Model year 2020 · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2020 Ford Expedition: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2020 Ford Expedition at 18–19 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls and 425 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

18

EPA combined mpg

18–19

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Ford dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2020 Ford Expedition recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 18 safety recalls for the 2020 Ford Expedition, newest first.

Power train: Automatic transmission

NHTSA 26V402000 Reported Jun 24, 2026
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S48)
Units affected
741,195 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
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 this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Structure: Interior panels: Center console

NHTSA 26V368000 Reported Jun 9, 2026
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S38)
Units affected
548,463 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.
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) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 10, 2026.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Pretensioner

NHTSA 26V344000 Reported May 27, 2026
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S34)
Units affected
419,967 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
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 NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Engine

NHTSA 25V628000 Reported Sep 19, 2025 Park outside
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22S36/22S48)
Units affected
4,632 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 23, 2025.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Back over prevention: Software

NHTSA 25V442000 Reported Jun 27, 2025
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S72)
Units affected
200,237 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Pretensioner

NHTSA 25V197000 Reported May 23, 2025
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S31)
Units affected
112,951 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: Body control module: Software

NHTSA 25V346000 Reported May 23, 2025
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S56)
Units affected
556 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Navigator vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 20V262. The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are not functional due to a software error.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Equipment: Other: Labels

NHTSA 24V852000 Reported Nov 8, 2024
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 24C39)
Units affected
27,678 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Pretensioner

NHTSA 24V099000 Reported Feb 9, 2024
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 24S06)
Units affected
77,574 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Equipment: Other: Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA 23V420000 Reported Jun 9, 2023
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 23C20)
Units affected
691,133 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Visibility: Windshield wiper/washer: Linkages

NHTSA 22V250000 Reported Apr 14, 2022
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22S26)
Units affected
652,996 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts

NHTSA 20V574000 Reported Sep 23, 2020
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 20S54)
Units affected
123 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The seat belt tension sensor may incorrectly classify a child occupant as an adult.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the incorrect classification would enable the passenger air bag to deploy instead of disabling it, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S54.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 20V575000 Reported Sep 23, 2020
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 20C19)
Units affected
620,246 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seats: Mid/rear assembly

NHTSA 20V366000 Reported Jun 23, 2020
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 20C12)
Units affected
2,620 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk
An improperly welded headrest bracket 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 dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C12.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking and 2 more components

NHTSA 20V262000 Reported May 8, 2020
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 20S20)
Components
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking; Forward collision avoidance; Electrical system: Instrument cluster/panel
Units affected
25,081 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with camera-only Pre-Collision Assist feature. Vehicles built with the optional radar-plus-camera Pre-Collision Assist system are not affected. Due to incorrect coding of interfacing modules, the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, and the driver cannot access the menu functions necessary to enable the Pre-Collision Assist feature.
Risk
If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram software for the Body Control Module, Antilock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster and Headlamp Control Modules, and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System, 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 20S20.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts

NHTSA 20V217000 Reported Apr 16, 2020
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 20S17)
Units affected
1,355 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The front passenger seatbelt buckle's Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) may malfunction and may result in the seat occupant being misclassified.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide the intended level of protection, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S17.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl)

NHTSA 20V197000 Reported Apr 3, 2020
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 20S18)
Units affected
55,158 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
Risk
If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seats: Mid/rear assembly and 1 more component

NHTSA 19V633000 Reported Aug 28, 2019
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 19C07)
Components
Seats: Mid/rear assembly; Seats: Front assembly: Recliner
Units affected
639,137 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2020 Ford Expedition fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2020 Ford Expedition EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Expedition 2WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 10-speedRear-Wheel DriveRegular17/23/19 mpg$3,550467
Expedition 4WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 10-speedPart-time 4-Wheel DriveRegular17/22/19 mpg$3,550473
Expedition MAX 2WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 10-speedRear-Wheel DriveRegular17/23/19 mpg$3,550467
Expedition MAX 4WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 10-speedPart-time 4-Wheel DriveRegular16/21/18 mpg$3,700494

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2020 Ford Expedition crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2020 Ford Expedition NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2020 Ford Expedition EL SUV 2WD5 stars5 stars5 stars3 stars20.8%Standard
2020 Ford Expedition EL SUV 4WD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars19.3%Standard
2020 Ford Expedition SUV 2WD5 stars5 stars5 stars3 stars20.8%Standard
2020 Ford Expedition SUV 4WD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars19.3%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2020 Ford Expedition owner complaints

Owners have filed 425 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Expedition, most recently on Oct 15, 2026. 5 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 27 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2020 Ford Expedition complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Power train263
Unknown or other59
Engine51
Seat belts39
Electrical system34
Vehicle speed control15
Structure: Body12
Structure10
Air bags9
Service brakes9

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Ford Expedition model years

Ford Expedition by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Expedition18 mpg205/5
2026 Expedition18–19 mpg2105/5
2025 Expedition18–19 mpg6385/5
2024 Expedition17–19 mpg7795/5
2023 Expedition17–19 mpg8655/5
2022 Expedition17–19 mpg121165/5
2021 Expedition18–19 mpg122415/5
2019 Expedition18–20 mpg115225/5
2018 Expedition18–20 mpg143825/5
2017 Expedition16–18 mpg43575/5
2016 Expedition16–18 mpg32175/5
2015 Expedition16–18 mpg31645/5

All Ford Expedition years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2020 Ford models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Ford.