Head-to-head reliability
FORD Bronco vs FORD Expedition
How the FORD Bronco and FORD Expedition compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD Bronco vs FORD Expedition: The Bronco averages 174.5 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Expedition averages 101.9 per year over 10 years. The Bronco has more recalls (103 vs 4) but fewer injuries (28 vs 66). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Bronco or FORD Expedition more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Bronco
The Ford Bronco, in its modern revival, is a rugged off-roader that owners are using as a daily driver. The complaint data shows a vehicle with a high rate of issues per year, averaging 174.5 complaints annually over six years. The most frequent problems cluster around visibility and wipers, engine troubles, and electrical gremlins. Owners report windshield cracks, side mirrors that move on their own, and even engine fires, which are serious safety concerns.
FORD Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV that has been on the market for a decade, with an average of 101.9 complaints per year. The top problem areas are the powertrain, engine, and electrical system. Owners report unintended vehicle movement while in Park, loss of power, and engine smoke, which are alarming and potentially life-threatening. The Expedition also has a higher number of injuries (66) compared to the Bronco (28), despite fewer total complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Bronco | FORD Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,047 | 1,019 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 103 | 4 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 41 | 38 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 174.5 | 101.9 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 28 Better | 66 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
FORD Bronco
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER175
- 02ENGINE170
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM136
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER129
- 05SERVICE BRAKES106
Owners report windshields cracking spontaneously without impact, and side mirrors that change orientation while driving, which can be distracting and dangerous. The blind spot warning system is also inconsistent, making it unreliable.
There are reports of engine fires originating in the passenger side compartment, with one owner noting the vehicle became a total loss. Another fire started near the dashboard while idling, filling the cabin with smoke.
The infotainment system has issues, including hands-free calling that is unintelligible to others after a software update. Side mirror and blind spot issues are also tied to electrical problems.
A fender flare peeled off while driving on the highway, which could have caused an accident. This indicates potential build quality issues with exterior trim.
“The following systems and features have been repeatedly failing in my vehicle, posing a safety hazard: 1) The side view mirrors change orientation automatically while driving. 2) The blind spot warning is inconsistent and is not trustworthy. 3) The infotainme…”
“Went out to start the vehicle one afternoon to notice a Crack from the outside passenger edge by the frame. Nothing hit the windshield and just a single line of Crack spread from one side of the windshield straight across took to ford to be told that while th…”
FORD Expedition
- 01POWER TRAIN304
- 02ENGINE194
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM160
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER113
- 05SERVICE BRAKES103
A serious defect involves unintended vehicle movement: the vehicle shifts into Park but then starts driving on its own after 13-30 seconds. There are also reports of momentary loss of power, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Owners report a funny odor from the vents followed by smoke, indicating a potential fire hazard. The engine may also lose power without warning, and the problem is not reproducible by dealers.
The 'Drive Assist Unavailable' message appears while driving, and the system may not work until the vehicle is restarted. This affects driver assistance features, which are important for safety.
A severe vibration at 70+ mph is felt throughout the SUV, and the dealer has been unable to fix it. Also, the trailer plug door spring is too strong, causing wear on the wiring, which could lead to electrical failure.
“This is a report of a recurring, life-safety defect involving unintended vehicle movement in a 2024 Ford Expedition. The vehicle has experienced two separate incidents where it was placed in 'Park,' remained stationary for 13-30 seconds, and then began drivin…”
“Components: Engine & Power Train Safety Risk: Momentary loss of power Problem has not been reproduced by dealer or independent service center. Vehicle has been inspected by Ford Dealer Joe Cooper Ford in Oklahoma City, OK There were/are no warning lamps, mess…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
FORD Bronco — 103 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco and Bronco Heritage vehicles. The rear quarter glass panels may have been improperly installed to the vehicle hard top, which can allow them to detach.
The risk: Detached rear glass panels may create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the rear glass panels on Bronco vehicles. On Bronco Heritage vehicles, dealers will replace the rear left-hand removable quarter glass panel. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Bronco owner notific…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco 4-door vehicles. The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
The risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock that allows a rear door to be opened unintentionally can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the child safety locks and replace the rear door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
The risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters wer…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
The risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
FORD Expedition — 4 recalls
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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 de…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
The risk: Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer serv…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
The risk: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may con…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distor…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contac…
Buyer analysis
FORD Bronco or FORD Expedition: which should you buy?
The Ford Expedition has fewer complaints per year (101.9) compared to the Bronco (174.5), making it statistically more reliable. However, the Expedition's issues, such as unintended movement and loss of power, are more safety-critical. In practice, the Bronco has more frequent but less severe problems, while the Expedition has fewer but potentially more dangerous ones.
Key differences
- The Bronco has a much higher complaint rate per year (174.5) than the Expedition (101.9), indicating more frequent issues overall.
- The Bronco's top problems are visibility/wipers and engine fires, while the Expedition's are powertrain and unintended movement.
- The Expedition has more injuries (66) despite fewer complaints, suggesting its failures are more likely to cause harm.
- The Bronco has 103 recalls over 6 years, while the Expedition has only 4 recalls over 10 years, showing a stark difference in recall frequency.
- Check the windshield for cracks and ask about any replacements; spontaneous cracking is a common issue.
- Inspect the engine bay for signs of fire damage or unusual smells, and verify that all recalls, especially those related to suspension and transmission, have been performed.
- Test the transmission thoroughly, especially for unintended movement when in Park; check for any service bulletins.
- Look for signs of engine smoke or odors, and ensure the electrical system, including driver assistance features, works consistently.
Before you buy
- Obtain the vehicle's recall history and confirm all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for vibrations or loss of power.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and compare them with the specific vehicle's VIN.
- Ask for maintenance records and any warranty work done.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | FORD Bronco | FORD Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 0 |
| 2025 | 162 | 0 |
| 2024 | 72 | 71 |
| 2023 | 216 | 0 |
| 2022 | 363 | 0 |
| 2021 | 223 | 226 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific FORD Bronco or FORD Expedition in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Bronco vs FORD Expedition
- FORD Bronco total complaints
- 1,047
- FORD Expedition total complaints
- 1,019
- FORD Bronco total recalls
- 103
- FORD Expedition total recalls
- 4
- FORD Bronco avg complaints/year
- 174.5
- FORD Expedition avg complaints/year
- 101.9
- More reliable overall
- FORD Expedition
- FORD Bronco top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- FORD Expedition top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN