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Engine & cooling

Ford Expedition EL Engine problems by year

350 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ford Expedition EL's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20221000
20204010
2019135010
2018106160
201737000
201637110
201530000

Latest Expedition EL engine complaints

2020 Ford Expedition ELTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, attempting to accelerate to 65 MPH, the vehicle locked up on the freeway. The vehicle jolted like someone hit the rear of the vehicle. Ford customer relations was contacted by phone. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who scanned the vehicle and determined the failure was related to P07E6 and U1A00. The contact sustained bruises on her chest and shoulder from the seat belt. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called...

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another local dealer Star Ford Service : 1101 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204, and the dealer determined and advised the recall remedy was not available for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11775225
2020 Ford Expedition ELTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

2020 Ford Expedition 10 speed transmission 
Numerous times while driving in the [[redacted]]/[[redacted]] area we were attempting to merge into traffic. While trying to merge, we pressed the gas in order to merge into traffic and the powertrain seized up with a total loss of power (it was basically like it went into neutral) and the RPM's jumped to 6000-7000 rpm. When we let off the gas, the transmission finally slammed back into gear with a loud clunk and it finally re-engaged. This shifting situation has...

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happened several times over the past 8-12 months. Just recently ([redacted]) it happened three times in that day. This is an extremely dangerous issue. The last incident there was had a cement truck coming up on and I could have been run over. I've have had the car in the dealership approximately 3-4 times for this issue and each time they state they cannot replicate the problem. If it happens three times to me in one day and Ford can't replicate the issue???I have had three other family and/or friends with me when this issue has happened so it's quite real issue. Frankly. I feel like Ford just don't want to pay the expense to fix the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11774471
2022 Ford Expedition ELSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

"This vehicle is experiencing an intermittent complete loss of power while being operated. It has now happened multiple times, including twice within one week after the vehicle was in your shop for 30 days. I have children in this vehicle. I am requesting that this be treated as a safety-related defect and escalated to Ford engineering

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11770082
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the engine originally failed in 2021. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred in August 2026. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact believed that the engine was falling out of the vehicle. The rattling sound occasionally occurred while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with gasket seal bolts failure inside the engine. The recent failure mileage was approximately 66,871.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11769820
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & cooling

When turning on the truck there is an excessive rattle in the engine and it keeps on prolonging more and more.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11749552
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & cooling

- The Cam Phasers are failing. The dealer on my last visit said that the engine makes a rattle, and the Cam Phasers are the issue. It's apparently a wide spread issue with this year of vehicle. I wasn't aware previously. - The dealer said that the issue persisting will introduce debris into the engine resulting in failure. - The Ford Dealer service brought this to my attention. - The component issue is known by Ford, but they have never issued a recall. - No warning lamps, no messages. I as a car owner wouldn't know an issue was existing. The dealer service department brought it to my attention when I had my car in for another Service.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11746565
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the transmission shifted unusually rough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed catalyst converter. The contact was informed that the catalyst converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced in November 2025. The contact...

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referenced a manufacturer's recall 24E13. However, the contact's VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EngineNHTSA 11746539
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud chattering sound coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the cam phasers and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the A/C failed to blow cool air due to a condenser failure. During the failure, the windows failed to properly defrost, causing a visibility hazard. The vehicle also...

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experienced hard shifting and a shift fault code message was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · VisibilityNHTSA 11744679
2019 Ford Expedition ELTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Multiple times we have received Powertrain Failure warnings. These warnings typically happen when driving in cruise control but also happens in normal driving. The car has trouble shifting gears, gets stuck in gears, and has trouble downshifting. This creates unsafe and unstable driving especially at high speeds. Repeated visits to the dealer have yielded no results and the dealer has not mentioned transmission work one time despite a clear issue and widespread issues with this transmission model. This issue has been persistent since the car was bought.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11743193
2019 Ford Expedition ELTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Vehicle experiences repeated harsh shifting, hesitation, sudden downshifts, hard downshifts with engine redlining, and loss of acceleration during normal driving. Transmission intermittently jerks violently between gears and hesitates when pulling into traffic or merging onto the highway, creating a serious safety concern. I have experienced multiple near collisions due to the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate properly while entering traffic and during highway merging situations. Vehicle has also...

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unexpectedly downshifted hard while driving, causing the engine to redline and creating unsafe driving conditions. Issue has occurred multiple times and vehicle has been taken to Ford dealer for repair on several occasions. Dealer performed software updates/reprogramming, but condition persists. Vehicle currently has approximately 66,000 miles. Currently it is undrivable especially due to the fact I have children.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11739216
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & cooling

I own a 2019 Ford Expedition with fewer than 100,000 miles equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle began experiencing a loud cold-start rattle, engine timing issues, and check engine light illumination. The vehicle was diagnosed by a Ford dealership with internal VCT/cam phaser mechanical failure affecting engine timing and performance. The dealership diagnostic identified trouble codes P0016, P0365, and P0369. The dealership also documented that the engine oil level and condition were within...

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specification, indicating the failure was not caused by lack of maintenance or neglect. The dealership recommended replacement of all four VCT units and four VCT solenoids due to internal mechanical failure. This issue creates a serious safety concern because improper engine timing can cause loss of power, rough operation, stalling, or sudden engine performance issues while driving. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting Ford vehicles equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, particularly involving cam phasers, timing components, and VCT systems. A major internal timing-related failure on a vehicle with under 100,000 miles should not occur under normal operating conditions. I am submitting this complaint because this defect may affect the safe operation and reliability of the vehicle.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11738045
2019 Ford Expedition ELTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

While driving at approximately 70 mph on an interstate highway, the vehicle intermittently loses propulsion during acceleration. Engine power drops suddenly and the vehicle coasts for several seconds before power returns. This has occurred multiple times and creates an immediate safety hazard due to sudden loss of speed in active traffic lanes. The engine also produces a loud rattle at cold start. These symptoms began at approximately 70,000 miles and progressively worsened. A Ford dealership later diagnosed cam...

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phaser failure at 88,938 miles. The loss of propulsion occurs without warning lights or driver alerts. Sudden reduction in engine power at highway speeds increases the risk of rear-end collision or loss of vehicle control. This condition presents a significant safety concern.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11720851
2019 Ford Expedition ELEngine & cooling

My engine makes a loud rattling noise upon start up and then a more discreet rattling while driving because of the cam phaser.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11714651

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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