169 of the
11,934 complaints filed about the Ford Expedition
are about the equipment —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the driver's side front floor mat was buckling and slipping underneath the brake and accelerator pedals. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that occupants were tripping on the passenger’s side front floor mat. The local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed and determined that floor mats needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11668852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and hauling a trailer attached to the tow hitch, the trailer suddenly detached from the vehicle. The trailer hitch had fractured due to extensive rust. The dealer was contacted and informed about the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #11653600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upon starting vehicle, loud pop sound and then excruciatingly painful white noise throughout the sound system. No controls will work to turn audio down. Upon shutting vehicle off, painful white noise continued for another 10sec or more. Waited a few minutes tried again, same thing happened with sound. Unable to drive vehicle with sound this loud. Tried 5x to shut off vehicle and restart, white noise continued. Hours later, ears are still ringing the noise was so loud. No controls on the touch screen would work and even shutting off car, disconnecting all phones excruciating white noise continues.
NHTSA complaint #11576395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bought car new last year. Current 15,000 miles. On Saturday, September 2, I turned the ignition off and then opened the drivers door. Suddenly there was a horrendous loud static noise coming from I assume the radio speakers. It was deafening, and lasted about 3 seconds. I have read about other Ford trucks having this problem, but it is the first time for me. I will take it to my Ford dealer tomorrow morning. Apparently there is a quick program update to correct the issue. If this happened while I was driving, it may have caused an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11542518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On start-up, vehicle had an ear-piercing noise coming through all speakers. All of the dashboard screens were black, buttons were not responsive, but the vehicle would still move. Even after getting the vehicle to turn off, the sound persisted. I had to manually disconnect the battery to get it to stop. I have video of the incident if helpful. Ford service had no idea how to handle.
NHTSA complaint #11540428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Last year (2021), I purchased an Equalizer weight distribution hitch (manufactured by Progress Mfg Inc., Fastway Trailer Products, 353 South 1100 West, Provo, Utah 84601) when I bought my Grand Design Transcend Xplor camper trailer. The dealer sold me the 10,000 lb. hitch which was compatible with the 9,000 lb. GVWR trailer. Recently, (July, 2022) while pulling my camper into a campground site, the shank broke. It broke at the 90 degree joint and the gusset also fractured. Fortunately, I was only creeping into the campsite, so the trailer dropped to the ground, but no damage was done to the vehicle or camper. Upon examining the failure, it appear that one of the welds was defective. In the picture (Broken Trailer Shank - 5) it is clear that the weld on the left side had no weld fusion to the adjoining component. It appears that this was a "cold weld" and was a major contributor to the subsequent failure of the remaining welds and gusset. With the bad weld, the other welds were constantly over-stressed, and subsequently failed during normal use. From the discoloration of this "cold weld" it is evident that this condition existed for some time prior to the final fracture of the remaining welds (which are shinny - final failure) and probably existed since manufacturing. The defective weld also shows signs of "undercut". These are clear signs of poor manufacturing workmanship and should be considered to be a major safety concern. This type of failure should never occur and could have had major safety consequences if the failure occurred while travelling at high speed on the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11481411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Air conditioning unit has failed and after further investigation there is metal found in compressor which forces a full replacement of the AC unit. After further investigation (online forums and discussion with dealerships) this is not uncommon. The compressors are faulty and for a 5 year old car to find metal and replace air conditioning issues multiple times in past few years.
NHTSA complaint #11471912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shortly after the car was started and while still parked, a foul smell was detected and black smoke observed coming from the air vents. The vehicle was then turned off however within minutes of safely exiting all passengers from the vehicle, flames came out towards the passenger seat from underneath the glove box. An unsuccessful attempt was made to smother the flames with large wet towels before being successfully put out with the fire extinguisher. 911 was called and the fire department suspected the cause of the fire was the HVAC motor blower. The battery was disconnected and the car towed to the dealership where it has been for the past week. As of yesterday, according to the dealer, the source of the fire is thought to be a short circuit in the HVAC motor blower. The insurance is awaiting the fire report at this point.
