Ford Expedition 2007–2017
3rd generation · U324 (standard) / U354 (EL extended)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,012 complaints, 1,339 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,000 and 108,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 34 complaints (2.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 9,500
- 25%
- 38,000
- Median
- 70,000
- 75%
- 108,000
- 90%
- 145,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 81 | 6.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 54 | 4.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 33 | 2.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 36 | 2.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 44 | 3.3% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 19 | 1.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 36 | 2.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 41 | 3.1% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 44 | 3.3% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 42 | 3.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 71 | 5.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 40 | 3.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 69 | 5.2% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 52 | 3.9% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 60 | 4.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 40 | 3.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 46 | 3.4% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 37 | 2.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 45 | 3.4% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 45 | 3.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 53 | 4.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 27 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 29 | 2.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 27 | 2.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 38 | 2.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 18 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 38 | 2.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 17 | 1.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 20 | 1.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 20 | 1.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 32 | 2.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 13 | 1.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 34 | 2.5% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,012 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2017 Ford Expedition, and 1,339 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,000 and 108,000 miles. The median is 70,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (16.7% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles), the electrical system (13.0% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the engine (9.0% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles).
8 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline77,000median 77,000 miles, middle half 37,000 to 120,000
- Electrical system90,000median 90,000 miles, middle half 51,000 to 121,000
- Engine84,000median 84,000 miles, middle half 51,000 to 124,000
- Brakes62,000median 62,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 90,000
- Problems owners could not categorise79,000median 79,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 114,000
- Throttle and speed control52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 96,000
- Body structure63,000median 62,750 miles, middle half 40,000 to 90,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 335 | 16.7% | 77,000 | 37,000–120,000 |
| Electrical system | 261 | 13.0% | 90,000 | 51,000–121,000 |
| Engine | 181 | 9.0% | 84,000 | 51,000–124,000 |
| Brakes | 133 | 6.6% | 62,000 | 46,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 132 | 6.6% | 79,000 | 26,000–114,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 121 | 6.0% | 52,000 | 35,000–96,000 |
| Body structure | 110 | 5.5% | 63,000 | 40,000–90,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 94 | 4.7% | 65,000 | 48,000–98,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 89 | 4.4% | 96,000 | 60,000–130,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 85 | 4.2% | 66,000 | 37,000–102,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 16.7% of complaints (335 reports, 221 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 120,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 13.0% of complaints (261 reports, 144 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,120 and 121,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 9.0% of complaints (181 reports, 127 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,070 and 123,800 miles.
The brakes account for 6.6% of complaints (133 reports, 84 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 90,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 6.6% of complaints (132 reports, 52 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 26,000 and 114,477 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 6.0% of complaints (121 reports, 87 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 96,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2017 model year drew the most — 476 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 42. The median year sits at 163.
That makes 2017 an outlier: roughly 2.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the reversing camera and sensors (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), visibility equipment (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,012 complaints filed against this generation, 145 reported a crash; 53 reported a fire; 169 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 7.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,000 and 108,000 miles, with a median of 70,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 77,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2007–2014
5.4L 3V cam phaser rattle and timing chain/tensioner wear — oil starvation to the top end at cold start wears the phasers, producing the characteristic rattle; replacement often does not hold and the common field fix is locking out the variable cam timing.
Engine 2007–2008 (design revised on later 3V heads)
5.4L 3V two-piece spark plugs seizing and breaking off in the cylinder head during service.
Engine 2015–2017
3.5L EcoBoost timing chain stretch and cam phaser wear, plus turbocharger and intercooler condensation-related misfires under sustained load.
Suspension
Rear load-leveling air suspension compressor and air spring failure.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 267 | 226 |
| 2008 | 179 | 142 |
| 2009 | 42 | 31 |
| 2010 | 74 | 60 |
| 2011 | 92 | 77 |
| 2012 | 163 | 116 |
| 2013 | 116 | 84 |
| 2014 | 96 | 57 |
| 2015 | 229 | 156 |
| 2016 | 278 | 170 |
| 2017 | 476 | 220 |
Recalls (8)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V572000 | 2026-01-13 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 25V270000 | 2025-10-16 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 25V236000 | 2025-09-25 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder |
| 22V648000 | 2023-08-04 | Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor |
| 22V150000 | 2022-04-29 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder |
| 16V248000 | 2016-09-16 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 12V190000 | 2012-06-11 | Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights |
| 12V034000 | 2012-02-21 | Seats:mid/Rear Assembly |
What owners reported
We have a 2007 Ford Expedition with a remote electric start installed in the truck. When you remote start the vehicle then get into the vehicle with the keys out of the ignition you are able to put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gear shift to any position........... This has been witnessed by the Ford…
2007 · Transmission and driveline
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Ford Expedition. During the daytime, the contact was unable to read the instrument panel gauges. The dealer stated that the vehicle was manufactured in that manner and would be unable to make the repair. As of november 29, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure…
2007 · 16 miles · Electrical system
Tl*- the contact stated that the 2007 Ford Expedition el had transmission problems from the day he drove the vehicle off the parking lot of the dealership. When coming to a stop and trying to accelerate the vehicle stayed in a high gear and the engine revved. The vehicle accelerated in the wrong gear. The…
2007 · 20 miles · Transmission and driveline
The new 14 passenger Ford van is a passenger hazard for people in the back three rows of seats if someone is not in the second row. The rear door latches are next to impossible to reach from the third row. I am located at jet propulsion laboratory in pasadena, ca. The van is a vpsi leased van. How can i get the…
2007 · 700 miles · Latches and locks
Built from 1,339 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page