MODEL
Ford Expedition
NHTSA safety across every Ford Expedition model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Ford Expedition we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 84 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 74. 74 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Ford Expedition is a full-size body-on-frame SUV that competes at the top of the family hauler segment, offering three rows and genuine towing capability. It targets buyers who need serious passenger and cargo capacity without stepping into a commercial van. Spanning model years 2019 through 2025, the Expedition carries the weight of a flagship nameplate, and its safety record deserves the same scrutiny as its size commands.
At MotorCaliber, we track the Ford Expedition's safety story from 2019 through 2025, and the picture is genuinely mixed. The best NHTSA Safety Index we recorded across this generation is 84 out of 100, achieved on the 2025 model, placing it in the Strong band. That is an encouraging ceiling, but earlier model years land in the Average band, meaning the generation is not uniformly strong. Crash-test geometry tells a similar two-sided story: the Expedition has earned 5-star frontal and 5-star side scores in its best testing year, which is legitimately impressive for a large, heavy SUV. The rollover rating, however, sits at 3 out of 5 stars, a persistent limitation that is partly a physics reality for tall, full-size trucks but still worth noting for buyers with rollover risk in mind. The recall count across covered years is a serious concern: 73 total recalls, including 2 park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns, which represent the highest-urgency tier NHTSA issues. Owner complaints total 1,261, with 32 reported crashes, 20 fire-related allegations, and 76 injury reports. These are unverified allegations, but the fire complaint count in particular warrants attention before purchase. The 2025 model shows real improvement, and the strong frontal and side scores are genuine positives. Shoppers should simply enter this purchase with clear eyes about the recall history and rollover rating.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Ford Expedition as one of the more capable and well-rounded full-size SUVs on the market, praising its spacious three-row interior, strong towing credentials, and comfortable highway demeanor. Most critics position it as a practical choice for large families, though they commonly note that its sheer size can make urban driving and parking feel cumbersome.
- The Expedition has accumulated 73 recalls across the 2019 to 2025 model years, including 2 park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns, the most urgent safety classification NHTSA assigns. Verify any open recalls on your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov before buying or driving.
- Rollover protection is rated at 3 out of 5 stars in the best tested year, the weakest result in the crash-test suite. This is a meaningful data point for a tall, high-center-of-gravity SUV, particularly for buyers who regularly carry full passenger loads.
- Owner complaints include 20 fire-related allegations across covered model years. These are unverified reports, but the frequency is high enough that prospective buyers should review open service bulletins and ask a dealer about any related campaigns on the specific vehicle.
- The 2025 model year achieved the generation's best NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, rated Strong, while earlier years fall into the Average band. If safety scoring is a priority, targeting the most recent model year gives the best odds of landing in that higher tier.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Ford Expedition with 18 recalls.