2018 FORD EXPEDITION Electrical System Problems

I own a 2018 Ford Expedition, and the factory-installed backup camera has progressively failed. Initially, the camera display was intermittent—sometimes showing the rear view and other times freezing or going black. The issue has now worsened to the point that the camera no longer turns on at all when the vehicle is placed in reverse. This failure presents a significant safety hazard, as the rearview camera is critical for detecting pedestrians, obstacles, and other vehicles—especially in a large SUV with limited rear visibility. The loss of this feature increases the risk of an accident while reversing. Additionally, this defect renders the vehicle non-compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, which requires all vehicles manufactured after May 2018 to have a functioning rear visibility system. Because the Expedition was sold with this federally mandated safety equipment, the complete failure of the camera should be considered a safety defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue, as it appears to be a widespread problem among Ford vehicles of this model year, and urge Ford to provide a corrective action or repair.

The sunroof on my 2018 Ford Expedition is leaking at multiple points and has become stuck and inoperable. The dealership advised that the brackets are broken and the entire sunroof assembly must be replaced. The leak occurs in several areas across the Vista Roof, causing water to enter the cabin. This appears to be related to known design defects already referenced in multiple Ford Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 18-2374, TSB 19-2374, and TSB 21-2292). Details: I purchased this 2018 Ford Expedition on August 17, 2024, from Battlefield Ford in Culpeper, Virginia, where it underwent a Ford Blue Warranty inspection before sale. The vehicle had approximately 98,000 miles at purchase and now has around 109,000 miles. Shortly after purchase, I noticed water intrusion from the sunroof area. The vehicle was inspected at Sheridan Ford in Smyrna, Delaware, where technicians confirmed leaks at four separate points, broken sunroof brackets, and recommended complete sunroof replacement. In addition to the leaks, the sunroof is stuck and will not operate properly. Ford customer service was contacted, but they stated that no assistance or goodwill coverage would be provided. I find this unacceptable given the severity of the issue, the existence of related TSBs, and the potential safety hazards associated with electrical and visibility impairment due to water intrusion. The vehicle also required brake replacement shortly after purchase, despite being reported as low 3 mm during the Blue Warranty inspection, which raises additional concerns about the adequacy of Ford’s inspection process and potential oversight of critical components. Safety Concerns: Water intrusion may affect electrical components, airbags, or roof-mounted sensors, increasing the risk of malfunction or short circuits. The sunroof’s inability to close or seal properly could result in driver distraction, loss of visibility, or mold and corrosion inside the cabin.

There was a recall for cam phasers etc under 21N03. My car was fixed in 2021 but the parts they put it in were not the updated parts. I was told it was the same recalled parts that they used to replace. Now I am having the same issue again . I am not currently driving my vehicle until it can be remedied. I contacted the dealership and they are not willing to cooperate or work with me. I will attach the report that was done back in 2021 below.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned TRANSMISSION, and is it available for inspection upon request YES How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR 8 LANE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT EXCELERATE SAFTLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES, MANUFACTURER FORD & AAMCO TRANSMISSION Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, NO and when did they first appear THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. FIRST THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT EXCELERATE AND THEM THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THIS TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 3 TIMES KEEPS LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. EVEN AFTER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE WITH AAMCO PLEASE HELP ME I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING

I've had a couple of issues with my expedition since day 1. When I click on my memory seat to adjust seat/mirror etc. the front mirrors (not the encasement) will turn in one direction and sit there and click until I manually adjust the mirror(s). Today is 10/24/23 and starting yesterday, I was in rush hour traffic and noticed my motor sounded different. Then while headed to work it just started jumping and popping in and out of gear. I am in stopped traffic at one minute and the next be going 70 mph then back to stuck in traffic. So, my fear is driving this thing and it totally failing and it causing a serious wreck to myself and others! This needs to be addressed or I will never own another Ford.

