Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
92
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2013 Ford Expedition have filed 92
safety complaints with NHTSA
between February 2013 and July 2026.
The most complained-about system is the power train,
named in 43 of them
(47%). The typical failure was reported at 90,250 miles, the median
across the 68 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
No recall campaign was matched to this year, make and model. That is not
the same as a clean vehicle: recalls are issued against production
ranges, and the only reliable check is your own VIN.
Defect investigations (1)
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
RQ17010
Closed recall query · opened December 25, 2017 · closed October 22, 2019 · led to recall 19V075000
the power train
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 claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 92.
POWER TRAIN 43 47%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 11%
ENGINE 10 11%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 8%
SUSPENSION 5 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 4%
AIR BAGS 3 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 2%
EQUIPMENT 2 2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 2%
SEAT BELTS 2 2%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2019 at 11.
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 injured · crash · towed · 72,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER (UPSIDE DOWN) AND SPUN WITHOUT IMPACT AND NO WARNING. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES AND WERE TREATED BY THE PARAMEDICS AT THE SCENE AND RELEASED, WITHOUT GOING TO THE EMERGENCY CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND, WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL (19B05) FROM THE MANUFACTURER VIA "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM": THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. …
NHTSA complaint 11234604, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 65,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE "T-BONED" ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, NECK, AND LOWER LEFT LEG, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint 10956060. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 200,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the front passenger's side tire blew out, and she lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle crashed into an embankment, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the front grill and the bumpers detached due to the impact. The contact stated that the driver's side and the passenger's side roof air bags were deployed; however, the front driver's side air bag failed to deploy, causing the contact to hit her face and her head against the steering wheel. The contact sustained black eyes, bruises on the forehead, a scratch on the scalp that extended to her nose, a …
NHTSA complaint 11579923, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FIRERELATED
fire · towed · 150,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he started to see smoke located underneath the front passenger dashboard. The contact then stated that he then noticed that flames had started to ignite. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he immediately pulled the vehicle off the road and exit the vehicle and as the vehicle flames started to spread throughout the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact stated that the vehicle was then towed to an …
NHTSA complaint 11524869, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
146,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to shake and jerk abnormally. The speedometer was fluctuating, and the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the parents' residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage …
NHTSA complaint 11749972, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
147,300 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and unexpectedly downshifted to first gear before the vehicle veered over into the next lane. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and steer it back into the correct lane. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,300.
NHTSA complaint 11749980. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, there was a sudden unattended downshift of the vehicle. The speedometer went to zero. The RPM increased without acceleration. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint 11735744. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
Was never notified of the recall pertaining to my vehicle. Upon research I contacted the dealership to have the recall fixed. First issue was they offere complimentary pickup and delivery which I scheduled and they did not show up, aswell as the call that was supposed to happen, and they tell me the recall is out of its extended warranty. I contacted Ford service department and they said the same as its out of extended warranty. This is a safety concern as Ford is aware of the failing component and will not let me get the recall fixed. At the moment the vehicle is in limp mode still runs just fine but due to the recall it is not and cannot get any help from the dealership nor Ford. I was …
NHTSA complaint 11710465, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
2013 Ford Expedition Limited 5.4 engine. The vehicle was purchased new with an extended warranty with all services performed by Ford dealer. On or about [XXX], with no warning or indication of problem the vehicle experienced what was determined to be a catastrophic internal engine failure, with only 93840 miles. The engine problems were known by Ford Motor Company as replacement engines had design changes and modifications. The engine failure resulted in an immediate stop, which occurred on a 4-lane state road with a fifty-five MPH limit. Fortunately, no vehicles were in close proximity at the time. Dense traffic, at speed, could have resulted in a multivehicle accident. The vehicle …
NHTSA complaint 11682595, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
This has been a great vehicle. We were going down a road around 60 mph and with no warning or symptom the car downshifted from 6th to 1st gear. This caused the rear end to lock up causing the tires to squeal and spin the car around sideways in the road. Luckily nothing was coming. This could have easily been a deadly accident if something was coming. The dealer has said the lead frame was bad a needed to be replaced. They have quoted $1,200. The vehicle only has 117,000 miles on it and it still under the mileage for the extended coverage but not the years. There are tons of vehicles with this transmission and lead frame on the road, this is a major safety issue that should be addressed. A …
NHTSA complaint 11671030, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon
law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst