NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Ford Expedition Safety Ratings
The 2020 Ford Expedition scores 75 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 18 recalls, and 358 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Ford Expedition scores 75/100 on the NHTSA Safety Index, placing it in the Average band. Strong crash-test performance is undercut by a defect record score of 0/20 driven by 18 recalls, including one park-outside campaign. Buyers should weigh both sides honestly.
The 2020 Ford Expedition earned an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars and carries a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Ford Expedition ranks 98 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 | 18 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 358 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 98 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Ford Expedition?
The 2020 Ford Expedition presents a mixed safety profile, indicated by its NHTSA Safety Index of 75/100, placing it in the Average band. This specific model year carried forward the same standing as the 2019 model, without improvement or decline in our calculated index. A robust crash protection sub-score of 66 out of 70 is a significant strength for the 2020 Expedition, anchored by NHTSA’s 5-star overall rating. This includes 5-star ratings in both frontal and side impact tests. For a large body-on-frame SUV, the 4 out of 5 stars for rollover, with a 19 percent rollover risk, is a noteworthy data point. However, the defect record sub-score significantly impacts the overall index, registering 0 out of 20. This score directly reflects the 18 recall campaigns issued for this model year. Among these, the park-outside engine electrical recall stands out as a serious concern, specifically covering 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. In terms of avoidance technology, the 2020 Expedition earns an 8.5 out of 10. This is supported by standard forward collision warning and electronic stability control, though lane departure warning was offered only as an option. Further reinforcing the assessment of a meaningful defect history are the 358 unverified owner complaints, with 225 reports specifically citing powertrain issues. The data indicates the 2020 Expedition performs strongly in controlled crash conditions but carries a substantial defect record.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Ford Expedition perform in crash tests?
For the 2020 model year, the Ford Expedition EL SUV 4WD achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. This strong performance included perfect 5-star ratings for both frontal and side impact protection. The Expedition EL SUV 4WD's rollover assessment, while still good at 4 out of 5 stars, presents a 19 percent rollover risk, with the dynamic tip-test showing no tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14936
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes. The 2020 Ford Expedition carries 18 recall campaigns. One is a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign tied to an engine electrical short circuit in the battery junction box. Additional campaigns cover the automatic transmission, seat belt pretensioners, back-over prevention software, and a center console chrome-plating defect. Buyers should verify remedy completion by VIN.
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
ENGINE25V628000
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Reported 2025-09-19
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Reported 2025-06-27
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE25V346000
Risk: Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S56.
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
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES22V250000
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
Reported 2022-04-14
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V575000
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Reported 2020-09-23
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has logged 358 unverified owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Expedition. These are unverified allegations, not established facts. Reported top components are Power Train with 225 allegations, Engine with 49, and Electrical System with 33. Alleged injuries number 16, and 4 alleged crashes and 7 alleged fire incidents are also on record.
358 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Ford Expedition?
Critical safety checks are necessary for any 2020 Ford Expedition. The vehicle carries 18 recall campaigns on record, including one park-outside order. Prior to purchase, confirming all recall remedies have been completed at a dealership is a critical step.
- The 2020 Ford Expedition is subject to a park-outside or do-not-drive recall tied to a potential short circuit in the battery junction box, a campaign specific to 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles that demands immediate VIN verification.
- The defect record sub-score of 0 out of 20 reflects 18 recall campaigns for this model year, the single largest drag on the 75/100 Safety Index and a meaningful contrast to the strong 66/70 crash protection sub-score.
- NHTSA's 5-star overall rating for the 2020 Expedition EL SUV 4WD includes perfect frontal and side scores, but the 4-star rollover rating and 19 percent rollover risk are specific data points buyers should factor in for this large SUV body style.
- Unverified owner complaints number 358, with Power Train allegations accounting for 225 of those reports, a concentration that aligns with the active automatic transmission recall campaign covering 2018-2021 Expedition vehicles.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Ford Expedition places
The 2020 Ford Expedition qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Ford Expedition safety questions
Was the 2020 Ford Expedition crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 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 2020 Ford Expedition crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 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 2020 Ford Expedition have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 18 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Ford Expedition, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Ford Expedition?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 358 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 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 (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14936), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Expedition 2020.
- 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 98 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- 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.