Decode a Ford Expedition VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
VIN prefix1FM
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Ford Expedition
About the Ford Expedition
Ford has sold the Expedition in the US since the 1997 model year, and there have been five generations. The UN93 came first (1997–2002); U222 (2003–2006), U324 (2007–2017), U553 (2018–2024) followed, and the U717 took over for 2025–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 77 vehicle recall campaigns and 9,341 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the UN93. Its 1999 and 2000 model years alone account for 1,836 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the UN93 at 12–16 mpg combined, while the U717 gets 18–19 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years1997–2026
GenerationsUN93 · U222 · U324 · U553 · U717
NHTSA recall campaigns77
Owner complaints9,341 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Ford Expedition generations
Five generations since the 1997 model year. The UN93 (1997–2002) has the most owner complaints, the U553 (2018–2024) the most recall campaigns (42).
NHTSA has 77 campaigns on file for Expedition model years 1997–2026, and the 2020 shows up in more of them than any other year (18), ahead of the 2018 (14). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2025
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Ford Expedition owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 1999 (946 of 9,341). Tap any bar or generation.
9,341NHTSA complaints, 1997–2026
548mention a crash
709mention a fire
683injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearU717: 46 complaints · most for the 2025 (36)
Forward collision avoidance leads the U717 list with 11 mentions, yet no earlier Expedition generation has it among its six most-mentioned areas. Its first model year, the 2025, drew more complaints than any other (36 of 46).
Top complaint areas · U553
Mentions in 1,789 complaints, 2018–2024.
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)780
Engine and cooling390
Electrical system161
Seat belts159
Structure and body82
Speed control / acceleration73
Crashes 39Fires 21Injuries 122
2018–2024 (U553)
NHTSA data summary
Powertrain owns this generation. Its 780 mentions are more than twice the next area, engine and cooling (390). Complaints peak with the 2019 (506 of 1,789).
Top complaint areas · U324
Mentions in 1,538 complaints, 2007–2017.
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)336
Electrical system262
Brakes213
Engine and cooling195
Speed control / acceleration122
Fuel system111
Crashes 102Fires 37Injuries 107
2007–2017 (U324)
NHTSA data summary
The 2017 stands out. On its own it has 357 of the U324’s 1,538 complaints (23%). By area, nothing stands out. Powertrain leads with 336, with the electrical system (262) and the brakes (213) close behind.
Top complaint areas · U222
Mentions in 1,525 complaints, 2003–2006.
Engine and cooling498
Electrical system250
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)145
Air bags134
Speed control / acceleration116
Brakes113
Crashes 144Fires 63Injuries 172
2003–2006 (U222)
NHTSA data summary
No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the U222’s, at 144 of 1,525 (9.4%, against 5.9% across all Expedition model years). Complaints peak with the 2003, its first model year, at 615 of 1,525. Owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (498 mentions), then electrical system (250).
Top complaint areas · UN93
Mentions in 4,443 complaints, 1997–2002.
Engine and cooling892
Electrical system735
Tires545
Speed control / acceleration505
Suspension450
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)364
Crashes 259Fires 587Injuries 280
1997–2002 (UN93)
NHTSA data summary
Of all Expedition complaints, 48% are for the UN93. Of the six UN93 model years, the 1999 (946) and 2000 (890) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (892 mentions), then electrical system (735).
What Expedition owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2018–2024 (4th generation)
Powertrain complaints lead this generation. NHTSA owners of the 2019 often describe rough or harsh shifting from the 10 speed automatic and a rattle on startup blamed on the cam phasers. CarComplaints lists cam phaser rattle, loss of power while accelerating and failed struts for 2019. Recalls cover front seat belt pretensioners on 2018–2020 models that may fire on their own and lock the belt, and rear suspension toe link fasteners on some 2019 models that may not be tight. [1][2]
2007–2017 (3rd generation)
Complaints are moderate for this long generation. CarComplaints ranks fuel pump failure first for 2007, followed by paint falling off the tailgate and peeling paint. On the 2017, NHTSA complaints most often involve the brakes and the backup camera. Recalls cover brake master cylinders on 2016–2017 models with the 3.5L EcoBoost that may leak fluid into the booster and reduce front braking, and front blower motors on 2015–2017 models that may fail and raise the risk of an interior fire. [3][4]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the brake master cylinder and blower motor recalls on 2015–2017 models and the seat belt pretensioner recall on 2018–2020 models.
Ask for transmission and cam phaser repair records.
On a cold start listen for a rattle, and on the drive feel for harsh shifts, test the brake pedal feel and check the backup camera.
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Owner opinions · Reddit
What Ford Expedition owners say on Reddit
Summarized from public threads
Ford Expedition owners on Reddit like it as a roomy family hauler, and many see the 3.5 EcoBoost and 10-speed as less risky than rival GM SUVs, with 2022 and newer trucks called solid. The 2018 to 2020 trucks draw the most complaints, mainly 10R80 transmission failures, including a 2020 with four transmission replacements by about 68,000 miles. Owners also mention cam phaser trouble near 100,000 miles before the 2023 fix, pinion seal leaks, failing power running boards and a poor small overlap crash rating.
