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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2019 Ford Expedition El
Common Problems

Ranked from 177 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

2
Safety
8
High severity
2
Medium
2 problems on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

12 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Transmission Shifting Issues

    59complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission experiences hard, jerky, and delayed shifting, leading to loss of motive power and stalling.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  2. 2

    Seat Belt Deployment Issues

    39complaints
    Safety riskOther

    The passenger seat belt retractor deploys inadvertedly or fails to extend properly, posing a safety risk.

  3. 3

    Engine Rattling and Knocking

    31complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine produces a persistent rattling and knocking sound, especially upon starting or reaching operating temperature.

  4. 4

    Engine Cam Phaser Failures

    20complaints
    High severityEngine

    Cam phasers fail, causing abnormal engine sounds, hesitation, and occasional loss of power.

    $900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  5. 5

    Stop-Start System Failure

    16complaints
    High severityElectrical

    The stop-start system intermittently fails to restart the engine, leaving the vehicle inoperable.

    $150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  6. 6

    Transmission Slipping and Stalling

    15complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission frequently slips, stalls, and fails to engage properly, leading to loss of power and potential accidents.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  7. 7

    Transmission Randomly Disengages During Acceleration

    11complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission randomly disengages during acceleration, causing the vehicle to lose power and requiring a forced re-engagement.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  8. 8

    Suspension Strut Failure

    8complaints
    High severitySuspension

    Four struts are leaking and causing erratic handling, especially on rough roads.

    $500–$1,200est. strut/shock replacement (pair) · 2–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  9. 9

    Cam Phaser Failure

    4complaints
    High severityEngine

    The cam phasers fail, causing abnormal engine sounds and reduced power.

    $900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  10. 10

    Seat belt retractor failure leading to seat belt lock-up

    4complaints
    Safety riskOther

    Seat belt retractors fail, causing the seat belts to lock up and become unusable, increasing the risk of injury in a collision.

  11. 11

    Headlights Provide Poor Visibility

    2complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Headlights provide poor visibility, especially at night or in low light conditions, affecting the driver's ability to see adequately.

    $100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  12. 12

    Transmission Overheating

    2complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission overheats during operation, leading to potential failure and requiring immediate attention.

    $150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

Other years & sources

2015 Ford Expedition El2016 Ford Expedition El2017 Ford Expedition El2018 Ford Expedition El2021 Ford Expedition ElAll NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.