Owners have filed 92 complaints
about the 2011 Ford Expedition with NHTSA between 2011 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 28 of 30 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 12
Against the median year of the Ford Expedition. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 60
35% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Ford Expedition
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
56.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
67.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1114.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1620.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1215.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
79.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
810.4%
150,000+ miles
1215.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2011peak 6Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Ford Expedition
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ17010Opened 25 Dec 2017Closed 22 Oct 2019POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident cla...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 177,000 milesBrooklyn, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2011 FORD Expedition. The contact stated that while driving, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated at the time she did not see any smoke coming from her vehicle, so she assumed it was the outside. The contact stated that once she parked her vehicle, she sat inside the vehicle for approximately one hour before she exited the vehicle. The contact stated that when she came back to her vehicle, it was filled with smoke. The contact stated that the wires from the rear, middle row, passengers seat, on the driver's side of the vehicle had been burning. The contact stated that it did not cause a fire, however, it did melt the foam inside the seat. The contact stated the wires inside the seat were also melted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000
NHTSA complaint #11453503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX1 injured
POWER TRAIN
I EXPERIENCE HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS WHEN DRIVING THERE HAS BEEN TIMES I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO AVOID CRASHING. I BELIEVE CARBON MONOXIDE MAY BE THE RESULT OF THESE SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #11014941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I EXPERIENCE HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS WHEN DRIVING THERE HAS BEEN TIMES I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO AVOID CRASHING. I BELIEVE CARBON MONOXIDE MAY BE THE RESULT OF THESE SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #11014941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesBridgewater, NJCrash
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, BUT IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10845681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesBridgewater, NJCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, BUT IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10845681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesLafayette, LA1 injured
SEATS
THE STANDARD HEADREST IN THE 2011 FORD EXPEDITION PROTRUDES FORWARD SO MUCH THAT I CANNOT SIT WITH MY BACK AND SHOULDERS LEANING TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT WITHOUT PUSHING MY HEAD FORWARD, CAUSING UPPER BACK AND NECK PAIN. I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR TWO DAYS AND MY NECK HURTS. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND MY INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWED THAT MANY OTHER FACE THE SAME CHALLENGE. SOME ARE REMOVING THE HEADREST, WHILE OTHERS ARE BENDING THEM BACK. NEITHER SOUNDS SAFE TO ME AND IT SEEMS FORD COULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10512019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Ford Expedition. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 136,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 336,000. The contact called the seller, who advised that the sale was final and to end communications. An Attorney General and private attorney were contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11743503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Valley, AZ
POWER TRAIN
Hard, delayed, jump from idle when accelerator is pressed. Hard shift from park to reverse.
NHTSA complaint #11722361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St. Louis, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this vehicle early 2023. From the moment I bought it I’ve had a loud ticking sound come from the dash or the motor when I start the car also when it’s really hot out. It also didn’t blow cold air. So I had to save up enough money to replace the AC components in my 2011 expedition. After I got it “repaired” It only lasted about six months and that’s being conservative. $2000 later and it’s blowing hot air and still making you loud ticking sound. I pretty much replaced all the components that deal with the AC and the blower. I don’t know what to do anymore, but it makes a loud ticking sound when I’m driving, when I start the car, anytime. And I also don’t have cold air anymore.
NHTSA complaint #11703218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St. Louis, MO
ENGINE
I bought this vehicle early 2023. From the moment I bought it I’ve had a loud ticking sound come from the dash or the motor when I start the car also when it’s really hot out. It also didn’t blow cold air. So I had to save up enough money to replace the AC components in my 2011 expedition. After I got it “repaired” It only lasted about six months and that’s being conservative. $2000 later and it’s blowing hot air and still making you loud ticking sound. I pretty much replaced all the components that deal with the AC and the blower. I don’t know what to do anymore, but it makes a loud ticking sound when I’m driving, when I start the car, anytime. And I also don’t have cold air anymore.
