Is the 2021 Ford EXPEDITION reliable?

The 2021 Ford EXPEDITION has 263 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Ford EXPEDITION?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (90 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (55 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (28 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Ford EXPEDITION?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACT, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, ENGINE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:CENTER CONSOLE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Ford EXPEDITION?

The 2021 Ford EXPEDITION gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Ford EXPEDITION?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Ford EXPEDITION is approximately $1,735/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.

2021 Ford EXPEDITION

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ford EXPEDITION has 263 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 163. The most common issue is transmission problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: while accelerating on a busy tollway, the automatic transmission got stuck in 6th gear. the car then began to slow down, and the gear display went blank. this put my safety and the safety of others at risk, as it happened in the left lane of a busy, high-speed tollway. the local dealership refused t. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 4 crash reports 5 injuries

263

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

90 complaints

34%

• While accelerating on a busy tollway, the automatic transmission got stuck in 6th gear. The car then began to slow down, and the gear display went blank. This put my safety and the safety of others at risk, as it happened in the left lane of a busy, high-speed tollway. The local dealership refused t
• The vehicle transmission has failed, potentially do to towing (the vehicle is supposed to be towable) I bought the vehicle to be able to tow behind our RV. We took a trip last July from Thousand Oaks, CA up through 5 national parks all of the way to Glacier National Park in Montana. The vehicle a
• Went to accelerate on on ramp and vehicle was not able to accelerate.

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

“While accelerating on a busy tollway, the automatic transmission got stuck in 6th gear. The car then began to slow down, and the gear display went blank. This put my safety and the safety of others at risk, as it happened in the left lane of a busy, high-speed tollway. The local dealership refused t”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Ford EXPEDITION

Based on 52 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 64K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 53K mi · 9 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 (12)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACT15/10/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Ford EXPEDITION

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/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 2021 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

$1,735

Full coverage / month

$145

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+4%

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 age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1735

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 2021 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 263 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: While accelerating on a busy tollway, the automatic transmission got stuck in 6th gear. The car then began to slow down, and the gear display went blank. This put my safety and the safety of others at risk, as it happened in the left lane of a busy, high-speed tollway. The local dealership refused t
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the soy-based electrical wires had been damaged by rodents. The manufacturer was n
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The contact owned a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the soy-based electrical wires had been damaged by rodents. The manufacturer was n
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)