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
4 recalls · 592 complaints
41 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Problem score: 701
5 recalls · 591 complaints
34 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 679
5 recalls · 532 complaints
30 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 612
Best Ford Expedition Years to Buy
1 recall · 1 complaint
Main area: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 4
1 recall · 16 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 21
1 recall · 23 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 32
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 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 16 | 1 | — | 21 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 46 | 3 | — | 55 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 3 | 48 | 4 | — | 65 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 6 | 85 | 12 | — | 127 | Good |
| 2021 | 4 | 142 | 7 | — | 168 | Good |
| 2020 | 7 | 228 | 20 | — | 289 | Caution |
| 2019 | 4 | 302 | 16 | — | 346 | Caution |
| 2018 | 8 | 196 | 25 | — | 270 | Caution |
| 2017 | 1 | 261 | 35 | — | 334 | Caution |
| 2016 | 1 | 135 | 4 | — | 146 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 118 | 4 | — | 132 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 33 | 6 | — | 45 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 45 | 1 | — | 47 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 2 | 87 | 36 | — | 165 | 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 | 1 | 117 | 3 | — | 126 | Good |
| 2006 | 3 | 198 | 12 | 3 | 246 | Caution |
| 2005 | 2 | 193 | 8 | — | 215 | Good |
| 2004 | 2 | 191 | 37 | — | 271 | Caution |
| 2003 | 3 | 398 | 47 | 1 | 506 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 2 | 211 | 29 | 4 | 295 | Caution |
| 2001 | 7 | 374 | 41 | — | 477 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 5 | 532 | 30 | 1 | 612 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 5 | 591 | 34 | 1 | 679 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 3 | 527 | 15 | 1 | 571 | Avoid |
| 1997 | 4 | 592 | 41 | 3 | 701 | 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 4 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 4 recalls, 592 owner complaints, and 3 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 701 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Expedition to buy?+
The 2026 Ford Expedition is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 4. It has only 1 recall and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which Expedition has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2009 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.
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