Is the 2016 Ford Expedition a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Expedition years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Ford Expedition are in line with other Expedition years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Expedition owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 48 (22%) | 47k–74k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 38 (18%) | 49k–70k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (17%) | 53k–95k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 20 (9%) | 38k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 17 (8%) | 45k–77k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 33 (15%) | 70k–128k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Backup camera | 19 (9%) | 72k–120k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (6%) | 77k–130k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 217 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
24 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While in motion on the street and car lose throttle. Pressing the gas pedal did not thing and only made the care stutter.
The " Wrench " Warning light came on while driving on a highway and the car lost power. The car had to be towed .
8/31/18: traveling 55 MPH and suddenly lost all pedal power on I-40, only able to coast to shoulder. We waited 3 hours on the side of the road for a tow truck while traffic whizzed by dangerously close to our vehicle.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Ford Expedition: 3
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. 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 front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail. Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 108
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Ford Expedition. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
Some vehicles may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
Neighbouring years
2015 Expedition: 164 complaints, keep it · 2017 Expedition: 359 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Expedition year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Expedition years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Ford Expedition a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Expedition years. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Expedition?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (48), engine (38), transmission and drivetrain (36), speed control (20), fuel system (17).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Expedition have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-572), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 22V-648), Brakes (NHTSA 22V-150). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.