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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,072 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford Expedition engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Ford Expedition Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

May 052022

Expedition

  • 16,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the dealer had previously serviced the vehicle under an unknown recall for engine rattle on cold start; however, the failure recurred after the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #25

Apr 042023

Expedition

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, a rattling sound was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the cam phaser needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN, and that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #24

Mar 012018

Expedition

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon a cold engine start, the engine was rattling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact initially had the cam phasers serviced by the dealer under warranty; however, despite the repair, the failure persisted. The contact then received an unknown recall notification, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure worsened. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Eaton, CO, USA

problem #23

Apr 212023

Expedition

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cam Phaser issue after 89,000 miles

- Mint Hill, NC, USA

problem #22

Mar 072023

Expedition

  • miles
Cold Start Rattle. Dealership verified it was the cam phasers.

- Palos Heights, IL, USA

problem #21

Sep 152022

Expedition 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2018 Ford Expedition 3.5L ecoboost. This is an engine and vehicle that is known to be problematic. In 2020 I took my vehicle to the dealership to have the noisy cam phasers fixed, a TSB was found and the parts HL3Z cam phasers were replaced under the powertrain warranty. Now in September of 2022 my vehicle started having issues again with the same problem, since Ford told me that the problem was only noisy and not a mechanical issue I delayed taking it to the dealership until it started having more issues with idle, power, etc. It is then that I find out there was actually an extended warranty/ recall for that issue. Ford is denying my claims saying that my problem was fixed in 2020. The parts it was fixed with are faulty, and redesigned parts were released in late 2020 that have a stiffer spring that allows the oil pressure to hold better than the HL3Z cam phasers, thus preventing the problem. The new parts the ML3C cam phasers are now what Ford is telling me need to be replaced at a $3000 charge, in addition to the timing chain which has been damaged due to the cam phaser issue. Ford needs a recall on vehicles with the faulty HL3Z 6C525 cams not just a vin recall. This is a KNOWN problem for this engine and Ford is doing everything they can to avoid paying for their mistake.

- Whitney, TX, USA

problem #20

Feb 172023

Expedition

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

As the vehicle accelerates it experiences a loss of power randomly at both low speeds and high speeds (like it randomly shifted into neutral) then after letting off the accelerator the vehicles clunks into gear. I experienced this at roughly 60k miles in both 2WD and less frequently in 4WD. It-??s absolutely a safety hazard while driving on the roads.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #19

Feb 082023

Expedition

  • miles
Cam Phaser Replacement. My SUV is in the shop for repair for the same issue addressed in Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03 Cam Phaser Replacement, but my car is not included. It covers the 2018 -2020 Expeditions. I have a 2018 Expedition, but it is not included, and I would like to have it included in the program.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #18

Jan 172023

Expedition

  • 70,015 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The vehicle was previously serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B10 (Powertrain Control Module Reprogram for Cam Phaser Rattle) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine made rattling noises. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Programs: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement) and 21N08 (PCM Reprogram Due to Engine Shudder) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 70,015.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #17

Jul 152022

Expedition

  • miles
While my wife and I were driving with passengers, I accelerated from the on ramp to enter the right lane of an interstate. I had to take my foot off of the gas pedal for maybe 1 second as the sight line became better. When I pressed the gas pedal to accelerate into the lane, NOTHING, no power at all for at least 3 seconds. Alarmed, I released pressure on the gas pedal and tried again, this time the engine and transmission engaged. Having no power in response to pressing the gas pedal was dangerous and frightening in that situation, particularly as there were cars that were closing in from behind in hat lane. This situation occurred a second time in almost the exact same sequence within a week. I thereafter took the vehicle to a Ford dealer. They advised there were no reports in their database and no procedures for the failure. AFTER reviewing how dangerous the event was, the dealer chose to reprogram the control for a charge, invoice and my note thereon is attached. The power failure was complete, as if there were no engine nor transmission. After the reset by Ford there was a different single incident with the powertrain which seems unrelated. While driving in a local town my wife took her foot off the gas pedal but the vehicle continued to accelerate. She braked after which the transmission appeared to "shift" and "reset" and thereafter acted normally. In none of the events was the cruise control engaged, in fact we rarely, if ever use it. The first incident was in July on a family trip, the next early August and after the reprogramming the last incident was the week of October 17, 2022.

- Weston, Ct, CT, USA

problem #16

Sep 202022

Expedition

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the cam phaser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #15

Sep 182022

Expedition

  • miles
While coming to a stop, or already stopped with the Auto Start/Stop system engaged, the vehicle will completely shut down and the message "Auto StartStop Shift to P, then Restart Engine" pops up. After doing that the engine restarts normally. AGM battery was recently replaced and engine starting is strong. This has happened around 3-4 times in the last few weeks, and normally occurs when the engine is still cold in the first couple miles of driving (although temps have been very mild, in the 60's or 70's). I have tried contacting two Ford dealers in my area but both have been unresponsive. One said they can't even take appointments related to powertrain in the next several months and the other will not call me back after leaving repeated messages. Thankfully this has only occurred while stopped or coming to a stop in traffic, but could also happen while making a turn into oncoming traffic.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #14

Sep 052022

Expedition

  • miles
About 20 times now, while I am on the freeway, sometimes when I am coasting, and other times when I am trying to quickly accelerate, my car down shifts out of nowhere and loses power, again either when I am in the fast lane coasting, or trying to merge into traffic. It's like it is going to stall and when I step on the gas, it just revs and doesn't get into gear and go. I have almost been rear ended because I go from 70 to like 40 mph. When I was trying to merge into traffic, I got partially into the other lane and then it just wouldn't go. I could easily have been hit. One time when I was coasting and it did it, a warning came on, and then a check manual, but it went away too fast. I have taken it to the dealer and a repair shop multiple times and they can't replicate it. It could definitely cause an accident as my car suddenly slows down and it won't accelerate. I have to wait about 10-15 seconds until it reengages. It makes aloud clunking/dropping sound as if I ran over something and one time it sounded like a million pebbles were inside my engine and under my car. No diagnostic numbers are coming up and it's like no one knows what I am talking about. But multiple Fords are having this issue and they are not doing anything about it. I took it in during my warranty and now it's out of warranty and I'm going to have to pay for something that they should have repaired from the get go. This is dangerous.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 232022

Expedition

  • miles
If I have to decelerate and then quickly accelerate the car will lose power and restart. This typically happens when I-??m driving on the highway in heavy traffic. I originally thought there was problem with the transmission because it would downshift to 5th gear and clunk (feels like the tranny fell off). It would then try and put itself into park and then power down and restart. The only error code ever given is a parking paw error. This makes sense because transmissions aren-??t supposed to go into park at 70mph. Lately the vehicle is sluggish and doesn-??t respond as I try to accelerate which leads to the shut down restart while moving. I recently read about the class action lawsuit and recall regarding ford throttle bodies in F-150s. The incidents in those reports mirror what I-??ve experienced.

- Monclova, OH, USA

problem #12

Jun 132022

Expedition

  • miles
Driving thru Atlanta traffic stop and go. One time I took off and all of a sudden vehicle jerk and didn-??t go. NExt time it lunged forward. I notice the vehicle shutters between 20-30mph Tried to get a appointment with ford nothing available till august. Went to Panama City shopping the other day with my son he could not believe how bad the vehicle lunges sometimes and sometimes it stalls before take off. Makes me very nervous to drive am I gonna get stranded in heavy traffic ? Call ford they said needs PCM reprogrammed she tried to make appt to no avail. She knew what I was talking bout when I called her.said you need to get it in right of way.Well dealerships say they are months out what do I do now. Ford is a disgrace 80,000 for vehicle and I have had numerous issues

- Port St Joe, FL, USA

problem #11

Apr 192022

Expedition

  • miles
Ford had a recall on this vehicle for Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogram For Cam Phaser Rattle. I returned this vehicle to the dealer on 1/19/20 (37,830 miles on vehicle) the "VCT phasers" were replaced when the parts came in (2/2020). Earlier this month the same "rattle" started again. Returned to dealer on 4/11/22, they reprogramed (21B10) and said it was repaired. It was not and I returned the vehicle to the dealer on 4/19/22. Ford has identified the "rattle" as the same problem, however they are stating that they are NOT responsible because the vehicle is now "out of warranty" (96,229 miles). How does that happen that a vehicle recall that Ford fails to repair in the first place is now not their responsibility to repair?!!!

- Lake Cormorant, MS, USA

problem #10

Mar 212022

Expedition

  • miles
Ford has issued an extended warranty for an issue that is clearly a manufacturing issue within their 3.5 ecoboost engine, currently their program is for the replacement of the cam phasers, but they only replace them if the vehicle is under 70k miles on it, if it's pass that mileage the cost goes to the customer, which seems unfair practice as ford have stated that there is a fault with their cam phasers in the engine, but don't have to do a full recall because they give an "extended" warranty which if the vehicle is pass a certain mileage and of no fault of the customer they are allowed to pass the fault to the customers for a factory problem. This issue should be of concern as it can cause the vehicle to go off time and the engine to lock up and cause accidents, harm or even death.

- Upper Malboro, MD, USA

problem #9

May 182021

Expedition

  • miles
The vehicle "chatters" when starting first thing in the morning and sometimes after it sits for a few hours(when engine has had time to cool down). It started about two months ago. We recently took our Expedition to an independent mechanic to have it checked over prior to a road trip. Their diagnosis was a loose timing chain and their recommendation was to take it to a licensed Ford dealership. I contacted three local Ford dealerships and their estimated next available service dates were between 4 and 6 weeks. Plus they are having problems getting some parts.

- Hallsville, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 292021

Expedition

  • 91,000 miles
2018 Expedition max limited with 91K miles overheated and blew a head gasket sitting in a home depot parking lot.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #7

Feb 252021

Expedition

  • miles
I understand the welds for high pressure fuel pump may fracture. I have already had repaired, running rough on start up plus white smoke from tail pipe. I believe there is another problem occurring, as before in April 2019. It is February 2021, and and running as before. They torn my engine down, keeping for 4-5 days.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

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