2018 Ford Expedition El Safety Report
2018 Ford Expedition EL Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Ford Expedition El
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Ford Expedition El. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (307) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 8 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Ford Expedition El with 143 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Ford Expedition El before buying across this generation. |
Ford Expedition El Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Expedition El years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Ford Expedition El | 416 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Ford Expedition El | 272 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Ford Expedition El | 181 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Ford Expedition El | 181 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Ford Expedition El | 143 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Ford Expedition El Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Ford Expedition El, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
81 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Ford onlyEngine
53 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Ford onlySuspension
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Ford onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Ford onlyUnknown Or Other
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Ford onlyExterior Lighting
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Ford onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Ford Expedition El
Reliability Score
The 2018 Ford Expedition El receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Ford Expedition El
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Ford Expedition El
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Ford Expedition El:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Reports of a burning smell and major malfunctions have been noted, indicating potential engine and cooling system issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Issues with the power train have been reported, including the vehicle losing motive power and delayed acceleration. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Cam Phasers Cam phasers on the Ford Eco Boost 3.5 V6 Engine have caused significant problems, including a grinding sound and engine issues. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Transmission The 10R80 automatic transmission has malfunctioned, causing harsh shifting, delayed acceleration, and hesitation. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Ford Expedition El:
Issues with engine and cooling system have been reported.
Power train issues have been reported.
Cam phasers have caused significant problems.
Automatic transmission has malfunctioned.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Ford Expedition El
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Ford Expedition El with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the front driver's side seat belt exploded, making a loud popping sound, and the seat belt tightened and pulled the driver back into the seat. Additionally, the automatic emergency braking system engaged, causing the vehicle to stop. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband stat...
On [XXX] my AC stopped working and there was a major burning smell. I took the vehicle in to determine the issue. The service advisor advised me that the motor blower had overheated and burned the wires completely causes a fire hazard. Later to find out there was the same recall under incident number 22S56, but my year vehicle was not included. I called Ford customer service and was told they have...
Drl not workingg
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the transmission shuddered abnormally and unexpectedly downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it w...
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the sunroof made a grinding sound while retracting and failed to close properly. Additionally, the slide cover was unable to close as designed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact believed that the failure was related to the sunroof motor or the gears, or both. The manufacturer was informe...
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH uphill, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering, and the wrench symbol was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed...
2 instances have occured while driving. Stored codes are P0562 Charging system voltage low and P07E6 Stuck in Park (6/6/2025) and P07E6 Stuck in Park (7/12/2025). I believe the issue may be related to TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - Momentary Neutral-Out Condition In Drive - 23-2120 Upon acceleration to pass a car, I heard a loud knock, lost power, let off the gas, an Engine failure error flashed on ...
The problem is with the cam phasers on the Ford Eco Boost 3.5 V6 Engine. Every morning when the vehicle has been sitting overnight and the engine is cool; the truck makes a loud rattle noise when starting. The rattle goes away within 2 seconds. There are tons of information online pertaining the cam phasers. Ford Motor company is very much aware of this problem on all 3.5 eco boost engines from 20...
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 attac...
Just purchased a certified used vehicle. 1) passenger DTRL is half way burnt out. Upon reading tons of forums online, I’m seeing this is a VERY COMMON issue. 2) the back up guide lines on the back up camera does not show. After master reset of the sync system , the lines appeared once. Since then it has not shown ever again.
The passenger DRL is only lit at at the top strip and not the rest of the strip.
Recall 24E13 was issued for my vehicle on 4/16/2025 and i had repairs done on my vehicle in march. this recall states that catalytic converters may be replaced unnecessarily and the dealership has agreed with me on this. Ford continues to deny me reimbursement for this issue and I paid +/- 3800 for this repair to be done when I am sure I did not need it now.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the power train warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that t...
Component/System That Failed: The 10R80 automatic transmission is malfunctioning. It causes harsh shifting, delayed acceleration, hesitation, and unpredictable surging. These issues have been confirmed as part of Ford’s internal TSB 23-2250, which directly references this transmission defect. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This transmission failure poses a seri...
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact had not contacted dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not taken a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The c...
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal cranking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement); however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered...
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. While contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact's son drove the vehicle to the intended destination. The contact's son inspected the tires and determined that the front passenger’s side tire was cracked and needed to be replaced. The contact arrived at the location. The contact and son at...
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, unofficially the failure was diagnosed as a failed cam phaser. The manufac...
See attached document for complaint.
My 2018 Ford Expedition previously underwent a recall repair for a known cam phaser defect at Fremont Ford in Lander, Wyoming. The cam phasers are part of the engine’s variable valve timing system and are critical for proper performance and safety. Despite the initial recall repair, the exact same issue has returned. I am now experiencing rattling noise at startup, reduced engine performance, and ...
Showing 20 of 307 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Ford Expedition El
Has the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL been recalled?
No, the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL have?
The 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL has 307 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 15 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
The 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL involve power train (81 complaints), engine (53 complaints), suspension (21 complaints). Other affected components include engine and engine cooling, unknown or other, exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL out of 307 total complaints (2.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL out of 307 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
15 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 307 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL are: 1. POWER TRAIN (81 complaints), 2. ENGINE (53 complaints), 3. SUSPENSION (21 complaints), 4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (17 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (16 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 81 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
Consider the reliability score and known issues before purchasing. Ensure the vehicle has been serviced and any recalls addressed. The 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL has 307 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
The 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 307 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 8 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL?
Known issues with the 2018 FORD EXPEDITION EL include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Power Train, Cam Phasers, Automatic Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 307 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Ford Expedition EL?
Common issues include engine and cooling system problems, power train issues, cam phasers causing engine problems, and automatic transmission malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Ford Expedition EL?
Yes, recalls have been issued for cam phasers and catalytic converters. Ensure the vehicle has been serviced for these issues.
What should I look for when inspecting a used 2018 Ford Expedition EL?
Check for signs of engine and cooling system issues, power train problems, and any unusual sounds or performance issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Consider the reliability score and known issues before purchasing. Ensure the vehicle has been serviced and any recalls addressed.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Ford Expedition El
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Ford Expedition El. The data includes 307 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 15 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Ford Expedition El an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-15