2021 Ford Expedition El
Common Problems
Ranked from 81 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
15 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.
- 1
Transmission Jerky Shifting and Hard Shifts
36complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences jerky shifting and hard shifts, causing the vehicle to lurch and lose power.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Transmission Loss of Power During Acceleration
12complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to provide adequate power during acceleration, causing the vehicle to lose speed and potentially stall.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Vehicle Acceleration Issues
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe vehicle experiences issues with acceleration, including losing power and failing to respond to the gas pedal.
- 5
Transmission Clunking and Random Shifting
8complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission produces a clunking noise and experiences random shifting, leading to a loss of control and potential safety risks.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Fuel Pump Failure
6complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe fuel pump fails without warning, leaving the vehicle stranded and posing a risk of collision.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Transmission Failure and Repeated Repairs
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently fails and requires multiple repairs, leading to significant inconvenience and potential safety risks.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine Malfunction During High-Speed Driving
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine malfunctions at high speeds, causing the vehicle to lose power or decelerate unexpectedly.
- 9
Engine recall repair delays
4complaintsMedium severityEngineMultiple recalls for engine issues require unavailable parts, causing delays in repair.
- 10
Check Engine Light and Catalytic Converter Issues
3complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe check engine light illuminates, indicating issues with the catalytic converter and fuel system performance.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine Fire Risk
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThere is a risk of engine fires, especially during underhood recalls, posing a significant safety hazard.
- 12
Engine Shutting Off During Operation
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly shuts off during operation, leaving the vehicle undrivable.
- 13
Unreliable Backup Camera
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe backup camera malfunctions, displaying a black screen or not working properly, posing a safety hazard.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Backup camera system failures
2complaintsMedium severityOtherBackup camera and 360 view systems intermittently fail, creating visibility hazards.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Exterior Lighting Issues
2complaintsLow severityOtherLED daytime running lights on the passenger side headlight fade and have a purple hue, affecting visibility.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
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.