The Lemon Index2018 Ford Expedition.
The 2018 Ford Expedition is worse than average by owner complaints: 75 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 136, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Ford Expedition year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 382 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Expedition year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 24K to 93K miles on the car (130 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 36K–115K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 33K–100K miles
Recalls 14
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- body structure 2026
The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.
- seat belts 2026
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Show all 14 recalls
- seat belts 2025
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
- brakes 2025
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- seat belts 2024
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
- equipment 2023
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints.
- seats 2018
The second row center seat track assemblies may be missing one or both of the J-Channel reinforcement brackets, possibly allowing the seat to move in the event of a crash.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or fuel leak.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
- visibility 2018
The second row window control modules may intermittently stop the movement of the power window.
- seats 2017
The second row outboard seats may have excessive forward adjustment capability and/or may have an improperly installed bolt that secures the seat back to the seat base.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2017-2019 F-150, 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped…
- Some 2015-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L/2.7L EcoBoost engine…
- Some 2018-2019 Explorer/Expedition/F-150/F-Super Duty/Taurus vehicles equipped with a forward…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSeat belt retractor pretensioner inadvertent deployment2024–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Expedition SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Expedition SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Expedition EL EXTENDED SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Expedition EL EXTENDED SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
I was backing up and the truck took off without my foot on the gas pedal. I have about 15k in damage to my vehicle. I have found a few others that have had the same problem
2018 Ford Expedition owner · NHTSA complaint 11205021
More owner reports
Transmission shift very hard and bangs. Transmission is currently out and been at the dealer for 2 weeks
NHTSA complaint 11321024
At 20,000 miles of highway driving, both front end struts were leaking and required warranty replacement by dealer. I have since read about many problems with Ford Expedition struts falling prematurely.
NHTSA complaint 11325630
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Ford Expedition reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 136; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Expedition year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Expedition problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (20%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Expedition have?
14 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Expedition get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Ford Expedition safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Expedition problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 24,800 and 93,800 miles. The middle report was at 55,900 miles, from 130 complaints.
Does the 2018 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Ford Expedition cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Ford Expedition have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Expedition year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works