2018 Ford Expedition Problems and Recalls (370 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2018 Ford Expedition is Transmission / driveline (34% of 370 owner reports). There are 14 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 370 complaints · 14 recalls
What problems show up on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
125 of 370 filings named Transmission / driveline (34% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Engine (88 reports).
There are 14 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras, Transmission / driveline, Fuel system, Seat belts, Brakes, and Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2017 has 355 reports on file; this year has 370. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Transmission / driveline 125 complaints · 33.8% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 8
- Fires 2
- Injuries 25
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 125 | 33.8% | 2 crashes · 0 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 88 | 23.8% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 24 | 6.5% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 22 | 6.0% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 16 | 4.3% | 1 crashes · 1 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 13 | 3.5% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 9 | 2.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) | 8 | 2.2% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 8 | 2.2% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 56 | 15.1% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 18V805000 was reported 135 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 23V420000 was reported 1,803 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 24V099000 was reported 1,997 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 24V852000 was reported 2,321 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 25V236000 was reported 2,436 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 25V197000 was reported 2,466 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 26V344000 was reported 2,835 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 26V368000 was reported 2,330 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 26V402000 was reported 2,793 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 25 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 25 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 36 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 23 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V775000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V058000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V213000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V214000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V392000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V805000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 23V420000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 24V099000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 24V852000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 25V236000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 25V197000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 26V344000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 26V368000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 26V402000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ24015 |
Safety Recalls (14)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras, Transmission / driveline, Fuel system, Seat belts, Brakes, and Body / frame.
-
Recall campaign 17V775000
Safety recall 17V775000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- If the seat back is not adequately secured, and/or the seat occupant is improperly positioned, there can be an increased risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row outboard seats for proper seat adjustment travel, replacing the seat frame assembly if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the bolts attaching the seat back to the seat base for the proper installation, correcting it as necessary. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C20.
-
Recall campaign 18V058000
Glass / wipers / cameras
- Report date
- Component:
- Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
- Consequence:
- If the window does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is found, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row window electronic control modules, and replace them as necessary based on their build date codes, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C01.
-
Recall campaign 18V213000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.
-
Recall campaign 18V214000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.
-
Recall campaign 18V392000
Fuel system
- Report date
- Component:
- Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S17.
-
Recall campaign 18V805000
Safety recall 18V805000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- In the event of a crash, a seat that moves may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row center seat for any missing J-channel reinforcement brackets, replacing the center seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification was sent on December 21, 2018. A second letter will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S37
-
Recall campaign 23V420000
Safety recall 23V420000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 24V099000
Seat belts
- Report date
- Component:
- Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
- Consequence:
- Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.
-
Recall campaign 24V852000
Safety recall 24V852000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 25V197000
Seat belts
- Report date
- Component:
- Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
- Consequence:
- Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.
-
Recall campaign 25V236000
Brakes
- Report date
- Component:
- Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
- Consequence:
- A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.
-
Recall campaign 26V344000
Seat belts
- Report date
- Component:
- Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
- Consequence:
- Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
-
Recall campaign 26V368000
Body / frame
- Report date
- Component:
- Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
- Consequence:
- Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 26V402000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 8 of 370 complaints · page 1 of 15
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted into park. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the transmission brake error message was displayed. The vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); and the VIN was associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Transmission that's was replaced approx 3 yrs ago is hard shifting from park to drive and park to reverse on flat level surface.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Subject: Safety Complaint – 2018 Ford Expedition Brake Master Cylinder Recall 25S37 / NHTSA 25V236 I am filing this complaint regarding my 2018 Ford Expedition, which is subject to an open Ford brake master-cylinder recall, Recall 25S37 / NHTSA Recall 25V236. I am currently experiencing brake fluid loss around the brake master cylinder/brake booster area. Because this is directly related to the braking system and the vehicle is subject to an open brake master-cylinder recall, I believe this vehicle presents a potential safety concern and needs to be properly inspected. I contacted Ford regarding the recall and explained that I am losing brake fluid in the area of the master cylinder and brake booster. I requested that the vehicle be inspected to determine whether the recall condition is present and that the brake booster be checked for brake-fluid contamination or leakage. I was told that my vehicle is approximately six months too late to receive the recall repair/replacement and that they would not allow me to bring the vehicle in for inspection under the recall. I have not yet confirmed the part number of the master cylinder currently installed on my vehicle, and I intend to do so to determine whether it is the same component addressed by the recall. My concern is that I am experiencing a symptom that appears directly related to the component identified in the recall, yet I am being denied an inspection simply because of the timing/eligibility issue. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter and determine: 1. Whether my vehicle should be inspected for the condition identified in Recall 25S37 / NHTSA 25V236 despite the expiration or timing issue stated by Ford. 2. Whether brake-fluid leakage around the master cylinder/brake booster area is a known symptom or consequence of the recalled component. 3. Whether Ford should inspect the vehicle and determine whether the installed master cylinder is the recalled part.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THERE IS A SEAT BELT RECALL AND 3 OTHER RECALLS THAT FORD CORP OFFICE AND THE DEALERSHIP IN HENDERSON NC TOLD ME THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 2027 AND I AM EXPECTED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE PLEASE HELP ME
CrashFireInjuryDeath
There is a recall on the catalytic converters of my year Expedition, but my check engine light came on at 86,000 miles, outside the 80,000 limit Ford put on the recall for the part. I think Ford should stand behind their product and the parts they are using, since the catalytic converters have failed on my car, my husbands expedition, and my dad’s ford 150.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Failing Transmission, does not shift into the gear just hear grinding noise, after few seconds of it, transmission makes very hard shift. This takes place in all phases or driving leading to potentially very dangerous situation of the car not moving or stopping while crossing a street with upcoming traffic, crossing intersection or any other phase of driving. Visited few shops and was advised that Ford has a major problem with 10R80 Transmission and failing CDF Drum.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Power Running boards. The running boards half deploy and stop. The running boards go up and down while the vehicle is in motion. When opening the doors the running boards deploy half way and stop causing the persons exiting the vehicle to step on and uneven surfaces, resulting in twisted ankles and persons falling to the ground. The running boards were seems to malfunction every few years, they were replaced by Latrobe Chevy Ford 3 years ago and are currently being replaced by Bud Smail Ford.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The heater hose that feeds the front and rear heater cores ruptured while traveling at highway speeds on a main road. The engine coolant directly sprays onto the engine resulting in a steam cloud that can not be seen through, also rapidly overheating that motor. This caused a dangerous scenario where the driver can not see the road correctly through the steam cloud while trying to pull off of the highway with the engine over temp warnings flashing in the screen further adding to the panic.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 125 of 370 reports (34%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2018 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras, Transmission / driveline, Fuel system, Seat belts, Brakes, and Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2018 Ford Expedition?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.