NHTSA complaint #11703218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front blower system was seized. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed HVAC blower motor. The contact was informed that the HVAC blower motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 10163573; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle repair was not covered under the bulletin. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apollo, PA
POWER TRAIN
So my 2011 expedition has a lead frame problem it is stuck in 4th gear and all the warning lights are on associating the lead frame. The shop I left told me it Is the lead frame. The problem is the ford f150 with the exact same transmission as mine has a recall for that exact part. But no recall on the expiration with the exact same transmission as mine. This is a safety problem as it is stuck in fourth gear and completely unsafe to drive. This is a ford factory problem and needs to be addressed before it gets someone gravely injured of killed I talked with ford and they sY since there is no recall there is nothing they can do I've beennout a vehicle for 2 weeks already and now they say they have no clue when they can find the part. So I'm just out a vehicle that I payed thousands of dollars for. This is Unacceptable as I need the vehicle to get to work I don't know if this will help but I have to try something. There should be a recall on the expeditions as well
NHTSA complaint #11587640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesCrete, IL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the locking assembly on the driver’s side door was frozen and failed to operate as designed. Due to the issue, the contact was unable to enter the vehicle without using a hair dryer to warm up the lock. However, once the door was opened, the door was unable to close until the lock was heated up again. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11566568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
ENGINE
The engine is blown at 125k miles when all servicing and maintenance was done at the dealership. Somewhere around 50k to 60k miles, I complained to the dealership about a ticking noise from the engine and was told multiple times it was "normal with this engine". Well this engine blew while I was on my way to take the kids to school. I was on the interstate/bypass and was by some miracle able to get the 7-11. I was driving and all of a sudden, it sounded like there was squirrel under the hood. I had to have it towed to the dealership because it was not driveable and they told me the engine was no longer good and was blown. They said it would cost me $10k and I would be better off buying a new vehicle. There was no engine light or anything that came on until it blew. The only "warning" I had was the slight ticking noise that came from the engine, but when mentioned to the dealership, I was told that it was normal with this engine.
NHTSA complaint #11518155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
WHEELS
While getting tires replaced (Discount Tire), the representative pointed out that the aluminum-shelled lug nuts had swollen and become so deformed that the correctly sized socket could not be used. FUrthermore they could not be accurately torqued. The lug nuts had to be replaced, which cost $175.
NHTSA complaint #11459499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ham Lake, MN
WHEELS
2 piece lug nuts swelled creating a dangerous situation where the lugs were extremely difficult to remove. If the vehicle experienced a flat tire, they would be difficult if not impossible to remove on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11456962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,000 milesBrooklyn, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2011 FORD Expedition. The contact stated that while driving, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated at the time she did not see any smoke coming from her vehicle, so she assumed it was the outside. The contact stated that once she parked her vehicle, she sat inside the vehicle for approximately one hour before she exited the vehicle. The contact stated that when she came back to her vehicle, it was filled with smoke. The contact stated that the wires from the rear, middle row, passengers seat, on the driver's side of the vehicle had been burning. The contact stated that it did not cause a fire, however, it did melt the foam inside the seat. The contact stated the wires inside the seat were also melted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000
NHTSA complaint #11453503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceburg, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NO REVERSE LIGHTS, NO BACK UP LIGHTS, NO POWER TO THE REVERSE LIGHT BULBS.