NHTSA complaint #11431444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the retractable running board failed to open or close intermittently. The contact stated that while stepping on the running board to exit the driver's side door, the running board inadvertently started to close. The contact stated that his foot was caught, and he had to struggle to remove his foot. The contact stated that he sustained no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact also stated that there were electrical issues with the side view mirrors automatically adjusting without warning. The manufacturer was notified of the mirror failure and advised the contact to call the local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the running board failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11431051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WAS FAULTY FOR GPS NAVIGATION, VOICE COMMAND AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED APIM MODULE WAS FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #11383667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STARTED THE CAR TO GET HEATER GOING AND WARMED UP AND STARTED BUCKLING MY KIDS UP IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I TURNED THE HEATER OFF AND THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. I TURNED THE HEATER BACK ON AND SMELLED IT EVEN WORSE. I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED IT TO AC INSTEAD OF HEAT AND THEN I STARTED TO NOTICE SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO BELLO OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. AS SOON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF I NOTICED A GLOW UNDER THE PASSENGER DASH DOWN BY THE CORNER OF THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN I WENT AROUND TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS GLOWING I NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE DOWN IN THAT CORNER AND IT WAS ALREADY BIG ENOUGH THAT I COULDN'T BLOW IT OUT NO MATTER HOW HARD I BLEW. I AM THANKFUL THAT I KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN MY GARAGE AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PUT IT OUT. I NORMALLY STRAP MY KIDS IN AND TURN ON A MOVIE FOR THEM WHILE I GO BACK IN THE HOUSE AND SPEND AROUND 3 TO 5 MINUTES GETTING THE KIDS WATERS, MAKING SURE THE DIAPER BAG IS STOCKED, AND BASIC STUFF LIKE THAT. HAD THAT FIRE STARTED AFTER I WALKED BACK IN THE HOUSE I AM SURE THAT I WOULD HAVE LOST MY KIDS IN A BLAZE, STRAPPED IN TO CAR SEATS, THAT DAY. IT WAS THANKSGIVING EVE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE BLOWER FAN FOR THE VENTS IS WHAT SPARKED UP AND CAUGHT FIRE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS BY FORD FOR THIS AND I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM SHOCKED THAT IT HAS GONE IGNORED BY FORD. DOES AN ACTUAL DEATH NEED TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE THEY SET IT RIGHT? BECAUSE I DID JUST BUY IT; THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAN. BUT THE FLOORBOARD IN THAT CORNER IS ALL BURNT UP AND AM NOW QUESTIONING WHAT MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE IS IN THAT DASH THAT I CAN'T SEE. LIKE THE AIRBAG OR OTHER ELECTRONIC WIRING THAT MAY NOW BE AT RISK.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11377415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE DETECTED A BURNT RUBBER SMELL WHILE DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET (WITH A/C ON). THE A/C SUDDENLY QUIT. WE PULLED OVER TO TURN SUV OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN HOPING A/C WOULD RETURN. A/C DID NOT RETURN, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT OF A/C VENTS. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF SUV. THE SMOKE FROM THE VENTS GOT THICKER AND LARGE FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT UNDERNEATH THE DASH. HUSBAND RAN IN TO GAS STATION AND GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE KEPT RESTARTING (THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON THOUGH THE CAR WAS OFF). HUSBAND FINALLY HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO KEEP FIRE FROM RESTARTING. THE A/C/HEATER BLOWER THEN FELL OUT ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR-MAT BURNED TO A CRISP.
NHTSA complaint #11353351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STOPPED. A/C BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AFTER 2.5-3 YEARS. WHEN GOING TO CHECK, AREA WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS SHOULDN'T OCCUR ON SUCH A YOUNG VEHICLE (UNDER 55K). COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR A/C UNIT OVER THE 3RD ROW SEAT WENT BAD. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR $1300.
NHTSA complaint #11311413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE BLOWER SPEED CONTROLLER DOESN'T MATCH SETTING ON THE CLEMENT CONTROL. THE BLOWER WILL BLOW AT FULL SPEED OR NOT AT ALL. THIS HAPPENS NOT MATTER THE DISPOSITION TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THIS IN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, NOTHING WAS FOUND. SECOND TIME OUT OF WARRANTY, STATED IT WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT WAS NEEDED. THIRD TIME THEY FOUND THE ISSUE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL AND THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED (POTENTIAL FIRE ISSUES). NOW THAT THE ISSUE WAS FOUND, PALM COAST FORD REFUSES TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON SEARCHING MOST COMMON ISSUES WITH THE FORD EXPEDITION I HAVE FOUND THAT THE BLOWER SPEED CONTROL IS AN ISSUE FOR MANY PEOPLE. FROM PERSONAL FINDING, IT IS A FIRE HAZARD, WHICH MAKES IT A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT GOT MORE COMMON OF AN ISSUE AND MORE ANNOYING, I TOOK IT IN WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO HAVE IT DOCUMENTED.
NHTSA complaint #11145362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
5 PEOPLE IN MY VEHICLE DRIVING 55MPH ON I40 AROUND MIDNIGHT WHEN AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT AND EVERYTHING IN THE DASH WENT CRAZY. THINGS CUTTING OFF AND ON MOVING BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS, WHEN I CUT IT OFF SO TO NOT DRIVE WITH AIR SUSPENSION DOWN IT WOULD NOT RESTART UNLESS YOU STARTED IT IN NEUTRAL BUT THE BATTERY KEPT DYING AND EXPLODED DRIVING TO SHOP,.GOT ANOTHER BATTERY, IT EXPLODED TO. NOTHING ELECTRICAL WORKED. DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS,SPEEDOMETER, STEREO WOULDN'T COME ON THEN WOULD COME ON BY ITSELF, LIGHTS TO. AIR SUSPENSION WOULD NOT WORK, BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE. FIRST TIME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. THIS TIME THEY KNOW BUT I CAN AFFORD TO FIX IT. THE GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX IS OVER 600.00 PLUS LABOR! IM DISABLED WITH A FIXED INCOME AND I HAVEN'T DRIVEN ANYWHERE SINCE FEB I CANT GET TO MY DOCTOR, GROCERY STORE, TO GET MEDICINE FOR HEART ATTACK AND OTHER DISABLING ILLNESSES. I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR OR TO FIX MY EXPO. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS I SURE NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS.ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE NHTSA PRELIMINARY EVALUATION #PE05033 STATUS:CLOSED DATE OPENED:JUNE 15, 2005 DATE CLOSED: OCTOBER 13, 2005 RECALL: NO RECALL ISSUED COMPONENT(S): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD SUMMARY: ODI HAS RECEIVED 39 REPORTS ALLEGING THAT WATER LEAKS AROUND THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE HEADLAMPS.FORD REPORTS THAT WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE CAN WET THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX (PDB) AND THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM).THESE COMPONENTS CONTROL VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA05015, TO ALLOW FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE AND TO ASSESS THE NATURE OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.NHTSA: FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, SEE THE OFFICIAL NHTSA INVESTIGATION#PE05033.
NHTSA complaint #10660302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE MECHANIC AT MERCHANT TIRE KINGDOM NOTED THAT AT LEAST 15 OF MY LUG NUTS NEEDED TO REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE BEGINNING TO CRACK, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE TIRE BECOMING DISLODGED FROM THE RIM. I REPLACED ALL 24 LUG NUTS TO BE SAFE. THIS IS AN USUALLY INCIDENT GIVEN THAT MY PREVIOUS EXPEDITION I HAD FOR 15 YEARS NEVER NEEDED A SINGLE LUG NUT.
NHTSA complaint #10630022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.