2020 Ford Expedition
The Verdict
The 2020 Ford Expedition has 425 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (233 complaints) and body (99 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 32/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Expedition, consider the 2009 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 93% fewer complaints
View the 2009 Ford Expedition dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 6
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Navigator vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 20V262. The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collisio...
Risk
Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The front passenger seatbelt buckle's Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) may malfunction and may result in the seat occupant being m...
Risk
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide the intended level of protection, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. ...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The seat belt tension sensor may incorrectly classify a child occupant as an adult.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the incorrect classification would enable the passenger air bag to deploy instead of disabling it, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numb...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficie...
Risk
An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-43...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with camera-only Pre-Collision Assist feature. Vehicles built with the optional radar-pl...
Risk
If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram software for the Body Control Module, Antilock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster and Headlamp Control Modules, and reset the Tire Pressure...
Reported Aug 5, 2020
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 480 | 30 | 244 | 163 | 39 |
| 2001 | 254 | 23 | 133 | 159 | 41 |
| 2002 | 135 | 23 | 62 | 143 | 25 |
| 2003 | 177 | 84 | 135 | 205 | 51 |
| 2004 | 94 | 40 | 70 | 70 | 23 |
| 2005 | 62 | 13 | 51 | 158 | 31 |
| 2006 | 68 | 13 | 24 | 180 | 14 |
| 2007 | 84 | 28 | 20 | 63 | 20 |
| 2008 | 74 | 31 | 12 | 17 | 12 |
| 2009 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 2010 | 27 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 10 |
| 2011 | 29 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 18 |
| 2012 | 28 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 61 |
| 2013 | 27 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 41 |
| 2014 | 16 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 28 |
| 2015 | 41 | 7 | 45 | 49 | 22 |
| 2016 | 61 | 47 | 33 | 48 | 28 |
| 2017 | 95 | 72 | 88 | 61 | 41 |
| 2018 | 83 | 10 | 43 | 123 | 122 |
| 2019 | 152 | 7 | 41 | 139 | 179 |
| 2020 | 99 | 5 | 31 | 57 | 233 |
| 2021 | 54 | 4 | 14 | 68 | 98 |
| 2022 | 54 | 7 | 20 | 23 | 12 |
| 2023 | 31 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| 2024 | 49 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 3 |
| 2025 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
My car is a 2020 Ford Expedition Max with under 39,000 miles. A major transmission issue was just discovered while getting the 40,000 mile service. I believe it is the same issue as described under Recall 26S48. The car suddenly shifted into Neutral while driving on the freeway two separate times. The car is currently at the dealership, they got a P07E code, but did not experience the issue themselves.
The little cubby in my car where I keep my phone charger literally sliced the side of my finger open. I was just reaching in there like I normally would, and somehow the edge caught my finger and cut it so badly that it took a piece of the side of my finger off. I never would have imagined something as simple as reaching into the little compartment in my car could cause an injury like that. It happened so quickly, and it honestly caught me completely off guard. Now I’m sitting here with my finger hurting, wondering how something in my own car could be sharp enough to do that much damage!
The 10 speed transmission has ALWAYS slipped and never shifted correclty. Taken to shop multiple times and was told thats just how the transmission changes on the newer Ford 10 speed transmissions. Had the car 3 years and now I got a code saying the transmission is slipping in between 9-10 gears and 3-4 gears. The truck has ALWAYS done it but now it's gotten worse and no WARRANTY. Looks like THOUSANDS or millions have this problem and no clue how I'm responsible for a faulty transmission Ford knows is bad on their side. Terrible customer service where this is not fixed under a recall until the warranty is out and UNABLE to fix now. UNACCEPTABLE! If Ford would've fixed it earlier before it was completely gone, I'd have my $10,000 back. And why does Ford have a transmission that most transmission shops will not work on and costs that much money to replace. I'm DONE with Ford and their products!
When the vehicle is in motion, the transmission shifts very hard (with a loud audible "bang") between gears 4 and 5, and intermittently power is lost to the wheels (again, while the vehicle is in motion, you depress the accelerator, the engine revs up, but the vehicle does not accelerate). Once you brake and come to a stop, the vehicle accelerates properly again.
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the driver airbag assembly on my 2020 Ford Expedition. The driver-side steering wheel airbag cover has split open along the factory tear seam to the point that the airbag material is exposed. There was no collision or airbag deployment associated with this failure. Ford previously issued SSM 50786 concerning 2018–2021 Ford Expeditions and other Ford vehicles with cracked or splitting driver airbag covers. That communication states that the condition may occur at the airbag cover tear seam and that an updated driver airbag assembly with a more robust cover design was released. My vehicle has experienced the same type of failure described in that Ford communication. I contacted my Ford dealer and Ford Motor Company. Ford stated that my VIN is not covered by a recall or other applicable coverage and declined to pay for the repair because the vehicle is outside the warranty period. Ford opened case number CXH-09566474-R5G5K1. My concern is not simply cosmetic damage. The failure involves the driver Supplemental Restraint System, and the airbag is visibly exposed through the separated cover. I am concerned about whether the damaged cover could affect proper airbag deployment, create unintended debris during deployment, or otherwise compromise the safety performance of the driver airbag system. I am asking NHTSA to review this condition and determine whether there is a broader safety defect involving the driver airbag cover/tear seam on 2018–2021 Ford Expeditions and whether additional investigation or corrective action is warranted.
Was trying to merge into traffic by accelerating but the transmission was not shifting properly or slipping which caused me to almost be in a wreck due to this problem. Took vehicle to dealer and was told the transmission needs replaced due to a cdf drum inside transmission. Said there is a tsb for the issue but no recall. Said it's a known issue but I have to pay for a new transmission. Also have issues with the park brake setting while still moving which will also damage the transmission and there is a recall for that but no remedy yet. Why would I put a new transmission in and pay for it when it still has the park brake issue that will damage the new transmission. Afraid to drive the vehicle with these problems but paid a huge amount of money for it to just sit in the driveway
In 2025, our 2020 Ford Expedition had harsh, erratic shifting, then would lurch during shifts or lose power. Ford service replaced the valve body plate and reset the transmission software. This did not fix the harsh shifting; it only cleared the warning lights when the harsh shifting occurred. Now in 2026, shifting and gear sticking have continued to get worse, and now Ford says we need a new transmission, but it is now conveniently out of warranty. This is an issue the dealership was not transparent with us about; it is a safety issue when driving, and now the costs are intended to be completely out of pocket for us.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50-55 MPH and approaching the interstate, the roof molding detached from the vehicle. The driver and the contact became aware that the passenger’s side was loosened and were concerned another portion or component of the molding might detach. The mounting retainer was still in place. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was confirmed that there were no recalls or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The contact provided an estimate for the repair. The issue was normal usage and wear and tear. The customer service was contacted by phone and informed the contact that it was normal wear and tear after speaking with the dealer and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 97,500.
While operating the vehicle, the seatbelt retractor unexpectedly misfired and deployed with explosive force directly adjacent to my left ear. As a military veteran who already manages service-connected tinnitus, the concussive sound—comparable to a gunshot—significantly aggravated my condition, resulting in elevated ringing and heightened health impacts. Furthermore, the seatbelt mechanism is now permanently locked in a compromised position. This creates an unsafe driving environment, as it squeezes me tightly against the seat and distances me improperly from the steering wheel. This failure has severely impacted multiple aspects of my daily life: Professional Impact: My role as a Security Project Manager requires frequent travel between various operational sites. The current condition of the vehicle makes commuting unsafe and directly impedes my ability to perform my job duties. Health & Lifestyle: The physical discomfort, combined with the severe aggravation of my pre-existing ear condition and the general disruption to my family's routine, has caused significant distress. Following the incident, I contacted Ford frontline support, documented the situation, and received a case number. I was advised to bring this case number to my local Ford service department to secure a courtesy vehicle or loaner. They could not provide loaner and has sent me to Hertz As a loyal, repeat Ford customer who has purchased multiple vehicles from the brand. Given the safety implications and the disruption to my work and health, I request immediate assistance regarding a safe, long-term resolution and appropriate temporary transportation.