Pros
Roomy family hauler that many owners simply love
2022 and newer trucks seen as solid and less troublesome than rival GM SUVs
Some trucks pile up big mileage, like a 2019 Platinum at 160,000 miles
Cons
10R80 transmission failures on 2018 to 2020 trucks
Cam phaser problems around 100,000 miles on pre-2023 EcoBoost engines
Leaking pinion seals and failing power running boards
A poor small overlap crash test rating worries some buyers
EPA lists 97 Expedition versions for model years 1997–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 441 g/mi (2018). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
UN931997–2002
12–16 mpg · CO₂ 555–741 g/mi
U2222003–2006
13–15 mpg · CO₂ 592–684 g/mi
U3242007–2017
13–18 mpg · CO₂ 491–684 g/mi
U5532018–2024
17–20 mpg · CO₂ 441–523 g/mi
U7172025–2026
18–19 mpg · CO₂ 472–501 g/mi
2025
19combined MPG
472CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,550EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
4/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: 2WD · Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo — 19 MPG · 472 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Expedition vs Chevrolet Tahoe vs Toyota Sequoia
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2018–2024. NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns for the Expedition, against 26 for the Chevrolet Tahoe and 12 for the Toyota Sequoia. Pick a range to compare.
Ford ExpeditionU324
Model years 2007–2017
NHTSA recall campaigns
13
NHTSA owner complaints
1,538
EPA combined mpg
13–18
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5 L · 8-cyl 5.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 336
Electrical system 262
Brakes 213
Chevrolet Tahoe
Model years 2007–2017
NHTSA recall campaigns
33
NHTSA owner complaints
4,442
EPA combined mpg
14–22
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 4.8–6.2 L
Also listed
hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 1,297
Structure and body 740
Electrical system 552
Toyota Sequoia
Model years 2007–2017
NHTSA recall campaigns
16
NHTSA owner complaints
333
EPA combined mpg
14–16
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 4.6, 4.7, 5.7 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Structure and body 59
Engine and cooling 54
Air bags 41
Ford ExpeditionU553
Model years 2018–2024
NHTSA recall campaigns
42
NHTSA owner complaints
1,789
EPA combined mpg
17–20
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 780
Engine and cooling 390
Electrical system 161
Chevrolet Tahoe
Model years 2018–2024
NHTSA recall campaigns
26
NHTSA owner complaints
1,201
EPA combined mpg
16–24
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 504
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 251
Fuel system 191
Toyota Sequoia
Model years 2018–2024
NHTSA recall campaigns
12
NHTSA owner complaints
111
EPA combined mpg
14–22
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.4 L · 8-cyl 5.7 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Structure and body 24
Electrical system 16
Brakes 13
Ford ExpeditionU717
Model years 2025–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
6
NHTSA owner complaints
46
EPA combined mpg
18–19
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Forward collision avoidance 11
Steering 11
Wheels 8
Chevrolet Tahoe
Model years 2025–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
3
NHTSA owner complaints
75
EPA combined mpg
16–24
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 49
Forward collision avoidance 15
Brakes 11
Toyota Sequoia
Model years 2025–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
2
NHTSA owner complaints
20
EPA combined mpg
20–22
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.4 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Structure and body 4
Air bags 3
Seats 3
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Ford Expedition VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on an Expedition
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
The Expedition carries its VIN on a metal plate at the base of the driver's side windshield. Secondary labels are on the B-pillar and near the rear cargo area. The U717 generation starts with the 2025 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (S for 2025) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Ford Expedition VIN questions
Which Ford Expedition model years have the most owner complaints?
The 1999 leads with 946, ahead of the 2000 (890) and 1997 (853). Those first two alone make up 20% of the 9,341 Expedition complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Ford Expedition had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 77 vehicle campaigns for model years 1997–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, U553 leads with 42. Then come the UN93 (17), U324 (13), U717 (6) and U222 (3), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Ford Expedition recalls are high risk?
07V-541 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 05V-388, 98V-312, 03V-094, 05V-017, 08V-057, 22V-648, 18V-392, 25V-628 and 3 more. Park-outside advisories came with 25V-628 and 22V-346. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Expedition generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the UN93 is 1997–2002 and the U222 2003–2006. U324 spans 2007–2017, U553 2018–2024 and U717 2025–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (S is 2025).
What fuel economy does the Ford Expedition get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2025–2026 U717 at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–16 mpg for the 1997–2002 UN93 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Ford Expedition compare with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia on recalls?
For 2025–2026 models the Expedition has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Chevrolet Tahoe has 3, the Toyota Sequoia 2. Complaints run 46, 75 and 20 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Ford Expedition have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Expedition 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, RWD and 4WD, get that score.
