NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Ford Expedition Safety Ratings
The 2021 Ford Expedition scores 74 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 205 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Ford Expedition received 12 active recalls, an unusually high number that significantly impacts its safety profile. This defect record of 0 out of 20 points drives the vehicle's overall NHTSA Safety Index score to 74 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. While crash-test results for the model year were strong, the extensive recall history warrants careful consideration from prospective buyers.
The 2021 Ford Expedition holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, sourced from federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Ford Expedition ranks 99 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 74 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 19.3% |
| Recalls on file | 12 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 205 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 99 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Ford Expedition?
A significant defect record defines the safety profile of the 2021 Ford Expedition. With 12 recall campaigns, this model year earns a score of 0 out of 20 for defects, heavily influencing its overall Safety Index of 74 out of 100. This marks a one-point decrease from the 2020 model's score of 75. Among these recalls, at least one critical campaign directly addresses the automatic transmission, carrying a "park outside" or "do not drive" directive. Such warnings underscore the potential for loss of vehicle control. Other campaigns cover concerns with seat belt pretensioners, wiper linkages, sunroof components, and cosmetic center console chrome, but the transmission issue stands out for its severity. In crash protection, the 2021 Expedition demonstrates strong performance. NHTSA awarded it 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 stars in both frontal and side impact tests, contributing to a crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70. The rollover rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a 19 percent rollover risk, is the only area not rated at the maximum. Avoidance technology presents a mixed picture, yielding a sub-score of 7.5 out of 10. While electronic stability control and lane departure warning are standard, forward collision warning is available only as an option. The 2021 Expedition, therefore, shows strong performance in crash testing but carries a notable recall burden.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Ford Expedition perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Ford Expedition earned 5 out of 5 stars overall from NHTSA, with perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side crash-test categories. The rollover category presents as a comparative weakness, rated at 4 out of 5 stars. This is accompanied by a 19 percent rollover risk, though the dynamic tip test recorded a result of No Tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15423
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes. The 2021 Ford Expedition carries 12 recall campaigns, including at least one park-outside or do-not-drive directive that demands immediate attention. Named components span the automatic transmission powertrain, seat belt pretensioners, wiper linkages, sunroof assembly, and center console chrome plating. Owners should verify remedy status by VIN before driving.
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
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES26V204000
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-31
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY25V729000
Risk: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
Reported 2025-10-24
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V048000
Risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.
Reported 2025-01-31
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
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
ENGINE22V346000
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 2022-05-17
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
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACT21V805000
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.
Reported 2021-10-15
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has logged 205 unverified consumer allegations against the 2021 Ford Expedition. Reported concerns are led by Power Train with 92 allegations and Engine with 52. Owners have also alleged 3 crashes, 4 fires, and 5 injuries, though none of these are established facts.
205 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Ford Expedition?
The 2021 Ford Expedition is subject to 12 recall campaigns. Shoppers must verify the completion of these repairs, especially given the "park outside" directive associated with one campaign, by checking the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool.
- The 2021 model year carries 12 NHTSA recall campaigns, including at least one park-outside or do-not-drive order linked to the automatic transmission, making VIN-specific recall verification a critical step for any prospective buyer.
- NHTSA's crash tests gave this specific model year a perfect 5-star overall score with matching 5-star frontal and side results, but the rollover category lands at 4 stars with a 19 percent rollover risk.
- The Safety Index dropped one point to 74 out of 100 compared to the 2020 model year's 75, with the defect record sub-score of 0 out of 20 being the primary drag on an otherwise competitive crash-protection score of 66 out of 70.
- Forward collision warning is listed as optional rather than standard on this model year, meaning used-market shoppers should confirm whether the specific vehicle they are evaluating was equipped with that feature.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Ford Expedition places
The 2021 Ford Expedition qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Ford Expedition safety questions
Was the 2021 Ford Expedition crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Ford Expedition, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 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 2021 Ford Expedition crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 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 2021 Ford Expedition have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 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 2021 Ford Expedition?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 205 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 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 (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15423), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Expedition 2021.
- 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 99 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- 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.