2023 Ford Expedition Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2023 Ford Expedition, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Ford Expedition, 2018 to 2024 model years
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2023 compares

Too new to judge fully

It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Expedition year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the electrical system.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Expedition years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford Expedition. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (17, 26% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the engine and cooling. That is the fewest complaints of any Expedition year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 8 recalls.

Complaints65filed with NHTSA
Recalls8for this model year
Crashes57 injuries reported
Fires4reported in complaints
Own one?

Get recall alerts for your 2023 Expedition

Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.

Add it to My Garage
Shopping for one?

Start a free car search

Tell us what you want in a 2023 Expedition and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.

Start my car search

Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2023 Ford Expedition before you buy.

Electrical system

17 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while parked and turned off, the vehicle suddenly started independently. The contact turned off the vehicle manually. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 22,080 miles
Hood cowling coming breaking seal causing battery junction box to get water in and short-out juction box and not allowing the car not to start.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

11 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driving on highway, tried to accelerate, the car was acting like it was in neutral and would not accelerate. Checked to ensure I was not. the car began decelerating and I started to pull over. As I entered the brake down lane - the car automatically switched to park jarring the car to a stop. The dashboard provided the following fault…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a hard shift from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 18,818 miles

Engine and cooling

7 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

On May 16, 2026, my 2023 Ford Expedition with 6,197 miles caught fire while I was driving home from work. I smelled smoke inside the cabin, and within moments smoke began coming through the air vents. I pulled over and exited the vehicle. When I got out, I saw the engine compartment was on fire and heavy smoke was coming from under the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
It made a loud boom I stopped thought it was a tire when I got out of the car flames started to come out of the driver side wheel wellOwner complaint, filed 2025

Cruise control and acceleration

6 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owned a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was occupying the vehicle at the residence and attempting to park in the drive postion, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into the garage wall, causing damage to the garage wall, refrigerator, and storage cabinet. The brake pedal was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 38,000 miles
At approximately 13:12 CST on [XXX], I exited the car wash at a gas station in Rochester, MN. I drove around to the front of the gas station to park so I could go inside to replenish the car wash card. At approximately 13:13 CST, as I was turning right, pulling into the parking space near the entrance, the truck accelerated unexpectedly…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Lights, wipers and visibility

6 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the sunroof. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH and taking an exit, the panoramic sunroof exploded without impact. The sunroof exploded from the inside going outward. The contact stated that the first panoramic slide had exploded, and the second sunroof was still intact. There was glass on the interior of…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 55,384 miles

Brakes and stability control

5 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving the ABS system failure warning along with 2 other system warnings come on and brakes fall to the floor. My Ford expedition is experiencing the same catastrophic electronic brake booster failure as recall 25S77. The dealer updated the software and the problem continued. Its back at the dealership after happening an…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Vehicle: 2023 Ford Expedition XLT Max Component: Service Brakes / Hydraulic / Brake Pedal Description of the Problem: The vehicle experiences intermittent brake slippage that occurs randomly approximately 2, 3 times per month. The issue happens while decelerating between 10, 20 mph. When applying the brakes to slow down, the brake pedal…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Driver assist systems

5 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The vehicle experienced a failure of multiple driver assistance and safety systems, with warning messages displayed in the instrument panel cluster. The affected systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Parking…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the Adaptative Cruise Control activated, the vehicle failed to decelerate automatically upon approaching another vehicle, requiring the contact to depress the brake pedal. The Pre-collision warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 9,000 miles

Body, doors and structure

5 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number 26V368000 (Structure); however, the part needed for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reaching to pick up a debit card, the center console cup holder chrome plating, which had peeled off and stood…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,691 miles
I was driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed (65-70mph) and a piece of my roof rack broke off my car and flew off into the road. This could have hit a car behind us or harmed a person inside the car. Nothing hit my car to cause it to come off. I showed it to the dealer and they claimed that pieces of cars don't just fall off for…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Fuel system

