2011 Ford Expedition problems
The 2011 Ford Expedition has 71 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2011 Ford Expedition has 71 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 59,152 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Expedition | 146 | 3 |
| 2009 Expedition | 28 | 1 |
| 2010 Expedition | 58 | 0 |
| 2011 Expedition (this page) | 71 | 0 |
| 2012 Expedition | 116 | 1 |
| 2013 Expedition | 92 | 0 |
| 2014 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2011 Ford Expedition? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 59,152 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- body — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 52,000 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- engine — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 113,464 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 134,197 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 59,152 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 Ford Expedition
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Stability control applies brakes randomly in normal conditions. Primarily this has been at slow speeds. Brakes pulsate and vehicle is difficult to steer/control. On 12/11/2016 the stability system kicked in at the same time the "resume" button was pressed for the cruise control.…
Winter 2019, passenger side door would not stay closed. Appears to only happen when temperatures are below freezing. Started to happen on drivers side a day later. I've noticed water inside on the sill plate of the vehicle after it rains. I suspect water is making it's way into…
Door closed sensor is faulty and sounds like this is a known issue with Ford but a recall won't happen till more people complain. I am making my complaint official. Also seeking warranty repairs from the original dealership since the issue has returned.
I can shut off the engine and take out the keys when the transmission is still in d., not p.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Ford Expedition reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ford Expedition is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Ford Expedition?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Ford Expedition does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Ford Expedition?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,152 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Ford Expedition a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 71 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 59,152 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Ford Expedition?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,152 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 59,152 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Expedition has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Ford Expedition?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 71 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.