2023 Ford Expedition: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and wipers and visibility. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023- Owner complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 5
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Ford Expedition: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Expedition is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Ford Expedition. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Expedition that averages well under the EPA 18 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Ford Expedition, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical13No crashes
Sudden power loss and dark screens lead this category. Reports describe the engine and all electrical power cutting out at 30 mph with no warning. Others describe the instrument panel or the 15.5-inch touchscreen going black while driving. Driver's door switches can stop working the windows and mirrors, and one case needed the wiring loom replaced and rerouted at about 46,000 miles. Other reports cover water reaching the battery junction box and preventing a start, the vehicle starting itself while parked, and an unexpected "Trailer Brakes Engaged" stop in traffic.
Transmission8No crashes
Rough and hard shifting is the main pattern. Complaints describe clunks when slowing to a stop or pulling away, harsh shifts between gears, and shaking at idle. Dealers often cannot reproduce the problem, and one owner reports transmission repairs under technical service bulletins. Other reports cover low engine oil between changes, a metal-to-metal noise from the front end at low speed, and a pedal that goes to the floor in sport mode with no response for a couple of seconds near 20 mph. A dealer work order also records the vehicle accelerating with no foot on the pedal.
Wipers and visibility5No crashes
Panoramic sunroof glass bursts outward without impact in multiple reports, including at 75 mph, and showers glass into the cabin. One of these failures came at about 55,384 miles. Another sunroof rattled at low speed and had to be replaced at about 85,000 miles. Separate complaints cover a driver's exterior mirror that cracked with water inside the housing at about 9,500 miles, and a dashboard that reflects sun onto the windshield while the large flat screen is hard to read and awkward to use.
Acceleration and cruise control43 crashes
Unintended acceleration is the core complaint, and three of the four reports involve crashes. Drivers describe the vehicle surging while parking or turning into a space and hitting a garage wall or a concrete post, sometimes with the brake pressed. In one crash at about 4,000 miles, all the airbags deployed, the driver was injured, and the vehicle was totaled. Another report describes the vehicle speeding up on its own with cruise control set until braking cancelled it. No warning lights appear in these events.
Brakes4No crashes
The brake pedal suddenly sinks toward the floor in these reports, sometimes along with ABS and other warning lights. Complaints describe brakes that slip at 10 to 20 mph, shudder, and longer stopping distances, and in one case the ABS eventually disabled itself. Dealer inspections often find nothing. One owner says a software update did not stop the problem and was quoted $2500 to replace the electronic brake booster. Another describes a vehicle parked at a dealer while the owner waits for Ford to release a permanent fix.
Body and structure3No crashes
Chrome plating peels off the center console cup holder and can cut hands. One report describes a deep gash that needed medical care while the repair part was still unavailable. Other complaints cover fractured door hinges on both front doors at 62,305 miles and a piece of the roof rack breaking off at 65-70 mph on the freeway, with nothing striking it.
Engine2No crashes
Both reports describe engine-area fires. In one, smoke enters the cabin through the air vents while driving, and then flames and loud pops come from under the hood. That vehicle had 6,197 miles and was a total loss. In the other, a loud boom that sounds like a tire comes first, and then flames come out of the driver's side wheel well. Both fires start with little warning.
Suspension22 crashes
A front wheel assembly comes off in one report. After a loud pop at 15 mph, the vehicle pulls right and strikes two parked cars. In the other report, the vehicle rolls backward while in park with the engine running and hits the owner's house moments after the owner walks away. Both reports involve crashes. No injuries are reported, though the rollaway owner notes the truck could have run them over.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Expedition owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Wife was driving with my 3 kiddos going 30 mphs on a two lane highway and experienced a total power loss/engine shut down. No prior warning. This is potentially a dangerous situation. The expedition was stranded on the roadway with no engine power or electrical power. 8500 miles on this expedition. We had to call a tow and take to the dealership.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
I rented the vehicle in question from Hertz. The vehicle's cruise control and vehicle acceleration system repeatedly malfunctioned over the course of several days. I would have cruise control set for 35 mph and the vehicle would automatically re-set cruise control to 55 or 65 mph. Likewise, I could have the cruise control set for 55 mph or 75 mph and it would automatically on its own re-set the cruise control to 85 mph and even, in a couple cases, 100 mph.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
While driving the vehicle in sport mode and trying to accelerate the pedal will go to the floor and the vehicle will stop moving for a couple of seconds. Usually happens around 20mph and is seemingly random. No warning lights but the vehicle will not move any faster. This has happened 3 times since we bought it.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
On three separate occasions, the car started accelerating by itself while speed control was engaged. Once I noticed, I stepped on the brakes and the speed control was disengaged before any accidents happened.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
How the 2023 compares with other Expedition years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 9 Expedition years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical1313
- Transmission884
- Wipers and visibility55
- Acceleration and cruise control43
- Brakes43
- Body and structure35
Where the 2023 fits in the Expedition's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the sixth model year of the Expedition's fourth generation (2018–2024).
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V368000Body and structureJun 2026
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.
Fix: 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.
26V204000Wipers and visibilityMar 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.
26V104000ElectricalFeb 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
25V314000BrakesMay 2025
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.
Risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S47.
25V315000Backup cameraMay 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
24V852000EquipmentNov 2024
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.
Fix: 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.
23V420000EquipmentJun 2023
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.
Fix: 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.
23V128000TransmissionFeb 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
Risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.
Also looking at these instead of a Expedition?
Cars shoppers compare with the Ford Expedition, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
- Nissan Armada5
- Lincoln Navigator5
- 2023 Ford Expedition62
- Chevrolet Suburban86
- Chevrolet Tahoe161
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- GMC Yukon329