4 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the contact removed the pump nozzle from the filler neck and gasoline squirted out of the fuel filler neck. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 1,578. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 1,578 miles
It made a loud boom I stopped thought it was a tire when I got out of the car flames started to come out of the driver side wheel wellOwner complaint, filed 2025

Suspension

3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH, the contact heard a loud popping sound and the vehicle was pulled to the right. The front passenger’s side wheel assembly and wheel were detached. The contact stated that due to the failure, the contact's vehicle damaged two vehicles that were parked on…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 50,000 miles
UNKNOWN. Lots of vibration issues through the body and steering wheel shimmy. Whole cabin harmonic vibrations put new tires on and road force balanced. Still having issues. truck veers left and right without input when going over bumps. Steering wheel shimmy’s left and right when going over bumps. Transmission seems to lock up and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Seats and seat belts

3 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The seatbelt strap malfunctioned ( locked) and and I was unable to loosen the straps .. resulting in having to cut the strap to get my child outOwner complaint, filed 2025
Third row seat belt buckle warped and damaged. My child’s car seat was installed for normal cleaning and upon inspection was obviously warped compromising the safety of a small child. No warning lights on the dash indicated a seatbelt failure.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Steering

2 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

While leasing this vehicle from Hertz via Priceline out of Seattle the vehicle was always was extremely difficult to keep in is own lane. Didn't matter if you were doing 20 mph or 60 mph. This was brought to Hertz via Priceline and they have not answered back to what the issues were other than saying no one else complained about it an…Owner complaint, filed 2026
UNKNOWN. Lots of vibration issues through the body and steering wheel shimmy. Whole cabin harmonic vibrations put new tires on and road force balanced. Still having issues. truck veers left and right without input when going over bumps. Steering wheel shimmy’s left and right when going over bumps. Transmission seems to lock up and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Wheels and tires

2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

285/45/22 None of the tires will balance leading to terrible vibrations at highway speeds. Dealer tried several times to balance and also road force balance them. Vibrations can be dangerous at highway speeds.Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that there was an abnormal metal-to-metal sound coming from the front end of the vehicle while driving at slow speeds and downshifting. The contact stated there was something loose in the driver's side front wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Air bags

1 complaintAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

My "restraints indicator lamp warning" is going off occasionally. Ford just contacted me to tell me that my airbag will not deploy if needed.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Ford Expedition complaints by year

Compare the 2023 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2023 full-size SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2023 Ford ExpeditionToo new to judge8Electrical system
2023 Chevrolet TahoeWorse than most years5Engine and cooling
2023 Toyota 4RunnerToo new to judge1Driver assist systems
2023 Dodge DurangoToo new to judge2Lights, wipers and visibility
Compare side by side

2023 Ford Expedition recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2023 Ford Expedition, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Body and structure Center console

Jun 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V368000
Risk
Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.

Windows, mirrors and wipers Linkages

Mar 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V204000
Risk
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

Electrical system Integrated trailer brake control

Feb 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V104000
Risk
Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Brakes

May 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V314000
Risk
A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.

Backup camera

May 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V315000
Risk
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

Equipment Labels

Nov 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V852000
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.
Fix
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Equipment Owners / service / other manual

Jun 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V420000
Risk
Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
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.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."

Transmission and drivetrain Axle assembly

Feb 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V128000
Risk
A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.

2023 Ford Expedition questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Expedition?

The most reported problem areas on the 2023 Ford Expedition are the electrical system (17 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (11 complaints) and the engine and cooling (7 complaints).

Is the 2023 Ford Expedition a good year to buy?

Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Expedition year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the electrical system. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Expedition years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Expedition have?

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2023 Ford Expedition. The most recent, from Jun 2026, covers the center console. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

Which Ford Expedition years should I avoid?

The Expedition years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2013 and 2014. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

Looking at a 2023 Ford Expedition?

We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.

See Our Services
Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.