Is the 2016 Ford EXPEDITION reliable?

The 2016 Ford EXPEDITION has 274 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford EXPEDITION?

Top problems: BRAKES (52 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (40 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (36 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford EXPEDITION?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Ford EXPEDITION?

The 2016 Ford EXPEDITION gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford EXPEDITION?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford EXPEDITION is approximately $1,520/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ford EXPEDITION

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford EXPEDITION has 274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 163. The most common issue is brakes problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: my 2016 ford expedition el ltd v-6 3.5l with 354 odometer miles produced 4 minor prelude engine surges within a couple hours on the roadways before it went full throttle 5 times within a couple minutes. it suddenly, and without warning, ran down my wife after squishing her against the garage-bedroo. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 8 crash reports 4 injuries

274

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

52 complaints

19%

• MY 2016 FORD EXPEDITION EL LTD V-6 3.5L WITH 354 ODOMETER MILES PRODUCED 4 MINOR PRELUDE ENGINE SURGES WITHIN A COUPLE HOURS ON THE ROADWAYS BEFORE IT WENT FULL THROTTLE 5 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES. IT SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAN DOWN MY WIFE AFTER SQUISHING HER AGAINST THE GARAGE-BEDROO
• LEASED CAR 11/2016. ON 1-6-16, COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER, NO WARNING, NO WARNING LIGHTS. SUDDEN. AVOIDED COLLISION. DEALER FOUND VACUUM PUMP FAILURE, FIXED. THEN HAPPENED AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER 2-2-16, AGAIN ACCIDENT AVOIDED. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR W/O ANY PRESSURE. I AM TOLD BY CUST SERVICE THAT
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPEDITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVEN AFTER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT FULL ACCELE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“MY 2016 FORD EXPEDITION EL LTD V-6 3.5L WITH 354 ODOMETER MILES PRODUCED 4 MINOR PRELUDE ENGINE SURGES WITHIN A COUPLE HOURS ON THE ROADWAYS BEFORE IT WENT FULL THROTTLE 5 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES. IT SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAN DOWN MY WIFE AFTER SQUISHING HER AGAINST THE GARAGE-BEDROO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford EXPEDITION

Based on 168 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 62K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 57K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 38 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 79K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST11/03/2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ford EXPEDITION

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford EXPEDITION

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,520

Full coverage / month

$127

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1520

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford EXPEDITION Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 EXPEDITION, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 274 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: MY 2016 FORD EXPEDITION EL LTD V-6 3.5L WITH 354 ODOMETER MILES PRODUCED 4 MINOR PRELUDE ENGINE SURGES WITHIN A COUPLE HOURS ON THE ROADWAYS BEFORE IT WENT FULL THROTTLE 5 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES. IT SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAN DOWN MY WIFE AFTER SQUISHING HER AGAINST THE GARAGE-BEDROO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY 2016 FORD EXPEDITION EL LTD V-6 3.5L WITH 354 ODOMETER MILES PRODUCED 4 MINOR PRELUDE ENGINE SURGES WITHIN A COUPLE HOURS ON THE ROADWAYS BEFORE IT WENT FULL THROTTLE 5 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES. IT SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAN DOWN MY WIFE AFTER SQUISHING HER AGAINST THE GARAGE-BEDROO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: ON 11-30-2016 WITH CLEAR WEATHER AT ABOUT 3 PM TRAVELING AT TRAFFIC SPEED OF 70 MPH ON I610 SOUTH LOOP EAST HARRIS COUNTY TX (CITY OF HOUSTON) IN THE 3RD LANE RIGHT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER OF 4 LANES, A "WRENCH" ICON COME ON THE DISPLAY AND SAID TO CONTACT THE DEALER. IMMEDIATELY AT THE SA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AROUND JULY 2018 MY EXPEDITION STARTED JUST RANDOMLY CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER GETTING THE CODES READ IT CAME UP AS THE THROTTLE BODY. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND IT SEEMED TO HELP UNTIL ABOUT NOV 2018 THEN INSTEAD OF CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING THE CAR W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)