while traveling 50+ mph at a time when you are trying to accelerate onto the highway or speed up to avoid another vehicle. The car’s transmission will shift to first and slow way down and you cannot regain power or speed for several seconds. This has happened multiple times over the last several months, sometimes multiple times a day.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 31, 202687,849 milesTX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while parking, the passenger removed their seat belt. As the seat belt retracted, there was a very loud explosion sound. A cloud of dust was observed, and the passenger-side seat belt became extremely tight. The contact stated that the vehicle shook, and the sound and movement originated from the passenger-side seat belt retractor housing. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with the failure related to the recall; however, the dealer stated that the contact would have to pay out of pocket for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,849.

Structure
Filed Aug 31, 2026FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V368000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belts2 injured
Filed Aug 29, 2026TX

My 13 year old daughter and I were driving home from softball practice, and mid conversation, without warning, it felt like something rammed into us from the side of my car. We were coasting at a cool 40 miles per hour and were winding down after a long day. My daughter yelped that her seatbelt was suffocating her. My mind was racing but I didn't see a vehicle that anywhere that looked like it actually hit us. After further researching the issue, I discovered that the massive boom we felt in my vehicle was most likely the pyrotechnic charge firing inside the seatbelt retractor assembly. My daughter's seatbelt instantly retracted tightly, and my daughter had to unbuckle quickly. I'm glad I was still with it enough not to stop right there because no doubt we would've been hit on the highway, and her sitting there without a seatbelt. We pulled over and inspected our vehicle but no sign of a wreck, confused we googled exactly what had happened and were in shock to find that the seatbelt had deployed like a bomb in our vehicle. The recall has been noted without a remedy on both the dealer's website as well as NHTSA, however, we were never notified by mail. The vehicle was inspected previously, and the dealership noted that it had the recall without communicating with us. This happened without warning, messages, or anything else. My driver side seatbelt did not work effectively like it would if we were indeed in a crash, so I felt like someone wrecked into us and I basically didn't

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2026GA

The vehicle disengages and loses power, feels like it shifts to park and won’t go.

Power Train
Filed Aug 26, 2026GA

When accelerating, if you push on the gas hard the car will shift into neutral/park and then shift back into gear. It doesn't matter if this happens at 20 mph or 75 mph. It is extremely unsafe. This shift fault code P07E6 is the code that populates. It is directly correlated with the recall 26S48/26V402. Ford won't even glance at it to consider it a part of the recall because " there is no fix for the recall yet " . This recall has directly damaged the transmission in my vehicle & other peoples vehicles. I have requested a remedy as my vehicle is no longer safe to drive on the highway due to the shift issue and I am met with we won't be able to address it until the recall fix is out. I have requested a loaner while we wait for the recall fix, which isn't going to be ready till 5/2027. Ford needs to consider the transmission damage this recall has caused on vehicles, the safety issues behind that damage, and they need to make it right.

Power Train
Filed Aug 26, 2026WI

Ford has a recall out for the Parking Prawl. I have experienced my car rolling forward after shifting into park. The vehicle proceeded to move about 5 feet before I hit the brake and the vehicle shut down. I restarted the vehicle, reversed back into my parking space, kept my foot on the brake until the vehicle was shut down. I have been using the Parking Brake ever since. Before this incident occurred, I have been noticing my vehicle shifting sticking, skipping, and completely dropping out of any gear and going into neutral while on the road in motion. This is not safe, and I do believe it is all related.

Power Train
Filed Aug 26, 2026PA

While highway driving, the transmission drops into neutral when accelerating and then jumps back to gear. This poses a huge safety risk when attempting to pass a vehicle because the car completely loses power. Dealership has looked at the transmission and acknowledges it is a “known issue”, but because it only happens sporadically, not a fix.

20 of 412 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Routine
20269100Routine
202532510Routine
202472710Routine
202364840Routine
20221121200Routine
20212321240Above average
2020 — this page4121870Above average
20194941130Above average
20183741420Above average
2017356470Above average
2016216380Above average
2015164360Routine
201472020Routine
201392030Routine
2012118320Routine
201171010Routine
201058010Routine
200928101Fatalities reported
2008146422Fatalities reported
2007215250Above average
2006299663Fatalities reported
2005315560Above average
20042964151Fatalities reported
20036156363Fatalities reported
20023404692Fatalities reported
200157810955Fatalities reported
2000890111992Fatalities reported
19999469775Fatalities reported
19988367731Fatalities reported
199785397411Fatalities reported
19963010Routine
19951000Routine
19944000Routine
19931000Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every Expedition year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 24, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.