The Lemon Index2019 Ford Expedition.
The 2019 Ford Expedition is better than average by owner complaints: 60 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 68, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 11 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 517 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Expedition year. 2019 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 52K to 95K miles on the car (191 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 46K–97K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 54K–82K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 68K–111K miles
Recalls 11
- 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 11 recalls
- electrical 2025
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
- 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.
- 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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
- suspension 2019
The rear suspension toe link fasteners may not have been properly tightened to the frame, possibly allowing separation from the frame.
- seats 2019
Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms.
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 150 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 2017-2019 F-150 and 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost…
- Some 2017-2019 F-150 and 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 1-Apr-2019…
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
- ClosedSeat belt pretensioner inadvertent deployment2023–2024
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 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Expedition SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 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
My vehicle started jumping gears. It felt like I was manually changed gear.
2019 Ford Expedition owner · NHTSA complaint 11448925
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Ford Expedition reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 68; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Expedition year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2019 Ford Expedition problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (30%), engine (18%) and suspension (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Expedition have?
11 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 2019 Ford Expedition get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 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 2019 Ford Expedition problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 52,000 and 95,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 191 complaints.
Does the 2019 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 30% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Ford Expedition cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Ford Expedition have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Expedition year is better than the 2019?
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