The aluminum around the cup holders has been peeling for over a year. It sliced my finger and my [XXX] foot. It is VERY sharp and I am currently holding it down with tape. There is a safety recall but no solution. When will there be a solution for this? Next, all my seatbelts immediately lock once retracted out to buckle. This makes moving around in the seat hard since it automatically locks and when trying to buckle. If you don’t pull it out far enough to buckle, it will lock where it is and you have to retract it back to unlock it. There is a recall for this too with the front seat belts but it specifically happens with my back seatbelts. This has happened since I bought the car in 2020z INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle regularly shifts harshly, and on multiple occasions has completely lost power/forward movement as if the transmission completely disconnected from the vehicle. The vehicle would then reengage with a harsh lurch. Almost rear-ended a few times with children in car. Ford dealer states transmission needs replacement, but ford motor company refuses to financially assist with repair despite this seeming to be a manufacturer or engineering defect. Although I answered “no” to the question if there was a crash below, it was close.
Beginning XXX, the vehicle's restraints control module repeatedly warned of a fault with the passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioner circuit, via in-vehicle warning light and Ford app alert. This warning recurred on XXX, and again on XXX, each instructing the owner to contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible. On XXX, the vehicle was brought to Clement Ford in [XXX] for diagnosis. Service technician [XXX] confirmed via text message that the diagnostic codes were secondary codes tied to the open recall for the seatbelt pretensioners, and stated that "the pretensioners have been placed on hold for that recall." The technician advised the owner to wait until the recall remedy was released, have the recall repair completed, and verify the concern was resolved at that time. On XXX, the owner again contacted [XXX], this time in connection with a required state safety inspection for license plate renewal. The vehicle passed the safety inspection. In the same exchange, the owner again asked about the open recall, and [XXX] confirmed in writing: "The seatbelt recall is on hold and can not be done at this moment... nothing can be performed at this time. We are just waiting on Ford to get things going." No interim repair, part replacement, or other remedy was offered or performed on either occasion. On XXX, at approximately 1:40 PM, at 79,000 miles, while driving with the engine on and under normal conditions — no collision or impact event — the front passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioner deployed inadvertently. The deployment produced a loud explosion-like sound and a strong odor resembling gunfire/gunpowder. The belt immediately locked tight across the occupant's chest and would not retract or extend, causing an abrasion injury to their arm. This is the exact failure mode described in NHTSA Recall 26V344: driver and/or front passenger seatbelt retractor INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The parking pawl is engaging during speeds of about 25-30 mph when switching gears. This happens randomly at times and puts everyone in my car at risk because I lose all horsepower to my car. I have to wait until my car drops to about 20 mph to begin accelerating again. The component has not been inspected but does have a current recall. However upon speaking with Ford representatives the remedy will not be available until after April of 2027. I have had the car read for codes and the code stated that it was stuck in park. This is also causing damage to my transmission as it is now skipping gears and showing shifter sensor error. This started to appear around 8/21/2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the transmission independently shifted into park(P), and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with a recall. The contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive with the unrepaired recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, parts were unavailable for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the parts to be available. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway and shifting into park(P), the parking brake engaged independently, causing the vehicle to jerk into park. The failure was intermittent. The following morning, the gear shifter shifted hard into reverse(R) while attempting to reverse out of the driveway. While driving at lower speeds under 50 MPH and coasting forward, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact attempted to continue driving but the vehicle slightly jolted forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there were metal shavings inside the transmission. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
During 2025/early 2026 the chrome peeled up around the center console. We carefully folded it back down, thinking it was just tape. I was cut twice across finger tips during this time. Then we got the recall notice from Ford in June 2026. It seems ridiculous that Ford will take (anticipated) up to 9 months from date of notice to find remedy for this problem. It's clearly a safety hazard. We have been forced more than once to use snippers to trim away peeling edges to prevent further injury.
