Tires in my 2007 Ford expedition regularly lose air. Local tire shop didn't locate leak in tire. Tires wearing unevenly over time and now must replace all four after 30k miles. Upon removing tire and tire shop inspecting, they noticed cracks in valve stems. Bought four new tires. *tr
2007 Ford Expedition tires problems
moderate 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
When does it fail?
Of the 29 tires complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Expedition, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Ford Expedition we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 29.
Owners have filed 29 tires complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Original valve stems on 2007 Expeditions fail repeatedly at low mileage, causing sudden flat tires and potential safety hazards; Ford declined recalls and compensation despite widespread failures. Expect to budget $200–$500 for proactive valve stem replacement across all four tires to avoid roadside flats and tire damage.
The dominant failure across these 29 complaints is defective tire valve stems, specifically TR414 (Chinese-manufactured) units, that crack, split, or break and leak air. Owners report multiple valve stem failures per vehicle—often all four tires affected—typically within the first 12–24 months or under 25,000 miles. Low-pressure warning systems alert owners before complete deflation in some cases, but rapid air loss ruins tires when owners cannot reach a tire shop quickly. Les Schwab and independent tire shops confirmed the issue; Ford issued an advisory letter by mid-2009 stating no recall was issued and offering no reimbursement. NHTSA closed its investigation in April 2009 but failures continued after that date.
Secondary issues include sidewall separations and perforations appearing at similarly low mileage (under 25,000 miles), and one report of tire cupping with uneven wear at 30,000 miles despite proper maintenance. One owner reported a tire pressure sensor clamp breaking apart inside the tire, causing vibration at highway speeds.
Repair costs fell entirely on owners: valve stem replacement typically $21–$250 depending on labor and number of stems; ruined tires required replacement ($200–$530 in reported cases). One owner claimed reimbursement after manufacturer statement, but most got nothing. Dealers often told owners this was either bad luck or impact damage, or they performed visual inspections but did not replace stems proactively.
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked/split tire valve stems (TR414)
Factory-installed valve stems on original tires fail by cracking, splitting, or breaking, causing rapid or gradual air loss. Owners repeatedly report multiple valve stem failures across all four tires, often requiring replacement of all valve stems. Some failures occur within months of purchase; others emerge around 20,000 miles. Owners cite TR414 (Chinese-manufactured) valve stems as the defective component.
When: Failures reported from September 2008 onward; most occur within first 12-24 months of ownership or under 25,000 miles. Some occur on vehicles with 6,000–100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Low tire pressure warning light activation; Hissing sound from tire; Visible cracks or splits in valve stem; Rapid air loss from tire; Tire goes flat within minutes to hours; Valve stem snaps or breaks off; Multiple valve stems on same vehicle fail progressively
Codes mentioned: TR414
Repairs/costs cited: Valve stems replaced by dealers or third-party tire shops at owner expense (typically $21–$250 depending on number of stems replaced and labor). In at least one case (#15), manufacturer reimbursed replacement costs; most cases report no reimbursement. Ruined tires often require replacement as well; sidewall damage from rapid deflation makes tire unrepairable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued an advisory letter (by June 2009) informing owners of the problem but stated it was not a recall and offered no compensation. NHTSA closed investigation in April 2009, finding no safety concern; however, owners report failures continued after closure. Ford dealers often performed visual inspections but did not proactively replace valve stems. Les Schwab tire company informed owner of known issue with Ford vehicles.
Tire sidewall separation and perforations
Tires develop sidewall separations (9+ observed in one case) and perforations, some with cord showing through. These failures occur at low mileage (under 25,000 miles on some vehicles, 20,000 miles on at least one) despite proper tire maintenance and pressure. Appears distinct from valve stem failures but reported concurrently in cluster.
When: Reported at 6,000–20,000 miles; one case at 100,000 miles. One tire manufactured in February 2011.
Symptoms owners cite: Squishing or noise from tire as it rotates; Visible sidewall perforations or separations with cord exposure; Tire goes flat; Tire damage severe enough to require replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced at owner expense. In one case, sidewall damage was consequence of rapid deflation from failed valve stem. No parts recovered for inspection in most cases.
Tire cupping and uneven wear
Tires display cupping (wavy tread pattern), swollen appearance, and uneven tread wear at relatively low mileage (around 30,000 miles). Vibration accompanies cupping. Suspension system checks normal, indicating tire defect rather than suspension problem.
When: Around 30,000 miles; reported at 20,000+ miles in one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cupping or wavy tread pattern; Swollen tire appearance; Uneven tread wear; Vibration while driving; Regular air loss without identifiable leak
Repairs/costs cited: All four tires replaced by owner after 30,000 miles. One case (#21) involved cracked valve stems discovered during tire removal.
Tire pressure monitoring sensor clamp failure
Metal clamp holding the tire pressure sensor breaks into pieces (3–8 inches long) and rattles loose inside the tire, causing excessive vibration. Occurs on both front tires.
When: Around 49,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive vibration at speeds over 40 mph; Loud rattling or clunking in tire; Error message on control panel
Repairs/costs cited: Broken clamp pieces removed by owner. New tires installed without pressure sensor. Owner retained broken pieces.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Air valve stems are breaking on all 4 tires, I keep losing air pressure and Ford says they wont compensate---I only have 7,000 mi. *tr
Heard a hissing noise when I got in my car this morning. Noticed a valve stem was cracked on back tire (drivers side). Went directly to tire company.. Had to stop numerous times on the way to put air in the tire because the crack was getting bigger. When I arrived at the tire company, the valve snapped and the tire went flat in a matter of seconds. The tire company examined my vehicle and stated…
Had tires trouble with your 2007 Ford Expedition?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the tires problem on the 2007 Ford Expedition?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 18,000 and 30,000 miles, with the median around 21,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 30,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Expedition.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.