NHTSA complaint #11415069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesGuntersville, AL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT-OFF AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY POSITIONING SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED WHILE ACCELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
NHTSA complaint #11364062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesHolliston, MA
STEERING
LLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint #11349168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,499 milesMertzon, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT READS CHECK FUEL FILL INLET? IF I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO TURN IT OFF THEY WILL CLEAR IT BUT WITHIN A WEEK IT IS BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #11329137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,499 milesMertzon, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT READS CHECK FUEL FILL INLET? IF I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO TURN IT OFF THEY WILL CLEAR IT BUT WITHIN A WEEK IT IS BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #11329137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesClearfield, UT
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVERS RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARD MALFUNCTIONS GOING UP AND EXTENDING. THE RUNNING BOARD HAS STOPPED MIDWAY DURING EXTENSION AND HAVE CAUSED OCCUPANTS TO FALL DUE TO THE RUNNING BOARD SUDDENLY COLLAPSING TO NORMAL HEIGHT WITH WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT ON THE RUNNING BOARD. RETRACTION OF THE RUNNING BOARDS IS ROUGH AND MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NO LUBRICATION POINTS TO ENABLE MAINTENANCE OF THE RUNNING BOARDS. AT THIS TIME THE RUNNING BOARDS ARE TURNED OFF AND ARE IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY ON A STREET OR PARKING LOT AND THE DRIVER AND LEFT PASSENGER DOORS ARE OPENED/CLOSED FOR ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS TO DRIVER SIDE RUNNING BOARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS USED A SPRAY LUBRICANT ON THE HINGES OF THE RUNNING BOARD BUT IT IS A SHORT TERM FIX FOR A LONG TERM ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE RUNNING BOARDS, NO ADJUSTMENT TO THE RUNNING BOARD MOTOR OR MECHANISM. THE RUNNING BOARD MOTOR APPEARS TO OVER OR UNDER TRAVEL AND DOES NOT MOVE THE RUNNING BOARD TO THE CORRECT LOCATION IN THE MOVEMENT CYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #11328022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,807 milesSouth Jordan, UT
ENGINE
CAMSHAFT ROLLER BEARINGS SEIZED AND SCORED THE CAMSHAFT, REQUIRING A TOP END REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 95000 MILES. THIS THE SECOND EXPEDITION REQUIRING THIS ENGINE WORK. MY FIRST EXPEDITION REQUIRED A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11300000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesDES Moines, IA
STRUCTURE:BODY
WINTER 2019, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. APPEARS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING. STARTED TO HAPPEN ON DRIVERS SIDE A DAY LATER. I'VE NOTICED WATER INSIDE ON THE SILL PLATE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER IT RAINS. I SUSPECT WATER IS MAKING IT'S WAY INTO THE DOOR. THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED. TRIED TO GET WARRANTY REPAIRS FROM ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP BUT HAS GONE UNANSWERED. APPEARS THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AND REPAIRS ARE COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHICH I DID NOT GET. WORKING WITH BBB AND FORD CORPORATE ON THAT ISSUE. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS NOT FIXED EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #11288162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesDES Moines, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR CLOSED SENSOR IS FAULTY AND SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD BUT A RECALL WON'T HAPPEN TILL MORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN. I AM MAKING MY COMPLAINT OFFICIAL. ALSO SEEKING WARRANTY REPAIRS FROM THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP SINCE THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED.
NHTSA complaint #11288164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 252,000 milesConroe, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON AN EXIT RAMP AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED.
NHTSA complaint #11207976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 279,500 milesLeague City, TX
ENGINE
UPON ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION AT 65MPH (HIGHWAY) AND GOING UP A BRIDGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITH ACCELERATOR BEING STUCK ON THE FLOOR (BOTTOMED OUT) BRAKING BECAME INEFFECTIVE AT THAT SPEED. AFTER A MAJOR EFFORT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. PUTTING IN NEUTRAL MADE THE VEHICLE IDLE AT VERY HIGH RPM, DID NOT DISENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR. ONLY AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF IN N AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN P FOLLOWED BY RESTARTING SOLVED THE ISSUE. SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS AT 55MPH (LOCAL HIGHWAY) FLAT ROAD, SAME OBSERVATIONS. BRIEFLY DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING CONTACT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. VERY HIGH IDLE IN N AND ONLY AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN P AFTER SHUTTING DOWN, THE PHENOMENON WAS RESOLVED. ONLY OBSERVED WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. IN BOTH CONDITIONS ROAD WAS DRY WITH NO PRECIPITATION
NHTSA complaint #11196041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
ALUMINUM LIFT GATE PAINT IS CRACKING AND PEELING SIMIAR TO ALL OTHER YEARS OF EXPEDITION. PREVIOUS AND POST YEARS CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOT A FLUKE OR ONE OFF IN PAINT PREPARATION DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #11195274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesKenockee, MI
POWER TRAIN
ON DECEMBER 12, 2017, WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WITHIN SECONDS FOLLOWING THE SURGE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEARLY A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON 2 TIMES ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION AS A RESULT. MY COST WAS $100 SINCE WE STILL HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #11180922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,204 milesLincoln, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF ALL FUNCTIONALITY EXCEPT THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, KEPT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND WAITED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FUTURE FORD LINCOLN (650 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (888) 656-7577) AND THEY REFEREED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,204. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11174726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.