← 20192018 model year2017 β†’
⚑ NHTSA Official DataUpdated: Jun 2026How we calculate this
Notable Issues

2018 Ford Expedition: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict

Shopping for a used 2018 Ford Expedition? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 346 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.

346
Complaints
7
Crashes
2
Fires
21
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
11
Recalls

2018 Ford Expedition Fuel Economy

βœ“ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2018 Ford Expedition trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

17
MPG City
16–17 range
23
MPG Hwy
21–24 range
19
MPG Combined
18–20 range
464
g COβ‚‚/mile
Regular Gasoline
⚠️Costs $5,750 more than avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.

2018 Ford Expedition Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested β€” showing 2018 Ford Expedition SUV 4x4

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

5/5

19.3% rollover risk

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5

19.3% probability

βœ“Stability Control: Standardβ—‹Forward Collision Warning: Optionalβ—‹Lane Departure Warning: Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Ford Expedition has 346 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 11 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.

2018 Ford Expedition β€” key reliability facts
Make
Ford
Model
Expedition
Model year
2018
NHTSA owner complaints
346
Crash-related complaints
7
Safety recall campaigns
11
Top reported component
Transmission / Drivetrain
Reliability signal
Notable Issues
EPA MPG combined
19
EPA MPG city / highway
17 / 23
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
NHTSA overall safety rating
5/5 stars
NHTSA frontal crash rating
5/5 stars
NHTSA side crash rating
5/5 stars
NHTSA rollover rating
4/5 stars
Electronic stability control
Standard

Most Common 2018 Ford Expedition Problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
132
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:2
Injuries:1
#2
117
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:1
Fires:1
Injuries:6
#3
28
complaints

Electrical Faults

Fires:2
Injuries:6

Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Should You Buy a Used 2018 Ford Expedition?

The 2018 Ford Expedition shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.

Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.

What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Ford Expedition

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect transmission/drivetrain for known issues and request service records.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for engine, electrical, suspension, and headlight/taillight repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on powertrain and electrical systems.

Before You Close the Deal

  • Inspect transmission/drivetrain for known issues and request service records.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for engine, electrical, suspension, and headlight/taillight repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on powertrain and electrical systems.

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2018 Ford Expedition, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

What the Complaint Data Suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Complaints for the 2018 Ford Expedition are concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain and engine, with over 100 reports each. Electrical faults, suspension failures, and headlight/taillight issues also appear frequently. Crash-related complaints are relatively low at 7 out of 346 total complaints.

Key Findings
  • Transmission/drivetrain complaints account for the largest share of reports.
  • Engine problems are the second most common complaint category.
  • Unintended acceleration was reported 14 times, though crash-related complaints are few.
Top Concerns
  • Transmission / Drivetrain issues are the most reported concern.
  • Engine Problems are a recurring theme in complaints.
  • Electrical Faults, Suspension Failures, and Headlight/Taillight Failures each have over 20 complaints.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. The confidence level is Low, meaning the data may not be representative of all vehicles. Only one model year (2018) was included, limiting trend analysis.

All 2018 Ford Expedition Complaints by Category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Expedition. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Transmission / Drivetrain1322β€”β€”
Engine Problems11711β€”
Electrical Faults28β€”2β€”
Uncategorized Issues25β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures24β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures23β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration141β€”β€”
Brake System123β€”β€”
Structural Problems111β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues9β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues9β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System7β€”1β€”
Airbag Malfunctions53β€”β€”
Visibility5β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues4β€”β€”β€”
Equipment3β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper3β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects3β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System2β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline2β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues11β€”β€”
Lane Departure11β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Real Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Expedition. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

Showing 346 most recent complaints

Electrical FaultsApr 21, 2026

Back up camera does not display or turn on. There has been no damage to the vehicle but radio which includes the back up camera do not turn on or function. This is a safety hazard for this car when backing up.

Engine ProblemsApr 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with camshaft phaser and timing chain failures. The vehic…

Transmission / DrivetrainApr 14, 2026

The transmission was shifting into neutral while driving, causing hesitation with oncoming traffic approaching, at one point it actually shifted into park or reverse while driving in forward gear. We could easily been stalled or lost forward motion with the intent of thinking we …

Transmission / DrivetrainApr 6, 2026

Vehicle experienced catastrophic timing system failure causing engine to jump time and stall at idle, creating a safety hazard due to risk of sudden loss of power. This is a repeat issue originally documented under warranty (2020) and again during recall/service program 21N03 (2…

Transmission / DrivetrainMar 24, 2026

"Verified internal hydraulic cross leak due to CDF drum bushing movement. Transmission has delayed engagement in 4th, 5th, and 6th gears. This is a known manufacturing defect in the 10R80 transmission."

