Ford Expedition Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Expedition model year (1997–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Expedition Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 592 complaints
41 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Problem score: 704
7 recalls · 591 complaints
34 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 685
9 recalls · 532 complaints
30 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 624
Best Ford Expedition Years to Buy
4 recalls · 14 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 28
1 recall · 23 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 32
0 recalls · 33 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 45
Found the right year? Verify that specific Expedition with a free VIN report.
Ford Expedition — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 4 | 14 | 1 | — | 28 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 4 | 44 | 3 | — | 62 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 4 | 47 | 4 | — | 67 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 7 | 84 | 12 | — | 129 | Good |
| 2021 | 8 | 136 | 7 | — | 174 | Good |
| 2020 | 13 | 225 | 20 | — | 304 | Caution |
| 2019 | 6 | 303 | 14 | — | 349 | Caution |
| 2018 | 8 | 194 | 25 | — | 268 | Caution |
| 2017 | 3 | 256 | 35 | — | 335 | Caution |
| 2016 | 2 | 133 | 4 | — | 147 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 118 | 4 | — | 129 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 33 | 6 | — | 45 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 45 | 1 | — | 47 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 1 | 85 | 36 | — | 160 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 54 | 4 | — | 62 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 0 | 40 | 6 | — | 52 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 23 | 3 | — | 32 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 4 | 78 | 12 | 2 | 124 | Good |
| 2007 | 2 | 117 | 3 | — | 129 | Good |
| 2006 | 5 | 198 | 12 | 3 | 252 | Caution |
| 2005 | 4 | 193 | 8 | — | 221 | Good |
| 2004 | 4 | 193 | 37 | — | 279 | Caution |
| 2003 | 6 | 398 | 47 | 1 | 515 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 3 | 211 | 29 | 4 | 298 | Caution |
| 2001 | 9 | 374 | 41 | — | 483 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 9 | 532 | 30 | 1 | 624 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 7 | 591 | 34 | 1 | 685 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 4 | 527 | 15 | 1 | 574 | Avoid |
| 1997 | 5 | 592 | 41 | 3 | 704 | Avoid |
All 30 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Expedition Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Expedition models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Expedition units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Expedition models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Expedition should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1997 Ford Expedition if possible. It has 5 recalls, 592 owner complaints, and 3 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 704 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Expedition to buy?+
The 2025 Ford Expedition is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 28. It has only 4 recalls and 14 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Expedition has the fewest problems?+
The 2025, 2009, 2014 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Expedition Research
Check a Specific Ford Expedition VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →