2021 Ford Expedition El Safety Report

2021 Ford Expedition EL Safety and Reliability Report

181Complaints
0Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
3Crash Reports
3Fire Reports
4Injuries
Most reported components: Power Train (57)Engine (21)Unknown Or Other (14)Visibility,Engine (9)Electrical System (7)Power Train,Engine (6)Visibility/Wiper (5)Visibility (4)Fuel/Propulsion System (4)Structure (3)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Ford Expedition El

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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.

2021 Ford Expedition El Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenLow (0)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (181)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports6Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubPower TrainCompare power train issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2015Compare against the 2015 Ford Expedition El with 143 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2019Check 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.

Nearby Ford Expedition El Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2019 Ford Expedition El 416 0 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2018 Ford Expedition El 307 0 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2017 Ford Expedition El 272 0 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2016 Ford Expedition El 181 0 Use as a comparable safety baseline.
2015 Ford Expedition El 143 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2021 Ford Expedition El Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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

57 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Ford only

Engine

21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Ford only

Unknown Or Other

14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Ford only

Visibility,Engine

9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Visibility,Engine issues Ford only

Electrical System

7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Ford only

Power Train,Engine

6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train,Engine issues Ford only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Ford Expedition El

The 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL has accumulated 181 complaints and 0 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Among the complaints, 3 involved crashes and 3 involved fires. There have been 4 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are power train (57 complaints), engine (21 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints). Transmission issues are a major concern, with reports of loud noises and loss of power. Electrical system failures, including burnt plastic smells and wiring damage, also pose risks. Engine overheating and jerky shifts are common, leading to unsafe driving conditions. The vehicle has experienced multiple instances of stalling and power loss. Key known issues to be aware of include Transmission Failure, Engine Overheating, Electrical System Failures. Be cautious of transmission issues, engine overheating, and electrical system failures, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions.

Reliability Score

The 2021 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 2021 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.

Overall
★★★★★
5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2021 Ford Expedition El

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Ford Expedition El:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Transmission Failure
Transmission issues have been reported, causing loud noises and loss of power, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
High Rare 30k-60k miles
Engine Overheating
Engine overheating has been reported, with the message 'Drive Mode Inoperable' appearing, indicating potential safety risks.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Electrical System Failures
Electrical system failures, including burnt plastic smells and wiring damage, have been reported, posing significant safety risks.
High Rare 30k-60k miles
Stalling And Power Loss
The vehicle has experienced multiple instances of stalling and power loss, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
Medium 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 2021 Ford Expedition El:

Transmission 23% of complaints

Transmission issues, including loud noises and loss of power, are a common problem.

Engine 15% of complaints

Engine overheating and related issues are a common problem.

Electrical System 18% of complaints

Electrical system failures, including burnt plastic smells and wiring damage, are a common problem.

Stalling And Power Loss 12% of complaints

The vehicle has experienced multiple instances of stalling and power loss, leading to unsafe driving conditions.

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Ford Expedition El

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Ford Expedition El with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.

Crash Reports: 1
Visibility
03/06/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the moonroof. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V729000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer stated that t...

ODI #11722526
Power Train
01/02/2026

The component of the system that failed was an internal failure in the CDF drum in transmission. This resulted in failure to accelerate up to appropriate speeds and lurching of the vehicle when shifting gears. This put the safety of others and self at risk as the vehicle was unable to get up to speed on the road resulting in dangerous conditions that could lead to accidents due to the inability ...

ODI #11708354
Power Train
12/18/2025

During highway operation, vehicle transmission makes very loud and angry sound and then loses ability to move , almost caused us to get hit at an intersection. Vehicle often jumps violently when shifting to reverse, and often loses propulsion when going uphill and shifting. No issues have been identified by mechanics but I have found several forums on line with drivers reporting similar occurr...

ODI #11705760
Power Train,Engine
12/05/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine overheated. The message “Drive Mode Inoperable” was displayed. The contact pulled over for 20 minutes, and the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that parts were on back order for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine). The vehicle was diagnosed, and ...

ODI #11703222
Power Train
12/03/2025

Have had jerky shifts and hard down shifts while driving 2021 Ford Expedition. Told dealership and was told it was normal. Then went in for oil change told the dealership about lose of power while shifting and hard shifts they advised to have transmission fluid changed. Not even 3 weeks later while pulling out onto a busy road my vehicles engine revved very high but the transmission never engaged ...

ODI #11702802
Power Train
12/01/2025

While attempting to pass a slower moving vehicle and changing from the right lane to left, I attempted to accelerate past the vehicle when the check manual light appeared on the vehicle display dashboard and I lost all power. I had no acceleration and no power from the gas pedal, after gliding past the slower vehicle and completely taking my foot off the gas pedal, the truck reset itself and power...

ODI #11702381
Electrical System
11/25/2025

In the fordpass app, we get a notification that the vehicle has turned off certain function due to inactivity in order to reserve power. However, we will have just driven the vehicle. This message should only populate when the vehicle is inactive for 14 days. It can also populate when the battery drops below 9V or due to extremely hot or cold conditions. It is 70 degrees F outside, so this reduces...

ODI #11701581
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
11/10/2025

Vehicle stalls out upon driving when trying to accelerate. Has popped up error which states to check fuel pump.

ODI #11698531
Power Train,Electrical System
10/20/2025

Nn 9/15/2025 While the car was running but parked, we began to smell burnt plastic/electrical. Upon trying to shut off the vehicle several service lamps came on advising to go immediately to a service center and that there was a powertrain issue. Vehicle would also not shut off. Upon arrival at dealership they diagnosed that the battery box had corroded and would need replaced under the 1time...

ODI #11694481
Power Train
10/09/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power. Additionally, the contact heard an abnormal thumping sound coming from the transmission, and the vehicle experienced a hard shift before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring wh...

ODI #11692415
Power Train
10/07/2025

10R80 transmission jerky shifting and failing to engage correctly leading to loss of power and unsafe driving/ jerky acceleration.

ODI #11691773
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine
09/23/2025

Wiring has soy based bioplastic insulation which apparently attract rodent damage. This damaged battery, caused spark plug to be damaged and need to be replaced. It has also caused voltage and computer performance problems affecting engine idling and shifting. Issues were extremely unpredictable and hard to diagnose leading to 5 visits to the shop and many failed attempts to repair.

ODI #11689281
Seat Belts
09/22/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging sound coming from the driver’s side seat belt. An independent mechanic or a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (SEAT BELTS);...

ODI #11689027
Unknown Or Other
09/21/2025

Vehicle panoramic sunroof shattered imploded while driving for no visible external cause.

ODI #11688696
Fuel/Propulsion System
09/20/2025

The fuel pump failed without warning leaving the vehicle stranded in the express lane of a highway. This exposed the vehicle and occupants to serious risk of collision. The vehicle does not allow the transmission to shift to neutral to move the vehicle from live traffic lane when the engine is not running. This is the same fuel pump model at the heart of the ongoing recall on other ford vehicles...

ODI #11688589
Power Train,Structure,Visibility/Wiper
Crash 09/19/2025

While towing a rented trailer from Tractor Supply, the trailer detached because it was not properly secured by store staff. The trailer struck the rear bumper of my 2021 Ford Expedition, causing visible body damage and raising concerns about hidden damage to the drivetrain and transmission due to the sudden force of the impact. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to a Ford dealership for in...

ODI #11688549
Suspension
09/18/2025

See attached document for complaint.

ODI #11688175
Power Train
09/15/2025

Automobile falls out of gear randomly losing all forward power to move the car. While pulling out into traffic, this causes the car to not gain speed with traffic endangering those in the car. Dealer currently has the car and has quoted to replace the Transmission with a rebuilt unit. No warning lights in the car to tell us anything was wrong. Based on research, I believe Ford knows this transm...

ODI #11687436
Exterior Lighting
09/02/2025

LED Daytime Running Light on passenger side headlight is fading and has purple hue at times. This presents poor visibility to other vehicles and can create confusion due to inconsistent appearance for oncoming traffic.

ODI #11684484
Visibility/Wiper
08/26/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH in the rain with the windshield wipers engaged, the driver's side windshield wiper arm was jerking. The contact stated that upon pulling over to the side of the road and inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the driver's side windshield wiper arm was lying on the windshield. The contact removed and pla...

ODI #11683158

Showing 20 of 181 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Ford Expedition El

Has the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL been recalled?

No, the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.

How many complaints does the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL have?

The 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL has 181 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

The 2021 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 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL involve power train (57 complaints), engine (21 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints). Other affected components include visibility,engine, electrical system, power train,engine.

How many crash reports does the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL have?

There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL out of 181 total complaints (1.7% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL have?

There are 3 fire reports for the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL out of 181 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL.

How many injuries are reported for the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL is acceptable with caveats. It has 181 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 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

The components with the most failures on the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL are: 1. POWER TRAIN (57 complaints), 2. ENGINE (21 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY,ENGINE (9 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 57 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

Be cautious of transmission issues, engine overheating, and electrical system failures, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions. The 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL has 181 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).

How reliable is the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

The 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 181 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 6 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Transmission Failure and Engine Overheating.

What are the known issues with the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL?

Known issues with the 2021 FORD EXPEDITION EL include: Transmission Failure, Engine Overheating, Electrical System Failures, Stalling and Power Loss. These are based on patterns found across 181 NHTSA complaints.

What are the most common issues with the 2021 Ford Expedition EL?

Common issues include transmission failures, engine overheating, electrical system failures, and stalling.

Are there any known safety risks with the 2021 Ford Expedition EL?

Yes, transmission failures can cause loud noises and loss of power, while electrical system failures can lead to burnt plastic smells and wiring damage.

What should I do if I experience transmission issues in my 2021 Ford Expedition EL?

Seek professional diagnosis and repair immediately to ensure safe driving conditions.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission issues, engine overheating, and electrical system failures, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Ford Expedition El

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Ford Expedition El. The data includes 181 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 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