Head-to-head reliability
FORD Mustang vs FORD Expedition
How the FORD Mustang 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 Mustang vs FORD Expedition: The Mustang averages 291 complaints per year with 5 deaths, while the Expedition averages 194 complaints per year with 0 deaths. Mustang owners report transmission slamming and engine misfires; Expedition owners report engine fires and highway vibrations. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Mustang or FORD Expedition more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Mustang
The Ford Mustang, especially the 2018 model, shows a pattern of engine misfires and transmission harshness. Owners report sporadic misfires in the EcoBoost engine and the 10R80 transmission slamming or slipping. Electrical issues like a black rearview camera and a touchscreen that fails in cold weather add to the ownership headaches. With 291 complaints per year and 5 deaths, it's a high-maintenance sports car.
FORD Expedition
The Ford Expedition, particularly the 2025 model, suffers from severe vibrations at highway speeds and engine fires. Owners report a strong vibration over 60 mph and a 2023 model catching fire with only 6,197 miles. Electrical problems like trailer module communication loss and unintended turn signal activation are common. With 194 complaints per year and 0 deaths, it's a large SUV with serious reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Mustang | FORD Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,913 | 1,944 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 61 Better | 88 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 159 | 60 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 291.3 | 194.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 105 Better | 118 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 5 | 0 Better |
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 Mustang
- 01AIR BAGS912
- 02POWER TRAIN435
- 03ENGINE327
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM294
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER273
Air bag issues dominate with 912 complaints, including a recall for passenger-side frontal inflator module. Owners may face non-deployment or unexpected deployment, a critical safety risk.
The 10R80 transmission in the 2018 Mustang GT slams, slips, and jumps in and out of gear on the highway. The EcoBoost engine has sporadic misfires with check engine lights, causing rough idle and power loss.
Engine misfires are common, especially cylinder 3 and random misfires in the EcoBoost. Carbon buildup and rough idle at startup are reported, leading to persistent check engine lights.
The rearview camera displays a black screen (recall 25V572000) and the touchscreen fails below 70°F, disabling safety features like backup camera and climate controls.
FORD Expedition
- 01POWER TRAIN721
- 02ENGINE358
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER222
- 05SERVICE BRAKES129
The 2025 Expedition Max has a strong vibration over 60 mph from the drivetrain, making highway driving challenging. Recalls for connecting rod and cup plug inspections indicate engine component concerns.
A 2023 Expedition caught fire at 6,197 miles while driving, with smoke entering the cabin. Recalls for connecting rod and cup plug inspections suggest potential engine failure risks.
The trailer module may lose communication at startup, disabling trailer stop lamps and turn signals. Brake failure with all warning lights on has been reported, nearly causing a crash.
Unintended left turn signal activation occurs after a right turn, spontaneously activating the left signal. Ford acknowledged this as a safety risk, miscommunicating driver intent to other drivers.
“I purchased a new 2025 Ford Expedition Max. Since I left the dealer’s lot, the vehicle has had a strong vibration at any speed over 60 miles per hour, which makes highway driving and longer distance trips very challenging or impossible. Since I bought the veh…”
“2025 Expedition Safety Recalls* Transit custom passenger airbag replacement Recall incomplete Connecting rod inspection Recall incomplete 3.5L engine cup plug inspection Recall incomplete As no RECALLS are or have been reported for this vehicle, this REPORT I…”
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 Mustang — 61 recalls
The defect: Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may be manufactured incorrectly, possibly causing damage to the fuel lines and resul…
The risk: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Roush will notify the known owners and replace the defective fuel rail subassemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874. Roush's number for this recall is REMay201…
The defect: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the op…
The risk: Without a visual or audible warning to the driver that the vehicle is in PARK, the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for…
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 May 2026. Owners may contact…
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 May 2026. Owners may contact…
FORD Expedition — 88 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may los…
The risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of…
The risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expec…
The fix: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall…
Buyer analysis
FORD Mustang or FORD Expedition: which should you buy?
The Expedition has fewer complaints per year (194 vs 291) and no deaths, but its issues include engine fires and severe vibrations. The Mustang has more complaints and 5 deaths, but its problems are more about drivability and electronics. Neither is trouble-free, but the Expedition's lower complaint rate and zero fatalities make it slightly less risky.
Key differences
- Mustang has 291 complaints/year vs Expedition's 194, but Mustang has 5 deaths vs Expedition's 0.
- Mustang's top issue is air bags (912 complaints); Expedition's top is power train (721 complaints).
- Mustang suffers from transmission slamming and engine misfires; Expedition has engine fires and highway vibrations.
- Expedition has 88 recalls vs Mustang's 61, indicating more widespread safety campaigns.
- Check for engine misfires and rough idle, especially in EcoBoost models; test drive for transmission slamming or slipping.
- Verify rearview camera and touchscreen function in cold weather; ensure recall 25V572000 is completed.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for vibrations; check for any signs of engine fire damage or smoke smell.
- Inspect trailer module operation and test turn signals; verify all recalls (connecting rod, cup plug, air bag) are done.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles using VIN; ensure all open recalls are completed.
- Test drive the Mustang at various speeds and listen for transmission noises; check for check engine light.
- Test drive the Expedition at highway speeds (60+ mph) to detect vibrations; inspect engine bay for leaks or damage.
- Verify all electrical systems: Mustang's touchscreen and camera, Expedition's turn signals and trailer module.
- Review service history for engine misfires (Mustang) or engine fires (Expedition); ask about any prior repairs.
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 Mustang | FORD Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 140 | 435 |
| 2018 | 182 | 353 |
| 2017 | 257 | 351 |
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 Mustang or FORD Expedition in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Mustang vs FORD Expedition
- FORD Mustang total complaints
- 2,913
- FORD Expedition total complaints
- 1,944
- FORD Mustang total recalls
- 61
- FORD Expedition total recalls
- 88
- FORD Mustang avg complaints/year
- 291.3
- FORD Expedition avg complaints/year
- 194.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Expedition
- FORD Mustang top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD Expedition top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN