FORD EXPEDITION · model year

2016 FORD EXPEDITION

263 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016FORDEXPEDITION carries 263 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 10 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 EXPEDITION is engine with 37 filings, followed by service brakes (35) and power train (33). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2016 EXPEDITION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

263
Complaints
11
Crashes
10
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
2016 FORD EXPEDITION - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

263 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 - Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE37
SERVICE BRAKES35
POWER TRAIN33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9
VISIBILITY7
BACK OVER PREVENTION6
AIR BAGS5
STEERING5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER4

Recalls (3)

22V64800026/08/2022

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.

22V15000011/03/2022

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

25V57200004/09/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distort

Recent Complaints

20260205POWER TRAIN

The failed components are called "cam phasers." It is a known problem with the Ford 3.5 Ecoboost Engine (that even Ford is aware of). The cam phasers can fail, causing the timing chain to fail at any moment. They rattle upon startup of a cold engine. The failure of the original engineering is causing owners of this vehicle, along with the F150 and others, to have to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in order to replace these. The problem has been confirmed by the Ford dealer. In order to visually examine the cam phasers, it requires something like 10+ hours to open the engine. You do not receive a warning light to replace cam phasers. It is merely an audio diagnosis. Ford SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE for replacing these free of charge and replacing them with the newer versions of cam phasers, which apparently don't fail. Driving around with rattling cam phasers can leave you stranded!

20260205ENGINE

The failed components are called "cam phasers." It is a known problem with the Ford 3.5 Ecoboost Engine (that even Ford is aware of). The cam phasers can fail, causing the timing chain to fail at any moment. They rattle upon startup of a cold engine. The failure of the original engineering is causing owners of this vehicle, along with the F150 and others, to have to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in order to replace these. The problem has been confirmed by the Ford dealer. In order to visually examine the cam phasers, it requires something like 10+ hours to open the engine. You do not receive a warning light to replace cam phasers. It is merely an audio diagnosis. Ford SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE for replacing these free of charge and replacing them with the newer versions of cam phasers, which apparently don't fail. Driving around with rattling cam phasers can leave you stranded!

20260202BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperative. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine fan needed to be replaced; however, parts were not available for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260202ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperative. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine fan needed to be replaced; however, parts were not available for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear-view camera is intermittently failing and often completely inoperative. Vehicle is under an active Ford safety recall for the rear-view camera, but there is currently no remedy available. The failure occurs while reversing and eliminates rear visibility, creating a clear safety risk of collision or injury to pedestrians or property. The issue has persisted without resolution despite the active recall. This vehicle is regularly driven and the defect materially impacts safe operation.

20260123BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera intermittently failed to display a clear image, and the screen was black. An unknown message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted; however, parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Mileage: 144,000

20251229ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear camera is inoperable or intermittent. It has been for over a year. Ford finally issued a recall notice I believe in September 2025. They have still not corrected the problem or even sent a letter confirming when it will be completed. I feel there should be reasonable time limit for them to repair my car.

20251226VISIBILITY/WIPER

I receive a recall 22S56 for the climate control blower motor it was replaced under warranty on 12/17/2024 about a year latter I noticed blower stopped working on 12/13/2025 coming from San Francisco because visibility was affected when defroster stopped working, then I called dealer on 12/23 /25 and they gave me an appointment for them see the vehicle, I asked then to repaired under recall warranty and dealer denied it. dealer saying is something else o not related. I called manufacturer stating the safety concern that defroster been affected because blower not working and they said its been a year and they can not help, now blower some times works, other times does not work or works very slow. Ford manufacturer open a case number CXH-XXX. I am reporting for Ford to extend warranty on the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20251202SERVICE BRAKES

When merging on the highway in the rain the vehicle locked up on me and almost killed me. I could have been seriously injured I could not stop the car and it slid along the highway at high speeds . Luckily was able to get to the shoulder

20251020UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN

20251006LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Camera goes blank when backing up

20251006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Camera goes blank when backing up

20251002UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Blower motor which was under recall was repaired by dealership 4/18/25 continued to work intermittently following repair. As of inspection today, 10/2/2025 at same dealership, blower motor speed controller wiring harness/assembly has since gotten hot enough to melt wiring. Wiring assembly and speed controller must now be replaced by dealership at a cost of $352.56 which is not covered under the blower motor recall but should be.

20251002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Blower motor which was under recall was repaired by dealership 4/18/25 continued to work intermittently following repair. As of inspection today, 10/2/2025 at same dealership, blower motor speed controller wiring harness/assembly has since gotten hot enough to melt wiring. Wiring assembly and speed controller must now be replaced by dealership at a cost of $352.56 which is not covered under the blower motor recall but should be.

20251001BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20250909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle was taken to Chipola Ford for Blower Motor Recall April 2025 and was replaced under recall. Since then, the blower motor intermittently fails and and no air will come out of the dash. The wiring for the blower motor under the dash gets extremely hot when the blower motor fails.

20250725SEAT BELTS

One of the anchor points for car seats in the 3rd row fell off when we tried to attach a car seat to the anchor point. We have owned the vehicle since 2022 and have not tried to use that anchor until now. There was no damage to the vehicle to cause this.

20250721POWER TRAIN

The vehicle stops accelerating randomly it’s been in the shop (Ford dealer) a few times and they are unable to pinpoint the issue. The warning lamps would come on after the vehicle fails to accelerate. It would lose power at any interval and coast until it’s fully stopped.

20250721ENGINE

The vehicle stops accelerating randomly it’s been in the shop (Ford dealer) a few times and they are unable to pinpoint the issue. The warning lamps would come on after the vehicle fails to accelerate. It would lose power at any interval and coast until it’s fully stopped.

20250717ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear camera fails intermittently. Phone stopped connecting through BlueTooth. Tried different phone. Still won’t connect. Tried resetting to factory settings. Nothing. Blower fan only works on 1 speed. Changed blower motor and wiring harness. Still not working. Changed the ccm73. Still won’t work. I accidentally found what I thought was a recall on APIM but dealer says there is no recalls.

Compare 2016FORDEXPEDITION to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION have?
The 2016 FORD EXPEDITION has 263 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 10 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION?
The 2016 FORD EXPEDITION received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION?
Yes, the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION?
The most-complained component for the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION is ENGINE with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2016 FORD EXPEDITION safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 FORD EXPEDITION has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.