Engine ProblemsMar 21, 2026

I am writing to express concern regarding a significant engine issue with my 2018 Ford Expedition. At approximately 122,000 miles, the vehicle developed a cylinder 4 misfire accompanied by low compression, indicating an internal engine failure. This type of issue seems premature …

Transmission / DrivetrainMar 21, 2026

The CDF drum is starting to fail and it will shift from a low gear to a high gear at certain speeds. It’s definitely not safe and is extremely expensive to repair.

Electrical FaultsMar 19, 2026

My 2018 Ford Expedition had an open recall for back up screens not working at all. I have a 2018 Ford Expedition Limited, purchased new for $72,000 in April 2018. The issues that have been repaired are endless however this one is a HUGE safety issue. It is a known issue and my VI…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashMar 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle drove through a stop sign, causing the contact to T-bone the other vehicle, causing damage to the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags did not deploy…

Transmission / DrivetrainMar 3, 2026

While driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle intermittently loses throttle response. Pressing the accelerator results in no increase in RPM or vehicle speed, even when the pedal is fully depressed. After 3–5 seconds, power suddenly returns. The issue consistently occurs aft…

Headlight/Taillight FailuresFeb 21, 2026

Front passenger DRL fail in lower 2/3 of LED strip. Im afraid other cars won't see me as well. No warnings on the inside dash display. A car flagged me down to tell me.

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 18, 2026

The vehicle often feels like it is slipping when it is changing gears at lower speeds. When trying to accelerate quickly getting on the highway, it fails to increase speed. The gas pedal is pressed and the engine revs and it does not increase speed. This has happened more than…

Engine ProblemsFeb 5, 2026

My cam phasers failed. I had a 6 year, 72k mile warranty. All maintenance was done at the dealership at the correct time. The parts failed at 7 years, 75,600 miles. Had to replace the engine. Dealer wanted to charge me $19000. Found a local shop to do it with new Ford engine for …

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 7, 2026

At approximately 100,500 miles, my 2018 Ford Expedition XLT 3.5L EcoBoost developed loud rattling noises consistent with cam phaser failure. Zeigler Ford confirmed the failed cam phasers on October 20, 2025. These phasers were previously replaced on the vehicle at 51,000 miles on…

Suspension FailuresJan 5, 2026

While driving on to a rough area such as a bridge crossing the vehicle exhibited excessive bouncing and caused the direction of travel toward the next lane. Repairs to the front struts were made at the dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased. The repair part was des…

Headlight/Taillight FailuresJan 5, 2026

Passenger side DRL (daytime running light) has dimmed and turned purple. Upon further research, this is happening to thousands of Ford Expeditions specifically on the passenger side. The only repair is to replace entire housing.

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 30, 2025

When attempting to pass a slow moving vehicle on a 2 lane highway when driving up a hill the transmission failed to properly shift instead making a loud clunking and grinding sound before eventually managing to shift into a gear. This failure to shift properly meant that the vehi…

Headlight/Taillight FailuresDec 30, 2025

DRL failure is widespread across ford vehicles and should be addressed by the manufacturer.

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving over 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled on two occasions. The contact stated that while driving a roundabout, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle jerked and was…

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 15, 2025

My vehicle has started to have problems shifting in some gears(3rd & 7th). I have been doing research, and this seems to be a recurring problem for vehicles with the 10r80 transmission. Where this has caused a big safety risk, is that a few times, the vehicle wouldn't move when …

Page 1 of 18

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Ford Expedition.

2018 Ford Expedition Recalls

11 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Expedition. 11 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

18V392000Dec 6, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

18V80500014/11/2018
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

17V775000Jan 12, 2017
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

18V213000Apr 4, 2018
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

18V05800016/01/2018
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

18V214000Apr 4, 2018
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

23V420000Sep 6, 2023
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

24V099000Sep 2, 2024
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

24V852000Aug 11, 2024
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

25V19700023/05/2025
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

25V236000Nov 4, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Compare Ford Expedition Model Years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2018 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

2018 Ford Expedition Buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2018 Ford Expedition reliable?β–Ύ

Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 346 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 11 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Ford Expedition shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Expedition?β–Ύ

#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (132 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (117 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (28 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Ford Expedition?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2018 Ford Expedition?β–Ύ

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Ford Expedition, NHTSA complaints include 7 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 346 total complaints. 21 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2018 Ford Expedition have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes. 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Ford Expedition. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 11 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2018 Ford Expedition?β–Ύ

The 2018 Ford Expedition shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Ford Expedition reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2018 Ford Expedition based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.