Our 2018 Ford Expedition Max caught fire while on a test drive after repairs at Canby Ford. It completely caught fire and is a total loss. We were supposed to pick up the car an hour later. If our kids were in the car strapped into car seats, there may not have been enough time to get them out. They could have died. The mechanic who was driving saw the engine smoking and jumped out (he was at risk). The whole car was gone within 2-3 minutes. In my opinion it exploded as all the windows were blown out. The motor block melted, and the front end of the car is gone. There is a report with Canby Oregon Fire Department. Most people would assume it was overheating, get out and open the hood with their family still in the car. If that had happened people could have died. There were no check engine lights on when we took it to Ford. It was just close to the end of a warranty and there was an engine rattle we wanted fixed. Please come look at the car to investigate. It is at an independent insurance valuation company. I asked the manager of Canby Ford if he would report it to Ford Motor Company, he said no it would just go through their insurance. Ford needs to recall all of the expeditions so someone doesn't die in a fire. Ford already settled on the 2021 Ford Expedition and there are fires on older models and similar F150 Trucks. There are many reported fires without a recall. Please recall all the expeditions and investigate all the other Ford Vehicle fires swept under the rug. We don't want someone else to die due to a lack of action. The previous Ford Expedition settlement is not enough as it only covers 2021. If nothing is done, we plan to go public on the news with the photos, hopefully we can say NHTSA did something (or we can say NHTSA did nothing). Other families are at risk, they need to know to get out fast cause it could catch fire or explode. They need to not assume the engine is overheating (as I would have done 2 months ago) it could be on fire .

When car is stopped, the engine dies and it reads on screen “ place car in park to restart engine”. This is not the automatic stop/start. Car has died a handful of times when in stopped traffic or at red lights. Sometimes taking several seconds to get engine running again. Brand new battery. Herb Chambers Ford dealership used diagnostics on 9/29/23 and “did not find anything broken”.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering and unintendedly decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the fuel pump and the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid were replaced; however, the failure recurred increasingly, and the vehicle lost motive power on several occasions. The contact veered to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after several attempts and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump and the fuel pressure rail were replaced; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the O2 sensors, the catalytic converter, and the fuel pump stand; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered while idling in the parking lot and then lost power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the failure recurred while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Tri-State Ford (1900 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79103), where it was diagnosed that a relay in the wiring harness box had failed, and the wiring harness box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Mileage: 46,000

The screen does not turn on making the backup camera not work.

We were having issues with our transmission shifting very abruptly and making a clunking noise back in late June 2023. This was occurring as my wife was traveling out of state for a funeral to Michigan. We were able to drop the vehicle off at a certified mechanic in Ohio, and were told that they were metal shavings inside the transmission. The vehicle sat there for several weeks, waiting on a new/remanned transmission from a local Ford dealership. The transmission was replaced, and I flew back to Ohio to drive the vehicle back to Virginia in early August. At first, the vehicle was shifting and driving normally as it should. However, when I was near Richmond, Virginia, I had to change lanes to pass a semi, and when I pressed the gas, all power was lost and the lights on the dash went completely black. About 2 to 3 seconds later, the vehicle shifted with a loud clunk and the advance track warning light came on. The malfunction nearly caused an accident as vehicles behind me had to slam on their brakes, as I finally made my way to the shoulder of the road to collect myself.

Door locks don’t unlock on 3 out of 4 doors. Transmission jerks and acts like losing power frequently. Engine tries to die at idle when stopping. Timing chains failed along with cam phasers yet symptoms still continue. Heater hoses leak to heater core. This caused high temps of 255 degrees to occur for engine.

Front Blower motor not working correctly. Engine Valve cover driver side small crack.

The rear doors don’t unlock frequently. They won’t open from inside or outside often and require repeated unlocking of locks. The manual lock pulls on top of panel are too recessed to grab and pull. The drivers door never comes up at all.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the cam phaser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 83,000.

Mileage: 83,000

About 20 times now, while I am on the freeway, sometimes when I am coasting, and other times when I am trying to quickly accelerate, my car down shifts out of nowhere and loses power, again either when I am in the fast lane coasting, or trying to merge into traffic. It's like it is going to stall and when I step on the gas, it just revs and doesn't get into gear and go. I have almost been rear ended because I go from 70 to like 40 mph. When I was trying to merge into traffic, I got partially into the other lane and then it just wouldn't go. I could easily have been hit. One time when I was coasting and it did it, a warning came on, and then a check manual, but it went away too fast. I have taken it to the dealer and a repair shop multiple times and they can't replicate it. It could definitely cause an accident as my car suddenly slows down and it won't accelerate. I have to wait about 10-15 seconds until it reengages. It makes aloud clunking/dropping sound as if I ran over something and one time it sounded like a million pebbles were inside my engine and under my car. No diagnostic numbers are coming up and it's like no one knows what I am talking about. But multiple Fords are having this issue and they are not doing anything about it. I took it in during my warranty and now it's out of warranty and I'm going to have to pay for something that they should have repaired from the get go. This is dangerous.

Electrical fire under hood occurred spontaneously. Just before my vehicle shut off the dash board read something about to conserve battery shut engine off. Pulled over got out of car and it burned . Insurance agent is investigating. Sherriff and fireman said it was electrical fire under hood. Had I not decided to pull over at rest stop when I did we would have been on freeway when it ignited.

UNDER WARRANTY, MOISTURE WAS PRESENT IN ALL THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE UPPER (THIRD) BRAKE LIGHT HAD THE MOST CONDENSATION. AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER REVIEWED THE ISSUE AND ADVISED FORD DOES NOT COVER MOISTURE WITHIN A LIGHT AS THE MOISTURE WILL DISSIPATE OVER TIME. I ADVISED THE UPPER BRAKE LIGHT WAS NEVER DRY, THEY INSISTED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE ISSUE. I COULD REPLACE THE LIGHT, I RECEIVED A QUOTE AT THAT TIME. NOW THE UPPER BRAKE LIGHT HAS LESS THAN 2 LED'S WORKING AND THE VISIBILITY IS NEXT TO NOTHING. REVIEWING FORUMS, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN PRESENT IN THE FORD EXPEDITIONS SINCE THE NEW VEHICLE DESIGN CHANGE. MY CONCERN IS VERY SIMPLE, THAT BRAKE LIGHT IS IMPORTANT IN THE SAFETY OF OUR PASSENGERS, THOSE AROUND THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE BRAKING OF THIS VEHICLE AHEAD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ONE CAR AHEAD OF YOU BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHEN DRIVING BEHIND THIS VEHICLE MYSELF. I CONSIDER THIS BRAKE LIGHT A SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT OF THE SAFETY FEATURES IN OUR VEHICLE. TIMING OF THE ISSUE WAS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. FIRST PHASE WAS MOISTURE NOT DISSIPATING, SECOND PHASE HAS BEEN THE LED LIGHTING CONTINUES TO STOP WORKING, A FEW LED'S AT FIRST, NOW ONLY A FEW ARE OPERATIONAL, AND DIM AT BEST DUE TO THE CONTINUED MOISTURE IN THE UPPER REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY.

THE VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES A CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT, BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT AND THE LIFTGATE OR LIFTGLASS TO INDICATE THAT IT IS AJAR. HEN THESE FAULT THE SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE INOPERATIVE AND POSE A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION AT BOTH ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

UPON STARTUP, THE DASHBOARD MONITOR WILL NOT LIGHT UP AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. THIS INCLUDES NO BACKUP CAMERAS, RADIO, MAPPING FEATURE, OR HANDS FREE BLUETOOTH ON THE MONITOR, WHILE THE DASHBOARD (DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AREA) FLASHES ON/OFF THAT "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK", OR "OIL NEEDS TO BE CHANGED", YET THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES TO MANUALLY PUT THE CAR INTO "DRIVE" IT WILL FINALLY START MOVING FORWARD WITH A GRINDING SOUND, BEFORE COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THIS SEQUENCE OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES, UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND TRY AGAIN. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 4-5 ATTEMPTS OVER 5-10 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR MOVING WITH ALL ITEMS WORKING PROPERLY. IT SEEMS ELECTRICAL, SINCE IT ALWAYS INVOLVES BOTH THE DASH MONITOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AT THE SAME TIME.

Mileage: 29,375

THE RETRACTABLE/AUTOMATIC RUNNING BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INTERMITTENTLY DROPS DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND IN A STATIONARY POSITION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. (IE. 2-3 HOURS AT REST) WHEN I RESTART THE VEHICLE AND OPEN/CLOSE THE DOORS, THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARDS WILL GO BACK UP WHERE THEY BELONG...MOST OF THE TIME. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE (CRONIN FORD - HARRISON, OHIO) IN THE FALL OF 2019 AND THEY REPLACED THE RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARD MOTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. IN MARCH OF 2020, IT STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AFTER THE VEHICLE IS AT REST FOR 2-3 HOURS. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BECOME A RECURRING PROBLEM WELL AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER.

Mileage: 23,500

EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PUT THE CAR IN PARK, IT STILL MOVES AND HAS HIT ME AND SOME OF THE PASSENGERS GETTING OUT THE CAR WITH THE DOORS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST RUNNING US OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK ACCORDING TO DIAL. HOWEVER, IT STILL MOVED.

Mileage: 15,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. ALSO, THE RUNNING BOARDS FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE CONTROL MALFUNCTION SERVICE REQUESTED, HILL DESCENT FAULT, ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL, REDUCED TORQUE, DRIVE CONTROL, PRE COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THOROUGHBRED FORD (8501 N BOARDWALK AVE, KANSAS CITY, MO 64154, (816) 505-1818) AND SEEKINS FORD LINCOLN (1625 SEEKINS FORD DR, FAIRBANKS, AK 99701, (907) 459-4000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET AND THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS21880081. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

Mileage: 500

TAKATA RECALL. ON 4/29/19 THE 2ND ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED AFTER HAVING BEEN IN THE SHOP 2X FOR DIAGNOSIS. IT WOULD NOT RELEASE OUT TO BUCKLE. IT KEPT SNAGGING ON ITSELF INSIDE. ON 6/11/19 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR BAD STRUT. TURNS OUT 3 OF THE 4 WERE BAD AND NEED REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE 4TH STRUT EVEN THOUGH SHE STATED ITS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM LATELY. ALSO THE LIFT GATE WAS INSPECTED AS IT OPENS AND CLOSES ON ITS OWN PERIODICALLY. THEY COULD NOT GET THE LIFT GATE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND SINCE THE VEHICLE DIDNT THROW A CODE FOR IT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 6/19/19 TO HAVE THE 3 STRUTS REPLACED AND THE LIFT GATE CHECKED AGAIN.

Mileage: 8,161

FOLLOWING COMPUTER ISSUES THAT CAUSED THE FOLLOWING: BAD STEERING SENSOR (PLAY IN THE STEERING), TRACTION CONTROL WARNING, HILL DECENT WARNING, RUNNING BOARDS NOT WORKING, FORD SYNC FREEZING: RADIO, TEMP, BACK UP CAMERAS, PHONE NOT WORKING. MONITOR TURNS OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. MONITOR WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN CAR PARKED.

Mileage: 500

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE - IT STARTED AFTER 30 MIN AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND NO ISSUES UNTIL 4 DAYS THEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PARKED OVERNIGHT AND WOULDN'T START THE NEXT MORNING. THE BATTERY HAD ENOUGH POWER - JUMP STARTING DIDN'T HELP. THE 3 TOW TRUCK WAS FINALLY CALLED INTO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK UP TO THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP. THEY DID A FULL REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE AND DIDN'T FIND ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. THEN 4 WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOLLOWING SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. AGAIN IT TOOK 4 TOW TRUCKS TO COME TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STAY IN NEUTRAL TO BE TOWED IT WOULD ALWAYS RETURN TO PARK. THE DEARSHIP THEN REPLACED THE STARTED AND SAID IT WAS THEN TAKEN CARE OF AND WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THE EVENTS WERE SEPT 4TH - PURCHASE VEHICLE - 1ST EPISODE, SEPT 8TH - 2ND EPISODE, NOVEMBER 19TH - 3RD EPISODE

Mileage: 10

I BOUGHT THIS NEW EXPEDITION JUNE OF 2018. IT HAS PUT ITSELF INTO DEEP SLEEP MODE 8 TIMES. 06/11/18, 08/09/18, 08/19/18, 08/22/18 TWICE!, 10/13/18, 11/11/18, 02/06/19. EACH TIME IT HAD TO BE JUMPED WITH ANOTHER LARGE VEHICLE TO START IT UP. THE FIRST TIME WAS JUNE 11TH JUST DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 MORE TIMES SINCE THEN AND THEY "CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG" THEY ARE NOW SAYING THEY WILL REPLACE THE BATTERY BUT I FEEL ITS SOMETHING WITH ALL THE NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE CAR AND IT WILL STRAND ME AGAIN. I HAVE LUPUS AND IT HAS STRANDED ME IN 105 DEGREES AND FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID THE COULDN'T COME FOR 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. I HAD TO HAVE A STRANGER TRY TO JUMP IT WITH A SMALL CAR AND IT WOULDN'T CHARGE, THEN A TUNDRA THAT THE MARINA MANAGER DROVE PULLED UP AND HE FINALLY GOT MY CAR GOING....I CAN;T DRIVE A CAR THAT HAS DONE THIS SO MANY TIMES AND THE FORD CORPORATION SAID IT DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR A REPLACEMENT. THEY WANT ME TO DRIVE AROUND WITH CABLES IN MY NEW $83K CAR AND DEPEND ON OTHERS TO HELP ME WHEN I AM STRANDED!! I AM DEALING WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMAX FORD IN KILLEEN TEXAS. THEY HAVE BEEN KIND BUT UNABLE TO HELP ME. THIS LAST OCCURRENCE WAS FEB. 6, 2019

Mileage: 11,000