no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
NewRisk. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 Ford ExpeditionProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 243 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Expedition, most often about the power train. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-048 the manufacturer reports only 38% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Ford Expedition has problems
243 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
114Power train3 crash/fire/injury
58Engine3 crash/fire/injury
25Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
13Visibility
11Structure
11Vehicle speed control
10Visibility/wiper
10Fuel/propulsion system
5Service brakes
2913 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 114 | 3 |
| Engine | 58 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 3 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 |
| Structure | 11 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 |
| 13 other systems | 29 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2021 Ford Expedition recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Interior panels: center console
NewRisk. Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
no report yet
Seat belts: pretensioner
NewRisk. Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
NewRisk. Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Other: labels
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.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Engine
Park outsideRisk. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Sensor: side impact
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Expedition year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Expedition median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2021 Ford Expedition safety ratings
2021 Ford Expedition SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Ford Expedition, and the recalls they led to.
- NU Car rental of vehicles with open recallsOpen
In owners' words
What Expedition owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2021 Ford Expedition My 2021 Ford Expedition has experienced longstanding transmission problems, including hesitation during acceleration, becoming stuck between gears, harsh shifting, and rolling backward on hills. Despite numerous dealership visits, the problem was not…
While driving at highway speeds, specifically during sudden acceleration and lane-change maneuvers, the vehicle experiences a severe dynamic mechanical binding event. The transmission briefly forces a sudden "halt" or engine-braking downshift, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow down in active…
My 2021 Ford Expedition MAX XLT with the 10R80 automatic transmission has experienced repeated momentary “neutral-out” events while driving. The transmission/park-system components are available for inspection upon request. The most serious incident occurred in September 2026 while I was driving at…
Own a 2021 Expedition?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.