The transmission malfunctioned at highway speed on the highway. When traveling on the highway at approximately 45 mph in the middle lane, I accelerated moderately to reach 65 mph to safely change lanes. While accelerating to change lanes, the transmission dropped the gear and banged violently, causing temporary loss of forward drive and steering, causing excessive swerving. The collision warning system was beeping since the transmission surge was so violent. The vehicle has been into the dealer for transmission warranty repair before this issue. This issue has occurred three times since the repair. I have taken the vehicle in multiple times to correct the recurring error, but the dealer is claiming they can't reproduce the issue. The vehicle is now out of warranty, and they are claiming there is no issue.
My 2020 Ford Expedition has an open Ford safety recall 26S34 involving the front seat belt retractor/pretensioner. My driver’s seat belt is now completely unusable (shredded and locked in place), making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Ford and the dealership have confirmed that the recall applies to my vehicle, but I have been told the permanent recall part is currently unavailable. I was told that if I want a functioning driver’s seat belt while waiting for the recall part, I must pay out of pocket to have a temporary/older part installed. I explained to Ford that I cannot safely operate the vehicle without a functioning driver’s seat belt and asked what no-cost solution Ford would provide while its recall remedy is unavailable. I requested either a covered temporary repair or alternate transportation and asked for the matter to be escalated. Ford customer service refused to transfer me to a supervisor, and the representative ultimately disconnected the call. I am requesting NHTSA review whether Ford is meeting its obligations under this safety recall when an affected vehicle currently has an unusable driver’s restraint, the recall remedy is unavailable, and the owner is being required to pay out of pocket to restore a functioning restraint while waiting. Ford Case #CXH09305259
My name is [XXX] [XXX] and i own a 2020 Ford Expedition Limited Max, there is a recall to inspect transmission recall#26S48/26V402. I contacted Ford dealer and stated there is no fix yet, I asked them what do i do in the meantime, stated i have to wait until Ford figures out the fix. So, in the meantime, we have to continue driving this vehicle with this known issue/safety concern and hope that it does not do it again and cause an accident or god forbid something happen to my family. This is my wife's daily driver with our 4 kids; the vehicle has done this twice where it goes into park while still driving on its own. Luckily both times we were only going about 15MPH, had to turn the vehicle off to be able to turn it back on. This cannot be good for the transmission; the transmission constantly slips i believe as a result now and when i try to accelerate quickly it hesitates. If i wasn't going to be upside down i would trade it in but unfortunately i can not at the moment. I would like to see something done to fix the issues with this vehicle. Aside from this i have had constant AC issues, the center console trim cut my wife's finger, the running boards sometimes come out, it's an ongoing battle with this vehicle. I would for Ford to fix these issues or buy the vehicle back. Please let me know something, rather it be to fix these issues or buy it back, if i don't hear backi will be consulting a lawyer next. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Recurring dangerous transmission defect in my 2020 Ford Expedition (3.5L EcoBoost, 10-speed 10R80, ~136,826 mi). It has lost power and shifted violently multiple times, each a crash risk. 1) ~Aug 22, 2026: Accelerating to pass on the highway, the whole vehicle shut down. I lost all power INCLUDING power steering and had to coast off the road. It restarted after stopping. Losing power and steering while passing at speed is extremely dangerous. 2) Weekend of ~Aug 29-31, 2026: Going up a slight residential driveway, the transmission slipped (engine revved, vehicle didn't move) then slammed into gear with a hard jolt. 3) Another time, accelerating to pass, it made an extremely loud bang and violent jolt; I thought the transmission had failed. ONGOING since I bought it used (June 2023): it repeatedly slams/clunks hard into gear, including while just coasting down a slight grade with NO foot on gas or brake, jolting violently as if it dropped into Park. This is not just my vehicle. The 10R80 transmission (2020 Expedition, F-150, etc.) has many complaints for the same thing (sudden downshifts, power loss, harsh shifting, slipping) and is subject to a class action (filed 4/2023, MA) covering 2017-present F-150/Expedition/Mustang/Ranger/Navigator, alleging Ford knew since 2018. I raised this repeatedly with Ford and two dealerships and was told there were no recalls and no known issue. Ford's open recall 26S48 (26V402) is only about the PARKING system and does NOT cover this loss-of-power/violent-shift behavior. Please investigate.
425 total