2024 Ford Expedition: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, acceleration and cruise control, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024- Owner complaints
- 68
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 6
- 9 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2024 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 first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
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 2024 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.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Early axle and transmission defects
715–4,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Ford Expedition, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical12No crashes
Rodents chewing the soy-based wiring is the most repeated failure. The damage causes no-starts, sensor warnings and, in one report, a gasoline leak from a chewed fuel line. Dealers have called it outside damage and refused warranty coverage, and harness replacement is costly. Other reports describe driver-assist faults that bring on sudden automatic braking at highway speed, a center screen that freezes or goes black, stalling and no-starts, and a passenger mirror that will not unfold. One injury involved a powered running board that closed on a passenger's foot.
Acceleration and cruise control72 crashes
Adaptive cruise control changes speed on its own, usually after the car passes a speed limit sign. Reported jumps include 60 to 80 mph and higher, plus unwanted slowdowns to 45 mph. Drivers say the acceleration is abrupt and comes with no warning light. A separate, more serious pattern involves the accelerator pedal assembly breaking, followed by sudden acceleration. Two of these filings are crash-related and one involves an injury. Another owner reports the engine racing to full RPM at startup before the gas pedal is touched.
Brakes71 crash
The brake pedal goes soft and sinks to the floor, and the vehicle does not stop. One such report ended in a crash through a fence into a tree. Dealers have found brake fluid leaking at the master cylinder and declared vehicles unsafe to drive. Several filings involve a brake repair that dealers cannot perform yet because parts are unavailable. Other reports describe brakes locking up at low speed with a brake system failure message, and driver-assist faults that disable automatic emergency braking. Some dealers charge each time they clear these faults.
Transmission5No crashes
Serious drivetrain defects show up very early. Reports include a rear axle separating from the wheel hub at 715 miles because of a cross-threaded retaining bolt, and a cracked transmission housing that leaked and needed a new transmission. Intermittent transmission failure leaves vehicles unable to move, in one case stranded on an interstate, and the problem returns after repair. Owners also describe the engine cutting out briefly at 35 to 40 mph and a vehicle rolling backward on its own after being put in Park.
Lane keeping4No crashes
The whole driver-assist suite fails together. Warnings for blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist, the front camera, parking sensors and lane keeping appear at startup, and some owners report this from the first drive. Cruise control, including normal cruise, often stops working too. Dealers reset the system or wait for a software fix that keeps getting pushed back, and some tell owners the problem cannot be fixed at the dealership.
Wipers and visibility4No crashes
Windshield wipers stop working at random, even in rain, while the washer spray still works. Dealers blame software in the APIM module, and a software update has not fixed it for every owner. Other reports describe the driver's door switch unit dying all at once, leaving a window stuck down and the side mirrors impossible to adjust or fold. The rearview camera picture can also be grainy or pixelated, especially at night, and owners say Ford offers no repair for it.
Airbags22 crashes
Both filings come from frontal crashes, and both include an injury. In one, the steering wheel airbag came out but never inflated when the vehicle hit a truck head-on. Both owners also suspect the brakes did not slow the vehicle normally before impact. One mentions ongoing cross-traffic warnings and no forward collision alert before the crash. These are individual crash reports, not a broad pattern of airbag failures.
Seats21 crash
Front seatbacks collapse rearward in a rear-end collision. The one crash report says both front seats laid back on impact and both occupants were hurt. A separate filing blames seat design for severe sciatic pain and leg numbness while driving, affecting more than one rider, including in a middle-row captain's chair. With only two filings, neither issue forms a broad pattern.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Expedition owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I recently purchased this vehicle new from Denny Menholt Ford in Butte, MT. When purchasing I was told they added a third brake light Pulse system as a requirement on all of their vehicles. Just today I learned that per NHTSA rules it is illegal to have any pulsing brake lights on a vehicle. I wanted to make you aware of the practices of this dealership, as they informed me that the Pulse brake light is a mandatory add on and not negotiable.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
Several of automatic sensors were not working (tire pressure) and the horn. The dealer stated I had road damage and wires were torn loose. I'm a 76 year old woman and I do not take this car off road or have any recollection of such an incident. I maintain the underside of the vehicle is improperly protected. They charged me $2300 to fix it.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2026
My wife tried to move my expedition from spot to another in our parking lot During that maneuver the gas pedal assembly broke down and the car in high speed created some personal and property damages I have the part handy and ready for inspection up on request The insurance knows about it And I had a police report No warning prior to the incident
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
We are driving cross country. Three times the adaptive cruise control has accelerated and showed a new speed going as much as from 74 mph to 107 the third time. The second it went 75 to 88. I can’t remember the first but I know we had a sudden acceleration and quickly disengaged as we did all three sessions. Now we are finishing our trip to our summer home in Maryland without engaging because we don’t trust the system.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
At 715 miles on the odometer, the driver's side rear axle became detached from the wheel hub bearing, causing a loss of power while driving. Dealer states this was a manufacturing defect as the axle retaining bolt was cross-threaded and not properly seated.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Transmission failure. Vehicle has failed to accelerate and then failed to move at all. Still under warranty and no codes shown. Vehicle left immobile on interstate due to intermittent transmission failure. Initial repair was not sufficient as issue has returned. No solutions for additional repair to address safety issue.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2026
How the 2024 compares with other Expedition years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 ranks sixth 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.
- Electrical1213
- Acceleration and cruise control72
- Brakes73
- Transmission584
- Lane keeping40
- Wipers and visibility45
Where the 2024 fits in the Expedition's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2024 is the seventh model year of the Expedition's fourth generation (2018–2024).
Recalls to confirm (7)
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.
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.
25V198000EngineMar 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
Risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S30.
24V851000EngineDec 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
Risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S70.
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.
Also looking at these instead of a Expedition?
Cars shoppers compare with the Ford Expedition, with their own 2024 checklists.
2024 owner complaints, side by side
- Nissan Armada4
- Lincoln Navigator14
- Chevrolet Suburban27
- GMC Yukon45
- Chevrolet Tahoe50
- 2024 Ford Expedition68
- Kia EV9205
