Car · Ford problems

2021 Ford Expedition problems

241 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Expedition. The most reported area is power train (transmission and drive) (47% of them). NHTSA also lists 111 service bulletins and 12 recall campaigns.

Counts are what owners told NHTSA, as filed. NHTSA does not confirm each report, and a complaint is not proof of a cause. Injuries: 6. Deaths: 0.

Complaints by area

Each bar is the share of this model year's 241 complaints that name that area. A complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

• Power train (transmission and drive)113 · 47%
• Engine and engine cooling60 · 25%
• Other or unknown30 · 12%
• Electrical system24 · 10%
• Visibility and wipers23 · 10%
• Fuel system14 · 6%
• Body and structure11 · 5%
• Speed control and throttle10 · 4%

12 smaller areas not shown (27 complaints in total).

Do not compare models by these numbers. NHTSA has no sales count for each model, so a model with more complaints may just have sold more cars. Use them to see which areas owners write about, not to rank cars.

Service bulletins

NHTSA's database lists 111 repair bulletins from Ford for the 2021 Ford Expedition. A bulletin is a repair instruction sent to dealers. It is not a recall and does not mean your car is covered. The 8 newest:

1. SSM 55100Received September 1, 2026

   For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available.

2. SSM 55028Received July 28, 2026

   Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center display screen after an over the air (OTA) update.

3. SSM 54719Received April 10, 2026

   Power train (transmission and drive)

   For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS).

4. SSM 54720Received April 10, 2026

   Lane departure

   Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message...

5. SSM 54392Received December 1, 2025

   Power train (transmission and drive)

   Some 2021-2025 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and may also...

6. SSM 54366Received November 19, 2025

   Electrical system

   Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.

7. SSM 54363Received November 13, 2025

   Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis/F-650/F-750/Transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.5L (non hybrid)/6.8L/7.3L engine and...

8. TSB 25-2476Received November 4, 2025

   Power train (transmission and drive)

   Reason for update: update the Part List Description and Labor Times Description Some vehicles may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delayed engagement Harsh shift...

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer. The 3 to look at first:

1. 26V402000June 24, 2026

   Power train

   The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

2. 22V346000May 18, 2022Do not drive notice

   Engine

   An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.

3. 26V368000June 9, 2026

   Structure

   The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.

See all 12 recalls for the 2021 Ford Expedition, or check your VIN below to see which are open on your car.

Common repairs in this area (not a diagnosis)

These are repair jobs that sit in the areas owners report most. A complaint may need a diagnosis first: the same symptom can come from many causes, and a serious one such as engine failure is not fixed by a cheap part. They are not a forecast of what your Expedition will need. Ranges are US estimates for all makes.

This model year has an engine recall in NHTSA's data. Before you pay for an engine repair, check the recalls and ask the dealer about warranty extensions for your VIN. Those repairs can be free.

Start with a diagnosis

• Diagnostic scan (check engine light)$55 to $250

Power train (transmission and drive) 113 complaints · 47%

• Transmission fluid service$140 to $480
• Transmission solenoid replacement$290 to $1,200
• Torque converter replacement$880 to $2,475
• Clutch replacement (manual transmission)$1,000 to $2,050

Engine and engine cooling 60 complaints · 25%

No repair price here: this area usually needs a diagnosis first. A diagnostic scan (check engine light) runs $55 to $250.

Electrical system 24 complaints · 10%

• Battery replacement$150 to $470
• Alternator replacement$360 to $930
• Starter replacement$280 to $740
• Battery cable replacement$100 to $340

Visibility and wipers 23 complaints · 10%

No repair price here: this area usually needs a diagnosis first. A diagnostic scan (check engine light) runs $55 to $250.

Check a quote you got

Check your VIN

Complaints and bulletins cover a whole model year. Only the VIN shows what is open on your car.

By VIN By year, make and model

VIN (17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield or the driver door jamb)

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Look up this VIN

Recall and complaint data comes from NHTSA, the US government's vehicle safety agency, and is cached for up to a day. Recall repairs at a dealer are free. A recall that is not listed may not apply to your car or may not be filed yet. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls too.

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2021 Ford Expedition: questions

What are the most common problems on the 2021 Ford Expedition?

Of the 241 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Expedition, 113 (47%) name power train (transmission and drive), and 60 (25%) name engine and engine cooling. A complaint can list more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%. These are owner reports, not proven causes.

Is the 2021 Ford Expedition reliable?

These numbers cannot say. NHTSA complaints have no sales count to compare against, so a high number on one model does not mean it fails more than another. Use them to see which areas owners write about, then check your own VIN for open recalls.

Do these complaints include crashes or fires?

Owners marked 4 of the 241 complaints as involving a crash and 4 as involving a fire. They also reported 6 injuries and 0 deaths. NHTSA records these as the owner reports them and does not confirm each one.

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Expedition have?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer. Enter your VIN to see which ones are open on your car.

What is a service bulletin?

A service bulletin is a repair instruction a maker sends to its dealers. It is not a recall, and it does not mean your car is covered. NHTSA lists 111 repair bulletins for the 2021 Ford Expedition.

More

• 2020 Expedition problems
• 2019 Expedition problems
• 2018 Expedition problems
• 2017 Expedition problems
• 2016 Expedition problems
• 2021 recalls
• All Ford recalls
• Ford problems by model
• Check-engine codes

Sources

• NHTSA complaint and technical service bulletin files, checked October 29, 2026
• NHTSA recalls

Complaint, bulletin and recall counts come from NHTSA as filed. Repair prices are estimates from our own ranges. Not a repair shop, estimates only.