NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Ford Expedition Safety Ratings
The 2019 Ford Expedition scores 75 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 11 recalls, and 443 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2019 Ford Expedition achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, landing it in the Average band for its model year. This rating is underpinned by robust NHTSA crash-test scores. However, a notable 11 recall campaigns and a modest 6 out of 10 score for its avoidance technology package prevent a higher overall ranking. Consequently, while the Expedition presents a reasonable safety option, potential owners must remain diligent regarding its recall history.
The 2019 Ford Expedition received a 5-out-of-5 overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 93 SUVs from 2019 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2019 Ford Expedition ranks 81 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 75 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 19.3% |
| Recalls on file | 11 |
| Owner complaints | 443 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 81 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Ford Expedition?
The 2019 Ford Expedition Extended 4x4 carries an Average Safety Index of 75 out of 100. This model year shows no prior Index for comparison. Its crash protection sub-score is strong, at 66 out of 70, reflecting the NHTSA's 5-star overall, frontal, and side impact ratings. However, the defect record sub-score significantly pulls down the overall Safety Index, registering only 3 out of 20. This low score is directly attributable to 11 recall campaigns for this model year. Notably, two separate recalls address the driver-side seat belt pretensioner, impacting overlapping production ranges; a 2019 Expedition could be subject to both. Another specific recall targets 2019 vehicles that received an incorrect instrument cluster repair, requiring VIN-level verification for owners and prospective buyers. The avoidance technology sub-score stands at 6 out of 10. While electronic stability control is standard, both forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems are optional equipment on this generation. The vehicle's 443 unverified owner complaints frequently cite powertrain and engine components, aligning with areas addressed by several recalls.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 Ford Expedition perform in crash tests?
The 2019 Ford Expedition achieved a 5 out of 5 star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA. Its performance in frontal and side crash tests was exemplary, earning 5 stars in both categories. The sole area where the Expedition did not achieve a perfect score was rollover protection, rated at 4 out of 5 stars. This rating is accompanied by a 19 percent rollover risk. Notably, the dynamic tip test for the 2019 Expedition resulted in a No Tip finding.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13260
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes. The 2019 Ford Expedition carries 11 recall campaigns. Named components include the automatic transmission, center console chrome plating, seat belt pretensioners in two separate campaigns, and an electrical system instrument cluster recall targeting 2019 units previously repaired incorrectly under an earlier campaign. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is listed in the provided data, but the seat belt pretensioner and transmission campaigns warrant prompt VIN verification.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26V402000
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th
Reported 2026-06-24
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:CENTER CONSOLE26V368000
Risk: Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S38. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involve
Reported 2026-06-09
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER26V344000
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous
Reported 2026-05-27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V886000
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C71. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 15, 2026.
Reported 2025-12-18
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER25V197000
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.
Reported 2025-05-23
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V852000
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Reported 2024-11-08
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER24V099000
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.
Reported 2024-02-09
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL23V420000
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
Reported 2023-06-09
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)20V263000
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
Reported 2020-05-08
SUSPENSION:REAR19V773000
Risk: A disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change to vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the rear toe link fasteners, check and adjust the rear toe alignment, and inspect the rear tires for abnormal tire wear, replacing them if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S36.
Reported 2019-10-28
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER19V633000
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Reported 2019-08-28
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Ford Expedition?
Owners have filed 443 unverified allegations with NHTSA, including reported figures of 7 crashes, 3 fires, and 28 injuries. The most heavily alleged problem areas are the power train at 196 reports and the engine at 106 reports. Seat belts account for 68 additional unverified allegations. These are consumer-reported claims, not established facts.
443 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Ford Expedition?
The 2019 Ford Expedition is subject to 11 recall campaigns, a notable figure that includes issues with the transmission, seat belts, and an instrument cluster correction unique to this model year. Prospective owners should verify that all applicable recall remedies have been completed by checking the vehicle's VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool. Ford dealerships perform recall repairs at no charge.
- The 2019 Ford Expedition carries 11 NHTSA recall campaigns, producing a defect-record sub-score of only 3 out of 20 and directly suppressing an otherwise strong Safety Index built on 5-star crash results.
- Two separate seat belt pretensioner recall campaigns cover 2019 Expedition vehicles, making it possible that a single unit is subject to both; VIN-level verification is the only way to confirm remedy status for each.
- An instrument cluster recall is specific to 2019 Expedition vehicles that were previously repaired incorrectly under an earlier campaign, a 2019-only defect layer not shared with surrounding model years.
- Both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are listed as optional on this model year, not standard, which is reflected in the avoidance-tech sub-score of 6 out of 10 and means safety-tech content varies by individual vehicle trim and option selection.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Ford Expedition places
The 2019 Ford Expedition qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Ford Expedition safety questions
Was the 2019 Ford Expedition crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 Ford Expedition, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2019 Ford Expedition crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 Ford Expedition earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 19.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Expedition have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 11 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Ford Expedition. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Ford Expedition?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 443 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Ford Expedition. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Expedition years
Rivals in SUV (2019)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model X 60d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 75d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P100d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 13260), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Expedition 2019.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 81 of 93 in the SUV class for 2019.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.